Whilst many of us dream of jetting off abroad each year for our holidays, there are just as many who love nothing more than seeing what the UK has to offer. And it offers a fair bit.
There are numerous fantastic destinations you can probably name off the top of your head, but what if you’re looking for something a little different? The UK is jam packed with hidden gems that are perfect for holidays or day trips, whether you’re on a family outing or going solo.
Read more: 12 UK Campsites You Must Visit
Here are some of the best hidden gems you can check out right here in the good ol’ United Kingdom…
Creswell Crags, located between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, is probably pretty well known to those that live in the area, but possibly less so to those elsewhere in the country. It’s a limestone gorge whose cliffs contain numerous caves that were occupied during the last ice age.
It’s also home to Britain’s oldest ‘art gallery’ with amazing cave art on display as well as a host of other exhibitions throughout the year.
Check out the Creswell Crags website to learn more.
Located in the heart of the Forest of Dean is Puzzlewood, an enchanting woodland full of winding paths, twisted trees and a labyrinth of bridges, walkways and tunnels. A fantastic place to visit if you have kids, there’s also archery, kayaking, ropes courses and cycling tracks in the area.
Apparently JRR Tolkien drew on Puzzlewood as inspiration for his writing and it’s easy to see why. Here’s a lovely atmospheric video to get you in the mood…
And you can see more on the Puzzlewood website.
Scotland has quite a few amazing beaches, and a few we could have chosen for this list, but we’ve settled for Seacliff Beach in East Lothian.
Read more: 5 Moan-Free Hikes For Kids In The UK
As well as a stunning golden beach, there’s also an old castle and ruined house to explore, as well as a small harbour carved into the rock. Something for pretty much everyone.
Part of a system of caves and tunnels, Cathedral Cave is the main chamber of the network, standing at an impressive 40 feet high. Found halfway between Windermere and Scafell Pike in the Lake District, there are various other parts to explore, some of which will require a torch as it gets pretty dark in there.
If you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet, as well as somewhere steeped in history with some amazing scenery, then you could do a lot worse than Rathlin Island. Situated just off the coast of Northern Ireland, Rathlin is the only inhabited offshore island in NI, and is rife with bird breeding colonies, so don’t forget your binoculars.
Watch this video to learn more…
If secluded beaches is your preferred option then Nanjizel in Cornwall is a belter. It’s considered to be the best beach on the Penwith peninsula, and it’s not uncommon to not see a single soul when you’re there.
Read more: Our Favourite Hiking Playlists & Songs
It’s reasonably easy to access but be prepared for a walk. You’re best off parking in nearby Trevescan and walking (about an hour) to the beach, but it’s worth it with it’s famous rock formations, rock pools and freshwater waterfall.
Now Penmon Point isn’t exactly hidden, but we’d wager not too many people actually consider going there all too often. But you definitely should. If you’re a bit of a history buff, then there’s a good deal of religious architecture dating back to around the 6th century, whilst if you’re just a fan of stunning coastlines, there’s plenty of that too. Not to mention Puffin island just off shore.
Near Casterton in Yorkshire, Ease Gill is best known for its huge network of underground tunnels, caves and passageways, part of the longest and most complex cave system in Britain, known as the Three Counties System.
Despite this accolade, it’s still rarely visited thanks to its somewhat remote location. And if you don’t fancy going underground, there’s plenty to see up above too, with lakes, gorges and the trademark Yorkshire countryside to keep you company.
Do you have any hidden gems you’d be willing to share with us?
We all love our beautiful national parks in the UK and their hotspots, but what about their hidden gems? Winfields has picked out some must-see secrets for each one.
Here at Winfields, we absolutely love Yorkshire. The people, scenery, towns and cities, it’s one of our favourite places in the UK – there’s a reason it’s called God’s own country. We even have a store there! If you’re heading to Yorkshire for a few days away (or indeed if you live there), you’re a […]
Some of the best family holidays are camping holidays, and Scotland has some of the best campsites in the UK. One area in particular stands out, and that’s Sutherland in the north-west. Famed for it rugged beauty, secluded white beaches, mountains, small lochs, peace and serenity, there are a number of stunning campsites in the […]
