Top 10 Best Places to Visit in the United Kingdom in 2025-2026
Discover the top ten United Kingdom (UK) travel destinations for 2025, including breathtaking beaches, mountains, ancient cities, picturesque islands, and cultural hubs in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK is a very varied tourist destination, offering everything from serene regions of exceptional natural beauty to energetic, culturally rich cities.
Our list of the top ten destinations in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is as follows:
- Isles of Scilly
- Walberswick and the Suffolk coast
- The Somerset Levels
- Grasmere and Rydal Water, Lake District
- Manchester
- Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
- The Cairngorms, Scotland
- Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Brecon Beacons, Wales
- Malvern Hills, Herefordshire
- Isles of Scilly
Probably the nicest sunsets in the UK can be found on the Isles of Scilly. This Atlantic archipelago of islands and islets, 40 kilometers off the coast of Cornwall, has the appearance of a tropical paradise with a charmingly English feel. While tiny Bryher has only one hotel, Hell Bay, and perhaps the greatest sunset views in the nation, the main island of St. Mary’s boasts gorgeous beaches and meandering alleys.
For diversity and color, Tresco Abbey Gardens certainly outperforms any mainland country house, and a boat ride to the uninhabited islands of Samson or St. Helen’s provides an up-close look at seals and seabirds.
- Walberswick and the Suffolk coast
Walberswick is one of the best spots in this area of eastern England’s Swanky Southwold on the Suffolk coast because of its village green, ruined church, and beach setting. The community is bordered by more than 1,000 acres of protected heathland and marshes, making it a popular destination for artists and authors such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Esther Freud. It is also home to St. Andrew’s Church, which is Grade I listed, and is known for its melancholy light and relative seclusion. Watch the gray rollers arrive on beach as the sun rises, or take a trip up the coast to posh Southwold.
- The Somerset Levels
The Somerset Levels: A historic setting Nowhere else in the United Kingdom can compare to the evocative Somerset Levels. Ancient communities like Glastonbury are created by the smallest change in elevation, while the flatlands, which are divided by rivers, ditches, and abandoned canals, provide foggy views of the Mendip Hills to the east and the Quantocks to the west. Ham Wall Nature Reserve, a bird sanctuary, is an essential habitat for the aquatic ecosystem that attracts a variety of species, including kingfishers and bitterns.
- Grasmere and Rydal Water, Lake District
Poet William Wordsworth lived at Dove Cottage in Grasmere. It would be an understatement to explore just one of the many stunning vistas in England’s Lake District. Perhaps the finest locations to start are the adjacent Rydal Water and the hamlet of Grasmere. With its cascading waterfalls, deciduous forests, and shimmering water, this is the Lake District of romantic poet William Wordsworth (whose Dove Cottage is located just outside of Grasmere hamlet). The smallest lake in the vicinity, Rydal Water, is ideal for summertime swimming and offers a trail that eludes its banks as a simple starting point for trekking.
In addition to fantastic hotels and restaurants, Grasmere is home to Sam Read Bookseller, an amazing bookstore where you can load up on mountain literature and maps.
- Manchester
Although Manchester experiences heavy rains occasionally, the weather is far from ordinary. Although the cities of Northern England are sometimes unfairly grouped together, Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, and Manchester each have unique characteristics that make them worthwhile trips. However, the major hitter is the latter. In addition to being the place to be for cultural vultures, the lively Northern Quarter is a terrific location to shop, whether you’re looking for vintage clothing or the newest CDs at Piccadilly Records. Venues like Bridgewater Hall, Home, and the Albert Hall are all worth visiting.
- Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula
One of the best beaches in Europe is Rhossili Beach. With some of the nicest beaches and hills in Europe, if not the UK, South Wales is a wonder. With good cause, Rhossili Beach on the Gower Peninsula is frequently praised as one of the greatest beaches in the area. Surfers and swimmers love its five kilometers of immaculate beach, while pedestrians follow routes along the clifftops to enjoy views of Worms Head and the Atlantic waves. A four-minute walk from the beach, guests may enjoy the comforts of a bar at The Worm’s Head Hotel while admiring the breathtaking views of Rhossili.
- The Cairngorms, Scotland
Scotland’s stunning Cairngorms National Park has Loch Muick.Perhaps the UK’s last really wild location is Scotland’s Cairngorms. These slopes are covered with meters of wind-blown snow throughout the winter. It’s the ideal location for trekking and wild camping in the summer because of the long days and bright sun. For those seeking a more relaxed holiday, Loch an Eilein, a ruined castle on an island at its center, offers picture-perfect vistas and the opportunity to get up close and personal with red squirrels. Adventurers, on the other hand, travel into the highlands for multi-day excursions.
- Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland
In “Games of Thrones,” the Glens of Antrim play a major part.From the Antrim Plateau, the nine Glens of Antrim cascade down to the Irish Sea. You may rent a car and travel the 160-kilometer, meandering coast route, which was constructed in the 1830s and offers breathtaking vistas of the surrounding hills and far-off Scotland to keep travelers captivated.
Because Glenariff and the neighboring Slemish Mountain were featured in the television show “Game of Thrones,” there has been a recent surge in tourists visiting this region of Northern Ireland. Another feature of the region is the charming conservation town of Cushendun, a little seaside community in the center of the Antrim Coast that has been under National Trust protection since 1954.
- Brecon Beacons, Wales
The Brecon Beacons National Park is home to the picturesque Llangorse Lake. The Brecon Beacons have it everything, whether you want to kayak down cascading rivers, hike over towering peaks, or taste some of Wales’ best local produce. Although it might get wet, rain is a common occurrence in the UK. The Brecons provide something far more peaceful than their English equivalents, with views and communities to match, whereas other national parks can sometimes seem congested.
- Malvern Hills, Herefordshire
Some of the best hiking routes in the UK may be found in the Malvern Hills.The counties that border England and Wales may be overlooked by visitors to the UK (and even by those who have been there for a long time). But there’s simply no justification in places like The Malverns. Some of the best hiking in the nation may be found in this hill range. The resort town of Great Malvern, with its beautiful Victorian architecture, antiques merchants, and booksellers, offers plenty of diversions for those who would prefer not to put on their walking boots.
FAQ
- What are the best islands to visit in the UK for sunsets?
The Isles of Scilly, particularly Bryher, are famous for arguably the best sunsets in the UK.
- What makes Norwich in Norfolk a historical gem?
Norwich features 31 medieval churches, a spectacular cathedral, cobbled streets, and historic pubs like Adam and Eve dating back to 1249.
- Why should I visit Walberswick and the Suffolk coast?
Walberswick offers scenic coastal views, over 1,000 acres of heathland, and the Grade I listed St. Andrew’s Church.
- What is special about Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland?
It was the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, with preserved forts at Housesteads and Vindolanda and a 135-kilometer national trail.
- Why is Winchester, Hampshire worth visiting?
Winchester is home to the legendary King Arthur’s round table, Winchester Cathedral, and well-preserved Georgian architecture.
- What wildlife can be seen in the Somerset Levels?
The Levels host bird species such as bitterns and kingfishers, especially around Ham Wall Nature Reserve.
- What is unique about Dungeness, Kent?
Dungeness is the UK’s only designated desert, featuring windswept beaches, inland nature reserves, and a miniature railway.
- Which spots in the Lake District are ideal for nature lovers?
Grasmere and Rydal Water offer hiking, wild swimming, literary history (Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage), and scenic landscapes.
- What cultural attractions does Hull, East Yorkshire offer?
Hull features Georgian and Edwardian architecture, Humber Street Gallery, and Truck Theatre for art and performances.
- Why visit Manchester for a city break?
Manchester’s Northern Quarter offers shopping, live music venues like Bridgewater Hall, and a vibrant cultural scene.
- What outdoor activities are popular at Stanage Edge, Peak District?
Stanage Edge is ideal for hiking and climbing, offering panoramic views of the Dark Peak and Hope Valley.
- What makes Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula a top beach destination?
Rhossili Beach boasts five kilometers of pristine sand, scenic clifftop paths, and views of Worms Head.
- Why are the Cairngorms in Scotland considered wild and scenic?
The Cairngorms offer multi-day treks, wild camping, and sites like Loch an Eilein with castle ruins and wildlife spotting.
- Which locations in Northern Ireland are famous from Game of Thrones?
The Glens of Antrim and Glenariffwere featured in Game of Thrones and offer scenic coastal drives and historic villages like Cushendun.
- What is the significance of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland?
A UNESCO World Heritage site with 40,000 basalt columns, steeped in legend, and offering cliff-top walks and wildlife viewing.
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