The 10 Most Beautiful Places in the UK
Without a doubt, there are more than a handful of beautiful places in the UK to discover and explore!...
Are you finding it difficult to choose a destination for your next UK holiday? We’re here to help with our guide to the best UK holiday destinations for 2024.
Staycations are an ever-popular form of holiday, allowing Brits to get to know the UK in a way that they have never experienced before. Despite its small size, the UK offers amazing landscapes, world-class attractions and good old-fashioned pubs.
From the breath-taking coastline of Northumberland to the dramatic, mountainous backdrop of the Peak District, there are plenty of stunning holiday destinations in the UK!
Read on to discover the top 10 UK holiday destinations for 2024…
The North York Moors National Park is one of the best UK holiday destinations for all types of visitors. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its gorgeous moorland and abundance of exciting opportunities. It’s unsurprising that it is taking the top spot on our guide to the top holiday locations in the UK.
The North York Moors is a historic region boasting a stunning coastline, open moorland, and a plethora of hidden jewels to unearth.
The area is littered with coastal havens like Scarborough, Dalby, Runswick Bay, Staithes, and Robin’s Hood Bay! All of these make superb places to holiday in the UK!
Whitby is a seaside town, rich in history and a source of delectable fish and chips! Here, you will also find a sandy beach with a variety of watersports and attractions including the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, the Dracula Experience, and the 199 Steps that lead up to the Abbey ruins.
The North Yorkshire Heritage Coast is ideal for avid explorers, with a collection of high rugged cliffs, quaint fishing villages and ever-changing landscapes. This part of Yorkshire is brimming with birdlife, so bring your binoculars to zoom in on red grouse and the UK’s smallest bird of prey, the merlin!
Alternatively, you could head into the city of York where you will find a wealth of attractions. Such attractions include a collection of museums, a racecourse and The Shambles, where shops await. It’s little wonder that York is one of the best places for a girls’ weekend away.
Boasting a wealth of history, culture, and exceptional landscapes, we couldn’t miss North Wales off of our guide to the top UK holiday destination for 2024.
There is plenty to do here, with an extensive collection of castles, beaches, coastal resorts, and a countryside littered with mountain peaks!
What’s not to love about North Wales? You can surf, paddleboard, kayak, hike, and relax all in this stunning region of Wales. It is little wonder that it made our list of top UK family destinations too!
In this incredible corner of Wales, you will find Conwy, Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Wrexham, the Isle of Anglesey, and of course, the iconic Snowdonia National Park.
If imposing Welsh waterfalls, the best of Wales’ beaches, serene wild swimming opportunities and stunning mountains are on your holiday bucket list, North Wales is the place for you!
For a plethora of Welsh walks and Welsh hidden gems, why not head to the Llŷn Peninsula?
No matter if you’re looking for things to do in North Wales for families, indoor activities for rainy days or free things to do in North Wales, the options here are endless!
A world-famous outdoor adventure destination, the Peak District is renowned for breath-taking vistas, rivers, springs, and caves.
The area is home to natural beauty spots like Dovedale, the Monsal Trail, Stanage Edge and the Pennie Way. So be sure to pack your hiking boots if you choose a stay in this top UK holiday destination.
A top UK holiday destination for countryside explorers, you will find a plethora of Peak District wild swimming spots and Peak District waterfall walk opportunities!
What’s more, with cycling, gorge scrambling, and Go Ape high ropes, families will enjoy exploring the region! Alternatively, you could tour the countryside at a leisurely pace with easy Peak District walks and dog-friendly Peak District walks.
However, the Peak District isn’t only about the great outdoors! Among the region’s sumptuous stately homes are the magnificent Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall, letting you immerse yourself in its rich culture.
Alternatively, you could plan a day trip to Alton Towers, Lost Earth Adventures, or Treak Cliff Caverns with your loved ones!
There are many beautiful and tranquil villages where you can stay for a relaxing UK holiday, such as the picturesque Bakewell, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne and Wirksworth.
Next on our guide to the best UK holiday destinations is Northumberland! Besides its well-known castles and sandy beaches, the county is also home to beautiful natural areas, grand country manors, and an abundance of fun activities for tourists of all ages.
Northumberland offers rugged countryside, wild but beautiful beaches, old castles, lovely towns and villages, and a slew of natural adventures.
Tick exploring Housesteads Roman Fort or Hadrian’s Wall from your UK bucket list and wander the halls of Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles. Visit the Kielder Observatory to admire the starry sky, or visit the Woodhorn Museum to discover a depth of history.
You can also observe animals that live here by simply walking along the coast on the Farne Islands. Alternatively, Seahouses, Bamburgh, and Berwick-upon-Tweed are picturesque seaside towns boasting piers, penny arcades, and 1950s-style fish & chips.
No matter what you choose, Northumberland is a gem of a location, especially for a couple’s UK getaway.
Known for its fascinating heritage and countless outdoor activities, the Lake District is an 885-square-mile area in the northwest of the country, perfect for UK holidays.
The Lake District is a beloved UK holiday destination due to its awe-inspiring landscapes and fascinating heritage.
Explore jagged fells, snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes and many charming towns and villages. From Ambleside, Keswick, and Grasmere, to Kendal, Coniston and Windermere.
Stretch your legs on a crisp morning on one of the many Lake District hiking trails. If you’d rather have a more leisurely activity, enjoy one of the many boat rides that cruise around a number of tranquil lakes!
No matter what you’re looking for, the Lake District offers things to do for families and indoor activities for those rainy days. You and your beloved pooch will also be in your element thanks to the many lake district dog walks and and pet-friendly days out for your four-legged friends.
Continuing our list of the best UK holiday destinations is the timeless beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. Because of its spectacular natural scenery, a trip to this section of the UK is ideal at any time of year.
The evocative limestone scenery, with miles of winding trails between tranquil valleys and rolling hills, is ideal for avid ramblers. Whether you visit Richmond, the picturesque Nidderdale AONB or Harrogate, the Dales will not disappoint!
This holiday destination in the UK is an excellent spot to unwind and explore the great outdoors. The landscape is rolling, with steep-sided valleys, enormous heather-covered moorland hilltops, and a patchwork of dry brick walls and barns.
It might be windy and wild one day, then tranquil and serene the next, that’s the fun of it! Whatever the weather, the beautiful limestone terrain is a great place to go for a stroll, ride your bike, or simply enjoy the huge open spaces and far-reaching vistas.
Enjoy a pint at the UK’s highest pub while taking on one of the best walks in Yorkshire. Ingleton Falls and Malham Cove are just a few examples of the beautiful natural sights in the area. It’s also one of the cheapest destinations in the UK, so you can enjoy a value-for-money break with an idyllic countryside backdrop!
Known for its sandy coastline and surf-ready waves, Cornwall is a popular UK holiday destination that offers much more than pristine beaches!
From world-class galleries to fantastic food and one-of-a-kind attractions beyond the coastline, look forward to holidaying in Cornwall this year.
Beautiful natural settings, exciting attractions, and old towns and villages brimming with cafés and boutiques make Cornwall an ideal UK holiday destination for 2024.
From an endless list of superb things to do in Cornwall for families to a plethora of things to do with dogs, you won’t be short on things to do here! Newquay Zoo, Blue Reef Aquarium, and the Lappa Valley Steam Railway are just some of the region’s top attractions!
And, you don’t need to worry about the unreliable UK weather, as there are tons of indoor activities in Cornwall to enjoy.
Be sure to visit some of the most stunning Cornish beaches in the summer months. From Porthcurno in the west to Crantock in the north, Cornwall’s coastline is sure to impress; there are even countless dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall for you to enjoy. On the coastline, you’re also likely to find some of the biggest music festivals, with Fistral Beach hosting Boardmasters in August.
The region also hosts one of the UK’s best farmers markets! The Truro Farmers Market will lure you in with tempting treats, including freshly baked bread and the classic Cornish pasty!
For places to stay, there are the beautiful resorts of St Ives and Falmouth. Both of the spots are artistic centres with numerous galleries, and attractive harbours to enjoy. While Land’s End is the most south-westerly point in the UK, where breath-taking scenery is up to expected! Cornwall is also home to some of the UK’s best holiday parks providing a great place to stay.
If you are looking to honeymoon on home soil, then Cornwall is considered to be one of the best UK honeymoon destinations!
With rolling countryside, an enchanting coastline, vibrant cities and more, it’s no surprise that East Anglia is a popular place to go on holiday in the UK.
This magnificently preserved Anglo-Saxon-era region includes six counties and is noted for its breath-taking beauty and merging the best of both countryside and coast!
East Anglia is brimming with exciting places to visit that combine culture and the coast, including Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Suffolk!
A stay on the Norfolk coast is ideal for a seaside getaway with its trendy pubs and top-notch resorts. Choose from Hunstanton, Cromer, Seahouses, and Great Yarmouth, all with a distinctive charm by the sea.
Be surrounded by natural beauty, including the sandy beaches of Norfolk, as well as a selection of exquisite towns and cities with rich and compelling history, when you holiday in East Anglia.
Alternatively, head towards the Cambridgeshire countryside, where its collection of stately homes is a popular attraction for those seeking culture!
With some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes, East Anglia has something for everyone.
It’s no secret that the Heart of England is one of the best UK holiday destinations for 2024!
The area offers stunning views of breath-taking landscapes, stately homes, and historic cities, home to a collection of some of the UK’s greenest counties.
The Heart of England truly embodies the essence of the English countryside.
Oxfordshire boasts a stunning skyline of palaces, spires, and domes for people to admire, whilst the historic villages of Chipping Norton and Witney are perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Alternatively, you could spend a day meandering through Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon or the striking city of Oxford on your UK holiday. While the great outdoors of Shropshire and Herefordshire, as well as Malvern Hills AONB, are all great places for an active UK holiday.
The lesser-known charms of Shropshire include picturesque hills, long hikes, towering castles, and shimmering rivers. Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Much Wenlock, and Church Stretton are just a few of the market towns and picturesque villages that dot the landscape.
South Wales is the final destination on our list of the best UK holiday destinations. Here, you’ll find a haven for coastal walks, windswept landscapes, and bustling city life.
You’ll need more than a few days to discover all of South Wales’ lush green valleys, undulating hills, and wild coastline.
South Wales has everything a seaside holiday might want: picturesque coastal villages, stunning cliff-top walking paths, and stretches of sandy beaches.
As one of Wales’ most famous seaside towns, Tenby offers a host of beachcombing delights. In addition, The Mumbles, Saundersfoot and Pembroke are all coastal havens you need to visit in 2024!
On the other side of the coastline, there is the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which offers endless opportunities. Experience a plethora of watersports, idyllic beaches and walking opportunities, as well as weather-worn cliff coastal walks.
Alternatively, visit Cardiff, the Welsh capital and one of the best city breaks in the UK. It offers plenty of attractions including Cardiff Castle, Victorian Arcades, and the Welsh Millennium Centre. Barry Island is also nearby and well worth a visit, a coastal town famed for BBC’s comedy series, Gavin and Stacey.
Feeling inspired by our guide to the best UK holiday destination? Book your UK staycation with us today! Don’t forget to use our free UK Travel Guide for more ideas on what to do on your getaway.
I'm Courtney and I joined the marketing team in February 2020! I love all things writing and travel and my favourite UK holiday de...
Read More About Author
Sign up to receive exclusive offers, competitions and the latest news to your inbox, and you'll be entered into our monthly prize-draw 3 times!
Without a doubt, there are more than a handful of beautiful places in the UK to discover and explore!...
Looking to make unforgettable memories or a place that has it all? Then read our blog on the best...
North Devon beaches are renowned for their outstanding natural beauty, with golden sands, secluded coves and rugged cliffs. A...
Are you on the phone to our call centre? Your Customer ID is:
Get involved in the Discussion