The Best Places to Visit in the UK
- shanimirwis
- May 3, 2021
- 10 min read
Updated: Jan 19
The UK is full of wonderful places to visit - effortlessly stunning scenery, gorgeous coastline, quaint towns and charming villages. We're quite spoilt for choice! And being British, we're taught to embrace all seasons, so there's no bad time to hop off on a UK adventure. Here's a list of the best places to visit in the UK, in no particular order. Promise!
And if you have more time and are considering a proper trip around England and the UK, check out my ultimate guide to a two-week road trip in England.
1. Bath
The city of Bath, in Somerset, is a World Heritage site and famed for its Roman baths. It was a popular spa town in the Georgian era and attracted the rich and royal in its heyday! Jane Austen and Charles Dickens were frequent visitors (Austen actually lived here for a few years) - and there is a delightful Jane Austen Centre commemorating her life and works. Bath makes a perfect weekend break; be sure to check out the Great Bath (pictured above), Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent.
2. Peak District
The Peak District was designated the UK's first National Park in 1951. Close to several major UK cities, it attracts millions of visitors every year, who walk, cycle and climb its beautiful landscape. It is all so picturesque, and some of the best spots include Mam Tor, Stanage Edge, Dovedale, Winnats Pass and Kinder Scout. The autumnal fog makes for epic sunrises, and the sunsets are pretty good too! The towns and villages are particularly quaint (Bakewell, Castleton and Hathersage - to name a few), and Chatsworth House is a beauty to behold. The Peak District has so much to offer and is a walker's paradise; it really is one of the best places to visit in the UK.
If hiking is your thing, take on one of the many popular hiking routes. Some of my favourites include:
Edale, Kinder Scout and Upper Booth Circular (13km, approx 4-5 hours). This is considered a hard hike with some grade 1 scrambles and steep inclines. I used the AllTrails app to navigate the route (it would have been difficult without it). Kinder Scout is the highest peak in the Peak District. The views along the way are incredible, particularly at the top of Jacobs Ladder.
Mam Tor and the Great Ridge Circular (10.4km, approx 4 hours). This hike is considered moderately challenging. The route starts in Castleton, taking you up Mam Tor and along the Great Ridge, passing notable points along the way including Blue John Cavern, Hollins Cross and Lose Hill Pike. It's a really great hike and the views along the Great Ridge in particular are splendid on a clear day!
If you prefer to drive around rather than walk, head in your car along one of these excellent routes:
Snake Pass (from Glossop to the Ladybower Reservoir).
Winnats Pass (from Sparrowpit to Castleton).
Buxton to Leek (with views of the rocky Roaches). You can just drive past The Roaches or park your car and go for a little climb (they are right by the road and afford fantastic views across the Peaks).
Bear in mind that it can often be foggy in the Peak District, particularly in autumn and winter, so take care when driving in these high peaks (Snake Pass is often closed in winter due to icy conditions).
3. Cornwall
Sun, sea, surf and sand. Cornwall has it all. The landscape is breathtaking and if you catch good weather (and even if you don't), this is one of the nicest places in the UK. The beaches are postcard perfect - some of them even look like the Caribbean! Check out Fistral Beach, St Ives, Porthcurno and Perranporth - to name just a few. It's not just about the surf though; be sure to visit St Michael's Mount, the Eden Project and Tintagel Castle for some alternative things to do in Cornwall. For more inspo and a deep dive into why Cornwall is one of the most magnificent places to visit in the UK, check out my blog post of the best places to visit in Cornwall. And if you enjoy hiking, I recommend this absolutely breathtaking coastal walk, which ends at the UK's most westerly point, Land's End.
4. Cotswolds
Picture every period drama you've ever watched and you'll have arrived in The Cotswolds! The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the second largest protected landscape in England, after the Lake District. Some of the more popular villages include Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Blockley and Castle Combe. Fun fact: Arlington Row in Bibury is pictured on the inside cover of British passports (pre-Brexit) - and William Morris called it the "most beautiful village in England." A two-hour drive from London, it's possible to visit one of the many Cotswold villages for a day-trip stroll. They can get incredibly busy, so try to visit on a weekday, and even then try and get there early to avoid the crowds and eager Instagrammers!
5. Dorset
The Dorset coastline is beautiful and it is most famous for its magnificent Jurassic Coast! There are a number of walks you can do to really drink in the sea views. Try and time your trip for a sunny day, as the sea looks brilliant when it is bright out ☀️ Durdle Door is one of the most popular spots on the Dorset coastline. We started at Bat's Head and hiked over three steep hills to Durdle Door - it was an intense bit of hiking! Alternatively, you could start on the other side at the lovely Lulworth Cove and take the more popular route to Durdle Door (but the steps that way are also a killer). Both routes are equally beautiful. For something a little more strenuous, you can hike the 26 miles from Weymouth all the way to Corfe Castle. You can park up in Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth, DT4 7SX to begin the hike - but as it isn't a return hike, you'd need to get the bus back to your car, which takes about an hour and a half). If it's a relaxing day at the beach that you're after, there are pretty beach towns like Weymouth, Swanage, Bournemouth and Poole to explore.
6. Cambridge
This one's a no-brainer! Cambridge - the university city - should definitely be on your list of places to see in the UK. Only an hour or so from London by train, the city of Cambridge can easily be visited as a day trip. Highlights include (but not limited to) punting on the River Cam, a stroll through University Botanic Gardens and a visit to King's College. If you're not one for punting yourself, you can join a 45-minute punting tour (if you're going off-peak you may not need to book in advance but on a busy summer weekend, you'll probably want to book ahead). The tour takes you along the backs of the colleges and it's really informative!
7. Dunstable Downs
Another place near London - Dunstable Downs in southern Bedfordshire is under an hour's drive from London along the M1. The Downs are part of the Chiltern Hills and also the highest point in Bedfordshire - making it an excellent sunset spot. It's a beautiful place and great for a short walk (or a very long one, if following one of the hiking trails). It's also a popular spot for kite flying and paragliding! It may seem a bit dramatic to list this as one of the best places to visit in the UK - but it gets points for being so near London and still feeling like you're in the countryside proper. And also, the vantage point for sunset viewings is fantastic!
8. The Lake District
My oh my, this place needs no introduction! Frequented by artists, poets and authors in the late 18th-19th century ("I wandered lonely as a cloud" - ringing any bells?), the Lakes inspired many who saw it and thus drew holiday makers (and a railway) to the area in the 1800's. Since then, people flock to the Lake District to take in the nature, hike a fell or enjoy a boat trip on one of the picturesque lakes. You can escape the frequent rain and duck indoors at Beatrix Potter's house at Hill Top, or the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere. All in all, the landscapes in the Lake District are lush, expansive and breathtaking in any season. Head here to witness the beauty for yourself (but you might want to avoid the summer crowds and time it for the gorgeous autumn hues instead). It is one of my preferred places to visit in the UK. If you have longer, why not consider a road trip around England, taking in the Lake District and more!
9. Ben Nevis
The highest mountain in the UK at over 4,000ft has magnificent views over Scotland. This is no walk in the park though - it can be a gruelling trek and requires a good level of fitness and preferably some hiking experience. It is glorious at any time of year but summer is always recommended - there will usually be better weather, good visibility and less snow. I climbed it in the depths of winter (it was snow-covered from halfway up) and this meant I needed crampons, all the thermals and an ice pick. There is a useful post about how/when to climb on this website. Once you've conquered the highest mountain in the UK, you can tackle Scafell Pike and Snowdon next - the tallest mountains in England and Wales, respectively.
10. South Downs National Park
The newest of England's national parks (designated in 2010), the South Downs is a beautiful, lush area with a seemingly endless expanse. There are so many walking options available with lovely lookout points along the way. There's also the South Downs Way - a footpath which stretches about 100 miles along the entire length of the South Downs National Park, from Winchester to Eastbourne. It's a place I keep returning to to discover more! Popular hikes include the Seven Sisters hike from Seaford to Eastbourne, Devil's Dyke, and Beacon Hill.
11. Stratford-Upon-Avon
Known to most as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon is a wonderful place to walk around and soak in the history. A day or two here is plenty to see Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Streets (museum house and garden), Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's New Place (check in advance as not all of these are open in the winter months). Be sure to stroll along the streets to appreciate the houses dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. It's such a quaint town and one of the best places to visit in the UK.
12. Surrey Hills
This is an easy day trip from London, as it's only just over an hour's drive away. Beautiful hills and glorious countryside views make this a lovely place for a picnic or a hike. I've been a fair few times and I never get tired of it - and there are lots of walks available for different abilities, including:
A favourite circular walk can be done at Newlands Corner - about 1.5 hours of relatively easy walking, with a few steep sections. Really lovely views across the Surrey landscape.
There's also the famous Box Hill which is a bit more challenging with some steep uphills.
For something a little longer, try the Inspiring Views walk which starts at Car Park 5, Winterfold Donkins Car Park, Greensand Lane, Guildford GU5 9EN. There are lots of sculpture lookouts along the route but it is a challenging hilly hike!
And if you have time and aren't too tired, check out the Silent Pool on your way home.
13. Giant's Causeway
This is like nothing I've seen before and one of the coolest and best places to visit in the UK! Situated in Northern Ireland, huge stone boulders line the coastline, making up this very dramatic Causeway. It is the most visited National Trust site in the UK, and with good reason! You can read more about it and the Causeway Coastal Route in my Northern Ireland blog post.
14. Hadrian's Wall
Stretching from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west, the Hadrian's Wall Path is an 84-mile coast to coast National Trail. The trail itself takes about 6 or 7 days to walk but if you just want to see a small section, why not drive and choose a place along the route to stop, or even do a short walk. The vantage point from the wall is spectacular in most places, with great views over the landscape. Notable places to visit along the route are:
Housesteads Roman Fort for its well preserved ruins and exhibition. You can walk from here to Walltown Crags - it's a 9-mile walk (one way) of basically uninterrupted wall and takes about 3 hours. It passes other notable spots on the way, such as Sycamore Gap.
Steel Rigg (near Housesteads) has the closest car park to the famous tree at Sycamore Gap.
Cawfield Quarry is beautiful.
Walltown Crags (pictured above) is one of the finest sections on the route - it has nice remains of the wall and lovely views.
Birdoswald Roman Fort has a great stretch of wall.
15. Yorkshire Dales
One of the loveliest areas I've visited in the UK, the Dales is a sprawling landscape of endless greenery. It's no wonder Yorkshire is referred to as God's Own Country! Countless waterfalls, picturesque villages, wandering sheep - it really is a breathtaking place. Malham Cove is a popular place to visit for its unique limestone rocks and great views over the Dales. Or why not take a walk, or cycle along the winding roads? If you're after good views and a strenuous climb, you can take on one (or all three!) of the Yorkshire Three Peaks: Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Check out my guide to the Yorkshire Dales for a more detailed itinerary.
And easily the most popular and one of the best places to visit in the UK...
16. London, baby!
This one goes without saying! London is such a full city - rich in history, architecture, culture, art and so much more! There is an endless amount to see and do - check out my list of the best free things to do in London for some more inspo. And if you're only in London for a few days and are on a tight schedule, be sure to follow my one-day walking tour of London, showing you all the best spots in this vast city and some hidden gems as well.
Hope that gives you some ideas for your UK travels! Anything I've missed that I should check out? Let me know in the comments below!
To fit these best places to visit in the UK into a road trip or similar, check out my blog post on how to spend two weeks in England.
Happy travels!
Shani x
