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Best places to go in the UK

From mountains and moors to islands and lochs, our UK map and highlights show you why city breaks don’t even tell half the story. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland may not be large countries, but with a little effort you can still find space and unimpeded views of landscapes that have captivated painters, poets and pop stars.

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Best places to go in the UK

So often vacations in the UK stick to castles, cottages, camping and city breaks. To look at the UK from a fresh perspective, it’s fun to revisit how we explored these islands in the past. The Victorians created the Caledonian Canal to link up the lochs so that they didn’t have to sail around the UK’s treacherous tip. It is now one of the country’s greatest places to vacation. Sail Scotland’s remote islands on a traditional wooden fishing boat to discover marine wildlife. Walk the Pilgrims’ Way in southern England, which people have trodden since prehistoric times. Or paddle around Pembrokeshire in Wales to forget time altogether. Here are a few of our favourite places to go in the UK that celebrate this travel heritage, while throwing some secret ingredients into the mix.

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1. Cairngorms National Park
2. Devon
3. Inner & Outer Hebrides
4. Lake District
5. North Coast 500
6. Northern Ireland
7. Orkney
8. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
9. Pilgrims’ Way
10. Snowdonia National Park
11. South Downs National Park
12. West Highland Line

Cairngorms National Park

1. Cairngorms National Park

The UK’s largest national park is a destination for outdoor activities, many of them based out of Aviemore. But it is walking vacations in the Cairngorms that really allow you to appreciate the Highlands’ mountain scenery, variety of landscapes – many of which are being excitingly restored – and the sheer sense of space.

Cairngorms National Park

Devon

2. Devon

Devon is a cheerful, charming corner of England renowned for its decadent cream teas. Here, you can walk across moody Dartmoor or a section of the South West Coast Path that leads you past smugglers’ bays and expanses of sandy beach. You can take to the lovely Tarka Trail for a pedal on electric bikes, or the sea for a kayaking adventure ideal for energetic families.

Inner & Outer Hebrides

3. Inner & Outer Hebrides

The Hebrides are one of Scotland’s greatest vacation destinations. You can fill your days searching for their astounding wildlife, including whales and dolphins; visiting their prestigious whisky distilleries; exploring their pretty port towns, where fishermen tidy their nets; walking isolated bays where you won’t see a soul. You can get to the islands with just a hop, skip and a jump from the mainland – no flight needed.

Inner & Outer Hebrides

Lake District

4. Lake District

With landscapes beloved and popularised by Beatrix Potter, the Lake Poets and Alfred Wainwright, the Lake District is England’s most popular national park. Visit Kendal on a summer day, and you’ll know it. But there are many areas around the Lake District that are less well-known, where you can find some space to yourself and where families can set off on activity vacations.

North Coast 500

5. North Coast 500

Named one of the top five coastal routes in the world, the North Coast 500 is a scenic journey around Scotland’s wild north coast, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. We recommend cycling the NC500, or walking it, rather than joining the many drivers who come from across Europe to tackle Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Week-long small group trips are the most sociable, motivational way to go.

North Coast 500

Northern Ireland

6. Northern Ireland

Sadly, many people’s perceptions of Northern Ireland still skew towards the Troubles. They are unaware of how beautiful the landscapes are, how welcoming people are to visitors, and how easy it is to get around – mountains, coasts, cities and glens are all within an hour’s drive of each other. Go on a walking vacation to explore the Giant’s Causeway and Mourne Mountains.

Orkney

7. Orkney

From Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar to the Old Man of Hoy and the lighthouse at Westray, the Orkney archipelago is popular with walkers looking to escape the crowds. Just off the Scottish mainland and easily reached by ferry, the islands are also a haven for wildlife. Peregrine falcons fly in the sky above you, puffins preen on the cliffs, and there’s even the occasional whale off the coast.

Orkney

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

8. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

It’s subjective, of course, but if we were ranking the UK’s national parks by beauty alone, the Pembrokeshire Coast would surely be a contender for the top spot. A 300km walking trail, much of it across clifftop vantage points, runs along the coast, and you can kayak, surf and go coasteering with curious seals watching from a distance.

Pilgrims’ Way

9. Pilgrims’ Way

The historic Pilgrims’ Way stretches for almost 200km from Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire to Canterbury Cathedral in Kent via Rochester Cathedral. One of England’s most famous long-distance walking trails, immortalised by Chaucer, it has been followed by the faithful since the 12th century and combined with a number of other popular walking routes. Allow two weeks to finish it in one go.

Pilgrims’ Way

Snowdonia National Park

10. Snowdonia National Park

Home to the tallest mountain in England and Wales, Snowdonia National Park is among the UK’s finest walking destinations. You can choose a demanding trek such as the famous 14 Peaks route or a more sedate hike. But Snowdonia is also wonderful for cyclists, thrill-seekers, and even beach-lovers, thanks to some 35 beaches.

South Downs National Park

11. South Downs National Park

With the South Downs on our own doorstep, we’ll admit to some bias. But the UK’s youngest national park is a dynamic, diverse region where countryside meets coast, where England’s emerging wine growing scene thrives, and a 160km long-distance walking trail sweeps from west to east. There is any number of unique places to stay, as well as self-catering cottages in abundance.

South Downs National Park

West Highland Line

12. West Highland Line

Rail is the finest way to travel Scotland, exploring landscapes where roads don’t venture and meandering along with plenty of time to take in the views. The West Highland Line travels the west coast, letting you leap off into the Hebrides and the wildly beautiful Scottish Highlands. It passes Ben Nevis, the Great Glen and Loch Lomond, linking you with the Kyle Line and the Caledonian Sleeper.