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30 of the best places to visit in the UK
Updated On 28th September, 2022
Looking for an adventure to go on in the UK? Wondering where you’ll find the best places to visit in the UK?
The UK (United Kingdom) is jam-packed with adventure to suit every type of traveller, there are places to visit in the UK for the weekend, places to visit for the day, or areas that you could live in for years and barely scratch the surface. There are places to visit for couples, places you can solo travel or places in the UK to visit with your girlfriends.
With the pandemic still restricting travel out of England (see the current restrictions here) we have been encouraged to explore more of our own doorstep this summer. To be honest, this is a huge silver lining for those of us who have spent more time exploring the likes of far-flung countries like Australia, Bali and New Zealand than we have the UK. The UK is so glorious and the best places to visit in the UK will blow your mind… once you know where it is to head. I got you!
You can explore Scotland, you can explore Wales, you can explore England and you can explore Northern Ireland.
The UK is home to views that rival New Zealand, beaches that compare to the Mediterranean, and hikes on a par with the best in Central Europe.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is, the UK is insanely and I’d highly recommend planning a trip here.
In this blog post, I’m going to do my very best to inspire your bucket list and show you the places to visit in the UK. Have you got your bucket list ready?
Other guides and posts that you may enjoy:
30 of the best places to visit in the UK…
1. The Lake District
The Lake District is one of the first places people think of for a British holiday. That is if you’re an outdoor adventure lover. And can you blame them?! The green, rolling hills, lakes and stunning views… it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular places to visit in the UK! And, if you fancy a challenge, you can do a Via Ferrata or climb Scafell Pike here, the highest mountain in England! I’ve been to the Lake District a couple of times now and absolutely loved it.
A complete guide to the Lake District National Park, England
2. Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland, and one of the best places to visit in the UK without a doubt. Particularly if you’re looking for a road trip!
I’ve just got back from 3 weeks of road tripping through Scotland and… wow. Some of the best scenic drives I’ve done in all my 8 years of travel. Road tripping in Scotland seriously rivals the likes of Iceland, New Zealand and Australia. See all my Scotland road trip guides here.
Think epic hikes, white sands, abundant spacious land, castles, history and fresh air galore.
Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch (home to world-famous Nessie) but it’s most certainly not the only one. One of my favourite things about Scotland was the number of epic spots to camp / have lunch by the lochs!
- The best walks and hikes in Scotland
- How to plan a road trip in Scotland ft. the best routes
- The best places to visit in Scotland
- A guide to Glasgow, Scotland
- The best things to do in Aviemore, Scotland
- The best things to do on the Isle of Skye, Scotland
- A complete guide to Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
- A complete guide to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland
3. Brighton
Arguably one of the most fun places to visit in the UK, with its buzzing alternative lifestyle and amazing nightlife! Don’t forget to go shopping in the lanes or having fish and chips on the pier when you visit.
Nearby you have the Seven Sisters cliffs too so if you’re on a road trip or fancy multiple locations, be sure to check it out. One of the most photographed and best places to visit in the UK!
4. South Downs
The South Downs is one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Beauty, and it sure is beautiful.
Endless green landscapes, rolling hills and stunning views make this a wonderful, nature-filled UK weekend away. From hiking, to walking llamas, from foraging to kayaking… there’s so much to do in the South Downs, so you won’t get bored. The South Downs are a personal favourite and definitely one of the places to visit in the UK.
5. Bath
Another city on my UK bucket list, Bath is definitely one of the prettiest places to visit in the UK. It’s a beautiful place to visit in winter because the Christmas markets are fantastic! But the best thing about Bath is definitely the thermal baths… I can’t wait to go to these one day!
6. Windsor
Home to Queen Elizabeth, Windsor is one of the most beautiful towns in the UK to visit. Luckily for me, it’s really close to my family home!
When I last went, I took my Dad for a summer’s day trip, and we had the best time. We started out on the steam train with brunch and prosecco and then spent the day wandering around the historic town and enjoying the weather on the Thames riverbank. Pure bliss.
While you’re there, make sure you also taste homemade fudge in the Fudge Kitchen on the High Street and go for a really long walk around Windsor Great Park. If you’re making a full day of it, you could also catch a show at the theatre in the evening.
7. Cambridge
Home to the internationally famous university, Cambridge is a good place to visit in the UK for a day trip. From looking up at the beautiful architecture to punting along the river, you’ll have plenty to do in this culturally rich UK city.
8. Swansea
Swansea has got to be one of my favourite places to visit in Wales. From Swansea Bay, to The Mumbles, and the entire Gower Penisula… I love it all. It’s a great place to visit in the UK if you love a seaside town with a heavy dose of natural beauty. Swansea, it won’t be long before I’m back again!
9. Peak District
The Peak District is one of the best places to visit in the UK with your friends for the weekend! Hire a cottage, pack a weekend bag (not forgetting your walking boots and activewear), jump in the car, and get ready for the best weekend away! You’ll be able to walk for hours, hire bikes and cycle through the open spaces, and get some stunning photos. What’s more, the UK’s first National Park is also home to 3 dark sky reserves, so get ready to go stargazing with your best friends.
10. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is on my list of places to visit at New Year, but it’s also spectacular year round! Scotland’s capital is a stunning city full of history, with an iconic castle, scary dungeons, and fabulous nightlife… the perfect place to visit in the UK for a weekend!
11. Cornwall
Cornwall is located on the South West Coast of England and is without a doubt one of the most popular choices for a domestic holiday. Come summer, Cornwall is buzzing with tourists, all soaking up the stunning coastal paths, sandy beaches and seafront living. Cornwall is the perfect place to visit on a UK road trip or with a camper van in the summer and is the perfect place to give surfing a try!
I’m currently living in Newquay (the adventure capital) and in my opinion, you haven’t seen the UK if you haven’t been to Cornwall. 100% on my places to visit in the UK.
12. Bristol
Bristol is a good place to visit in the UK for the weekend. I’d love to go during the International Balloon Fiesta! It’s also an excellent place to visit for shopping, and for a night out. It’s a city that’s also bursting with creativity, so the perfect place to visit if you like modern art!
13. Devon
Devon is another area of the country that I love, and the place I chose to spend my 26th birthday (see my weekend here). It’s a popular place to visit in the UK, but it’s so big that if you want to avoid the crowds, you can. I personally love Dartmoor, Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. Next on my list of places to visit in Devon is the Exmoor Dark Sky reserve… camping under the stars sounds amazing!
14. Cheddar Gorge
If you’re a fellow cheese lover, this is the place for you! It’s also the perfect place to visit if you’re an adrenaline junkie… free-falling, caving, climbing and more! Said to be the second greatest natural wonder of the UK, this must be on your UK bucket list. After you’ve had a fantastic day of exploring, stop off in the nearby village of Cheddar to get some cheese for the perfect post-adventure snack.
15. The Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands are home to an abundance of wildlife, so they’re one of the best places to visit in the UK if you’re a nature lover! Puffins, seals, whales… you can see them all here! If you’re lucky, you can also catch a sighting of the Northern Lights.
16. Pembrokeshire
Looking at Pinterest and Instagram, I think this is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Wales. It’s home to the UK’s only coastal National Park, making it a popular destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. You can make a holiday out of hiking the famous coastal path and taking a dip in the sea at one of the many picturesque Pembrokeshire beaches.
17. Yorkshire
Yorkshire has got to be one of my favourite counties in the UK. From the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to the fabulous nightlife of Leeds, this is the place to visit in the UK if you want a little bit of everything in your holiday! There’s still so much for me to explore in Yorkshire, but the time I’ve spent here so far has been amazing and you should all add it to your list of places to visit in the UK!
18. Glasgow
Glasgow is a year round destination, so even if you can’t guarantee the weather, it’s a great place to visit in the UK in winter. Full of personality, architecture and culture, it also has a thriving music and food scene. There are also loads of free things to do in Glasgow, so it’s a great place to visit on a budget!
Check out my weekend guide to Glasgow here.
19. Norfolk
Norfolk is definitely one of my favourite places to visit in the UK, and for good reason! With beaches you won’t believe are in the UK, countless hiking routes and a superb food scene, this is a great place to visit, and somewhere I’ll definitely be returning to (read about my last visit here). Don’t forget to pick up your lavender goodies to add to your self-care routine while you’re there!
20. Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is the perfect place to visit to get those Insta-worthy photos… it’s beautiful! The coastal views, the myths and legends and the friendly locals make this an amazing place to visit and one of the best places to visit in the UK for the weekend.
21. Belfast
Belfast was somewhere that I visited when my blog was in its earlier days, but I still loved every minute! It’s a fantastic mix of history, culture, art, good food and beautiful landscapes and one of the best places to visit in Northern Ireland.
22. Glastonbury
There are more things to do in Glastonbury than the famous Glastonbury festival! Glastonbury Tor is famous for its natural springs, and Glastonbury Abbey is stunning too. I’d love to go to the festival and then spend a few days enjoying the green spaces here once the festival has finished!
23. Dorset
Bournemouth is by far one of the best places to visit in the UK in summer, but Dorset itself is also beautiful! I had an amazing time staying in the famous Bournemouth beach huts with my mum last summer. The weather was amazing (we could have been abroad!) and cycling along Hengistbury Head was one of the highlights of my trip. Next time I come to Dorset, I’d love to spend a bit more time exploring other areas on the Jurassic Coast.
- Here’s my complete guide to spending 3 days in Bournemouth.
- Looking for things to do on your weekend away? Here are 12 things to do in Bournemouth, and 12 day trips to go on in Dorset!
24. Winchester
Winchester is one of the best places in the UK for a day trip. Just an hour from London by train, this city is full of beautiful architecture and buckets full of history and UK culture. Be sure to wander up and down the high street, popping into the independent boutiques, before stopping at a pub for a classic British pub lunch.
25. The Cotswolds
I still can’t believe that I haven’t visited The Cotswolds yet! Definitely a place to visit in my van when I’m next on the road in the UK. It’s the biggest of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Beauty, and the perfect destination for anyone looking for places to visit in the UK countryside. Perfect for mountain biking and hiking, home to quaint villages and cosy local pubs, this is the perfect destination for a countryside holiday in rural England.
26. Suffolk
Suffolk was the first place in the UK I visited with my van, and I absolutely loved it! Just me and my monkey – it’s a great place to visit with a dog, because all the open green spaces make for endless dog walks! I barely planned the trip, just taking each day as it comes, and it was the best way to get my van on the road for the first time!
27. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the most famous places to visit in the UK, but for good reason. As the only surviving lintelled stone circle in the world, this is the perfect place to visit for history lovers! Yes, it’ll be busy, but worth it, and definitely one to tick off your UK bucket list!
28. Snowdonia
I absolutely love Snowdonia National Park, and I’m certain that it’s one of the top places to visit in the UK. The views are out of this world, and the opportunities for adventure are endless. In fact, I love it so much that I held the first WMGT adventure here. Whether you want to climb Snowdon itself or explore all the other beautiful green spaces and lakes that the National Park has to offer, add Snowdonia National Park to your list of places to visit now!
29. Isle of Wight
I’ve only been to the Isle of Wight for the famous ‘Bestival’ (which has since moved to Lulworth Castle in Dorset), but I would love to come here and explore more one day! The Isle of Wight really looks like one of the perfect places to visit in the UK; it has everything! Stunning beaches, beautiful hikes and walks, great watersports and adrenaline-rushing adventures, beautiful starry nights… What more could you want?!
30. London
Of course, I couldn’t write a post about the best places to visit in the UK without mentioning London! There is so much to do in London – I lived there for a few years and barely scratched the surafce! London is the perfect place to visit for a weekend, or even just for a day trip. Click the button below to explore all my London adventures, and plan your next trip to this beautiful city!
Explore more places to visit in the UK on my blog with the buttons below…
Have you explored much of the UK?
Where are your favourite places to visit in the UK? I’d love to know!
Love as always and happy adventuring,
Mollie.
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IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU
I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE.Â
I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!
