20 best places to visit in 2020

A new year, a new decade, and a new opportunity to see the best places the UK has to offer. There are loads of truly amazing places to visit in the UK, and we’ve worked hard to whittle down the list to a top 20. From stunning cities to breathtaking beaches, treat yourself to a staycation at one of the very best places the UK has to offer. Check out our countdown of the 20 best places to visit in 2020.


20) Bath


For thousands of years Bath has been a place of relaxation, rejuvenation, and pleasure. Today is no different, as the natural hot springs attract visitors to experience bathing in the same healing waters as the Romans. With glorious Georgian architecture, fabulous restaurants and shops, and stunning surrounding countryside, it’s no wonder Bath is ever popular as a tourist destination. Immerse yourself with a stay in beautiful Bath this year and see why it’s made it onto our list of best places to visit.


Where to stay nearby

 

Bath City Centre

 

Bath Central

 

Bath Waterside


19) Cambridge


Cambridge is a prestigious university city dating back over 800 years. With its intricate gothic architecture, Cambridge University is renowned as one of the best looking, and performing, universities in the world and is now both an institute of educational excellence and tourist attraction alike. Whilst the university dominates the city, there are loads of great shops, museums, and restaurants to explore, not to mention several top notch gin distilleries. Whether you have a picnic on the quad, go punting along the river, or simply ponder whilst you wander through the college’s beautiful cloisters, get caught up in the wonder and magic of Cambridge with a visit to this extraordinary city.


Where to stay nearby

 

Cambridge Newmarket Road

 

Cambridge Central

 

Cambridge Orchard Park


18) Lake District


Mountains, forests, rivers, and, of course, lakes. The Lake District’s dramatic landscapes and glistening ribbon lakes have made this national park a world-famous destination for holiday goers. Whether you want to climb the highest peak in England, try your hand at water sports, or just get some afternoon tea in a charming little village, the Lake District is for you. There are plenty of great places to visit within the Lake District, but one of our favourites is the stunning Lake Buttermere, which has a gentle circular walk with scenery guaranteed to leave you breathless.


Where to stay nearby

 

Cockermouth

 

Penrith


17) Liverpool


John, Paul, George, Ringo, Cilla. Liverpool has birthed the best of British pop and its rich cultural heritage still defines this city’s cool atmosphere. Stylish and modern, Liverpool is full of elegant bars, artisanal restaurants, and underground music venues. It’s dazzling waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mixing old mercantile architecture with stunning new buildings to make this iconic setting. As well as all the food, shopping, entertainment, and culture that you get from a world-leading city, you’ll also get fantastic sandy beaches on the Merseyside, just outside Liverpool, so you can work on your tan before hitting the town.


Where to stay nearby

 

Liverpool Central Exchange Street

 

Liverpool Central

 

Liverpool Central The Strand


16) Stratford Upon Avon


Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. We know brevity is the soul of wit, but it’s worth rambling on about Stratford Upon Avon. The birthplace of our most famous Bard, William Shakespeare, Stratford Upon Avon is a place of pilgrimage for fans of the playrite. With much of the town unchanged for hundreds of years, a visit here is like travelling back in time. See the house where Shakespeare was born, follow his footsteps around town, and relive his love story. For fans of Shakespeare, to thine own self be true and book a trip to Stratford Upon Avon.


Where to stay nearby

 

Stratford Upon Avon

 

Stratford Alcester


15) Edinburgh


A castle, a comedy festival, and an extinct volcano. You can find all three of these here in Edinburgh, and so much more. Food fanatic? With fabulously fresh seafood and a melting pot of cuisines, Scotland’s capital has so much more to offer than just deep fried goodies. History buff? Edinburgh is steeped in history, just take a walk from the castle down the Royal Mile and see for yourself. Culture vulture? Edinburgh is the world’s leading festival city, with science, art, film, jazz, book, and of course the Fringe festivals making this city a hive of cultural exchange all year long.


Where to stay nearby

 

Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place

 

Edinburgh Central Princes Street

 

Edinburgh Central


14) Hull


Hull is not featured on everyone’s list of must visit locations in the UK, but it really should be. From cute little cobbled streets in Hull’s Old Town, a fabulous (and free) museum quarter, one of the UK’s largest aquariums, and a bridge 2.2km in length, Hull has a hell of a lot to boast about. Recently made the UK City of Culture, Hull is quickly coming out of the shadows and becoming one of our hottest tourist destinations. Make sure you’re ahead of the curve and book a visit to Hull in 2020 to see what all the fuss is about.


Where to stay nearby

 

Hull Central

 

Hull South Cave


13) York


Surrounded by ancient walls, with Roman and Viking history, York is a fabulous place to visit. Of all the UK’s cities, York has more attractions per square mile than any other, and just so happens to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Take in the majesty of York Minster, get scared stiff in York Dungeon, cruise along the River Ouse, or relive a Viking experience. With a world-class racecourse, thirty museums, and a delicious food scene it can be hard to fit everything into a trip to York. Not to mention, the breathtaking scenery of the Dales, Wolds, and Moors right on the city’s doorstep. With all this and more, York should be on everyone’s list of must see locations for 2020.


Where to stay nearby

 

York Central Micklegate

 

York Central

 

York Central Layerthorpe


12) London


Our bustling capital and one of the world’s greatest cities, London is the most popular tourist destination on the planet. With more parks than any other city, over 7,000 pubs, and a GDP larger than Sweden, it’s fair to say there’s plenty on offer for your enjoyment in London. From Big Ben to Buckingham Palace, the London Eye to Hyde Park, the British Museum to Tower Bridge. Two weeks in London wouldn’t even scratch the surface of this must see holiday destination that really does have something for everyone.


Where to stay nearby

 

London Central Marylebone

 

London Greenwich High Road

 

London Covent Garden


11) Ben Nevis


Standing at 1,345 metres tall, Ben Nevis towers above the surrounding scenery. The tallest mountain in the UK, the summit of Ben Nevis offers spectacular views at only a small price to pay – a challenging 8 hour walk. A great way to get fit, walking holidays are becoming increasingly popular, and the bragging rights from walking the tallest mountain in Britain are priceless. Just stay in nearby Fort William for wonderful walks in the summer and superb skiing in the winter, not to mention the Ben Nevis whisky distillery, perfect for rounding off an active day on the mountain.


Where to stay nearby

 

Fort William


10) North Wales


Breathtaking beaches, magnificent mountains, and some of the best outdoor activities in the country. North Wales has a wealth of attractions making it one of the top destinations to visit in 2020 and the adventure capital of Europe. How would you like to spend your trip in North Wales? Trampolining in enormous caves, zip-lining through abandoned quarries, white water rafting, or just soaking up the sun on a glorious beach? North Wales offers something for every member of the family, so it’s no surprise this amazing location is getting more and more popular with tourists. Don’t be late to the party and get yourself to North Wales this year.


Where to stay nearby

 

Bangor

 

Porthmadog

 

Caernarfon


9) Four Waterfalls Walk


One of the finest waterfall walks you can take, the Four Waterfalls Walk in the Brecon Beacons takes you along a winding woodland river past giant veils of bubbling white water. There are four enormous waterfalls along this walk that you can hear crashing well before you can see them. The largest of the four waterfalls, pictured above, is 50 feet tall with a path allowing you to walk behind the curtain of water. Keep an eye out for dippers along the river, little black and white birds that dip in and out of the water. You may even see them flying into the waterfalls, where they make their nests behind the safety of the waterfall.


Where to stay nearby

 

Merthyr Tydfil


8) Dumfries


Dumfries is a market town with a rich history, set in the idyllic countryside of southern Scotland. Known as the Queen of the South, Dumfries is a Scottish jewel filled with charm and romance that inspired the great Robert Burns, who settled here in later life. As well as the fantastic architecture in the town, including one of Scotland’s oldest bridges, a short trip out will take you to Caerlaverock Castle with its stunning mirror-sheened moat that makes this one of the most picturesque castles around. There’s plenty of adventure to be had on Dumfries’ doorstep with nature reserves and mountain biking galore. With no shortage of things to do, it’s no wonder Dumfries is on our list of must see places in 2020.


Where to stay nearby

 

Dumfries


7) Manchester


Full of vibrancy, energy, and character, Manchester was once the heart of the industrial world. Now, it’s the heart of the football playing world and draws tourists from across the globe for its excellent shopping, exquisite dining, and fabulous cultural attractions. With world-class events and festivals being held throughout the year, there’s no bad time to visit this incredible city. From a football stadium tour, a visit to Media City, or a trip to the gorgeous surrounding countryside, there’s heaps of things to do in Manchester. For something a bit unique, why not have a go at the Crystal Maze Live Experience, a fabulously fun live action recreation of the classic tv game show.


Where to stay nearby

 

Manchester Piccadilly

 

Manchester Ancoats

 

Manchester Central


6) Oxford


Oxford boasts one of the world’s best and oldest universities, with breathtaking buildings that make Oxford one of the most attractive cities in the country. It’s no wonder Oxford was chosen as a filming location for the Harry Potter series, as you’ll certainly get a sense of magic walking amongst the elegant architecture of the city centre. With plenty of quality shopping, dining, and entertainment, not to mention world-class museums and galleries, Oxford has loads of things to do. When you’re here, make sure you take a walk around the city at night, where many of the 1,500 listed buildings are illuminated to give an extra delicacy to this already magnificent place.


Where to stay nearby

 

Oxford Abingdon Road

 

Oxford Peartree

 

Oxford Wheatley


5) Dartmoor


Rugged and stark, with giant granite towers topping the hills and hay-coloured heathland underfoot, Dartmoor is a unique landscape in the British Isles. Wild ponies wander free on the moors, which are checkered with small woodlands and winding rivers. Walking across Dartmoor you’ll find stone circles and burial tombs from ancient neolithic cultures that once inhabited this national park. Nowadays, Dartmoor is a haven for outdoorsy types, where you can enjoy walking, cycling, climbing, horse riding, caving, kayaking and wild swimming. The perfect location for lovers of the outdoors, Dartmoor needs to be on every adventurers list of places to visit.


Where to stay nearby

 

Plymouth Roborough

 

Okehampton Sourton Cross

 

Okehampton Whiddon Down


4) Canterbury


Winding cobbled streets, timber framed houses, and history around every corner. Canterbury is one of the gems of the Garden of England. With its medieval centre still in tact, and world-famous cathedral towering over the city, Canterbury transports you back to the time of Chaucer, its most famous son and author of the Canterbury Tales. With plenty of food, shopping, history, and award winning beaches nearby, there are plenty of things to do in Canterbury. Perfect for a weekend away, this little Kentish city has everything you need to make a tale or two of your own.


Where to stay nearby

 

Canterbury Chaucer Central

 

Canterbury Dunkirk

 

canterbury Whitstable


3) Isle of Wight


Spectacular coastlines, beautiful walks, and sandy beaches. This little island off the south coast is crammed full of fun things to do, making the Isle of Wight a must visit location this year. Take a stroll along one of the historic promenades and eat some of the best freshly caught fish and chips in the country. Discover dinosaur fossils and footprints at Compton Bay, the richest source of dinosaur remains in Europe. Take the chairlift for a bird’s eye view of The Needles – giant chalk monoliths that stick straight out from the sea. Or, go for a gentle walk across some of the island’s beautiful countryside. Whether it’s for a couple of days or a week, a visit to this charming little island always seems too short.


Where to stay nearby

 

Newport Isle of Wight

 

Ryde Isle of Wight


2) Cheddar Gorge


Plunging to depths of 400 feet and stretching 3 miles in length, Cheddar Gorge is one of the greatest natural wonders in the country. Formed during the last Ice Age, Cheddar Gorge shows the route of a river that carved its way through the limestone to create this stunning landscape and the famous Cheddar Caves. The caves here were important to ancient Britons and were the site of the oldest complete skeleton found in the country, the 9,000 year old Cheddar Man. With beautiful walks, breathtaking views, historic caves, and some of the best cheese in the country, Cheddar Gorge should be near the top of your must visit list for 2020.


Where to stay nearby

 

Weston Super Mare

 

Highbridge Burnham on Sea

 

Glastonbury


1) Cornwall


Actually no, that photo’s not Thailand, it’s Cornwall. The Cornish Coast has some of the best beaches in the world. Get shipwrecked here and you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking you’ve washed up on a tropical island. If it’s crystal clear waters, dramatic coastlines, soft sandy beaches, and glorious sun that you’re after, then you’ll want to venture south west and book a stay in Cornwall. One place not to miss is Bedruthan Steps, pictured above, with its huge granite stacks said to be stepping stones for a legendary ancient giant called Bedruthan.


Where to stay nearby

 

Travelodge Hayle

 

Newquay Seafront

 

Cambourne Redruth