The United Kingdom is fortunate to hold such a diverse landscape across the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It ranges from the often praised green and pleasant lands, through breath-taking mountainous terrain and on to the coastal vistas that mark the edges of these wonderful isles.
It always seems like an exercise in subjectivity to undertake rankings of beauty for the natural world. As philosophers and writers ranging from Plato to David Hume and on to Margaret Wolfe Hungerford would agree, it is always the eye of the beholder that decides on what really stirs the soul and makes a space so thrilling to connect with.
However, the UK does have some undeniably remarkable locations that must be considered in any discussion of the most beautiful places to live in the UK.
Country Antrim, Northern Ireland
The 40,000 intertwined basalt columns forged by volcanic activity that make up the Giant’s Causeway are the rugged, majestic calling card of Country Antrim that set the scene for an captivating area. This location offers so much more than coastal, rural charm, it represents an elemental and life affirming connection to the planet that we all call home. As the rolling hills, waterfalls and nine lush valleys coalesce so elegantly in the Glens of Antrim, it positively encourages you to enter and explore to your heart’s content. With traditional cottages and modern living options sitting comfortably next to each other in the communities, towns and villages of Ballycastle, Bushmills and Carrickfergus, there are plenty of options to suit family living or perhaps even a place to retreat to on holidays and special events. The serene views can be matched with a relaxing lifestyle here of hiking, fishing, painting, or just meandering amongst the history and magnificence of Country Antrim’s eternal appeal.
Pitlochry
This town is often referred to as the Gateway to the Highlands, and as an advert for those almost 10,00 square miles of rugged and unspoiled scenery it does an incredible job. The town is surrounded by the lush vista of forests, cascading hills and the famous River Tummel. It is this river that provides the most spectacular and elegant vistas in all of the town at Queen’s View. The story goes that Queen Victoria herself was captivated by the beauty of the scene here at Lich Tummel during a visit in 1866, thinking that the place was named in her honour. It would have taken a brave man at the time to explain that it was in fact named after Robert the Bruce’s first wife, Isabella, a full 500 years before. This is unquestionably a part of the world that evokes the wonder and majesty of the natural world in an almost overwhelming way. Homes here are driven by a renewed focus on sustainability to match and maintain it too.
Bath
When a location is awarded the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site status it most commonly means that the surroundings are guaranteed to raise the spirits and inspire awe. The city of Bath in Somerset certainly fulfils this criteria. The Avon Valley takes care of the views for this city with picturesque villages such as Bradford-On-Avon and Castle Combe planted thoughtfully along the river Avon. These cobbled streets of honey-hued cottages provide a charm that is both quintessentially English and postcard perfect for residents and visitors alike. Of course, the city of Bath is also testament to some incredible architecture that calls back to its history as an enclave of Ancient Rome, chosen for its proximity to the healing waters of nature, with the Roman Baths that remain here. The Royal Crescent, similarly, speaks of a Georgian past with a sweeping and grand Palladian design of 30 immaculate townhouses, representing the most desirable real estate in the whole of the UK.
Yorkshire Dales
The wild, windswept and untamed moors of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights are perhaps the most perfect example of how a place can directly inspire literary greatness. The Yorkshire Dales have an all year round allure that ranges from Gothic drama to insatiable new life and nature with a diverse geology that has taken millennia to create the most sensational landscapes. Locations and attractions such as Malham Cove with its natural amphitheatre of limestone cliffs, Aysgarth Falls’ series of cascading waterfalls along the River Ure, and the subterranean secrets of Ingleborough Caves demand visits time and time again to appreciate them. The elegant town of Ilkley sits on the doorstep of the dales and benefits from all the wonder they offer, while providing modern facilities, boutique shopping and a close knit community of arts and creativity to get involved with, The Yorkshire Dales can confidently claim to have it all.
The Lake District
Any list of the most beautiful places to live in the UK would not be complete without an entry for the Lake District in Cumbria. A total of 16 glacial lakes are strewn over an area of over 900 square miles here, overlooked by towering fells and woodlands that command the attention of your eyes and capture your heart. If such inspirational pictures are worth a thousand words, it should be no surprise that the poet Wordsworth found a muse here. The views he witnessed remain largely unchanged across the centuries as you wander along the shores of Windemere, Bowness, and Derwentwater. It even boasts the tallest mountain in England with Scafell Pike encouraging walkers and hikers to make the journey to the pinnacle and marvel at everything from way above. With fantastic villages such as Ambleside and Keswick providing all the cosy charm to support the scenery too, the Lake District is unmatched.
The UK has so many other honourable mentions for locations that are full of beauty and natural grace. With the country being so relatively compact, they are never far away from you too, wherever you are. All that remains is for you to seek them out and imagine which one would best suit the needs and lifestyles of you and your family.
