Here at StormX, it’s fair to say we have the travel bug – especially when it earns us Crypto Cashback. We’ve looked at The Best Luxury Holiday Destinations and the 13 Best Family Holiday Destinations worldwide – and shone a spotlight on All-Inclusive Weekend Getaways in the US. So, it’s time to shine a light on another holiday hotspot: Her Majesty’s United Kingdom.
Now, we know some people might associate the UK with rain and cities. However, look a little closer, and you’ll find it’s full of breathtaking, magical spots to visit. To show the proof’s in the pudding (such a British saying), we’ve pulled together our top 13 most beautiful places in the UK.
1) Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Everyone knows Stonehenge: the prehistoric monument that’s recognized the world over. Not only is it famous, but it’s also an extremely beautiful place. In fact, Britons voted it as one of the top UK beauty spots in a recent survey.
Stonehenge has allegedly stood for over 4,500 years at the center of the Avebury World Heritage Site. Why it’s there is still a mystery. However, it’s believed to have been created as a spiritual home by Neolithic and Bronze Age people; the sarsen stones are thought to have been carefully aligned with the sun’s movement.
Where to stay:
Just a 12-minute drive from Stonehenge is the 4-star Fairlawn House (6% Crypto Cashback), with luxury rooms and a scrummy breakfast available. This guesthouse is perfect for relaxing in after a day of exploring the local area. As well as Stonehenge, there’s also Durrington Walls to explore (just a two-minute drive) and the historic village of Amesbury.
Our top tip? Book the Roman Baths & Ancient Stonehenge Full-Day Tour on Expedia if staying in London. In one day, you’ll visit two UNESCO Heritage Sites – and two of our top picks.
2) Bath, Somerset, England
Take a bath in Bath! No, seriously – Bath features ancient Roman baths, making it a must-visit World Heritage Site. You can also relax in Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s only natural thermal hot spring.
Bath is one of the most stunning cities in the UK thanks to its soft honey-hued Georgian architecture. You won’t be short of winding streets, museums, and galleries to explore, either.
Where to stay:
It’s got to be Henrietta House, a member of Radisson Individuals (6% Crypto Cashback). This hotel is splendid from the outside and just as impressive inside. It’s only minutes from Bath’s charming center and features a boutique wing and Instagram-worthy bar.
3) Sgwd yr Eira, Brecon Beacons, Wales
Didn’t think the UK could deliver when it comes to majestic waterfalls? Think again. Sgwd y Eira, meaning ‘snow waterfall’, is a 50-foot waterfall in Wales’ Brecon Beacons. It takes a three-hour hike to get to it, but it’s definitely worth those steps.
Ssh, don’t tell too many people, but there’s a secret footpath behind the falls. So, bring your swim stuff and dive into the magic.
Where to stay:
Just as the waterfall’s footpath is a well-kept secret, so is YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenalt (3% Crypto Cashback). This converted farmhouse is in the Brecon Beacons National Park (about a one-hour drive from the waterfalls) and is surrounded by high peaks, woodland, and more waterfalls. It’s a proper little oasis within nature.
There’s also a restaurant and bar onsite, so you don’t have to stroll far. If self-catering is more your style, though, there’s also a self-catering kitchen. This place is perfect for cycling, hiking, and horse riding. We guarantee you’ll come back again and again.
4) The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall, England
Feast your eyes on The Minack Theatre in Porthcurno, Cornwall, and you’ll think you’ve stepped onto a Game of Thrones set (or a least into somewhere in the Med). This unique open-air theatre is 100% worth visiting – and taking a seat overlooking the turquoise sea.
It’s even better at sunset when you can often catch a live gig, talk, or play. What could be more romantic than watching Shakespeare’s The Tempest under the stars and by the crashing waves?
Where to stay:
The Rospletha Bungalow (6% Crypto Cashback) is perfect for location. You’re only 0.3 miles from Porthcurno Beach and just a five-minute walk from The Minack Theatre. The bungalow has three bedrooms and an open fire in the living room – perfect for getting cozy after an evening in the open-air theatre.
5) Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Now, this really IS something from Game of Thrones. Yes, Dark Hedges in County Antrim was used as a location spot for the King’s Road in the hugely popular series. It’s something that definitely has to be seen in IRL, though.
Beech trees circle a winding passageway, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale setting. It’s one of Northern Ireland’s most photographed spots – and it’s easy to see why.
Where to stay:
About a 48-minute drive from Dark Hedges is the fantastic 4-star Hilton Belfast Templepatrick (5.5% Crypto Cashback). It’s set on the private Castle Upton Estate and offers luxury ensuite bedrooms, garden views, a swimming pool, restaurant, spa, tennis courts, and golf course.
There’s the Treffners Restaurant, The Kinahans Bar-Brasserie, and Templepatrick bar (with amazing cocktails) for all your wining and dining needs. It’s the perfect place to come back to after a day of exploring magical settings like the Dark Hedges.
6) Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The magic doesn’t end with Dark Hedges. Head up North, and you’ll find Scotland’s Fairly Pools on the Isle of Skye.
Here, rivers form stunning pools with some of the clearest waters you’ll ever see. The whole thing is a slice of magic that really will make you think you’re in a fairytale. So take a dip if you dare. But beware – these fairy pools might seem gentle, but they are COLD!
Where to stay:
There are fantastic hotels…and then there’s the Sligachan Hotel (3.6% Crypto Cashback). This place is on another level with its own micro-brewery, museum, and award-winning whisky bar and restaurant. The ensuite rooms offer incredible views of the rolling mountains, and, if you’re itching to get out there, the Fairy Pools are just a two-hour hike away (or a 20-minute drive).
7) Durdle Door, Dorset, England
Durdle Door is one of the most photographed landmarks in the UK and an absolute icon of Dorset. It’s part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site (so keep an eye out for fossils) and is just a beautiful spot on the coast. Make sure you’re ready for steps, though – access to the beach is via 143 very steep, enormous steps.
Where to stay:
We’re loving The White House (5% Crypto Cashback) in West Lulworth. This four-bed cottage is just a short, six-minute stroll to Lulworth Cave (another beautiful UK spot) and the start of the coastal path to Durdle Door.
8) Lake Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
As far as beauty is concerned, things get little more stunning than Lake Windermere, the UK’s largest natural lake. Located in the Lake District, Lake Windermere is simply epic and surrounded by rolling hills, cute villages, and some of the UK’s best wildlife. This is one of our favorite spots to explore, so make sure you pack your hiking boots!
Where to stay:
For staying in the Lake District, it’s got to be the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (6.3% Crypto Cashback). This fantastic hotel is in the Langdale Valley, at the foot of the famous Langdale Pikes.
Walk along the valley, explore the mountains, or hike to nearby Ambleside. If you have your eyes set on Lake Windermere, it’s a three-hour hike or 45-minute drive (worth packing sandwiches for, then!).
9) Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is an incredible city. But we can’t recommend walking up to Calton Hill enough to see it from a different angle. This spot is a collection of historical monuments and offers beautiful panoramic views of the whole city – made even better at sunset!
Where to stay:
There are so many places to choose from in Edinburgh. However, our pick is definitely Village Hotel, Edinburgh (6% Crypto Cashback). It’s in the north of the city and has everything you could need under one roof – including a Starbucks, Pub & Grill, and even a state-of-the-art gym. We told you!
10) Brook Beach, Isle of Wight
How about exploring an unspoiled beach? Sound heavenly? Then, head to Brook Beach on the Isle of Wight’s South-West coast. This sandy beach stretches for over a mile and is popular with fossil hunters (it’s part of the Jurassic coast) and kitesurfers and surfers.
At low tide, check out the fossilized forest of huge trees at Hanover Point that appears from beneath the waves. There’s also a sandstone ledge with dinosaur footprints imprinted within it. Brook Beach is definitely a beach trip with a difference.
Where to stay:
Stay in Palomino Cottage (5% Crypto Cashback), a luxurious gem in Brook, and only a nine-minute walk to Brook Beach. It’s part of a cute collection of cottages at Brook Farmhouse and features one bed and one bathroom – perfect for a couple’s getaway.
11) Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands are one of the most beautiful places in the world, let alone just the UK. Our favorite part is the Cairngorms National Park, with breathtaking meadows, rivers, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. And it’s not just us who think the Cairngorms are worth going to – National Geographic voted it as one of their top 20 places to visit on earth.
Where to stay:
The Old Minister’s House (3% Crypto Cashback) is a 5-star guesthouse at the foot of the Cairngorms National Park. It’s an absolute haven here. Watch Osprey fishing in the lochs or walk around the rivers and glens of Rothiemurchus.
And, after a full day of hiking, the rooms at The Old Minister’s House are a welcome treat. Each has a king-size bed with Egyptian cotton linen, a flat-screen TV, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
12) The Cotswolds, Wiltshire, England
Everyone has their idea of quintessential rural England. And they typically picture somewhere just like the Cotswolds.
This region in south-central and southwest England is a place of pure beauty with hamlets nestled into river valleys. You’ll find history-rich towns and villages offering quaint cobbled streets and English country charm against green rolling hills, grand manors, and miles of woodland. No wonder Hollywood picked here as the location for that picturesque cottage in The Holiday.
Where to stay:
It’s hard to choose just one village in the Cotswolds; stay in any of them, and you’ll reap the rewards of rural England. However, if we had to choose just one, it’d be Ampney Crucis, a village and civil parish dating back to Roman times.
Stay in Wild Thyme & Honey (3.6% Crypto Cashback). This incredible boutique hotel offers views of the river, a restaurant, bar, and amazingly comfortable rooms. Go horse-riding or explore the local area; the Cotswolds is the perfect place to visit, relax, and explore at your own pace.
Our top tip? With the Cotswolds only an hour’s train journey from central London, why not combine the two on the same trip? Even better, you can book a London or nearby attraction (such as museums, theme parks, and theater shows), and earn Crypto Cashback with that, too.
London attractions and events
Between 1-8% Crypto Cashback
13) St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands
Coming off the mainland for our last pick is Jersey in the Channel Islands. Now, we know it’s a self-governing island. However, it is a British Crown Dependency, so we’re including it on our list!
For those not in the know, Jersey is known as the UK’s ‘sunniest’ island and is only a one-hour flight from London Heathrow and Gatwick. It has around 2,331 hours of sunshine per year – that’s an extra 342 over mainland UK.
St Helier is the perfect spot on the island. Well, it’s the only town in Jersey (and its capital). It’s a charming seaside town with stunning, sandy beaches, plenty of coastal walks along craggy cliffs, and lots of cuisine and culture to sink your teeth into. Plus, there’s no VAT on products. So, you know what that means – tax-free shopping!
Our top tip? Walk out to the beautiful Elizabeth Castle at low tide for a bit of an adventure.
Where to stay:
Our top pick is the Raddison Blu Waterfront Hotel, Jersey (6% Crypto Cashback). We love that it’s right on the water beside Elizabeth Marina on St. Aubin’s Bay. Walk out the door and straight onto the promenade, taking in the fantastic views of Elizabeth Castle and the bay.
Our favorite part of this hotel is the Waterfront Restaurant and Bar. Sip drinks and dine alfresco on the terrace. You can also take advantage of their full-service salon and health club with gym and spa. Bliss.
Feeling in the British spirit? Check out our blog on Everything You Need to Pack for the Perfect Picnic. If it’s more travel on your mind, discover our Top Luxury Family Vacations.