16 Incredible Best Places To Visit In The UK
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Why You Should Explore The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is one of the most beautiful scenic countries in the world, with breathtaking landscapes and lovely quaint villages. There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in the UK from beaches, leisurely strolls along scenic cliffs, or visiting lovely old towns.
Some of the best places to visit in the UK will take you across the whole country. Head north for Scotland and the wonderful Scottish Highlands. Move south to Lake District the largest national park with the highest mountains in England. Keep going, and you can see stunning Yorkshire landscapes and gorgeous villages in the Cotswolds.
Continue south and you can enjoy cosmopolitan London and the beautiful seaside ambience of Cornwall. These are some the reasons why you should explore the United Kingdom, as there are many tourist attractions you will enjoy.
Having been to all of the the following 16 best places, I am confident that like me, you will have a wonderful time visiting them.
Contents
Toggle1. London
London is one of the world’s top tourist destinations as it has something for everyone. If you like culture, you will be spoilt by some of the best museums and art galleries, including the British Museum and National Gallery.
Fancy some history, head towards Big Ben, one of the most famous clocks in the world, and the Houses of Parliament. Like royalty, well visit the magnificent Buckingham Palace one of the world’s top attractions. Feel like indulging in a bit of shopping and dining, don’t fear, there are many stores, bars and restaurants to keep you happy.
The city of London is one of the most ethnically diverse cities on earth, and you will be guaranteed wonderful entertainment day and night.
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2. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland. As the capital of Scotland, it is perhaps best known for historic sites like its Old Town, Edinburgh Castle and St Giles’ Cathedral.
Other more modern tourist attractions are available with access to many art galleries, museums, and shopping and dining options. Whilst you are there try some Scottish cuisine like haggis, a traditional dish made of sheep’s organs. Or have pint or two of beer, or some Scottish whisky in one of the many pubs and bars.
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3. Lake District
Stunning Lake District is one of the best places to visit in the UK, with breathtaking scenery and picturesque towns and villages to explore. As England’s largest national park, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike.
There is something for everyone, whether you are into hiking, biking, kayaking on the lakes or taking a leisurely stroll. This is a place in the UK that is one of the best places to visit as a family, as there are many exciting attractions. So don’t miss out on experiencing this beautiful tranquil destination during your visit in the UK.
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4. Cornwall
Cornwall should be high on your list of best places to visit in the UK if you want to relax and soak in the atmosphere. It is one of the prettiest places to visit in the UK for a picturesque seaside holiday.
Famous for its turquoise waters, stunning beaches and quaint villages, it is a great place for local and foreign tourists. Anyone who loves nature, amazing coastlines, culture, or dining in lovely restaurants will find Cornwall to be one of the best places for a holiday.
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5. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is simply one of the most beautiful places to visit in the UK, with charming villages that date back for centuries. Beyond the lovely traditional English stone cottages, you will find yourself immersed in the awe-inspiring scenery of rolling hills countryside.
The small village of Bibury in particular, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cotswolds. It is one of the most photographed villages in the UK with its lovely arrangement of stone cottages beside a river. The Cotswolds is a wonderful place to relax, have a long leisurely stroll, and to enjoy delicious English cuisine in cosy pubs.
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6. York
Located in northern England, York is city rich in history and culture with many tourist attractions to keep you entertained. There is plenty to see as you stroll around including many of its buildings which date back centuries.
The old town of York is especially lovely with its narrow cobbled streets, interesting architecture, historic city walls and charming independent shops. The magnificent York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe will likewise keep you enthralled, before you head to a traditional pub to relax.
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7. Bath
Bath, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK is one of the best places to visit in the UK. It’s a wonderful city filled with historic sites that date back centuries including the famous Roman Baths.
The old town area has a beautiful blend of golden stone buildings, cosy cafes and trendy boutiques all ready for you to explore. Another popular attraction is Bath Abbey, a stunning 7th century Gothic church where many kings and queens were buried. Whether you like culture or nature Bath, is a delightful city that you will want to visit.
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8. Oxford
Oxford, about 1hr away to the north of London is one of UK’s most popular tourist destinations. Renown for its famous University, it’s an unforgettable city with plenty of attractions like taking a leisurely punt along the River Cherwell or River Thames.
Other attractions include visiting one of Europe’s oldest libraries, the Bodleian Library, and the Radcliffe Camera a captivating circular library. The city is filled with history and culture, museums, and magnificent colleges like Christ Church College that are open to the public.
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9. Cambridge
Another picturesque university city located north of London, Cambridge is a perfect place to visit in the UK. It is famous for its lovely architecture, colleges, and punting along the River Cam either by yourself or by an experienced guide.
Sitting in the flat-bottomed boat, strolling along the river, or walking around are great ways to take in the scenery. Cambridge has some of the best views in the UK and several museums, art galleries, gardens and parks to explore in this historic city.
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10. Canterbury
Canterbury is without doubt one of the best places to visit in England with its spectacular 11th century gothic Canterbury Cathedral. There are many beautiful places to visit and plenty to see including cobblestone streets, and old Tudor buildings and city walls.
Canterbury has it all whether you like natural scenery like strolling along Stour river, ancient artifacts or modern art, history museums or trying local cuisines.
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11. Cardiff
The Welsh capital city Cardiff is one of the best places to visit in Wales with many attractions and beautiful natural scenery. It is also near the captivating Brecon Beacons National Park a popular place for hikers and nature lovers around the world with stunning scenic views.
Cardiff is a vibrant city with historic landmarks like Cardiff Castle, and lovely parkland and gardens for you to explore. There are many cultural activities available including festivals and events and wandering around outdoor markets like the Riverside Market.
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12. Bristol
Bristol is one of the prettiest and best places to visit in the UK and located to the South West of London. It’s a delightful city surrounded by beautiful countryside that is perfect for a stroll. The city centre attractions include the impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge, cobblestone streets in the Old City area, street art, galleries and many restaurants and bars.
It is therefore no surprise that Bristol is also frequently in the top 10 list of the best places to live in England.
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13. Stratford-upon-Avon
For tourists interested in history and culture, Stratford-upon-Avon is a great place to go to when in the UK. It’s a charming town set along the River Avon and known as William Shakespeare’s birthplace.
The scenic Old Town is a lovely place to walk around with its historic sites, buildings and many attractions. You can also take a leisurely boat ride along the river taking in the gorgeous views of English cottages and gardens. Some of my favourite places to visit in Stratford-upon-Avon are Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the wonderful Holy Trinity Church.
For Google Map location click here
14. Yorkshire Dales
Located in the north of England, the Yorkshire Dales is one of the best ways to explore the great outdoors scenery of the English countryside. Full of picturesque villages, historic sites, and abbeys like Bolton Abbey, this national park is a great place to visit in the UK.
Whether you like cycling, hiking, driving or taking leisurely walks, visiting this breathtaking place in the UK is something you shouldn’t miss.
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15. Windsor
Royalty is a major part of the United Kingdom culture and heritage attractions for many tourists. One of the highlights of the UK if you want to visit historic places is to go to Windsor. It’s perhaps best known for Windsor Castle, the official royal family residence and the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle.
Standing majestically at the top of a hill, it can be visited to see its stunning staterooms, artworks and landscaped gardens. Other things to do include walking through the Old Windsor streets or the Long Walk, or having traditional English high tea in a charming restaurant.
For Google Map location click here
16. Stonehenge
Mystical Stonehenge is one of the most photographed and beautiful places to visit in the UK. It’s perhaps best known for its spectacular stone circle made of massive standing stones, the origins and purpose of which remain a mystery.
Stonehenge is one of the most popular places to visit at sunrise or sunset for photographers providing the best views of the sunlit stones.
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Conclusion
The UK as you can see, is a great place to visit, with plenty of attractions to keep everyone happy. It’s one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations for experiencing history, culture and stunning countryside scenery.
You can wander through picturesque towns and villages, enjoy galleries and museums in London, or go hiking and biking in breathtaking national parks. I’m sure you will find the United Kingdom a perfect place for your holidays.
Map Of Places To Visit In The UK
I have created a custom Google map showing all of the above locations to help you visualise and plan your visit in the UK. Have a get time and drop me a comment to let me know what your favourite places to visit were.
FAQs
Q: What are some of the best places to visit in England?
A: Some of the best places to visit in England include Bath, Bristol and York for historic buildings, and London for art galleries and museums. Visit the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales for stunning countryside.
Q: What are some of the best places to visit in Scotland?
A: Some of the best places to visit in Scotland include Edinburgh for history and culture, and Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye for spectacular landscapes. For wildlife lovers a trip to the Isle of Mull will keep you entertained.
Q: What are some of the best places to visit in Wales?
A: Some of the best places to visit in Wales include Cardiff for historic sites, and Snowdonia National Park and the Brecon Beacons for hiking.
Q: What are some of the best places to visit in Northern Ireland?
A: Some of the best places to visit in Northern Ireland include Belfast for culture and history, and Giant’s Causeway for enjoying amazing rugged coastal landscapes.
Q: What is Loch Ness?
A: Loch Ness is probably best known as the supposed home of the mysterious Loch Ness Monster, although there is no evidence of such a creature. It’s a beautiful large freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands that is also popular for fishing and boating trips.
Q: What is Snowdonia?
A: Snowdonia is an incredible area of natural beauty in north Wales popular with hikers, climbers and cyclists looking to explore the amazing landscape. It’s home to Snowdonia National Park and Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.
Q: What is the Peak District?
A: The Peak District towards the centre north of England is a national park with awe-inspiring landscapes of rolling hills perfect for cycling or walking enthusiasts.
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Hello, I’m Ivan. Welcome to my website. I am a travel photographer based in London, United Kingdom, with a love of traveling the world to meet and photograph new people and places. I am lucky to have visited so many beautiful places and look forward to sharing some of my photographs and travel photo tips with you.
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This is a personal blog and all content provided is for information only. All photographs unless otherwise stated are taken by myself and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission to help cover the cost of running this site, if you go through them to make a purchase. See details for full disclaimer information.