Let’s be honest. The UK is brilliant at shouting about the same places over and over again… but here are 10 places that deserve more hype
10 UK Destinations That Deserve Way More Hype
Let’s be honest. The UK is brilliant at shouting about the same places over and over again.
The Cotswolds. Cornwall. Edinburgh. The Lake District.
And whilst we absolutely love all of those places, there are so many incredible destinations quietly getting on with being beautiful without the queues, crowds, or endless Instagram influencers posing next to the same doorway (before anyone says it… yes, we appreciate the irony 😂).
Some of our favourite UK adventures have actually happened in places we’d barely heard anyone talking about beforehand. The sort of places where you arrive with low expectations and leave wondering why they’re not all over everyone’s travel bucket list.
So if you’re looking for somewhere a little different for your next UK staycation, here are 10 places we think deserve a lot more attention.
1. Llangollen, North Wales
If North Wales isn’t already on your radar, Llangollen is the perfect place to start.
Sitting on the banks of the River Dee in the beautiful Dee Valley, this charming town somehow manages to pack in mountains, rivers, canals, castles and steam trains all within a few square miles. Honestly, it’s a bit of an overachiever.
Llangollen became famous in the late 1700s thanks to the Ladies of Llangollen, two Irish aristocrats who ran away from high society to create a life together in the Welsh countryside. Their story put the town on the map, but today it’s the scenery that steals the show.
What we’d do
Spend the morning walking across the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the UK. Then hop on the steam railway, grab lunch in town and finish the day hiking up to Castell Dinas Brân for panoramic views across the valley.
2. Lustleigh, Dartmoor, England
If somebody asked us to design the perfect English village, we’d probably end up creating Lustleigh.
Tucked away in Dartmoor National Park, this tiny village is packed with thatched cottages, flower-filled gardens and enough charm to make you want to immediately move in.
Dating back over 1,000 years, Lustleigh still feels wonderfully untouched. While many Dartmoor visitors head straight for the famous tors, villages like this are where the real magic happens.
What we’d do
Base yourself here for a couple of days and explore Dartmoor’s rugged landscapes, hidden woods and cosy pubs. Don’t miss Wistman’s Wood, one of the most atmospheric forests in Britain.
3. Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Ludlow might just be England’s most underrated foodie destination.
Dominated by its medieval castle, this historic market town has quietly built a reputation as one of the country’s best places to eat and drink.
The town flourished during medieval times and many of its beautiful buildings remain today, creating a wonderful backdrop for independent shops, cafés and restaurants.
What we’d do
Spend a day wandering the castle, browsing the market and sampling local produce. Then settle into one of Ludlow’s fantastic restaurants for dinner. Honestly, you could plan an entire weekend around food here.
4. Hawes, Yorkshire Dales, England
The Yorkshire Dales get plenty of love. Hawes doesn’t get nearly enough.
Sitting in the heart of the national park, Hawes is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England and makes the perfect base for exploring it all.
It’s best known as the home of Wensleydale cheese, but there’s so much more here than dairy products, although we fully support eating plenty of those too.
What we’d do
Visit the creamery, hike to nearby waterfalls, explore traditional Yorkshire villages and finish each day in a cosy pub with a roaring fire.
5. Cadgwith, Cornwall, England
If you’ve ever wondered what Cornwall was like before tourism arrived, Cadgwith probably comes pretty close.
This tiny fishing village on the Lizard Peninsula still feels wonderfully authentic. Colourful fishing boats line the beach, locals gather for sea shanty nights and life moves at a slower pace.
Unlike some of Cornwall’s bigger hotspots, Cadgwith hasn’t lost its character.
What we’d do
Walk the South West Coast Path, spend time watching the fishing boats come and go, and enjoy a pint at The Cadgwith Cove Inn while listening to live sea shanties.
6. Solva, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Solva is one of those places that immediately makes you wonder why you’ve never heard more people talking about it.
Built around a stunning natural harbour, this pretty Welsh village has a fascinating maritime history and some of the best coastal scenery in the country.
It sits just a few miles from St Davids, yet somehow remains one of Pembrokeshire’s best-kept secrets.
What we’d do
Walk the coast path, explore the harbour, hire a kayak and spend the evening watching the sunset with fresh seafood overlooking the water.
7. Isles of Scilly, England
Every time we visit the Isles of Scilly, we have exactly the same reaction.
“Are we sure this is still Britain?”
The beaches are dazzlingly white. The water is turquoise. The pace of life is wonderfully slow.
Located around 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, these islands feel like another world entirely.
What we’d do
Island hop between St Mary’s, Tresco and Bryher, visit the famous Abbey Garden and spend as much time as possible on the beach pretending you’re somewhere much further south.
8. Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Lewis feels wild in the very best way.
This is a place where ancient history, rugged coastlines and huge empty beaches combine to create one of the most memorable destinations in the UK.
It’s home to the Callanish Stones, which are older than Stonehenge, and some of the most spectacular coastal scenery we’ve ever seen.
What we’d do
Visit the stones at sunrise, explore traditional blackhouses, drive the island’s coastal roads and spend hours photographing the beaches.
9. Mumbles, Swansea, Wales
Mumbles has all the ingredients for a perfect seaside break.
Independent shops, fantastic restaurants, beautiful beaches and easy access to the Gower Peninsula.
Originally a Victorian holiday destination, it still has that classic British seaside feel, but with a much cooler, more modern edge.
What we’d do
Walk the promenade, visit Oystermouth Castle, eat ice cream from Joe’s and spend a day exploring the incredible beaches of Gower.
10. Wasdale, Lake District, England
The Lake District certainly doesn’t suffer from a lack of attention.
But Wasdale absolutely deserves more of it.
Home to England’s highest mountain, deepest lake and some of the most dramatic scenery in the country, this corner of the Lakes somehow remains much quieter than places like Windermere and Ambleside.
What we’d do
Walk around Wast Water, tackle Scafell Pike if you’re feeling energetic and spend the evening soaking up some of the best mountain views in Britain.
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about exploring the UK is discovering places that aren’t constantly appearing on your Instagram feed.
These are the places that surprise you. The destinations that quietly exceed expectations while everyone else is queuing for the same photo.
So next time you’re planning a UK staycation, consider swapping the obvious choice for somewhere a little different.
You might just discover your new favourite corner of Britain.