This little collection of countries that we call Great Britain is an incredible place to explore. While it’s quite wonderful to be able to travel abroad, there is actually no need, as right here at home we have our fair share of breath-taking, historic and awe-inspiring views that are just waiting to be seen and experienced. I’m doing my best to fit as many of them in as possible in my short time on this planet, and I reckon I’m doing a pretty good job of getting to know my home country.
Be it magnificent rolling hills, spectacular coastlines, or impressive cityscapes, there really are so many places to see. I’ve had the pleasure of road tripping my way around Great Britain a lot over the years, and while I know there are still hundreds of amazing places still left for me to see for the first time, I think I’ve got enough experience to share with you a list of my favourite places to visit. My current favourites, that is.
Of course, any list of “best destinations” and “unmissable sights” is going to be subjective; everyone has their own idea of the places, people and things that are the most iconic or “nicest”. I hope you enjoy this list of my fifty favourite places to visit in Great Britain, the places I like to (or want to) return to again and again, and most importantly, places I think you should make an effort to visit. Maybe it’ll inspire your own road trip this summer.
My 50 Favourite Places in Great Britain
You’ll get more words for some than for others, but here’s the list of my 50 favourite places in the UK, very much in no particular order…
01 Rannock Moor and Glencoe, Scotland
Sitting at number one because I think it probably is my favourite place in the world, Glencoe is rugged and wild and simply the most beautiful place to visit. I’ve driven, ridden and walked it, and I can’t wait for my next opportunity to see it again. Soon, please?!
02 Sennen Cove, Cornwall
03 Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire
Once the tallest manmade structure in the world, and still just as impressive. If you go, make sure you head up to see the view from St Hugh.
04 Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
05 Kinder Scout, Derbyshire
A glorious hike with some amazing scenery. If you’ve not been up onto Kinder Plateau, get yourself up there.
06 Runswick Bay, Yorkshire
Good friend Jenni took me fossil hunting here a couple of years back – what a beautiful village and bay it is!
07 Watergate Bay, Cornwall
08 Dovedale, Peak District
Read about my very wet day exploring Dovedale.
09 Brockenhurst, New Forest
10 Goon Hilly, Cornwall
11 St Michaels Mount, Cornwall
I loved exploring here as a kid. If you go, don’t forget to look for the Giant’s heart on the way up the hill!
12 Dover Castle, Kent
13 Cheddar Gorge
If you visit, it’s worth driving through, but it’s even better to walk up and around on the top.
14 Canterbury, Kent
15 Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire
16 Durdle Door, Dorset
The perfect place for an early morning swim if you don’t mind the cold – but it’s also a pretty special view from the shore.
17 Whitstable, Kent
18 Stenigot, Lincolnshire
Who’d have thought a pile of broken satellite dishes would be beautiful?!
19 Broadway and Broadway Tower, Cotswolds
20 Rutland Water, Rutland
21 Bourne Woods, Lincolnshire
22 Whernside, Yorkshire Dales
It might be the hardest walk of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, in my opinion, but it’s certainly got the best views.
23 Mam Tor, Peak District
An incredible sight in the Peak District – you can’t help but stand on the summit in awe.
24 Dartmoor, Devon
The best place in the UK for hiking, in my humble opinion.
25 Bedruthen Steps, Cornwall
26 Stonehenge, Wiltshire
27 Padstow, Cownwall
28 Whisby Nature Park, Lincolnshire
29 Plymouth Sound, Devon
30 York, Yorkshire
31 Harrogate, Yorkshire
32 Brighton
33 Snowdon, Wales
34 Ribblehead, Yorkshire
35 Feshiebridge, Scotland
36 Glenshee, Scotland
37 Ardnamurchan, Scotland
The western most point of mainland Great Britain is not too easy to get to, but well worth it for the views.
38 Conic Hill, Loch Lomond, Scotland
The views from here across Loch Lomond are something special. Don’t under estimate the climb up, though!
39 Covent Garden, London
40 Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
41 RSPB Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk
42 Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire
Now my most local hill, the views from here across Cheltenham to the Malverns and into Wales are just spectacular.
43 Donna Nook, Lincolnshire
Be sure to visit in November or December when the seals are visiting, it’s just the most amazing sight.
44 Loch Ness, Scotland
45 Stratford Upon Avon
46 Budleigh Salterton, Devon
If you visit, please check the sea is still there for me.
47 Tintagel, Devon
Home to the legend of King Arthur and Merlin’s cave, the remains of this ancient castle overlook gorgeous coastal views of the sea and rugged beach below – well worth a visit, but be prepared for windy conditions!
48 The Needles, Isle of Wight.
49 Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean
The home of fairies and goblins, for sure.
50 Gweek, Cornwall
A place from my childhood, this one is next on my memory lane road trip hit list.
Shybiker
Wow, you sure know your part of the world. I’d love to visit it someday. My friend in Wales would be a good place to start.
Splodz
I try to explore as much of home as I can. And yes, Wales would be a very good place to start indeed – and that’s not too far from me so we can finally meet!
Alison
You need a couple of places in the North East, we are spoiled for places to visit here. Love your list and those cute seals
Splodz
I have explored a little but not much up there, I will be putting that right soon!
Stuart
Nice list, great idea.
I can almost forgive you anything In the list because you have Glencoe as number one. Yes! Definitely agree. It has a majestic brooding quality that is unlike anywhere else. Fantastic place.
Now for the but….
I’d have the Isle of Skye up there as number 2. Wonderful place, especially the Cuillin Hills. And I can’t see anything in the Lake District – I’d have Langdale up towards the top.
Other contenders: Corfe Castle area in Dorset, North Yorkshire Moors and Church Stratton / Long Mynd.
Cheers,
Stuart
Splodz
Thanks Stuart. I am sure if I redo my list in a few years both Skye and more Lake District spots will make an appearance, no doubt about that. Long Mynd is also a recent discovery for me, we camped there last year and it is indeed beautiful. My list is ever growing, can’t want until exploring is allowed again.