The United Kingdom has no shortage of stunning holiday destinations. Many locals are shunning trips abroad in favour of exploring their home country, uncovering the rich landscapes, historic towns, and coastal escapes right on their doorstep. And as they do, social media is turning these discoveries into global inspiration, shining a light on the UK’s most stunning holiday spots.
From rugged coastlines and islands with towering mountain peaks to cities and towns enriched with thousands of years of heritage, these are the very best parts of the UK to enjoy a holiday.
Cornwall
The southwestern tip of the UK is a haven for adventure. Visitors to Cornwall can trek along its windswept cliffs on the 630-mile South West Coastal path, stopping at pristine coves, sandy beaches, and historical landmarks such as St.Micheal’s Mount and Tintagel Castle. Both of these impressive fortifications are steeped in myth and legend, from visiting Arch Angels to the tales of King Arthur, and are ideal for day trips, especially for families.
No visit to Cornwall is complete without experiencing the Minack Theatre, a spectacular open-air venue sculpted from stone. With a backdrop looking out to sea, the classic Greek-style bowl plays host to numerous stage productions and concerts throughout the year and is a beautiful sight at sunset on long summer evenings for Shakespeare by the sea. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, a Victorian estate that was neglected after World War I until its rediscovery in the 1990s, is a wonderful alternative day out exploring the beautiful flora collection and marble statues.
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Located in Eryri National Park in North Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) and its surrounding valleys and peaks are perfect for an escape into the natural wonders of Wales. Yr Wyddfa is the highest peak in England and Wales, offering sweeping views and a network of different walking trails, from the advanced knife-edge Crib Goch to the picturesque Llanberis trail. The Snowdon Mountain Railway, a Victorian-era locomotive that carries visitors to the peak, is a charming alternative to reach the summit.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway isn’t the only impressive railway in the area – the Welsh Highland Railway also runs through the valley from the base of the mountain. Beyond the mountains, the deep valleys and coastline provide abundant opportunities for kayaking, wild swimming and rock climbing. The area is filled with fascinating monuments to Wales’s rich history, such as Harlech Castle and the slate mines of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Yorkshire
The county of Yorkshire is a place where medieval cities, windswept moors, and dramatic coastlines blend into one fascinating destination for travel in the North of England. The chief city of York offers a treasure trove of history, from the towering Gothic spires of York Minster to the city’s Viking museum, which comes with a unique approach to retelling history through animatronic exhibits. Away from York, other notable settlements include the fishing town of Whitby, famous for its beautiful cliffside walks and its ruined Abbey that provided the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Gothic Horror Dracula.
The spa town of Harrogate is a fantastic option for those seeking a rejuvenating break with its Turkish baths and delicate tearooms. With numerous walking and cycling trails, the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales and the wild plains of the North York Moors bring further outdoor enrichment. Bolton Abbey, one of Yorkshire’s most beloved walking destinations, offers lush green valleys leading up to The Strid—a beautiful but perilous section of the River Wharfe, known for its fast-flowing, whitewater rapids.
The Highlands
Scotland’s Highlands are a place of near-mythical beauty, where towering mountains, snow-capped in winter, are mirrored in deep, glacial lochs that stretch for miles across the rugged landscape. Ancient castles stand like sentinels along the shore, their stone walls steeped in history and legend. The region’s most famous peak, Ben Nevis, stands as the highest mountain in the UK, drawing climbers, hikers and skiers eager to conquer its slopes throughout the year.
History is woven into the landscape of the Highlands, from the eerie moorlands of Culloden, where the final battle of the Jacobite uprising was fought in 1746, to the fairy-tale silhouette of Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a small island at the meeting point of three lochs. Along the shores of Loch Ness, the ruins of Urquhart Castle provide a dramatic setting for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary monster said to lurk beneath the water’s surface. Meanwhile, the North Coast 500, Scotland’s answer to Route 66 and the UK’s most scenic driving route, winds through the landscape, offering breathtaking vistas of the sparsely populated but beautiful region. It is the ultimate destination for outdoor enthusiasts in search of a truly exhilarating active vacation in the UK.
County Antrim
Across the Irish Sea from the mainland of the UK, Northern Ireland’s County Antrim is a land of incredible coastlines. The Giant’s Causeway is its most famous attraction and a geological wonder, formed from thousands of interlocking basalt columns rising from the sea as the result of volcanic activity 60 million years ago. According to local legend, these hexagonal stones were built by the giant, Finn McCool, as a pathway to access Scotland just across the sea. Another beautiful part of the coastline is Carrick-a-Rede and its infamous rope bridge, which for those brave enough to cross the perilous chasm below, is the only way to access the area's viewpoint.
Stepping away from the coastline, the capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a fantastic base from which to explore County Antrim. One attraction not to be missed is the Titanic Museum, which tells the story of the ill-fated ocean liner built in the city’s shipyards in 1911 and provides fascinating insight into the lives of its passengers. One of the county’s more recently popular natural exhibits is the Dark Hedges, an avenue of twisted beech trees planted in the 18th century, now famous worldwide as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
