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Many of us like to explore new places but don’t necessarily want to spend hours at airports and on planes. If this sounds familiar, why not consider making the most of our own enchanting island on a 2025 holiday?
The UK has much to offer, from golden sands, dramatic cliffs, and enchanting forests to rolling hills, iconic national parks, and gorgeous flower fields. Plus, even if you don’t have a whole week or more to spare, you can still get lots out of a long weekend.
While tourists flock to the UK’s best-known attractions year-round, there are still plenty of hidden gems to uncover, allowing you to beat the crowds and see our tiny island in an entirely new light.
To inspire your next UK break, we’ve partnered with HF Holidays, a 48,000-member-strong co-operative committed to making the great outdoors accessible to all. HF Holidays offers over 260 guided and self-guided walking holidays in the UK, Europe, and beyond. As Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative, their mission is to connect like-minded people with a love of the great outdoors.
But where should you go? Below are 10 lesser-known UK places to visit in 2025 to offer a snapshot of what you could discover. From finding peace in idyllic gardens and stepping back into the UK’s industrial past to visiting small towns bursting with character – your next UK getaway could be just around the corner.
Among our picks, look out for HF Holidays’ selection of Discover More tours, new for 2025. These allow travellers to join a small group, travelling off the beaten track in a minibus to explore the county’s best-kept secrets. Discover More Tours are about connecting with the essence of each destination, uncovering stories that often go untold, and sharing unique experiences not possible as part of a larger party.
1. Greencombe Gardens, Exmoor
Described as a “paradise overlooking Porlock Bay”, Greencombe Gardens extends along a sheltered hillside, offering breathtaking views over ancient fields. Over 50 years, the garden’s original creator, Joan Lorraine, developed a collection of exceptional plants, avoiding chemical sprays and building on established organic methods. The result? A marvellous piece of plant heaven, home to mystical mossy paths, rare ferns, and incredible flowers in a kaleidoscope of colours.
Here, you can wander below ancient oak and chestnut trees, learn about organic gardening techniques, spot birds and butterflies, and visit the nursery to purchase unusual plants. When visiting as part of HF Holidays’ seven-night Exmoor Discover More Tour, you can also journey through Exmoor’s other wonders – meet beavers at Holnicote Estate; explore the literary-linked Valley of Rocks; visit a Porlock Bay oyster farm; and take in the scenery aboard the West Somerset Railway.
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HF Holidays 7 night Exmoor Discover More Tour *
United Kingdom | 7 nights | Accommodation Included
2. Wiston Winery, South Downs
Wine lovers will definitely want to visit Wiston Winery, nestled in the heart of England’s rolling South Downs. Experts in producing world-class sparkling wines, this family-owned West Sussex haven stands out for its vineyards’ chalky slopes and clay soils, which are essential for making high-quality sparkling wines. The winery also uses traditional methods, including a rare Coquard press – technology typically found only in champagne-making processes.
On a seven-night South Downs Discover More Tour with HF Holidays, visitors can take an award-winning winery tour with an expert guide and savour a selection of wines after. Your adventure also includes the chance to delve into the arts and crafts heritage of Ditchling, discover rich folklore at the Devil’s Dyke, spot wildlife at Pulborough Brooks, and uncover Roman history at Bignor Villa – plus more.
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HF Holidays South Downs Discover More Tour*
United Kingdom | 7 nights | Accommodation Included
3. Wirksworth, Peak District
Tucked away in the Derbyshire Dales, Wirksworth is a hidden gem with winding streets full of surprises. This ancient market town charms visitors with its quirky independent shops, cosy cafes, and stunning limestone buildings. Don’t miss St Mary’s Church with its incredible medieval carvings, or the steep walk up Greenhill where tiny cottages and mysterious alleyways reveal Instagram-worthy views.
History buffs will love spotting old mining clues, while nature lovers can hop on the High Peak Trail for gorgeous countryside walks – perfect for a day of exploring away from the tourist crowds, topped off with a local pub lunch! You can do all this and more on a seven-night Peak District Discover More Tour with HF Holidays. Enjoy a heritage railway ride through the Ecclesbourne Valley, step back in time at Crich Tramway Village, and visit Tissington Hall, an early 17th-century Jacobean mansion house.
Start planning your 2025 adventures!
Save up to £200 per person on walking holidays in the UK, Europe, and Worldwide.
Limited time only – offer runs from December 23rd to January 7th, 2025.
4. Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Lake District
For a fascinating slice of Lake District history, why not visit Stott Park Bobbin Mill: the region’s only surviving example of a working bobbin mill? Watch in amazement as ancient water wheels and belt-driven lathes spring to life, showing how millions of wooden bobbins were crafted for Britain’s textile industry. The skilled workers here could produce thousands of bobbins daily, each essential for spinning cotton.
Today’s demonstrations reveal the incredible craftsmanship and deafening conditions workers endured. Set by Lake Windermere’s peaceful shores, this working museum offers a unique glimpse into the region’s industrial heritage – far from the usual tourist trails. But the Southern Lake District area has plenty more to offer and, over seven nights on HF Holidays’ Southern Lake District Discover More Tour, you can also meet hardy Herdwick sheep, hear Wordsworth tales, explore Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top, and cruise Coniston Water on a steam yacht.
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HF Holidays Southern Lake District Discover More Tour*
United Kingdom | 7 nights | Accommodation Included
5. Wensleydale Creamery, Yorkshire Dales
Cheese enthusiasts will relish the chance to visit Wensleydale Creamery in the market town of Hawes in Wensleydale. Not only are the surrounding landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park stunning, but the creamery is also the birthplace of the iconic Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese. It produces approximately 4,000 tonnes of cheese annually, using traditional methods and milk from over 40 local farms.
Visitors can watch cheese being handcrafted and sample various ages and varieties of Wensleydale – from the traditional crumbly white to special blends with cranberries or ginger. You can do all this and more on HF Holidays’ seven-night Western Yorkshire Discover More Tour. Visit the Dales Country Museum, Cotter Force Waterfall, the historic Lake District market town of Kendal, and a family-run farm in Ravenstonedale.
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HF Holidays Western Yorkshire Dales Discover More Tour*
United Kingdom | 7 nights | Accommodation Included
6. Lizard Point, Cornwall
Lizard Point is mainland Britain’s most southerly spot – and its distinctive character, mysterious shipwrecks, and unusual flora and fauna are all reasons to visit. Not to mention the incredible beaches; dramatic views of the Atlantic; and the chance to see dolphins, grey seals, basking sharks, and Cornish choughs. Visitors will likely be left enthralled by the area’s natural beauty.
If you enjoy coastal adventures, you can soak in the sea breeze at Lizard Point and see plenty more of Cornwall’s must-see sights on a seven-night Cornwall Discovery Tour with HF Holidays. Journey underground at historic Geevor Tin Mine, explore charming smugglers’ ports like Mousehole and Penzance, and sail the peaceful Fal estuary. The adventure also includes visits to Porthcurno’s stunning coves, Trelissick Gardens, and the remarkable Eden Project.
Start planning your 2025 adventures!
Save up to £200 per person on walking holidays in the UK, Europe, and Worldwide.
Limited time only – offer runs from December 23rd to January 7th, 2025.
7. Plockton, Scottish Highlands
Charming, picturesque, and laidback it’s easy to see why Plockton is often called “the jewel of the Highlands”. This picturesque fishing village on Scotland’s west coast is sheltered by Loch Carron and surrounded by hills. Its white-washed cottages curve around a scenic bay where colourful fishing boats bob in the harbour, while its unusual subtropical climate allows palm trees to thrive despite its northern location.
Popular for sailing and boat trips to spot seals, Plockton was the filming location for TV’s Hamish Macbeth. The hospitality is excellent here too – with plenty of delicious seafood and live traditional music – and art enthusiasts can peruse the local studio and art gallery. Visiting Plockton as part of HF Holidays’ seven-night Scottish Highlands Discovery Tour will also allow you to see places like ancient Ariundle Oakwoods, Inveraray Castle, Loch Awe, and more.
8. Cragside House and Gardens, Northumberland
Cragside House and Gardens looks like it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a fairy tale. The National Trust property took 26 years to build in the late 19th century for Lord Armstrong, a prominent Victorian inventor and industrialist. The house became the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity, showcasing Armstrong’s engineering brilliance, and it’s still full of all sorts of historical gadgets today.
The surrounding gardens and woodlands are stunning too; home to twinkling lakes, timber bridges, and canopies of towering trees. Visitors can enjoy over 30 miles of footpaths and seven million trees and shrubs, including a rhododendron maze. Plus, on a three-night Northumberland Discovery Tour with HF Holidays, you can explore Cragside, Alnwick, and Hadrian’s Wall – perfect for a weekend getaway.
9. Blaenavon World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons
This UNESCO site offers a deeply immersive look into the hardships and triumphs of Welsh mining communities in the 18th and 19th centuries. The star attraction is the Big Pit National Coal Museum, where ex-miners guide you 300 feet underground for a real coal mining experience, complete with authentic equipment and fascinating stories. The preserved Blaenavon Ironworks, where iron-making innovations changed the world during the Industrial Revolution, is also a must-see.
For extra charm, hop aboard the Blaenavon Heritage Railway for scenic rides through the lush Welsh countryside. On a three-night Brecon Beacons Discovery Tour with HF Holidays, you can spend a day at Blaenavon, tick St Fagans National Museum of History off your list, and enjoy a guided tour of The Royal Mint Experience too.
Start planning your 2025 adventures!
Save up to £200 per person on walking holidays in the UK, Europe, and Worldwide.
Limited time only – offer runs from December 23rd to January 7th, 2025.
10. Bibury, Cotswolds
William Morris called Bibury, which sits along the River Coln in Gloucestershire, “the most beautiful village in England” – and its timeless beauty continues to captivate visitors from around the world. The iconic Arlington Row, a collection of honey-coloured stone cottages built in the 14th century for weavers, is one of the most photographed scenes in Britain. These National Trust-owned cottages were originally part of a medieval wool-trading community and now represent quintessential English rural charm.
The village boasts traditional Cotswold stone architecture, gentle riverside walks, and the historic Bibury Trout Farm. Its peaceful ambience and gorgeous scenery make it the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city-life. To explore Bibury, as well as Cirencester, Broadway, and Sudeley Castle, why not consider joining HF Holidays’ three-night Cotswolds Discovery Tour?
Final thoughts…
There are adventures to be had everywhere – and, luckily, you don’t need to spend hours on planes or in airports to have some unforgettable experiences. The UK is brimming with hidden gems that can allow you to get to know our island on a deeper level.
From discovering how world-class sparkling wines or traditional cheeses are made to finding peace and solitude in beautiful gardens and soaking in dramatic coastal views, the UK has something for everyone to enjoy.
Plus, by taking an HF Holidays tour, you’ll not only get to spend time with other like-minded people and hopefully make some new friends – but the tour leaders also bring passion, knowledge, and experience to every journey, so you can explore the world with confidence, knowing you’re in safe hands.
To browse all of HF Holidays’ Discovery and Discover More tours, you can visit their website below.
Have you visited any of the unique destinations listed here? Or have you added any to your travel wish list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.