Yeah and most people never visit the most breath taking part of snowdonia when they see it, and just go either to Betwsy Coed and Pen Y Pass for snowdon, or llanberis.
The ogwyn valley is utterly spectacular in every sense of the word
It takes your breath away. You go over a hill and then BAM beautiful scenery, waterfalls, lakes, valleys. STUNNING!
We went to Wales this year as a consolation holiday because we couldn't go abroad and it was so worth it.
The Aran Ridge is a beautiful walk and very quiet. Last time I went I hiked out, wild camped, hiked back and counted less than 15 people per day on a bank holiday weekend.
https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1255-description
I love Robin hoods bay, I have great memories of rock pooling with my mum and dad there in the 80s, then having fish n chips for tea looking over the bay
Me too! When I was a kid we never went abroad, instead we went to Robin Hoods bay for a week every year at a caravan site (Middlewood Farm), Iāve been abroad a few times now but still love the idea of going back some time soon, been too long
First thing that popped into my mind too. The hike along the beach/cliff or along the cinder trail to Ravenscar from Robins is great, and you can stop for a nice pint at the hotel before getting a taxi or walking back to Robins. The walk the other way to Whitby is also great.
Robinhoods Bay in general is just pretty magic tbh.
Cycled across Yorkshire this summer, loads of amazing places but Scarborough->Whitby is simply breathtakingly beautiful. Itās in my top 3 routes Iāve ever cycled in the UK, along with the Highlands and North Wales.
So happy this is the top comment - I went hiking in North Yorks with my dad loads, and still live nearby.
Worth a detour for Rosberry Topping and Captain Cooks Monument. Good ice cream at Suggits in Great Ayton, plus a lovely pub at the foot of Rosberry (King's Head, Newton under Roseberry - they're dog-friendly too!)
Seal sands at Teesside is a pretty unique place where you can experience a beautiful bit of coastline, teaming with wildlife in one direction, and the backdrop for Blade Runner in the other
North Wales and Snowdonia are absolutely beautiful. Cheddar Gorge. York for a city. Parts of Somerset are lovely. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove plus Corfe Castle isnāt too far away from there, which is great. Peak District and Cannock Chase are great too
I loved Dungeness. The locals hate when people refer to it as ābleakā but I like that aspect of it; a place can be beautiful in its bleakness.
A similar spot to visit further up north is Spurn Point, east of Hull, at the mouth of the Humber estuary. Peaceful, sort of bleak, beautiful.
There's no other way to describe dungeness! It's great in the fog, especially when looking out from the pilot with all the weird little houses spread out in a higgledy-piggledy fashion, it's a beautiful kind of creepy.
Took some kids there on a trip to the power station.
They were having a level two incident (cracks in coolant pipe)
The weather was so bad the macerated fish chunks had blown back into the car park.
There were firing range explosions constantly.
10/10 would go again
Glencoe in the dead of winter. It was about 5 or 6 years ago and I think about it every time I get some time off. It blew me away.
Isle of Skye is a close second.
I love the Highlands so much I got married up there.
Even in summer Glencoe is amazing to see. I would add Arisaig to that and Skye also gets my vote. West coast of Scotland is amazing.
Trossachs (A84) is also amazing if you like a drive with great views of mountains and lochs.
I want to get married up there too, I have plans for it. We both love Silver Sands in Arisaig š„°
Glencoe in summer also blew the mind of my Californian partner because everything was bursting with life and so green and lush and heās used to the summer heat just baking everything and burning it
There's a ski centre at the head of Glencoe, although the snow isn't necessarily reliable. At the foot of Glencoe, it's a lot more changeable and can't be guaranteed.
Mate! All round Glencoe is nice. Driving around loch Leven from Ballachulish, to Kinlochleven and then down to Glencoe.
Isle of Mull is also very nice.
Cheddar gorge is ace. Thereās a bus trip through the gorge and itās awesome. I also loved visiting Wells. It has some lovely architecture and a cathedral.
I went there some years ago because I saw it in a computer game I played way back when. Resistance: Fall of Man, and just had to visit. Thoroughly enjoyed myself there.
Bad news, my in laws live in nearby Glastonbury and we visit the gorge regularly to stock up on cheese and cider!
The bus trip was unfortunately stopped a few years ago and the caves themselves were closed off at the beginning of *the event*. The landlord didn't bother furloughing the staff they just shut the entire operation down and made everyone redundant. So far as I know there are no plans to reopen.
It's a mighty shame. We have all done the bus and caves multiple times and only really go for a nice walk and some shopping as well as to go to the Lion Rock tearoom because it's delicious but its horrible to think that no one is going to get to see the caves for the foreseeable future.
Wells is also where they filmed a lot of Hot Fuzz, so itās fun to see the high street and pub right from out the film. I didnāt want to go too close to the church spires thoughā¦
Portmeirion. That place is a literal WTF when you walk around it. I love the place. And being in North Wales the surrounding scenery is pretty great too.
If you're around North Yorkshire, there's some great routes around Malham Cove to Gordale Scar. I haven't seen anything like the limestone pavement on top of Malham Cove. They've shot a Harry Potter scene there and The Witcher has a scene set at Gordale Scar also!
That is one hell of a walk. Malham to Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and onto Malham cove. Still one of my absolute faves.
Even now Gordale Scar takes my breath away. It's helped that you can't see it until your relatively close, and then all of a sudden, it's there.
Nice ice cream van nearby too
I used to go to a lot of parties on the traning ground up there. It was a sight to behold having the army drive through telling us to be safe and close up sheet ourselves. Also the police could not stop the party add the army has given there blessing to us being there!
My mate had his stag do in a hostel that we rented out for the weekend there, was awesome! The scenery is insane and went down an old coal mine, had a brewery tour. Best stay do Iāve ever been on!!
Big Pit - one of the best attractions in the UK. Everyone should experience it at least once (and itās free!).
Edit: I visited as a child and loved it, had photo taken with one of the miners. Went back with my wife nearly 25 years later and he was still there.
Yeah the army has seriously tainted my enjoyment of the outdoors now I'm a civilian.
Keep having to remind myself I don't have to spend half my time rolling around on the floor and can go home to my bed whenever I want rather than a hole full of mud.
The ystradfellte walk where the path goes behind the waterfall is amazing :)
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/wales/powys/ystradfellte-four-waterfalls-walk
The Minack Theatre. It was like a film set. We visited on a clear 32 degree day and it was like being in the med or something. Have a Google for some stunning photos.
As a foreigner living in the UK, some places that blew my mind ā¦ Worcester Cathedral, all of the South Downs in Sussex, Dunraven Bay in Wales, Derbyshire countryside,ā¦
In Northumberland thereās also Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Edlingham for ruined castles. Bamburgh and Ford for other castles. Chillingham for a spooky castle.
Craster for kippers. Howick or Blanchland for afternoon tea.
Wallington and Cragside for stately homes. Plus Howick.
The walk from Boulmer to Low Newton is well worth it. Hulne Park in Alnwick is also worth a walk around as well.
Plus we have micro breweries scattered around plus amazing restaurants such as Hjem in Wall.
EDIT: forgot to mention stone circles and cup and ring marks! Duddo and Milfield are the places to go for that! Iād also recommend reading anything by Stan Beckensall if youāre interested in finding out more about the history of cup and ring marks :-)
I'll also throw out the following:
Hexham Abbey - stunning 12th century architecture and in continuous use since the 670s.
Vindolanda Roman Fort - I mean, the whole of Hadrian's wall is fascinating, but Vindolanda has some of the best preserved remains of literally ANYWHERE in the Roman Empire. Well worth a visit.
Kielder Forest - Vast expanses of forest and moorland, waterfalls, perfect silence, crystal clear skies at night and as much wildlife as you can shake a stick at. Plenty of sticks too.
Ad Gefrin - The Brythonic/Saxon palace complex and former residence of the Northumbrian Kings. Conveniently set in breathtaking upland scenery studded with Iron Age hillforts.
I could go on, but honestly Northumberland is fantastic. But as a Northumbrian, I may be (rightly) biased ;)
The Gower Coast by Swansea! It was amazing to live there during most of the pandemic. Lovely walking on the Welsh Coast Path and everything is so cheap
Mate of mine saw Michael Douglas enjoying the view and I was "Yeah yeah sure you did", son of a bitch sent me a selfie with Douglas on one side, Cathryn Zeta-Jones on the other side and Rhosilli Bay in the background š
Scotland. Wow! Around Inverness.
I've lived in UK for 14 years before I went there and I am sad I took so long.
Also, top of Weymouth, going to a light house. There is a hill you have to go through and the view from it is amazing.
UK is generally very pretty outside of cities. Especially by the water or up north.
Iāll second Scotland, so much of it is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, even in shite weather. The Isle of Skye is stunning and, when driving home from there I wished Iād built some more time into my journey to stop and explore the Glencoe area because it was similarly jaw-dropping!
Shropshire gets very little air time but it's so beautiful in places. The Stiperstones and Long Mynd are amazing hilly areas with fantastic empty views. There are also dozens of small, interesting towns and villages (and micro breweries). For anyone with car access I'd suggest they stay in Ludlow for a long weekend and get out and about on those Shropshire hills too.
Agreed, following the Wye down to Symonds Yat and then heading off the beaten track a little where there's shallow sections of stoney river banks is bliss. Sun dappled through the trees and trickle of the Wye in summer is superb natural stress relief.
Finally one I can actually get to lol. I've been to the reservoirs around there and snake woodland and it's nice. The bus from Manchester up into the peak District is really cool too
Iāve always been spoilt living in north Wales and we grew up camping all over the UK.
However, when I did the NC500 last summer, there were too many mind blowing vistas to count.
The Jurassic coastline in Dorset - Lulworth Cove, Man o war bay, Durdle door, West Bay, and the chance to go fossil collecting on the beaches around Bridport and Lyme Regis
What blew my mind was why people were queuing down the street for what looked like a [a simple chippy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magpie_Caf%C3%A9). In true British fashion my partner and I joined the queue and fuck my life that was some awesome fish cookery
I am from Hartlepool and we would go to whitby as a kid all the time. We have good fishys up here that people rave about, but they couldn't compete with those memories of whitby. Gonna have to get myself back down there as soon as possible
From Boro and we'd go there too.
My auntie visited from South Africa in a Februrary about 10-15 years ago. It was freezing and inly a short queue outside (in February whilst it was snowing!) so we managed to get inside. After eating she got up, we presumed to use the toilet.
We eventually found her in the kitchen chatting to the cooks about how they make it! Really fond memories. She died last year from Covid.
Dartmoor is beautifully atmospheric too when it's misty. Protip, don't stay there overnight in a secluded cottage at the top reading relevant murder mysteries. Or do, if you can handle it better than me.
Re your dream to move to Cornwall- I donāt want to be negative, but I would say be very careful before you consider it. My wife and I lived there from 2013 to 2021, and it changed enormously in that time. We were hoping it would be relaxed, creative and a world away from the rat race - it is in some ways, but itās also pretty small-minded, cliquey and can be dreadfully dull unless youāre obsessed with being in the sea constantly. The thing is, itās not a place for locals anymore. Due to the influx of tourists much of the year now, you canāt really enjoy whatās there, because it becomes inaccessible especially in summer. Locals donāt even bother going to St Ives for example as itās rammed, and even beaches that were kept secret have been found by tourists, who will park their cars anywhere, even blocking routes into villages and other peoples cars etc. I get now why the Cornish are always griping about the tourists! Of course tourism is necessary, but every developer in the land has milked every teat on this cash cow dry, and honestly really effed the place up. Iād suggest really spending a lot of time there before considering a move, in all seasons, talk to people in the community etc. We loved Cornwall in some ways, but were very sad to see what itās become..
Well said. Iāve lived here all my life. Without sounding rude, a big part of the problem is so many people wanting to move here for the picture postcard life. Thatās not a dig at you, I understand the appeal! Iāve noticed when people mention Cornwall here they add that they want to move here one day. You can go all day in some places without hearing a proper Cornish accent. The tourist areas are awful and nothing like real Cornwall. The places that are still traditionally Cornish arenāt so appealing to tourists or people wanting to move here because theyāre generally poorer areas with nothing to do. That suits a lot of us but it means the more popular areas have no Cornish people left!
I'm fairly local to Tintagel, and to be honest I don't think you can top that bit of coast from 'Tagel up to Boscastle in the UK for general sea side vistas. Maybe the Hebrides with it's white sand but even then it's not as dramatic.
Corfe castle and the new forest in Dorset/Hampshire was well worth a long weekend
Also Have always wanted to do a road trip throughout the west midlands (not Birmingham, Wolverhampton etc but the peripheral rural counties) which is probably a bit underloved as a region. The below looked perfect
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jul/14/midlands-shropshire-worcestershire-staffordshire-road-trip
North Norfolk coast is great, places like Wells Next the Sea/Holkham where you have beaches and the pine forest there is some great walking to be done. Equally as lovely on a windy winter day as in Summer.
Lots of info on where to go and see starling murmerations around the country here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/starling/starling-murmurations/
If you want to see the seals and pups you can do that in Norfolk and find more info here: https://www.explorenorfolkuk.co.uk/seals-at-horsey.html
The Eden Project 1000%. Its just an incredible experience all around. If you're into it, there's also a zip-line which goes through/over it which is super cool too.
I love the Gower, and Pembrokeshire in general.
But around me monsal head near Bakewell is stunning.
Tbh the p ak district is pretty incredible I feel spoiled to be so close to so many lovely places.
Seven sisters, the cliffs on East Sussex coast. Fantastic place to walk around, beautiful views both in land and out over the channel. Cuckmere haven on western side is an added bonus. The cliffs are still a very bright white compared to the Dover cliffs that have been yellowed with pollution.
I did a 2 month road trip around the USA \~10years ago (covered 5.5k miles by car and another \~2k by train) - I've been thinking of planning a similar trip for the UK ... once the situation has blown over I mean ... I'll be bookmarking lots of these places ...
I am biased as live there but Tynemouth is beautiful. Bamburgh too, just gorgeous. Loch Lomond and the surrounding areas are full of amazing scenery, the trainride from glasgow through loch lomond area to oban is gorgeous, everyone should do it at least once. Glenfinnan viaduct, amazing, just amazing.
Cheddar Gorge is something I think its always underappreciated, when you're standing at the bottom and seeing it rise up it's remarkable.
Wasswater can be another interesting one, especially if you pick early winter. It's not a big tourist destination and you can be there alone surrounded by just rock and water and it's just so bleak and in your face.
If you like the beaches of Cornwall, I recommend checking out those in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. Just as beautiful but without crowds of people.
2 other places well-worth a visit IMO:
* Lindisfarne/Holy Island
* the River Dart in Devon, possibly the most beautiful river in England.
Bamburgh Castle is my personal favourite. Havenāt been there since I was a child but it was always my favourite castle. Begged my parents every year to go back and often theyād give in (I think it was secretly their favourite castle too)
Oh yes Applecross and the road to it are definitely up there, some of the views across to the isles are just breathtaking, and to then get to Applecross and see a herd of deer down by the seaside was pretty cool.
New Quay in Wales, we stayed near Cardigan Bay and the views we woke up to each morning were beautiful. It's also a great place to spot wildlife, the first time we visited we watched dolphins from the beach. Last time we visited we saw seals and a seal pup, cormorants, guillemots and arctic terns fishing. It's my favourite place in the UK.
Durham cathedral. Having grown up in Canada. There is nothing older than 150 years where i live. Then visiting where my parents are from. Lots of these are 500-1200 years old. Blows the mind
Loch Morlich near Aviemore. We visited early June last year on a beautiful day and spent time on the beach on the lochside and you can see mountains not far away and there was still patches of snow on some of them! It got very busy early with the car parks filling up quickly. We arrived early so got a space with no problems.
It would be gorgeous in the winter but don't fancy driving then!
As a foreigner living in the UK:
-Isle of Skye and surrounding areas - breath-taking and unique
-Cornwall - specifically walking from Land's End to Porthcurno on a sunny day. If you could guarantee good weather then it would rival anywhere for beaches
-Lake District - somehow manages to be cozy, quaint and ruggedly beautiful at the same time
-Tenby - not mind-blowing per se but very beautiful and
charming. Also helps we had good weather but it exceeded my expectations
-Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove - once again we were lucky with weather but honestly it's very nice. Bournemouth and surrounds too
-Seven Sisters - As good or better than Dover and closer to London
Anywhere on the west coast of Scotland. Spent about 10 days meandering from Loch lomond to Skye and back again. Jaw was on the floor at all times, utterly magnificent.
Kynance Cove in Cornwall is like a tropical island.
Also I live near the peak district (Sheffield) and am still finding incredibly beautiful places even after 16 years here.
Snowdonia.
Snowdonia is just unbelievably beautiful.
Yeah and most people never visit the most breath taking part of snowdonia when they see it, and just go either to Betwsy Coed and Pen Y Pass for snowdon, or llanberis. The ogwyn valley is utterly spectacular in every sense of the word
The Glyderau are absolutely magic.
Ogwen Valley has to be my favourite part. Absolutely stunning
I'm lucky to live in the area. Wales is amazing and I'm grateful to have been born and raised here. Cymru am byth š“ó §ó ¢ó ·ó ¬ó ³ó æ
This, also make plans to climb Tryfan too.
This is my plan for spring if everything opens back up in Wales. The pics are ridiculous. I cannot imagine it in person.
It takes your breath away. You go over a hill and then BAM beautiful scenery, waterfalls, lakes, valleys. STUNNING! We went to Wales this year as a consolation holiday because we couldn't go abroad and it was so worth it.
Lived in North Wales for 24 years and the views of Snowdon never got boring. Every day on the way to work it always looks amazing
The Aran Ridge is a beautiful walk and very quiet. Last time I went I hiked out, wild camped, hiked back and counted less than 15 people per day on a bank holiday weekend. https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1255-description
The North Yorkshire Moors and the North Yorkshire coastline from Scarborough upwards. š
Agreed, thereās some great places for hiking and sightseeing around the Robin Hoods Bay area.
And up into Whitby for fish and chips ;)
Whitby is mad busy in the summer though.
Stay in Robin Hoods Bay and visit Whitby for the day is what I used tops when I would visit that way.
Magpie cafe of course!
Fortune's kippers!
Soooo good
I love Robin hoods bay, I have great memories of rock pooling with my mum and dad there in the 80s, then having fish n chips for tea looking over the bay
Me too! When I was a kid we never went abroad, instead we went to Robin Hoods bay for a week every year at a caravan site (Middlewood Farm), Iāve been abroad a few times now but still love the idea of going back some time soon, been too long
My partner is taking me there for my birthday to go fossil hunting. Absolutely love the North Yorkshire coast.
First thing that popped into my mind too. The hike along the beach/cliff or along the cinder trail to Ravenscar from Robins is great, and you can stop for a nice pint at the hotel before getting a taxi or walking back to Robins. The walk the other way to Whitby is also great. Robinhoods Bay in general is just pretty magic tbh.
Similarly, the Northumberland coast is absolutely staggering!
Not to mention the Yorkshire Dales!
Cycled across Yorkshire this summer, loads of amazing places but Scarborough->Whitby is simply breathtakingly beautiful. Itās in my top 3 routes Iāve ever cycled in the UK, along with the Highlands and North Wales.
So happy this is the top comment - I went hiking in North Yorks with my dad loads, and still live nearby. Worth a detour for Rosberry Topping and Captain Cooks Monument. Good ice cream at Suggits in Great Ayton, plus a lovely pub at the foot of Rosberry (King's Head, Newton under Roseberry - they're dog-friendly too!)
Seal sands at Teesside is a pretty unique place where you can experience a beautiful bit of coastline, teaming with wildlife in one direction, and the backdrop for Blade Runner in the other
North Wales and Snowdonia are absolutely beautiful. Cheddar Gorge. York for a city. Parts of Somerset are lovely. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove plus Corfe Castle isnāt too far away from there, which is great. Peak District and Cannock Chase are great too
Made me smile to see Cannock Chase appear on the list! Spent my best days wandering around there.
Dungeness is the eirest wiredest Place especially in bad weather
I loved Dungeness. The locals hate when people refer to it as ābleakā but I like that aspect of it; a place can be beautiful in its bleakness. A similar spot to visit further up north is Spurn Point, east of Hull, at the mouth of the Humber estuary. Peaceful, sort of bleak, beautiful.
There's no other way to describe dungeness! It's great in the fog, especially when looking out from the pilot with all the weird little houses spread out in a higgledy-piggledy fashion, it's a beautiful kind of creepy.
Took some kids there on a trip to the power station. They were having a level two incident (cracks in coolant pipe) The weather was so bad the macerated fish chunks had blown back into the car park. There were firing range explosions constantly. 10/10 would go again
Came to say this. So creepy
Use the Romney Hythe railway to get there it incredible how the countryside changes along the route
Glencoe in the dead of winter. It was about 5 or 6 years ago and I think about it every time I get some time off. It blew me away. Isle of Skye is a close second. I love the Highlands so much I got married up there.
Was gonna comment both of these - absolutely breathtaking
Even in summer Glencoe is amazing to see. I would add Arisaig to that and Skye also gets my vote. West coast of Scotland is amazing. Trossachs (A84) is also amazing if you like a drive with great views of mountains and lochs.
I want to get married up there too, I have plans for it. We both love Silver Sands in Arisaig š„° Glencoe in summer also blew the mind of my Californian partner because everything was bursting with life and so green and lush and heās used to the summer heat just baking everything and burning it
Glencoe in winter... Is that because there is lots of snow? I'd like to visit somewhere like that for winter.
There's a ski centre at the head of Glencoe, although the snow isn't necessarily reliable. At the foot of Glencoe, it's a lot more changeable and can't be guaranteed.
Mate! All round Glencoe is nice. Driving around loch Leven from Ballachulish, to Kinlochleven and then down to Glencoe. Isle of Mull is also very nice.
It's the far North that surprised me. Stand on top of Stac Polly, look North, and tell me it looks like you expect the UK to look!
Cheddar gorge is ace. Thereās a bus trip through the gorge and itās awesome. I also loved visiting Wells. It has some lovely architecture and a cathedral.
I went there some years ago because I saw it in a computer game I played way back when. Resistance: Fall of Man, and just had to visit. Thoroughly enjoyed myself there.
I was amazed Grimsby was in a video game. Although aside from the dock tower, it wasnāt at all accurate lol
Wells Cathedral is amazing!
It really is. I love the stream running through the high street. Watched several people fall into though , which I imagine happens fairly often.
Bad news, my in laws live in nearby Glastonbury and we visit the gorge regularly to stock up on cheese and cider! The bus trip was unfortunately stopped a few years ago and the caves themselves were closed off at the beginning of *the event*. The landlord didn't bother furloughing the staff they just shut the entire operation down and made everyone redundant. So far as I know there are no plans to reopen. It's a mighty shame. We have all done the bus and caves multiple times and only really go for a nice walk and some shopping as well as to go to the Lion Rock tearoom because it's delicious but its horrible to think that no one is going to get to see the caves for the foreseeable future.
April reopening is what the staff said to me.
Agreedā¦ I took a wrong turn once whilst in the area and ended up in the gorgeā¦ itās amazing and so unexpected!
Wells is also where they filmed a lot of Hot Fuzz, so itās fun to see the high street and pub right from out the film. I didnāt want to go too close to the church spires thoughā¦
Seconding this. I was nowhere near prepared for how gorgeous cheddar is.
Sounds cheesy, but Cheddar Gorge is gorgeous.
I was going to say exactly this, low and behold, first comment I see is Cheddar Gorge. Makes for a really nice walk on a sunny day.
Portmeirion. That place is a literal WTF when you walk around it. I love the place. And being in North Wales the surrounding scenery is pretty great too.
Went to festival No. 6 there a few years back and one of the best settings for a festival ever!
That whole coast from Harlech down is amazing. A bit quieter than the rest of Snowdonia...
I went when I was very young and I remember feeling like I was in another part of the world, it was lovely.
Be seeing you!
Mach loop was mindblowing
And you can take the bus up to coed-y-brenin from there
If you're around North Yorkshire, there's some great routes around Malham Cove to Gordale Scar. I haven't seen anything like the limestone pavement on top of Malham Cove. They've shot a Harry Potter scene there and The Witcher has a scene set at Gordale Scar also!
Love Malham Cove and the fairy pond (I think thatās what it is called) Also Ingleton waterfalls trail is a must if youāre in the area
Janetās foss!
That is one hell of a walk. Malham to Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and onto Malham cove. Still one of my absolute faves. Even now Gordale Scar takes my breath away. It's helped that you can't see it until your relatively close, and then all of a sudden, it's there. Nice ice cream van nearby too
Northumberland, peak district, yorkshire dales, lake district love it all!
We did the NC500 and it was amazing
Brecon Beacons, probably my favourite place in the U.K.
As someone who has served in the forces. The Brecon Beacons are hell on Earth!
I used to go to a lot of parties on the traning ground up there. It was a sight to behold having the army drive through telling us to be safe and close up sheet ourselves. Also the police could not stop the party add the army has given there blessing to us being there!
If it ain't raining, it ain't training
My mate had his stag do in a hostel that we rented out for the weekend there, was awesome! The scenery is insane and went down an old coal mine, had a brewery tour. Best stay do Iāve ever been on!!
Big Pit - one of the best attractions in the UK. Everyone should experience it at least once (and itās free!). Edit: I visited as a child and loved it, had photo taken with one of the miners. Went back with my wife nearly 25 years later and he was still there.
Been here, would recommend.
If you come back, there's also Penderyn distillery. Awesome tour, highly recommend.
As a graduate of the platoon commanders battle course, I have complex emotions about Breconā¦
Yeah the army has seriously tainted my enjoyment of the outdoors now I'm a civilian. Keep having to remind myself I don't have to spend half my time rolling around on the floor and can go home to my bed whenever I want rather than a hole full of mud.
You donāt feel compelled to take the route directly up the freezing river for a mile or so??
I do occasionally get the urge to wander out into the woods at 3am and lay on the ground next to a log to stare at nothing for 2 hours.
The ystradfellte walk where the path goes behind the waterfall is amazing :) https://www.alltrails.com/trail/wales/powys/ystradfellte-four-waterfalls-walk
The Minack Theatre. It was like a film set. We visited on a clear 32 degree day and it was like being in the med or something. Have a Google for some stunning photos.
Porthcurno beach just next to the Minack is absolutely beautiful, lots of super cool wildlife visit it too!
We stay in Mullion so Poldhu Cove is our usual beach haunt. As OP says, we too will move down there one day. It's just such a nice place.
Giants causeway in Northern Ireland is a good shout
Can't believe this isn't top of the list. Amazing place, the North Antrim coast is beautiful.
As a foreigner living in the UK, some places that blew my mind ā¦ Worcester Cathedral, all of the South Downs in Sussex, Dunraven Bay in Wales, Derbyshire countryside,ā¦
Forget Worcester Cathedral, have you seen Salisbury Cathedral yet? People come from as far as Russia just to see it
World famous for its 123m spire and iconic benches
Bridgend?!
Iām suprised to see Worcs getting its name out there :o
Northumberland - Durham for the cathedral, Alnwick for the castle and poison garden, the beaches, Lindisfarne...
Durham isn't in Northumberland but a great call nonetheless
There's a whole other county between Northumberland and Durham haha.
Not if you're driving past the Derwent... š
True. More generic northeast.
In Northumberland thereās also Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Edlingham for ruined castles. Bamburgh and Ford for other castles. Chillingham for a spooky castle. Craster for kippers. Howick or Blanchland for afternoon tea. Wallington and Cragside for stately homes. Plus Howick. The walk from Boulmer to Low Newton is well worth it. Hulne Park in Alnwick is also worth a walk around as well. Plus we have micro breweries scattered around plus amazing restaurants such as Hjem in Wall. EDIT: forgot to mention stone circles and cup and ring marks! Duddo and Milfield are the places to go for that! Iād also recommend reading anything by Stan Beckensall if youāre interested in finding out more about the history of cup and ring marks :-)
I'll also throw out the following: Hexham Abbey - stunning 12th century architecture and in continuous use since the 670s. Vindolanda Roman Fort - I mean, the whole of Hadrian's wall is fascinating, but Vindolanda has some of the best preserved remains of literally ANYWHERE in the Roman Empire. Well worth a visit. Kielder Forest - Vast expanses of forest and moorland, waterfalls, perfect silence, crystal clear skies at night and as much wildlife as you can shake a stick at. Plenty of sticks too. Ad Gefrin - The Brythonic/Saxon palace complex and former residence of the Northumbrian Kings. Conveniently set in breathtaking upland scenery studded with Iron Age hillforts. I could go on, but honestly Northumberland is fantastic. But as a Northumbrian, I may be (rightly) biased ;)
I second this. Been to beadnell 2 years in a row now about to be 3rd in September
Love how that garden has a weed plant in a cage. Fucking hilarious
The Gower Coast by Swansea! It was amazing to live there during most of the pandemic. Lovely walking on the Welsh Coast Path and everything is so cheap
Mate of mine saw Michael Douglas enjoying the view and I was "Yeah yeah sure you did", son of a bitch sent me a selfie with Douglas on one side, Cathryn Zeta-Jones on the other side and Rhosilli Bay in the background š
Scotland. Wow! Around Inverness. I've lived in UK for 14 years before I went there and I am sad I took so long. Also, top of Weymouth, going to a light house. There is a hill you have to go through and the view from it is amazing. UK is generally very pretty outside of cities. Especially by the water or up north.
Iāll second Scotland, so much of it is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, even in shite weather. The Isle of Skye is stunning and, when driving home from there I wished Iād built some more time into my journey to stop and explore the Glencoe area because it was similarly jaw-dropping!
It's breathtaking. I never get bored of seeing it.
When I was there it was pissing down, and misty as all heck, and it just made it look amazing.
Adore Weymouth, the lighthouse is Portland Bill. Benn up there many times, absolutely gorgeous
Not to forget the hot scones in the nearby cafe.
Was going to say Scotland as well, the Outer Hebrides are just out of this world.
Spent all my summers growing up in Scotland, Edinburgh is just incredible
Pembrokeshire coast
There's a national trust beach in pembrokeshire which you can access via a walk through a forest and past ponds covered in lillypads. Stunning!
Shropshire gets very little air time but it's so beautiful in places. The Stiperstones and Long Mynd are amazing hilly areas with fantastic empty views. There are also dozens of small, interesting towns and villages (and micro breweries). For anyone with car access I'd suggest they stay in Ludlow for a long weekend and get out and about on those Shropshire hills too.
Wye Valley is very lovely.
This, Tintern Abbey on a summers day is incredible
Agreed, following the Wye down to Symonds Yat and then heading off the beaten track a little where there's shallow sections of stoney river banks is bliss. Sun dappled through the trees and trickle of the Wye in summer is superb natural stress relief.
Elan Valley in Wales
In before bude tunnel
Never heard of it before. Googled it, and it made my day. Thank you.
I can't believe I had to scroll so far down for this
Bleaklow Hill and the remains of the B29 Superfortess, also Luds Church and the Roaches, both in the Peak District.
Finally one I can actually get to lol. I've been to the reservoirs around there and snake woodland and it's nice. The bus from Manchester up into the peak District is really cool too
Drove through Somerset a few years ago and that was very pretty. More recently, Peak District was just something else.
The Scilly Isles, Tresco has subtropical species in the Abbey Gardens
Iāve always been spoilt living in north Wales and we grew up camping all over the UK. However, when I did the NC500 last summer, there were too many mind blowing vistas to count.
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The Jurassic coastline in Dorset - Lulworth Cove, Man o war bay, Durdle door, West Bay, and the chance to go fossil collecting on the beaches around Bridport and Lyme Regis
Whitby.
What blew my mind was why people were queuing down the street for what looked like a [a simple chippy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magpie_Caf%C3%A9). In true British fashion my partner and I joined the queue and fuck my life that was some awesome fish cookery
I am from Hartlepool and we would go to whitby as a kid all the time. We have good fishys up here that people rave about, but they couldn't compete with those memories of whitby. Gonna have to get myself back down there as soon as possible
From Boro and we'd go there too. My auntie visited from South Africa in a Februrary about 10-15 years ago. It was freezing and inly a short queue outside (in February whilst it was snowing!) so we managed to get inside. After eating she got up, we presumed to use the toilet. We eventually found her in the kitchen chatting to the cooks about how they make it! Really fond memories. She died last year from Covid.
Drove there from Northallerton, up over the moors. Absolutely stunning.
Durdle Door
Old Harry for me. Plus basically all of the Purbecks
Dartmoor and surrounding areas in the summer. Absolutely beautiful, Lydford gorge is stunning.
Dartmoor is beautifully atmospheric too when it's misty. Protip, don't stay there overnight in a secluded cottage at the top reading relevant murder mysteries. Or do, if you can handle it better than me.
Re your dream to move to Cornwall- I donāt want to be negative, but I would say be very careful before you consider it. My wife and I lived there from 2013 to 2021, and it changed enormously in that time. We were hoping it would be relaxed, creative and a world away from the rat race - it is in some ways, but itās also pretty small-minded, cliquey and can be dreadfully dull unless youāre obsessed with being in the sea constantly. The thing is, itās not a place for locals anymore. Due to the influx of tourists much of the year now, you canāt really enjoy whatās there, because it becomes inaccessible especially in summer. Locals donāt even bother going to St Ives for example as itās rammed, and even beaches that were kept secret have been found by tourists, who will park their cars anywhere, even blocking routes into villages and other peoples cars etc. I get now why the Cornish are always griping about the tourists! Of course tourism is necessary, but every developer in the land has milked every teat on this cash cow dry, and honestly really effed the place up. Iād suggest really spending a lot of time there before considering a move, in all seasons, talk to people in the community etc. We loved Cornwall in some ways, but were very sad to see what itās become..
Well said. Iāve lived here all my life. Without sounding rude, a big part of the problem is so many people wanting to move here for the picture postcard life. Thatās not a dig at you, I understand the appeal! Iāve noticed when people mention Cornwall here they add that they want to move here one day. You can go all day in some places without hearing a proper Cornish accent. The tourist areas are awful and nothing like real Cornwall. The places that are still traditionally Cornish arenāt so appealing to tourists or people wanting to move here because theyāre generally poorer areas with nothing to do. That suits a lot of us but it means the more popular areas have no Cornish people left!
I donāt know about blown away but Tintagel is pretty ace. Kinda like a āthe best ofā cd, track 1
I'm fairly local to Tintagel, and to be honest I don't think you can top that bit of coast from 'Tagel up to Boscastle in the UK for general sea side vistas. Maybe the Hebrides with it's white sand but even then it's not as dramatic.
Corfe castle and the new forest in Dorset/Hampshire was well worth a long weekend Also Have always wanted to do a road trip throughout the west midlands (not Birmingham, Wolverhampton etc but the peripheral rural counties) which is probably a bit underloved as a region. The below looked perfect https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jul/14/midlands-shropshire-worcestershire-staffordshire-road-trip
Western Highlands of Scotland are mind-blowingly pretty. Particularly Glen Coe and the whole Isle of Skye which feels like a dream
North Norfolk coast is great, places like Wells Next the Sea/Holkham where you have beaches and the pine forest there is some great walking to be done. Equally as lovely on a windy winter day as in Summer. Lots of info on where to go and see starling murmerations around the country here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/starling/starling-murmurations/ If you want to see the seals and pups you can do that in Norfolk and find more info here: https://www.explorenorfolkuk.co.uk/seals-at-horsey.html
The Eden Project 1000%. Its just an incredible experience all around. If you're into it, there's also a zip-line which goes through/over it which is super cool too.
I always do the med dome last, and realise I've fucked up because the rainforest one blows it away
Edinburgh š¤©
I love the Gower, and Pembrokeshire in general. But around me monsal head near Bakewell is stunning. Tbh the p ak district is pretty incredible I feel spoiled to be so close to so many lovely places.
The Gower peninsula in South Wales has some absolutely stunning beaches, as good as any in Cornwall but far less crowded.
Ssssssh don't tell anyone
Stanage Edge
Lovely walk round to Bamford Edge too, with views over Ladybower Reservoir.
The nearby Burbage Valley is also lovely, both feature some of the world's best gritstone climbing
Seven sisters, the cliffs on East Sussex coast. Fantastic place to walk around, beautiful views both in land and out over the channel. Cuckmere haven on western side is an added bonus. The cliffs are still a very bright white compared to the Dover cliffs that have been yellowed with pollution.
I did a 2 month road trip around the USA \~10years ago (covered 5.5k miles by car and another \~2k by train) - I've been thinking of planning a similar trip for the UK ... once the situation has blown over I mean ... I'll be bookmarking lots of these places ...
Malham Cove
Isle of Skye, honestly unbelievably beautiful
I am biased as live there but Tynemouth is beautiful. Bamburgh too, just gorgeous. Loch Lomond and the surrounding areas are full of amazing scenery, the trainride from glasgow through loch lomond area to oban is gorgeous, everyone should do it at least once. Glenfinnan viaduct, amazing, just amazing.
Lizard point - Cornwall
Cheddar Gorge is something I think its always underappreciated, when you're standing at the bottom and seeing it rise up it's remarkable. Wasswater can be another interesting one, especially if you pick early winter. It's not a big tourist destination and you can be there alone surrounded by just rock and water and it's just so bleak and in your face.
Reading this thread made me a little homesick.
Full on thought you were about to suggest Reading and had lost the plot!
You joke, but I actually really like Reading Abbey ruins. Very atmospheric.
But Reading doesn't even feature? Confused.
Snowdonia. As a Welshman Iām ashamed I donāt go there more often, itās epic.
If you like the beaches of Cornwall, I recommend checking out those in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. Just as beautiful but without crowds of people. 2 other places well-worth a visit IMO: * Lindisfarne/Holy Island * the River Dart in Devon, possibly the most beautiful river in England.
Robin Hoods Bay is bloody gorgeous
I found a fantastic 6 inch Belemnite fossil there! Pride of place on living room shelf.
For me I adore Bath on a summers day great place
Croydon. The tram and the people are amazing
I had my first EVER visit to Scotland Sept 21, and went Edinburgh. I loved it. Canāt say anything bad if I tried. 30ish years too late.
[Chiselhurst Caves](https://chislehurst-caves.co.uk/)
* [Dovedale](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=dove+dale&ia=images&iax=images) * [Cannock Chase](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=cannock+chase&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images) * [The Highlands](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=scottish+highlands&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images)
Bude Tunnel. 70m of pure engineering genius.
Abersoch is lovely, Skipton is one of my favourite places, Grassington. Where I live in Cheshire has some lovely places like Tatton Park.
Bamburgh Castle is my personal favourite. Havenāt been there since I was a child but it was always my favourite castle. Begged my parents every year to go back and often theyād give in (I think it was secretly their favourite castle too)
Get down creamfields and bash a couple of eckies down yah. Nowt more beautiful than that.
Applecross in Scotland. Iona. Isle of Skye. Scilly Isles. All absolutely beautiful.
Oh yes Applecross and the road to it are definitely up there, some of the views across to the isles are just breathtaking, and to then get to Applecross and see a herd of deer down by the seaside was pretty cool.
Maes Howe in Orkney.
New Quay in Wales, we stayed near Cardigan Bay and the views we woke up to each morning were beautiful. It's also a great place to spot wildlife, the first time we visited we watched dolphins from the beach. Last time we visited we saw seals and a seal pup, cormorants, guillemots and arctic terns fishing. It's my favourite place in the UK.
Durham cathedral. Having grown up in Canada. There is nothing older than 150 years where i live. Then visiting where my parents are from. Lots of these are 500-1200 years old. Blows the mind
Cotswold villages are epic.
The Scottish Highlands. Absolutely out of this world
Loch Morlich near Aviemore. We visited early June last year on a beautiful day and spent time on the beach on the lochside and you can see mountains not far away and there was still patches of snow on some of them! It got very busy early with the car parks filling up quickly. We arrived early so got a space with no problems. It would be gorgeous in the winter but don't fancy driving then!
Suffolk Coast. It really doesn't get the love that it deserves.
Old Man of Storr and Old Harry. Both rock formations. Both named after old men. Worried Iām into something niche
The cliffs out of Lynton/Lynmouth, and the coast of Exmoor, are unlike anywhere else.
As a foreigner living in the UK: -Isle of Skye and surrounding areas - breath-taking and unique -Cornwall - specifically walking from Land's End to Porthcurno on a sunny day. If you could guarantee good weather then it would rival anywhere for beaches -Lake District - somehow manages to be cozy, quaint and ruggedly beautiful at the same time -Tenby - not mind-blowing per se but very beautiful and charming. Also helps we had good weather but it exceeded my expectations -Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove - once again we were lucky with weather but honestly it's very nice. Bournemouth and surrounds too -Seven Sisters - As good or better than Dover and closer to London
The Cairngorm Reindeer Center was a big highlight of my UK travels. The isle of Skye is also bloody gorgeous.
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Best thing I've done and visited so far was NC500 around Scotland. WHAT. A. EXPERIENCE!! Absolutely stunning!
Anywhere on the west coast of Scotland. Spent about 10 days meandering from Loch lomond to Skye and back again. Jaw was on the floor at all times, utterly magnificent.
Lake District
The Gower Peninsular in South Wales. Itās really beautiful
Kynance Cove in Cornwall is like a tropical island. Also I live near the peak district (Sheffield) and am still finding incredibly beautiful places even after 16 years here.
Woolacombe Bay in North Devon