Prepare to embark on a journey through the UK’s breathtaking landscapes and rich history 🏔️
Stand at the edge of the country and gaze across to foreign lands. Peer through the largest expanse of medieval stained glass. Be inspired by views from the tallest summit in England. Spot red deer as they frolic through the Scottish countryside. The UK has so many amazing sights dominating almost every corner of its isles.
From some of our most celebrated natural wonders to our most impressive views and best-preserved history, we round up 24 of the UK’s must-see sights.
Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
An ancient volcano that sits at 250 metres above sea level in Holyrood Park, legend says Arthur’s Seat was formed from a dragon that would terrorise villagers. On one occasion, after eating too much, he lay down for a nap and never woke up. Another fable has Arthur’s Seat as the location of King Arthur’s mythical Camelot.
Wherever your imagination takes you, the reality of the views over the atmospheric city of Edinburgh are as awe-inspiring as any tall tale.
Stay nearby
Ben Nevis, Scottish Highlands
Standing 4,000 feet above sea level, Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the British Isles and climbing it will take some preparation. Thrill seekers can opt for an incredibly steep climb with rough terrain, while less ambitious climbers can choose more manageable routes.
However you get there, you can expect wild storms at the summit. There, you’ll stand at the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano and find the ruins of an observatory which was staffed between 1883 and 1904.
Stay nearby
Brecon Beacons, Wales
A 42-mile wide mountain range and National Park in mid-Wales, Brecon Beacons is truly nature’s playground. From watersports and waterfall walks to bushcraft, caving and abseiling, there are endless activities to immerse yourself in the natural world.
Natively known as Bannau Brycheiniog, the wider area has also become a vibrant spot, with surrounding towns carving out their own unique identities. Abergavenny is a foodie heaven, Hay-on-Wye is world-famous for bookshops, and Llandeilo is excellent for antiquing.
Stay nearby
Buttermere, Lake District
Buttermere is the name of a Cumbrian valley, village and lake. The valley is one of the most dramatic in the Lake District, with several Wainwright fells and three lakes offering contrasting ridgeline and waterside walks.
Buttermere village is made up of a few farms, some isolated houses, a chapel and, importantly, two inns. Buttermere Lake itself was carved out by a huge ice glacier during the ice age. It’s one of the Lake District’s lesser-known and more tranquil spots, and it’s well worth seeking out.
Stay nearby
Castle Combe, Cotswolds
Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Castle Combe is the jewel in the crown of the Cotswolds. Just 12 miles away from the Georgian city of Bath, it’s been dubbed the prettiest village in England for good reason.
Medieval architecture, breathtaking countryside views, rich history and picturesque streets are just some of its charms which have attracted film crews throughout the decades. On Saturdays a market pops up in the village hall, selling handmade arts and crafts.
Stay nearby
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Britain’s deepest natural canyon, Cheddar Gorge has some of the most extraordinary caves in England and awe-inspiring limestone cliffs that stand up to 450 feet tall. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty holds many fascinating secrets about its prehistoric ancestors – the Horse Hunters of Cheddar Gorge lived in Gough’s Cave some 14,700 years ago.
Weave your way through the gorge on foot or by car, making sure to gorge yourself on local cheese in the Somerset village of Cheddar at the end.
Stay nearby
Durdle Door, Dorset
One of the most iconic landscapes to visit by a country mile, Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch forming part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It joins the likes of the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef as a UNESCO-recognised natural wonder. The arch juts out into the sea from stunning limestone cliffs to frame a shingle beach accessible by foot.
Created when the sea pierced through the Portland limestone around 10,000 years ago, it’s well worth the pilgrimage.
Stay nearby
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
A prehistoric formation of over 40,000 large hexagonal blocks that create a walkway, Giant’s Causeway is one of the world’s most celebrated natural wonders. Legend has it that a giant named Finn McCool created a causeway to get across the Irish Sea to face his rival, the Scottish giant Benandonner.
In reality, it was formed from intense volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The site offers gorgeous coastal views including rugged cliffs and secluded bays.
Stay nearby
Hadrian’s Wall, Northern England
Named after the Emperor of Rome, Hadrian built his 73-mile wall from coast to coast to secure the Empire’s northern border with Scotland. Now a World Heritage Site, the epic wall can still be explored along with multiple historic forts and villages along it. There are multiple sites where remains exist across Northern England – with Cumbria and Northumberland home to some of the most well-preserved.
The Birdoswold Trail, near Carlisle, offers the longest continuous stretch of the wall, a Roman fort and a priory.
Stay nearby
Loch Lomond, Southern Scotland
Nestled in the heart of The Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in Britain, surrounded by eye-catching landscapes and rich history. Known for its overwhelming natural beauty and diverse wildlife (including midges – beware!) the bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond are a huge draw for tourists.
Conic Hill, the Balmaha Millennium Forest Path and Sallochy Forest Trails all offer rewarding hikes, while water activities include everything from paddle boarding and pedal boat hire.
Stay nearby
Portmeirion, North Wales
Nestled between the majestic Snowdonia mountains sits one of Wales’s top visitor attractions. The gated Baroque-style village of Portmeirion was the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who designed and built it on the Welsh coast between 1925 and 1975.
Inside, you will be transported into a dreamlike landscape, full of endless pathways to explore, fascinating history, architectural heritage and sub-tropical gardens. The colour-washed buildings are built around a central plaza – unlike any other village you’ll find in Wales.
Stay nearby
Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
Robin Hood’s Bay has a long fishing heritage, and a newer tradition of surf culture thanks to some of the best waves in the UK. A sandy beach with ancient fossils and shallow rock pools will offer hours of enjoyment for kids. The narrow, twisting cobbled streets and alleyways in the village evoke the lives of the sailors, smugglers and press gangs that walked them before us.
Today they host rows of vibrant independent shops, cafes and bars to while away long summer hours.
Stay nearby
The Dinosaur Coast, Scarborough
At the beginning of the Jurassic period, this 35-mile stretch of Yorkshire coast was covered by warm tropical seas. After the water level sank, a large beach and coastal stretch formed. Its Jurassic heritage left behind not only fossils but dinosaur footprints in the sand. Organised fossil hunting trips can help you uncover what the area was like 180 million years ago.
And your pre-history lesson can be continued at the Rotunda Museum – home to Scarborough’s Lost Dinosaurs exhibition.
Stay nearby
Scafell Pike, Lake District
Scafell Pike is the tallest summit in England, standing at a whopping 978 metres at its peak. Not only that, it also features the highest body of standing water in England in Broad Crag Tarn. It’s a challenging, steep ascent with tough terrain you might have to scramble over. Not for the faint-hearted or the Sunday stroller, but definitely worth the effort to see the incredible view of the Lake District from above.
Stay nearby
Seven Sisters Cliffs, East Sussex
Known for its abundance of natural beauty, religious significance, and cultural history, the Seven Sisters are impressive chalk sea cliffs on the English Channel coast. Layers of archaeology and history exist within this stunning landscape that rises spectacularly out of the sea.
So iconic are these views that they will feel familiar even if you’ve never been. They’ve featured in films such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Atonement and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Stay nearby
St Ives Bay, Cornwall
A six-mile crescent-shaped expanse, this stunning stretch of coast is home to the Godrevy lighthouse which inspired Virginia Woolf’s novel, To The Lighthouse. St Ives itself is famed for its art scene. It’s home to a vibrant grassroots scene as well as the seafront Tate St Ives, and nearby Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in the artist’s former studio.
There’s no shortage of beaches to explore around the bay, many of them popular surf spots and offering extraordinary views.
Stay nearby
Stonehenge, Wiltshire
One of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge is a place of pilgrimage for the Summer solstice as it’s wondrously aligned with the movements of the sun. But a pilgrimage to what’s presumed to be a religious site is worth making at any time of year and is an absolute must for the bucket list.
The unique stone circle was created around 2,500 BC and remains remarkably intact today. Full of opportunities for learning and exploration, it’s truly a sight to behold.
Stay nearby
The Jurassic Coast, Dorset
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 95-mile stretch of coastline is known for its stunning scenery and rich heritage. It’s the only place on Earth where rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods can be seen in one place, representing 185 million years of Earth’s history.
Fossils can be found embedded in cliff faces and you can learn more about them by booking a guided fossil walk or visiting one of the area’s museums.
Stay nearby
The Roman Baths, Bath
2,000 years of history flow through the hot waters of Bath’s natural thermal springs. The people of Roman Britain would come here to bathe in their waters and worship the goddess Sulis Minerva. The well-preserved site can still be explored today as visitors walk on the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. A neighbouring museum houses a gilt bronze head of the goddess and other historic artefacts.
Stay nearby
The Shambles, York
This narrow cobbled street is lined by mostly timber buildings dating as far back as the 13th Century. The word ‘Shambles’ referred to a meat market in medieval times, and a number of shops still have meat hooks hanging outside. Today it is also filled with a bright mix of mostly independent retailers.
A visit is a particularly special experience for Harry Potter fans as the street is said to have inspired JK Rowling’s Diagon Alley.
Stay nearby
Stanage Edge, Peak District
This four-mile gritstone edge offers impressive views of the Dark Peak moorlands and Hope Valley. A wild and brooding place, its landscape is as likely to take your breath away as its harsh winds. Popular with walkers and a great spot for rock climbing, there’s a picnic site perfect for sitting back and taking in this dramatic vista.
Situated on the border between the High Peaks and Sheffield, the site was chosen as an ideal location to shoot Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley.
Stay nearby
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
The atmospheric views of this harbour town have been inspiring visitors for 1,500 years. The windswept headland with its dramatic 7th-century abbey ruins are the literary birthplace of Dracula. Bram Stoker visited in 1890 and set much of the famous story within this rugged landscape.
Climb the 199 steps to the abbey before roaming the open grounds and exploring the museum. There, you’ll discover the story of the abbey through objects like Anglo-Saxon crosses, medieval manuscripts and a rare signed copy of Dracula.
Stay nearby
White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
Long a symbol of arrival to the UK, these high chalk cliffs look out onto the English Channel, giving far-reaching views towards France. 70 million years ago the area was submerged by a shallow sea – its bottom made of white mud that would later form its cliffs.
Walk along the coastal path towards the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse. Climb to the top to see the distinctive white cliff faces around St Margaret’s Bay.
Stay nearby
Lake Windermere, Lake District
The biggest and arguably most popular of the English lakes, Windermere’s parameter is 32 miles long and includes endless points of interest. The lake is surrounded by peaks with spectacular views and quaint villages and towns with unique Cumbrian character.
For the best views of the lake, walk over Orrest Head or visit Wray Castle where Beatrix Potter once stayed. A visit to the pretty market village of Hawkshead will avoid the crowds of Ambleside or Bowness and reward you with its modern independent brewery.
Stay nearby
Search deals
York Minster, North Yorkshire
A masterpiece of medieval stained glass and stone, York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Since the 7th century, this has been the centre of Christian life in the north of England. A guided tour will reveal its fascinating 800-year-old history. Bigger than a tennis court, the Great East Window is the largest stretch of medieval stained glass in existence.
After a 275-step climb to the central tower, you’ll be met with panoramic views of this historic city.
Stay nearby
The Trossachs National Park, Southern Scotland
With mountains, lochs, forests and glens, a visit to the Trossachs National Park is a quintessentially Scottish experience. Bracklinn Falls and the Falls of Falloch are just some of the awe-inspiring waterfalls waiting to be discovered.
One of the best viewpoints can be found at An Ceann Mor – an elevated vista to take in the calming sight of Loch Lomond. Aberfoyle, Balmaha and St Fillans are some of the area’s prettiest villages, while a visit to Breadalbane will allow you to spot red deer.
Stay nearby
