International travel is still a passion for many holidaymakers in the UK, but the return of the domestic holiday has been a profound one, as record UK citizens book holidays on home turf. Choosing exactly where to go when the UK has so much to offer tourists can be tough, but this list is here to help highlight some of the best holiday destinations in the UK full-stop.
1. Norfolk
Norfolk is an unassuming holiday destination in the UK – and all the better for it. The coastal county, situated on the ‘hump’ of England’s east, is vastly undersubscribed despite its breath-taking Broads and rich 90-mile coastline. The Norfolk Coast Path is a particularly wonderful day out, and Norwich has a surprising amount to offer.
North Wales
Wales is the gold standard for rural retreats in the UK, with its rolling hills bisected by roaring rivers, and with Mount Snowdon rising up out of its countryside landscape. North Wales’ beachside towns and resorts are well-regarded by holidaymakers, with Llandudno ranking as one of the better destinations for a family seaside weekend.
2. London
London needs no introduction, really. England’s vibrant capital sprawls out from the banks of the Thames for miles, with something for everyone: theatre, music, food, retail, history, culture and more. It is incredibly well-connected to boot, making travel easy. If you’re flying in to Gatwick airport, simply book an anytime ticket and you can reach London with full flexibility, enabling you to make the most of your time.
3. Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands comprise a massive area of land in Scotland’s far north, including the Hebridean islands on the western coast. The Highlands cannot be done in one trip alone; there’s inspiration enough to fill months of travel, whether exploring the mountainous countryside, taking in the coastal life of Skye or sampling the world-beating whiskeys of Islay.
4. Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a jewel in the English Channel, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty all of its own. With chalky cliffs and sandy beaches alike, the isle is a popular summer destination, as well as being home to one of the UK’s biggest music festivals.
5. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a quintessentially British retreat to the west of Oxford, with 13th century village homes still in use to this day, and a landscape to die for. Its rich history coupled with its beautiful hills makes it a winning place in which to get lost.
The Lake District
In the North West lies the Lake District – the biggest national park in England, and home to some of its most arresting views as well. Here you can hike Scafell Pike, and skirt the edges of the famous Lake Windermere. Lake tours are a great way to enjoy this sublime landscape, and local campsites enable you to get a little closer to the nature provided by the region.
6. Dorset
Dorset is home to the world-famous Jurassic Coast, itself a stretch of beautiful beaches and history-riddled cliffsides. There’s something for everyone on the Jurassic Coast, and the resort town of Bournemouth offers even more.
7. The Peak District
The Peak District rivals the Lake District for English landscape beauty, constituting the south of Pennines and including such outstanding locations as Mam Tor and the Derwent Reservoir. Again, there is much to see in the region, but even a day spent on the Trans-Pennine Trail can introduce you to its possibilities.
8. Devon
Devon is another south-facing coastal county, boasting fossil cliffs much like Dorset – but Devon’s beaches are world-renowned, and its harbour towns make up the ‘English Riviera’, an excellent holiday destination for food and hospitality.