The Best Views to Add to Your Bucket List Across the UK

9 April 2025 | Phil Evans

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The UK is packed with scenic spots that are perfect for your next road trip. From coastal cliffs to mountain peaks, there’s no shortage of showstopping views. To help you plan your next adventure, we asked 2,000 Brits to choose their favourite views across the country. The result? A round-up of the UK’s most beautiful places, ready to easily explore over the Easter holidays, with the help of temporary car insurance…

The Top 10 Beautiful Places to Visit in The UK

We asked 2,000 people to identify famous UK beauty spots from photographs to find out just how recognisable our most iconic locations are. The results? Many Brits didn’t realise these stunning places are right here at home:

22% mistook the lavender fields of Snowshill in the Cotswolds for Provence, France.
28% thought Luskentyre Beach in the Outer Hebrides was in New Zealand, Australia or the Caribbean.
17% assumed Kynance Cove in Cornwall was somewhere in the Mediterranean.
A massive 33% thought Ben Nevis was in Iceland.

Despite this confusion, 92% said they’d choose to visit a UK beauty spot over going abroad, and 85% said they were genuinely surprised at how beautiful these places are. With 64% agreeing that UK holidays can be just as enjoyable as overseas trips.

We’ve rounded up the top 10 most beautiful places in the UK – as chosen by Brits – so you can add them to your UK travel bucket list…

10. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Voted for by 18% of respondents, Cheddar Gorge is one of the most striking natural landmarks in England. This 3-mile-long, 122-metre-deep limestone gorge is home to dramatic cliffs, caves, and some of the UK’s most iconic walking routes. It’s also a hot spot for climbers and cavers from around the world. You can explore awe-inspiring views, and partake in plenty of fun activities in this amazing landscape – a fun day out for all the family.

Drive times to Cheddar Gorge:

London: 3h 10m
Manchester: 3h 50m
Leeds: 4h 20m
Newcastle: 5h 50m
Cardiff: 1h 20m
Edinburgh: 7h

9. The Three Sisters, Glencoe Valley

With 21% of the vote, these dramatic ridges in the Scottish Highlands are among the most iconic sights in Glencoe. Named after the three distinctive ridges on the Bidean Nam Bian Mountain. A trip here is ideal for hiking, and photography enthusiasts, it’s just one of the most beautiful places in Scotland that made the list – so you could even make a road trip around Scotland to visit them all. The Three Sisters offer a truly unforgettable Scottish landscape that you have to see with your own eyes.

Drive times to The Three Sisters:

London: 9h
Manchester 5h 50m
Leeds: 5h 40m
Newcastle: 4h 50m
Cardiff: 8h 40m
Edinburgh: 2h 40m

8. The Jurassic Coast, Dorset

A World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast earned 21% of the vote. Stretching 96 miles, it offers dramatic cliffs, sea-carved arches, and fossils that date back 185 million years. A paradise for geology fans and beach lovers alike. It’s not just beautiful views you’ll get to experience here, but also lots of fascinating prehistoric history!

Drive times to the Jurassic Coast:

London: 3h 15m
Manchester: 4h 40m
Leeds: 5h 10m
Newcastle: 6h 40m
Cardiff: 2h 15m
Edinburgh: 8h

7. St. Ives Bay, Cornwall

St. Ives Bay, backed by 22% of voters, is known for its stunning crescent-shaped beach, golden dunes, and calm waters. Popular with surfers, birdwatchers (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds run a nearby reserve), and literature fans (St. Ives was the inspiration for British writer Virginia Woolf’s novel To The Lighthouse), it’s no wonder that come summer, St. Ives is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK.

Drive times to St. Ives Bay:

London: 5h 25 minutes.
Manchester: 6h 10m
Leeds: 6h 30m
Newcastle: 8h
Cardiff: 3h 40m
Edinburgh: 9h 20m

6. Durdle Door, Dorset

Also voted for by 22%, this natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast is one of the UK’s most photographed landmarks. Whether you’re walking the cliffs, paddling at Man O’War beach or snapping shots from the shore, it’s a must-see.

Drive times to Durdle Door:

London: 3h 15m
Manchester: 5h 15m
Leeds: 6h 50m
Newcastle: 8h
Cardiff: 2h 50m
Edinburgh: 8h 25m

5. The Yorkshire Dales

Beloved by 22%, the Yorkshire Dales blend wild moorlands with lush green valleys and striking limestone formations. Known affectionately as ‘God’s Own Country’ thanks to its stunning natural landscape, the vista of the Yorkshire Dales has its own distinct character, with its characteristic limestone and expansive heather moorland. Drystone walls, meadows and spectacular waterfalls make the scenery some of the most beautiful in the UK. The scenery of the Yorkshire Dales attracts visitors from all over the world, add it to your UK bucket list for your next road trip.

Drive times to the Yorkshire Dales:

London: 5h 40m
Manchester: 2h 25m
Leeds: 1h 45m
Newcastle: 1h 45m
Cardiff: 5h 30m
Edinburgh: 3h 40m

4. St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

22% chose this fairy-tale island connected to the Cornish mainland by a tidal causeway. With subtropical gardens and a castle perched on top, St. Michael’s Mount is easily mistaken for something you’d find in France – and 11% of our survey thought just that! Bear in mind that access to the island is ruled by the tides, which means getting across and back is an experience in itself! Travel between the historic harbour and ancient causeway to get up close and personal with this unbelievably beautiful place.

Drive times to St. Michael’s Mount:

London: 5h
Manchester: 6h 15m
Leeds: 8h 30m
Newcastle: 9h
Cardiff: 3h 30m
Edinburgh: 11h

3. Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands

With 29% of the vote, Loch Ness is one of the most legendary – and beautiful – locations in the UK. Beyond Nessie, you’ll find sweeping vistas, peaceful beaches, and thundering waterfalls like the Falls of Foyers. One of the largest freshwater lochs in the country, Loch Ness is also famously the birthplace of the Loch Ness Monster (AKA Nessie) mythology, which still attracts people to this day. Whether you visit to catch a glimpse of the elusive Nessie or simply to enjoy the views, Loch Ness remains a special sight.

Drive times to Loch Ness:

London: 10h 30m
Manchester: 7h
Leeds: 7h 15m
Newcastle: 5h 50m
Cardiff: 10h
Edinburgh: 3h 30m

2. Snowdonia (Eryri National Park), Wales

Snowdonia (Eryri National Park) was picked by 35% of respondents as one of the most beautiful places in the UK. The area covers a total of 823 square miles, making it the largest National Park in Wales. Thanks to its towering peaks and breathtaking valleys, nearly 4 million people visit Eryri every year. This vast park spans rugged mountains, lakes, forests and coastlines. Whether you’re climbing Yr Wyddfa or taking a scenic drive through the valleys, there’s something here for every kind of explorer. Boasting 9 mountain ranges, 23 miles of coastline, and 11,000 hectares of native woodland, the area’s geology and rich history are globally renowned. Whether you’re a keen mountaineer, or simply prefer a gentle amble, you’ll enjoy beautiful views wherever you visit in the National Park.

Drive times to Snowdonia:

London: 5h
Manchester: 2h 10m
Leeds: 2h 40m
Newcastle: 4h 30m
Cardiff: 3h 35m
Edinburgh: 5h 25m

1. Lake Windermere, Lake District

Topping the list with 42% of the vote, Lake Windermere is the UK’s most loved view. England’s largest lake is surrounded by rolling hills, quaint villages and postcard-perfect countryside – no wonder it’s inspired writers and poets for centuries. A World Heritage Site, the Lake District’s spectacular landscape is a must-see on any UK travel bucket list.

Drive times to Lake Windermere:

London: 5h 45m
Manchester: 2h 20m
Leeds: 2h 30m
Newcastle: 2h 40m
Cardiff: 5h 15m
Edinburgh: 3h 40m

How to Easily See The Most Beautiful Views Across the UK

93% of Brits told us they’d love to see more of the UK – but high travel costs, time constraints, and family preferences often get in the way. With the help of short-term insurance, you can make those trips happen without the stress.

Thanks to temporary car insurance, it’s never been easier or more affordable to road trip your way around the UK’s most beautiful destinations. With flexible options like hourly insurance or insurance by the day, getting around by car can be a breeze. If you’re undertaking a longer journey, temporary cover means you can get your road trip partner insured, so you can share the drive. If your own car’s looking a little run down, you might want to borrow a larger or better car for your road trip. No car icks here, thank you.

Travelling around beautiful UK destinations needn’t be expensive (cough, cough trains) – and as our survey respondents proved, some of the most otherworldly, exotic spots can actually be found right on your doorstep – and now you know where to look!

This summer, see all the stunning natural beauty the UK has to offer. Start ticking off your bucket list map of the UK, with GoShorty.

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The Best Views to Add to Your Bucket List Across the UK