Tips Avoiding the Biggest Crowds in August?
 

I know, August is one of the busiest tourism months in Europe and we're gonna see some crowds. My friends and I mostly want to avoid the type of soul-crushing "I-can't-see-my-feet", "every-restaurant-has-a-wait", and "limited-entry-you're-screwed-if-you-didn't-get-tickets-in-advance" attractions. Are there any cities in Ireland and the UK that get unusually swamped by locals and kids on summer holiday, in particular? I've heard the southwest UK and beachy areas down there should be avoided, and wondering what the rest of you can add to that list.

Hi,

Edinburgh will have the Festival and the Fringe in August and can be very busy with accomodation booked up.

London is busy all year round but you can find quieter spots.

Regards


TBS

I don't have any stats on this, but I suspect that for London, August is actually a good time for getting into popular restaurants as many Londoners / London workers are away. Areas like Cornwall are of course a different story.

This survey might be useful:
https://www.visitbritain.org/official-statistics

London, for locals, is like a ghost town from late July until after the August Bank Holiday. Restaurants which are normally impossible to get into are suddenly free, and it's even possible to get tickets to the better plays. However, anything touristy, whether it's tourist restaurants, tourist plays or tourist attractions, will be packed. So it depends what the OP wants to do.

I've been in London in August a couple of times and didn't find the crowds more pressing than usual although in London I didn't visit any of the typical tourist spots. The only difference I noted was hearing more American accents on the Tube.

One area often overlooked I think is the Mull in Kintyre in Scotland. Maybe a visit to somewhere like Torrisdale Castle. But the problem is the drive from Glasgow airport is a bit windy.

If you want a beach thats not so busy and quite part of the UK.

The drive down is lovely, though, with several areas that are definitely photo worthy. Plus, a ferry trip can put you on Arran in about 45 minutes or about 2.5 hours to Islay. And neither of those areas is overrun although they are popular, Arran especially for outdoor adventures and Islay for its whisky distilleries. I did find Islay accommodations somewhat expensive in August while Arran was a bit cheaper.

We use to do this week each year, at Torrisdale Castle in Carradale. I dont drink, my friends tell me their Gin is lovely.

Then because of a move, we changed to Aberfoyle and a Mcdonald resort called Forest Hills overlooking Loch Ard.

Health has put an end to these visits sadly.

Having worked in Soho with Piccadilly being my main station for 5 years and Marble Arch for a decade before, and Bond St prior to that, I can assure you popular restaurants are still busy. I tend not to go away in August and work through and find that its mainly those with children who need to take time off and it is mainly the 2 weeks leading up to the public holiday at the end of the month.

Restaurants are pretty full still because smart tourists have read tripadvisor et al and know what the trendy places to be are and have booked them out. Restaurants that may be quieter will be in the City as they don't have the benefit of the same passing tourist numbers. Those bordering Shoreditch may be ok as Summer activities do drive locals and tourists there alike.