Here in the UK, we’re fortunate enough to have an abundance of natural beauty and culture right on our doorstep. With so many interesting and beautiful places to choose from when planning a trip, we’ve highlighted a few of our favourites to hopefully give you some ideas.
So, if you fancy an adventure that’s within easy reach, take a look at these 22 inspiring places to visit in the UK.
1. Lake District, Cumbria
The beauty of the Lake District has led UNESCO to name it as one of their newest protected sites. With stunning mountain ranges, tranquil lakes, and unique little villages, this gem is the perfect place for a relaxing break.
If you enjoy cycling, you might also be interested to know that the Lakeland Loop has been voted Britain’s best bike ride.
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Walking in the Lake District & Hadrian's Wall*
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2. Watergate Bay, Cornwall
If you’re looking for great UK beach vibes, why not head to this gorgeous bay in Cornwall, which boasts two miles of golden sand? It’s the ideal spot for sea lovers and you’ll feel like you’re a world away from home.
Watergate Bay is best known for its surfing scene – but it’s also one of Cornwall’s best dog-friendly beaches and is great for families too.
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Walking Cornwall's North coast Padstow to Perranporth*
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3. Windsor, South East England
Windsor is a historic market town in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This quaint town thrives on rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and beautiful scenery — with Windsor Castle, Eton College, and Great Windsor Great Park being some of the main attractions.
Covering 4,800 acres, Windsor Great Park is touted as one of the best green spaces in the country. It includes a deer park and a 2.64-mile tree-lined avenue created during the reign of Charles II, leading to the gates of Windsor Great Castle.
4. Jurassic Coast, Dorset
Nope, there aren’t any dinosaurs here, but you can go fossil hunting! This intriguing UNESCO-protected coastline is full of pre-historic treasures waiting to be found. It stretches 95 miles from Devon to Dorset, so there’s no shortage of beautiful scenery for you to enjoy.
Perhaps the biggest reason people come here is to visit Durdle Door – a natural limestone arch that was firmed when the power of the waves eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. If you want to beat the crowds, why not head down to the beach around sunrise where you might see the sun peeking through the door?
5. The Dark Hedges, County Antrim
The Dark Hedges are some of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland, and are now popular with visitors worldwide. This impressive scene is located on a quiet road in Ballymoney, County Antrim.
A line of beech trees with twisted branches forms an arch over the road, which makes for an amazing photo opportunity. The Dark Hedges is just a short half-an-hour away from the mysterious Giant’s Causeway, and a one-hour drive from Northern Ireland’s capital of Belfast, which is home to the World’s largest Titanic visitor experience.
6. Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Tenby is known for its beautiful beaches, which look like they’re straight from the Mediterranean. It has three – North, South, and Castle Beach – each with its own unique charm.
As well as having plenty of natural beauty to enjoy, Tenby also has cultural exploits to offer, such as Tenby Museum and Art Gallery and the National Trust-owned Tudor Merchant’s House. There are some eerie ghost walks on offer too, near Tenby town centre.
7. Bath, Somerset
Bath is the largest city in Somerset. It’s bursting with ancient history and culture, but it’s most famous for its Roman-built baths, hot springs, medieval heritage, and Georgian architecture.
This elegant, feel-good city is quite unforgettable. And there might be a few surprises in store too!
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Abbey Hotel Bath, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel*
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8. London, England
Who could forget the iconic capital city of England and the UK: London! There’s so much to do, from mooching through the funky market stalls in Camden to seeing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. If you’re on a budget, consider staying in Kings Cross or Camden, which has plenty of affordable accommodation, cafes, restaurants, and vintage shops.
Although pricier, Belgravia, Kensington, and Knightsbridge are also great places to stay during your first time in London. All three are near some of London’s most famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.
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9. Brecon Beacons, South Wales
The Brecon Beacons are a striking mountain range in southern Wales, cared for by the National Trust. The range has six main peaks, including Pen y Fan – the largest peak, standing at 2,907 ft tall.
The iconic area features nature walks, a national park, campsites, and plenty of village eateries. It’s also a popular place for stargazing!
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Roman and Medieval South Wales Escorted Tour*
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10. Holy Island, Northumberland
Transport yourself to this magical island, which is even more breathtaking in person – the photos just don’t do it justice.
This gorgeous little island is home to Lindisfarne Castle, which is so pretty that you’ll likely wonder whether it’s even real. Built in the mid-1500s and renovated by founder of Country Life Magazine, Edward Hudson, in the 20th century, the castle is now owned by the National Trust.
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Northumberland's Coast and Castles*
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Northumberland Tour - Castles, Coast and Country Houses*
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11. Manchester City, North West England
If you want to experience a vibrant city outside of London, you could head to Manchester – where the city’s trendy vibes will completely lure you in.
If you’re looking for a tasty bite, Manchester is well known for its diverse restaurants, with everything from BBQ food to sushi heaven. You can also enjoy a pleasant stroll around the quays and canals!
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Art Nouveau and Art Deco Tour in Manchester*
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12. Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Cirencester lies on the River Churn and is the largest town in the Cotswolds. It’s the place to go if you love a good market and can be easily reached by car or train. This historic Roman market town is also just minutes away from lush countryside if you’re in the mood for peace and solitude.
Whether you want to shop til you drop or go on long meandering walks in nature, you’ll soon wonder where the time went, as there’s so much to see and explore…
13. Castle Howard, York
Visitors are often blown away by the jaw-dropping beauty of Castle Howard. The house is open daily until 2nd November 2024, while the gardens are open year-round apart from Christmas Day.
You can explore 1,000 acres of parkland and winding woodland paths, temples, terraces, and fountains – not forgetting the beautiful Walled Garden!
14. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital – is often described as looking like a real-life fairy tale. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, where you can see Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
There’s also plenty of history and culture to explore along the cobbled streets of the Medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town.
Fun fact: Edinburgh is the home of Sean Connery, Sherlock Holmes, digestive biscuits, and Harry Potter!
15. St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
If you want to visit somewhere that combines stunning scenery with a good old legendary tale, St Michael’s Mount is one place you’ll definitely want to visit.
This small tidal island is possibly one of the prettiest places in England, and rumour has it that a giant still inhabits one of the island’s caves. Spooky!
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Walking Cornwall's North coast Padstow to Perranporth*
Cornwall | 5 nights | Book with Headwater
16. Bristol, South West England
Bristol is home to some of Banksy’s most iconic works, as well as some fantastic boutique shops and the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s full of so much character that your first visit probably won’t be your last!
Animal lovers may also want to visit Bristol Zoo, while art lovers can enjoy spotting the various vibrant street murals the city is famous for.
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17. Giant’s Causeways, County Antrim
If you’re looking for a getaway with some dramatic scenery, the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is one of the most inspiring places to visit in the UK.
Lying at the bottom of the basalt cliffs, the Giant’s Causeway is made up of 40,000 huge black basalt columns sticking out of the sea, which interlock in perfect horizontal alignment. Scientists believe that the striking scene was caused by volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago.
For many, this UNESCO heritage site has also inspired myths and legends about giants striding over the sea to Scotland.
18. Finnich Glen, Stirlingshire
If you’re looking for adventure and don’t mind walking through water, Finnich Glen in Stirlingshire, Scotland, is one of the top places to visit in the UK.
This steep gorge, which was carved from red sandstone, is up to 70ft deep. Some of its most memorable features include a steep staircase known as the Devil’s Steps and a mushroom-shaped rock that rises above the rushing stream, nicknamed The Devil’s Pulpit.
Finnich Glen has been used to film scenes in TV series Outlander and The Nest, as well as the film, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
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19. Snowdonia National Park, North Wales
The picturesque mountain range in North Wales is home to England and Wales’ largest mountain, standing at 3,560 feet tall.
Climbing Snowdonia is challenging, but it’s sure to be unforgettable. If climbing isn’t for you, there are still plenty of other ways to appreciate the scenic landscape.
Meander through wooded valleys and historic villages, or take a leisurely ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. There’s also 60 miles of glorious coastline to enjoy.
20. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Cambridge is worth adding to your bucket list of places to visit in the UK if you’re interested in history and culture. This elegant city is laced with impressive buildings such as the historic chapel at King’s College, which was gifted by Henry VIII to one of his six wives (Anne Boleyn).
In the summer, you can also enjoy punting on the River Cam, picnicking in one of the beautiful green spaces, and biking around the city’s excellent cycle networks.
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The Story of Cambridge's Colleges*
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21. Stonehenge, Wiltshire
As one of the most famous places to visit in the UK, this unusual attraction is a must-see. To this day, no one knows how and why it was built, which just adds to its wonder and mystery!
You can make a day trip, or stay longer in the surrounding county of Wiltshire – famous for its ham, horses, and prehistoric monuments!
22. Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby
This captivating coastal village was once where smugglers brought in contraband items like alcohol – and it still has a fascinating network of smuggler tunnels underneath it.
Steeped in history and beauty, you won’t be able to help falling in love with this charming location. Take a stroll along the impressive promenade, sip coffee in quirky coffee shops, and enjoy afternoon tea – or something stronger – at one of the many bars and eateries in Spanish City.
Final thoughts…
From stunning scenes of natural beauty to enchanting towns, villages, and cities, there’s no shortage of varied and interesting places to visit in the UK.
So, whether you’re looking to get away for a day trip or longer, we hope this list of 22 inspiring places to visit in the UK has given you a few ideas.
For more help planning your next trip, why not check out the travel section of our website?
Have you visited any of these inspiring places to visit in the UK? Or do you have any other gems that you’d recommend? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.