Visit The Best Scenic Locations In The United Kingdom This Year

You might not think of the UK when planning a vacation to scenic lands, but England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have incredible landscapes to enjoy. From the southern tip of England through to the Scottish Highlands and everywhere in between, the United Kingdom has much to offer travelers. Read on to learn more about one scenic location in each UK country.

The Lake District of England

Set in northwestern England, the Lake District is a truly beautiful, mountainous region, renowned for its forests and, of course, its scenic lakes.

The Lake District, in Cumbria County, is a beautiful area famed for its associations with 19th-century poets. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey were dubbed the Lake Poets back in those days.

However, even today, the Lake District is an attractive destination for travelers, although funnily enough, only one bears the word “lake” in its title, Bassenthwaite Lake. Other popular lakes use different terms, including Coniston Water, Buttermere, Windermere and Ullswater.

Here in these scenic locations, visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities, including boating, hiking, fishing and birding in the gorgeous surroundings.

Scotland and the scenic Hebrides, United Kingdom

Scotland is renowned for its outstanding scenery and beautiful landscapes and has 40 National Scenic Areas (NSA). Among them are Ben Nevis, Skye Cuillins and Glencoe on the mainland. Meanwhile, more scenic locations can be enjoyed on the Scottish islands, the Northern Isles and the Hebrides.

The Hebrides is a widespread archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, which falls into two groups. These are the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the culture of the locals in both groups has been affected over the years by invasions by the Celtic, Norse and English-speaking peoples.

Meanwhile, there is much evidence here of past occupations of the islands, including the iconic standing stones at Callanish (above), dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Another location of interest here is Cladh Hallan, a Bronze Age settlement on South Uist.

Snowdonia National Park in Wales, United Kingdom

Snowdonia National Park was established in 1951 and covers 827 square miles, with 37 miles of coastline. This is the largest national park in Wales and the third to be formed in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the park features a number of diverse landscapes.

While it is a national park, a fair amount of agricultural activity is carried out here. Meanwhile, some of the most picturesque villages in Wales can be visited, including Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed.

Moreover, the Snowdonia National Park is steeped in local culture and history and here, more than half the population speaks Welsh. There are a number of mountain ranges within the park, but most hikers head to Snowdon.

If not up to the hike, the Snowdon Mountain Railway takes visitors up to the top to enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. Meanwhile, there are almost 1,500 miles of public footpaths to be explored, making the park a hiker’s dream.

Northern Ireland and Downhill Strand

Heading to Northern Island, Downhill Strand (or Benone Strand) is one of the longest beaches in the country. While you might not think of Northern Island for a beach vacation, Downhill Strand is seven miles long and holds the prestigious Seaside and European Blue Flag Awards.

Meanwhile, close to the beach, the village of Downhill is a pretty spot, while the Mussenden Temple nearby is an interesting visit. The temple is located high up above the Atlantic on the cliffs near Castlerock in County Londonderry.

Moreover, Downhill Estate, a National Trust property and its grounds and manor house are a worthy visit. So too is Downhill Castle, which is open to the public all year round.

Head to scenic climes in the United Kingdom this year, spending time surrounded by beautiful nature.