When you’re travelling in the UK, you might automatically think of visiting bustling cities, like London or Edinburgh. However, the UK is also home to some awe-inspiring natural attractions and incredible rural areas where wildlife and organic scenery are beautifully preserved. As well as its more built-up regions, the UK is home to some amazing natural wilderness areas, such as the Cairngorms in Scotland or Snowdonia National Park in Wales. We explore nine of the best natural attractions in the UK for hikers, wildlife lovers and all-around adventurers.
Best natural attractions in the UK: England
From the stunning Lake District to the southern coast, England has some amazing natural attractions. If you love hiking, consider visiting these English beauty spots.
The White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
Once known as the Garden of England for its lush farmland and rural beauty, Kent has some beautiful sites to see and a warm climate throughout the summer months. The White Cliffs of Dover are one of the most incredible coastal attractions in Kent, looking out across the English Channel towards Calais in France. The White Cliffs are an excellent day out for travellers of all ages, as the cliffs are clearly marked with footpaths offering scenic hikes for varying abilities. The cliffs are also an important preserve for native wildlife species, such as the rare Adonis blue butterfly, peregrine falcons and wild ponies.
Visitors can trek along the coastline and stop off at attractions like Fan Bay Deep Shelter WW2 Museum or South Foreland Lighthouse, both located along the route. You could also fit in a visit to Dover Castle. On a clear day, you can see right across the ocean to the French Coast. The White Cliffs area also has a cafe and visitors centre with parking available throughout the day.
Scafell Pike, Lake District
Scafell Pike is the UK’s highest mountain and is a fantastic day out for experienced climbers and hiking enthusiasts alike. Standing at 978 metres, Scafell Pike offers incredible views from its peak, with visitors able to see all four UK countries on clear days. The mountain has three established routes to its summit: one from Borrowdale in the north, one from Wasdale in the southwest and another from Langdale in the east. Experienced climbers may find the Borrowdale route the most direct and challenging, as it has the steepest ascent to the peak, while the quicker Wasdale Head route might be more appropriate for inexperienced walkers or families with children.
Scafell Pike is one of the best natural attractions in UK regions to visit all year round. Although it is not advisable to climb the summit in winter, when the weather may be unpredictable, the surrounding valleys offer beautiful natural spaces for walking in any season. If you do plan to tackle the peak, ensure that you have proper hiking shoes and any climbing equipment you might need for your route. While there is no visitors centre near Scafell Pike itself, you will find a National Trust self-catering campsite and plenty of pubs and restaurants in the surrounding area.
Durdle Door, Dorset Jurassic Coast
The Durdle Door in Dorset is one of the highlights of the Jurassic Coast. It’s a magnificent limestone arch that stands in the English Channel and can be accessed on foot via the Southwest Coastal walking path. It is one of the most popular natural attractions in UK coastal areas, with the Southwest path attracting thousands of walkers every year. This makes going in the off-season a good option if you want to beat the crowds.
Wildlife enthusiasts visiting this area can look out for native species such as guillemots, puffins and dolphins. The Durdle Door also has two shingle beaches on either side, making it a lovely spot for sea swimming or seaside picnics. Further along the coastal path to the west, you can also see natural rock formations, like Butter Rock and Bat’s Head point. Meanwhile, to the east, you can grab a bite to eat at the Lulworth Cove visitor centre or visit Dorset’s famous Fossil Forest.
Ingleborough Cave, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to an incredible network of underground caves, including the spectacular Ingleborough Cave, located in the southwest park area. Visitors can reach the cave by the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, which passes by Clapham Beck Lake and through a scenic woodland area. Tour guides will lead you through the caves, which are well lit and have concrete pathways running throughout, making them perfect for visitors of all ages and abilities. The cave network also connects with amazing natural wonders, such as the Gaping Gill cave, where run-off spills down from the streams above forming an underground waterfall.
Yorkshire Dales National Park is also a fantastic area for wildlife enthusiasts to explore. The park is home to red squirrels and peregrine falcons, as well as various rare wildflowers. You can also find places to eat and drink in the nearby Clapham village, where the Ingleborough trail starts. Yorkshire Dales National Park is also home to the Green Lane Hiking area, which is great for experienced hikers.
Best natural attractions in the UK: Scotland
Famous for the majestic Highlands and remote, wilderness locations, Scotland is the perfect place to visit for a wild getaway. Magical Scottish destinations to visit are below.
Glencoe Valley, Scottish Highlands
Dramatic mountain scenery and a wealth of Scottish history await visitors who travel to Glencoe Valley. The valley is home to eight Munro Mountain peaks and is located just outside Glencoe village, on the banks of Loch Leven. Visitors to Glencoe can camp at one of the campsites inside the valley, find accommodation at a nearby hostel or simply enjoy a day trip. The valley provides incredible walks for less-experienced hikers or the opportunity to climb a mountain summit.
You’re likely to get the best weather and views if you visit Glencoe in the late spring or summer months. Hikers should still carry light waterproofs, however, and make sure they have waterproof shoes. History buffs can visit the Glencoe visitor centre or Glencoe Museum to learn about the historic clan massacre that occurred in Glencoe in the 1600s. Glencoe is also associated with Scottish myths and folk legends and has been used as a location to film movie blockbusters, including Rob Roy and Harry Potter.
Loch Lee, Cairngorms National Park
If you’re looking for natural attractions in the UK that offer a truly wild experience, Loch Lee in Scotland’s Cairngorms is an ideal option for you. The loch itself is a beautiful spot to walk around, with a level, well-maintained path that’s perfect for visitors of all abilities. This path leads through a volcanic valley to the stunning Falls of Unich, which is a perfect spot to take photos or enjoy a summer picnic.
More experienced climbers can hike up the side of the falls and continue up the hillside, following a series of waterfalls all the way to the peak. The path is steep and rugged, so even serious hikers may want walking poles with good grip.
Once you reach the top, the way to the connecting path that leads you back down is marked with cairns. While there isn’t a visitor centre nearby, travellers in the area can stop off at Invermark Castle, located near the route entrance. The Cairngorms is also home to native wildlife, such as otters, lapwings and greylag geese.
Best natural attractions in the UK: Wales
Wales is a haven for nature conservation and a brilliant place to visit if you love the great outdoors. Check out these natural attractions in Wales, UK.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Snowdonia
If you’re looking for the best natural attractions in UK regions, Snowdonia is definitely somewhere that should be on your list. Snowdonia’s Llechwedd Slate Caverns offer a deep dive into Wales’s historical slate mining industry, as well as spectacular mountain views and a tour of the caverns’ underground lake. The interior caves offer light displays, zip lines and incredible rock formations. Visitors can also grab something to eat at the on-site visitor centre.
The caverns are located inside Snowdonia National Park, which is also a rich conservation area for numerous species. If you’re exploring the park in spring or summer, you may be able to see wild goats, polecats and pine martins.
Bardsey Island, Llyn Peninsula
If you want to get away from it all during your trip to Wales, Bardsey Island is the perfect relaxing natural space to clear your head and enjoy some local wildlife watching. Located just off the coast of the Welsh mainland, Bardsey Island can be reached by boat. You can book day trips, which will give you 3-4 hours to explore the island, or you can find accommodation on the island itself. The temperate climate in spring and summer makes this a great place for walking and camping at one of the mainland campsites nearby.
Bardsey Island is home to wildlife species such as puffins, choughs, seals and shearwaters. It’s the perfect place to bring your binoculars for a day of birdwatching. You could also visit the famous Goleudy Ynys Lighthouse, which overlooks St George’s Channel. Make sure you take some waterproofs with you, as the boat journey to Bardsey Island can be choppy.
Best natural attractions in the UK: Ireland
Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland certainly lives up to its reputation for beautiful natural sites. Read about one of the most enchanting natural attractions in Ireland below.
Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, Belfast
Visitors travelling to Belfast can enjoy an escape from the city by heading to the beautiful Slievenacloy Nature Reserve in the Belfast Hills. Slievenacloy is located around a 20-min drive from Belfast, making it the ideal place for a summer day trip or a crisp autumn stroll. The area is famous for its rare and beautiful wildflowers and its wild mushrooms.
A popular hiking area here is Colin Glen Forest Park, which is located at the entrance to the nature reserve.
Experienced hikers can tackle the Divis mountain peak, in the north of the park. The area is also home to the Colin Glen Mountain Entrance activity park, where visitors can enjoy treetop ziplines and rollercoasters, all in beautiful natural surroundings.
