How to Get a UK IP Address From Anywhere in 2024

Getting a reliable UK IP address is not as straightforward as you thought. There are multiple methods that offer British IPs, but not all of them are secure and dependable.

The easiest way to get a UK IP address is with a VPN offering UK servers. When you connect to one of its private UK servers, your traffic gets encrypted and routed to that location. This offers strong privacy protection whether you travel and use public WiFi or you’re in the UK looking to secure your connection. It also means you can safely access UK platforms from anywhere.

My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It has several UK server locations and impressive speeds to access your British accounts from any location without slowdowns. You can try its UK servers risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for a UK IP Address in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How to Get a UK IP Address With a VPN

A VPN is the easiest method for getting a UK IP. It does this by routing your internet traffic through a private server (in this case, in the UK), making it appear to be coming from the UK. Reputable VPNs also offer DNS and IP leak protection since exposure of either can easily give away your true IP and make your personal data vulnerable. This makes it possible to access UK sites and services safely from anywhere.

Just follow these simple steps to using a VPN to get a UK IP address:

1. Get a VPN

ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for getting a UK IP address. Not only does it have UK servers in 5 locations, but its speeds are the fastest of any VPN we tested. It also offers automatic obfuscation, which hides the fact you’re using a VPN and lets you bypass network restrictions. This includes shared or public WiFi, like school and work networks.

After choosing your preferred VPN services, head over to its websites, choose a plan, and sign up for an account.

You can try ExpressVPN with no financial risk

2. Download the VPN

Head over to the VPN’s download page (usually found from your account dashboard) and select the file for your device. While setting up your VPN, you’ll likely see a few popups, like the option to share data for diagnostic and troubleshooting reasons.

It took less than a minute to download ExpressVPN on my Windows PC

3. Connect to a UK Server

Use your VPN’s search feature to find a UK server and connect. Choosing the server that’s closest to your actual location will give you better speeds. Once connected, you’ll be assigned a UK IP address and your personal data and location will be kept private.

You can choose from locations in London, Docklands, East London, and Midlands

4. Browse Securely With a UK IP Address

It’s now possible to safely access UK content, like ITV and BBC, from anywhere. You’ll also be able to securely access your online bank account and shop on UK websites while keeping your real IP address hidden.

We tried each of ExpressVPN's UK servers and all worked with iPlayer perfectly

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Best VPNs for Getting a UK IP Address in 2024

Each of these VPNs offers reliable servers in the UK, fast speeds, and strong security features to keep your online activities private. This lets you browse as if you’re in the UK without worrying about malicious third parties.

1. ExpressVPN — Automatic Obfuscation to Safely Access UK Content on Any Network

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Tested November 2024

Available on:

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www.expressvpn.com

With 5 UK server locations, ExpressVPN allows secure access to UK banking and streaming platformsfrom anywhere. When we tested it, it worked reliably in HD with BBC iPlayer, Sky TV, and Eurosport. Plus, its entire network consists of obfuscated servers, concealing your VPN use and making it harder to detect on restricted networks.

Your data is virtually impossible to crack since it uses AES 256-bit encryption as well as Perfect Forward Secrecy. It’s also headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands and has a strict, audited no-logs policy. Additionally, DNS/IP leak protection conceals your real location. It’s important that your DNS address matches your UK IP to grant access to UK services.

However, it's a bit pricey, with monthly plans starting at $4.99/month. But ExpressVPN regularly offers promotions and discounts. I got 82% off my long-term subscription and 3 months of service for free. All of its plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and requesting a refund through its live chat is really easy.

2. CyberGhost — Torrent-Optimized Servers for Smooth P2P-File Sharing With a UK IP

Available on:

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Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost offers dedicated servers tailored for torrenting, consistently updated for optimal performance and functionality. We tested CyberGhost’s torrenting servers by connecting to the UK server in the For downloading category, and our speeds were only 9% slower than the baseline. Its standard servers also permit torrenting, but their speed stability varied in our tests.

It also offers a dedicated UK IP address for a small extra fee. Dedicated IP addresses reduce the chances of being blocked by UK services since you'll be the only one using it. It can also help prevent annoying CAPTCHAs while you browse with the VPN connected.

CyberGhost’s only downside is that the monthly subscription is expensive and has a short 14-day refund period. However, long-term plans start at $2.03/month and have an extended money-back guarantee of 45 days. This lets you test out CyberGhost for free and request a full refund if you decide it’s not for you.

3. Private Internet Access — Top-Tier Security Features to Keep Your Data Safe While Using a UK IP

Available on:

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Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers multiple encryption and protocol options for maximum protection while browsing British websites. Plus, PIA’s ad, tracker, and malware blocker (MACE) keeps your data private and protects you from malware. When I activated the MACE feature, the ads initially displayed on the BBC.com website disappeared.

The one thing that concerned me about PIA is that it’s headquartered in the US — a founding member of the data-sharing 5 Eyes Alliance. That said, it’s reassuring that its no-logs policy has been audited by third parties and has even been proven in court.

You can try PIA risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it’s right for you. Like CyberGhost, it also offers a dedicated UK IP address for an extra fee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for a UK IP Address

In evaluating VPNs that give you a UK IP address, we focus on how many UK servers they offer and how reliable they are. We also considered factors like robust security and privacy features to keep your online activity safe, as well as obfuscation to conceal your VPN use. Quick performance and dependability should also be high on your list of priorities to allow for seamless browsing and secure streaming on UK platforms.

For a deeper explanation of our rigorous testing process, check out our methodology page. Here, our international team of experts explains how we assess each of our recommended VPNs to ensure they meet the criteria.

How to Get a UK IP Address Without a VPN

Even though using a VPN is the best way to get a UK IP address, there are a couple of other methods. However, these are not as secure nor as reliable as using a VPN, so keep this in mind when trying them out.

• Use a Proxy Server

Similar to VPNs, proxy servers direct your internet traffic through a server located in a specific country, such as the UK. This alters your visible IP address to match that of the proxy server's location, giving the appearance that you are browsing from within the UK.

However, the biggest difference between proxies and VPNs is that, while proxies can hide your IP address, they do not encrypt your data, leaving your sensitive information susceptible to interception. Additionally, proxies, especially free ones, can significantly slow down your internet speeds due to high user congestion.

Setting up a proxy is usually straightforward, but the exact steps will depend on your device. You’ll need to get the server’s IP address and port number from the proxy administrator and input this information into your device’s proxy settings.

You can opt to bypass the proxy server for intranet addresses

• Get a UK IP Address With Tor

Tor is free software that encrypts web traffic and data by routing it through multiple encrypted Tor servers. Consequently, websites only see the IP address of the final server (the exit node).

To get a UK IP address with the Tor browser, download and install the Tor browser for your device. Then, run Tor to create a “torrc” file in the installation folder. Locate the “torrc” file and open it with a text editor (such as Notepad or TextEdit). Add the line “ExitNodes {uk}” and save the file. This will ensure that you obtain a UK exit node whenever you run Tor.

However, keep in mind that this method is much more unreliable than a VPN. Additionally, the Tor network is very slow since it works on an overlay network of volunteer servers, so streaming UK content without constant buffering is unlikely.

Making this change will let you browse Tor with a UK IP address

• Alternative methods

There are a couple of alternative methods to get a UK IP address, but they’re not recommended. For instance, using smart DNS can provide a UK IP, but it doesn’t offer encryption or hide your actual IP address, so it’s not as reliable and offers no privacy protection.

Another option is to rent a VPS in the UK through a reliable provider such as Hostinger, Siteground, and A2 Hosting. However, not many of these services offer encryption or any other necessary security features. You could manually configure an OpenVPN tunnel or other security measures, but it’s much easier to just get a VPN that comes pre-configured with all of this.

Lastly, it’s also possible to connect to a mobile hotspot if you’re in the UK for an alternative IP address, but this can’t be done from outside of the country, and data may be limited.

FAQs on Getting a UK IP Address With a VPN

Is it legal to use a VPN to get a UK IP address?

Yes, using a VPN to get a UK IP address is legal in most countries. Simply launch your VPN and connect to a UK server to get a UK IP address. However, using a VPN to engage in illegal activities, such as downloading copyrighted material, is illegal regardless of the location of the VPN server. Make sure to review the rules and regulations regarding VPN use in the country you're in so you don't accidentally break any laws.

What does a UK IP address look like?

A UK IP address appears similar to any other IP address but is assigned by ISPs within the United Kingdom. It consists of four groups of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 82.132.229.34). The geographic allocation of the IP range determines its association with the UK​. Using a VPN with servers in the UK is the easiest way to get a UK IP address. Once you’re connected to a UK server, check you have obtained a UK IP by using an IP checker tool.

How can I check if my IP address has changed to the UK?

It’s quick and easy — there are online tools that check your IP address. First, connect your VPN to a UK server. Then, visit a site offering a free IP address reading tool, like vpnMentor's IP checker, and allow it to scan your location. You've connected successfully if it shows an IP address in the UK that's different from yours.

How can I get a dedicated UK IP address?

Certain premium VPNs offer dedicated IPs for a small extra fee. For example, the second VPN on this list offers dedicated UK IP addresses. Simply sign up for a premium subscription, choose the UK as your dedicated IP location, and connect to the server from the app. Dedicated IP addresses provide a more stable connection by reducing the chance of online services blocking your access due to a shared IP address.

Can a free VPN give me a British IP address?

Maybe, but they don’t offer much security or privacy. Some even collect and sell user data, inject ads, or use weak encryption protocols, leaving you vulnerable to hacking, surveillance, or data leaks. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a more reliable way to get a British IP address. Paid-for VPNs protect your online privacy with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

Many free VPNs also have limited server locations, which means they may not have servers in the UK, or their servers may be overloaded and slow, leading to poor connection quality.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for getting a UK IP address…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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