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When thinking about moving – whether to retire somewhere new or for a change of scenery – most of us prefer to go somewhere beautiful.
Luckily, the UK is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes – from snow-capped mountains to white sand beaches, and ancient woodlands to rolling hills. But you might be wondering which places are some of the most inspiring to call home.
From the beaches of Cornwall to the remote islands of Scotland, here are nine of the most gorgeous (and unique) places to settle in the UK.
1. The Lake District
Of all the English counties, Cumbria might be most famous for its beauty. Home to glistening, mirror-like lakes, lush green valleys, and ancient woodlands, if you’re looking to settle in a place that consistently inspires you, it’s difficult to think of a better spot than the Lake District.
For particularly sociable individuals, a lively village rather than a remote spot might be preferred (and you’ll be spoilt for choice here!).
Though Grasmere is best known for being the former home of William Wordsworth, this lovely village is surrounded by breathtaking countryside that’s a haven for hikers, from the beautiful woods of Coffin Route to the waterfalls and pools of Easedale Tarn.
If you love living near the water, you won’t be short of options. Five miles long, one mile wide, and surrounded by rugged fells, Coniston Water is beautiful, and Coniston Village has plenty to offer, too.
Or perhaps you’re more drawn to the glacial blue Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. The nearby village of Ambleside is one of the prettiest towns in the Lake District, full of charming stone houses, cosy cafes, and independent shops.
Though Lake Windermere is very popular with tourists, locals can find solitude in the surrounding hills. Plus, if you’re into sailing, living here means you can take advantage of all the marinas and sailing and windsurfing centres along the lake. If you’d like to live right on the water, the bustling villages of Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere provide a warm sense of community.
2. Pembrokeshire
Wales has some of the most dramatically beautiful natural scenery in the UK. And while the mountains and lakes of Snowdonia are undeniably breathtaking, Pembrokeshire’s spectacular coastline might give it a slight advantage – particularly if you’re drawn to oceans and beaches over peaks and valleys.
Boasting rugged hills of volcanic rock, narrow inlets carved by glaciers, and limestone cliffs that soar above pristine beaches, Pembrokeshire’s beauty draws visitors from across the world.
If you’re into hiking, you’ll be in your element. The 190-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the country’s most stunning walking trails, and having it on your doorstep is a major plus. The beaches along the trail are all gorgeous – though Barafundle Bay, Whitesands, and Broad Haven are especially impressive.
If you’re looking to relocate to a lovely village, Amroth and St Dogmaels are perfect examples of how charming Pembrokeshire life can be.
But it isn’t just natural beauty that sets Pembrokeshire apart; it’s also its unique history and culture. This county is jam-packed with impressive buildings and mysterious ancient sites, so you certainly won’t be short of historical attractions to visit.
The mini-city of St David’s is famous for its fabulous cathedral. There are dozens of Celtic sites to explore, and if you’d like to get away from it all, the rugged cliffs of Ramsey Island beckon.
3. Cornwall
You can’t list the UK’s most beautiful places to live and not mention Cornwall. As the most popular holiday spot in the country, its beauty is no secret. And though the UK might be most celebrated for its stunning beaches and shimmering turquoise waters, it’s incredibly diverse and has much to offer.
If you prefer rugged, dramatic landscapes, West Cornwall might suit you well. The windswept beaches, wild moorlands, and rocky outcrops provide locals with peace and solitude – and thanks to the narrowness of this strip of land, you’re only ever a couple of miles from the coast.
For people who like living in towns and villages, St Ives, Penzance, and St Just have all the amenities you’ll need, while still providing the benefits of being surrounded by tranquil countryside.
If you’ve ever watched shows like Doc Martin or Poldark and dreamed of moving to these idyllic places, North Cornwall might be well suited to you. This part of Cornwall is home to picture-perfect fishing villages, whitewashed cottages, rolling hills, and azure waters.
Port Isaac is known as the filming location for Doc Martin, and Tintagel, Boscastle, and Bude are just as pretty. If you’d like to live in a larger town, Padstow is a great choice – and with its excellent restaurants, it’s perfect for foodies.
South Cornwall is best known for the Lizard Peninsula, the most south-westerly point of the UK mainland. It’s incredibly picturesque, with dramatic cliffs and lovely beaches like Kennack Sands, Coverack Beach, and Kynance Cove. The village of Helford in the northeast corner of the Lizard is the epitome of natural beauty, with thatched cottages, ancient oak forests, and secret creeks tucked away along the unspoiled Helford River.
4. Isle of Skye
If you yearn for a simpler, quieter life, far away from the hustle and bustle of fast-paced cities, the Isle of Skye might be the ideal place to relocate.
Famous for its beautiful natural scenery, Skye is the largest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides and is home to some of the country’s most iconic, mystical, and breathtaking landscapes.
At 50 miles long, Skye’s deeply indented coastline boasts various impressive geological features – such as the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and the Cuillin ridge. The jagged peaks of Cuillin dominate the skyline, and when the famous mist closes in (the Vikings called Skye ‘cloud island’), you’ll understand why so many people are drawn to this dramatic, historic, and remote island.
The diverse wildlife of Skye makes it an even more attractive place to live, and locals have an excellent chance of spotting eagles, otters, seals, whales, dolphins, and red deer. The mountains, velvety moors, sparkling lochs, and miles of towering cliffs mean there are excellent hiking trails – and if you’d like adventure (as well as peace and tranquillity), you’ll find that here, too.
The capital of Skye is Portree, a fishing village that overlooks a sheltered bay with all the pubs, shops, and restaurants you’ll need to stay busy. Though if you fancy getting away, head to the surrounding hills – Ben Tianavaig to the south and Fingal’s Seat to the west.
If you prefer smaller villages, Dunvegan, Edinbane, and Staffin in the north, and Broadford, Armadale, and Elgol in the south, all have breathtaking surroundings.
5. Northumberland
While some places featured in this article – like Cornwall and the Lake District – are widely celebrated for their beauty, others aren’t quite so recognised. A prime example of this is Northumberland, which has the least-populated national park in the country.
Known as ‘England’s last great wilderness’, Northumberland boasts miles of dramatic coastline, vast valleys, and wild moorland. So if you’re drawn to peaceful places away from the crowds, it ticks the box.
There are many lovely places to live here, from the pretty fishing village of Seahouses to the village of Ingram in the gorgeous Breamish Valley – and, of course, the beautiful market town of Morpeth.
If you’re a history buff, living in Northumberland has another bonus: it’s home to more castles than anywhere else in England. Plus, it’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Northumberland’s Farne Islands have the honour of being Sir David Attenborough’s favourite place in the country and are home to seals, dolphins, and around 23 types of seabirds.
But the Farne Islands are by no means Northumberland’s only enchanting island range, and if you love visiting remote places (or even living in them), the Holy Island of Lindisfarne will surely be calling your name.
Though it has a thriving community with shops, pubs, and cafes, Lindisfarne is most known for its spectacular nature reserve. Here, you can admire sweeping views of dunes, marshes, mudflats, and the sea.
6. The Cotswolds
Another region of England widely celebrated for its beauty is the Cotswolds. Encompassing six counties and hundreds of picture-perfect villages, it’s one of the UK’s most visited areas for a reason. If you love village life and enjoy a community feel while surrounded by pristine countryside, it’s difficult to think of a more idyllic spot.
There are so many beautiful and historic Cotswold villages that selecting the loveliest is tricky – but Gloucestershire’s Bourton-on-the-Water is often voted one of the prettiest villages in England. Nicknamed the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, it’s home to honey-coloured cottages, quaint tea rooms, gorgeous gardens, and elegant stone bridges that arch over the photogenic River Windrush.
Vying for Bourton-on-the-Water’s ‘prettiest village in England’ crown is Wiltshire’s Castle Combe. The beauty of Castle Combe is no secret (it’s been featured in the Hollywood movies Stardust and War Horse), and its winding streets can get crowded with wide-eyed tourists. But the surrounding woods are peaceful and pristine, and the Bybrook River is popular with locals enjoying a quiet stroll.
For some, the touristy nature of the Cotswolds can be off-putting, especially if you prefer the quiet. But, while places like Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford get busy, many more peaceful, quintessential Cotswolds villages are just as beautiful.
The twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter might be small, but they’re home to some of the most romantic streets in the UK – and the unspoilt countryside and landscaped gardens that surround them will likely take your breath away.
7. County Antrim
Another place that’s just as beautiful – though perhaps more rugged – is Northern Ireland’s County Antrim.
This is a land of dramatic coastlines, towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and awe-inspiring rock formations that’ll have you feeling like you’ve fallen into a fantasy novel. Antrim is steeped in history, myth, and legend, and its spectacular scenery is like nowhere else.
If you love hiking, you’ll be glad that Antrim is home to some of the country’s most unique hiking scenery. On the Gobbins Cliff Walk, you can explore secret sea caves, scale ancient stairways carved into the rock face, and test your nerves on the precipitous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which hangs 100 feet above the churning North Atlantic Ocean!
Antrim houses many mysterious sea caves, including the ancient and alluring Cushendun Caves, featured in Game of Thrones. The Dark Hedges – a twisted line of beech trees that look like something from The Lord of the Rings – is yet another example of the county’s natural beauty.
But despite all these natural phenomena, it’s the Giant’s Causeway that Antrim is most famous for – an area of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that were formed 60 million years ago by an erupting volcano. If you enjoy watching the sunset, this is a stunning place to do it.
Antrim’s villages are just as charming. If you love pretty seaside hamlets where you can take advantage of the gorgeous coastline, then Ballycastle, Glenarm, Portrush, and Portstewart are all wonderful places to live. The latter two have some of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Ireland, as well as the best golf courses.
8. North Yorkshire
While all of Yorkshire is undeniably beautiful – and the rolling Yorkshire Dales are arguably most famous – North Yorkshire is home to some of the wildest and most wonderful scenery in the UK. And if you’re looking to move here, you’ll get to choose from an astonishingly diverse range of locations and landscapes.
The windswept, heather-clad moorland of the North York Moors National Park is a paradise for hikers, and its trails will take you through some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in England.
The vertical inland cliff of Sutton Bank was formed in the Ice Age. From the peak, you can admire “the finest view in England” and gaze out over the Vale of Mowbray, Hood Hill, and Gormire Lake. But North Yorkshire has much more than its moors and valleys; its coastline is just as beautiful.
The atmospheric coastal town of Whitby is famous for its magnificent seventh-century Gothic abbey, Georgian old town, and soaring cliffs. The historic seaside resort of Scarborough is another lovely place to live, particularly for its ancient castles, sandy beaches, and gorgeous gardens.
The vast countryside of North Yorkshire is home to countless villages and towns. So if you prefer being near forests, moors, and valleys rather than the sea, you’ll have many options.
From the pretty village of Goathland to the market town of Helmsley, and pretty Thornton-le-Dale to historic Rievaulx (with its ruined Cistercian abbey), there are countless inviting places to relocate to. Choosing one may be difficult, but you can rest assured that all are surrounded by charming countryside.
9. The Shetland Islands
With just over 23,000 residents, the Shetland Islands aren’t exactly for people looking for hustle and bustle. But if you’d like to move somewhere peaceful, rugged, and with breathtaking natural scenery, the UK’s most northerly point might be for you.
Located between Norway and mainland Scotland, the Shetland Islands are made up of around 100 islands, 16 of which are inhabited – each with its own wonderful, individual character.
Larger islands like ‘the Mainland’ boast beautiful scenery and wildlife. They’re also home to some interesting and unique towns steeped in culture and history. If you’d like to live somewhere further off the beaten track, you could check out some outer-lying islands like Unst and Yell.
If you’d like to live near the sea, the Shetland Islands are a top choice as you’re never more than four miles from the shore. Home to some fantastic beaches like St Ninian’s (a sandy tombolo that connects the small isle to the mainland) and Breckon Sands on the island of Yell, they’re a delight to explore – even when the wind is howling.
Lerwick, the Shetland Islands’ capital, is an obvious choice if you’re looking to move to this windswept archipelago. With a population of around 7,500, it’s the largest settlement and, as it’s home to a handful of museums and Mareel (the Shetland Islands’ premier arts and entertainment centre), it’s also the unofficial cultural capital.
Final thoughts…
The UK is home to so many pretty places that choosing the most beautiful will always be difficult and personal to everyone. But the locations on this list aren’t only stunning, but also incredibly varied and unique.
From the geographical wonders of County Antrim to Cumbria’s gleaming lakes, and the dramatic mountains of the Isle of Skye to Pembrokeshire’s picturesque coastline, these parts of the UK all offer something different.
Whether you’re seriously thinking about relocating or just enjoy daydreaming about making a move, we hope these places have inspired you – and perhaps helped you gain a new appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the UK.
For more ideas and inspiration on places to live and home improvements, check out our home and garden section. Here, you’ll find articles like 20 happiest places to live in Great Britain and 15 of the best places to retire in the UK.
Alternatively, if you aren’t looking to move but feeling inspired to explore more of the country, you can find the top staycation holiday deals using the button below.
Are you lucky enough to live in any of these lovely places? Or do you have any other suggestions for the UK’s most beautiful places to live? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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