The 50 most beautiful places in the UK for 2020-A

The 50 most beautiful places in the UK for 2020 RANKED, from knockout islands to epic national parks and historic cities
The locations in this ranking are the ultimate for sheer jaw-dropping loveliness – see if you agree
We’ve presented them here in reverse order, with a location in Wales kicking off proceedings
The list includes stunning castles, majestic valleys and some of the most poetic countryside in the world

 

25. KINBANE CASTLE: The ruins of this 16th-century castle in County Antrim sit on ‘a long sliver of limestone projecting into the sea’.  ‘What really makes it so beautiful is the surrounding grounds of rugged green hills and the wild foamy sea’

24. GLENFINNAN VIADUCT: Made famous by the Harry Potter movies, this viaduct at the head of Loch Shiel in the Scottish Highlands ‘really is fit for the big screen’ 

23. TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK: The first state park in Northern Ireland, Tollymore Forest Park, near the town of Newcastle, is,one of the most beautiful places to visit in the UK’ 

22. COASTAL CAUSEWAY ROUTE: Running from Londonderry/Derry to Belfast, this coastal road ‘truly captures the raw and rugged nature’ of Northern Ireland

21: SHETLAND ISLANDS: On these Scottish islands,  you’ll find ‘coastlines framed by towering cliffs with rolling green fields and pristine beaches’ 

20. DEAN VILLAGE: Located close to Edinburgh, this former milling hotspot is full of history.’A stroll around Dean Village really does feel like stepping back in time to when the storybook community was at its peak’

 

19. TINTERN ABBEY: This historic abbey, set on the banks of the River Wye in Wales, dates back to 1131 and ‘has not stopped wowing since’, 

18. WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER: Standing tall on the shores of the English Channel in Kent, ‘these magnificent cliffs are a jewel of the UK coast and deserve to be visited by everyone at least once’

17. GIANT’S CAUSEWAY: Made up of more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, there are ‘few things more breathtaking and mind-bending’ than Giant’s Causeway,

16. STONEHENGE: The mystery which surrounds Stonehenge is what makes it ‘one of the most beautiful places in the UK’,. It explains: ‘These mega monoliths have been shrouded in mystery seemingly since the dawn of time’ 

15. JURASSIC COAST:  ‘it’s hard to think of a place that conjures up as much wonder as the Jurassic Coast’. It runs for 95 miles between Dorset and Devon. Pictured is Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset

14. LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK:  ‘Whether you visit in summer when the hills are emerald green or in fall when they are a fiery orange under moody skies, you’ll see why this place is truly a jewel of Scotland’

13. ROBIN HOOD’S BAY: Charming and alluring is how describes Robin Hood’s Bay, pictured, on the stunning Heritage Coast of the North York Moors 

12. EILEAN DONAN: This jaw-dropping castle in the Scottish Highlands is ‘perched on an island where three idyllic lochs meet’ – Duich, Long and Alsh. It’s ‘one of the UK’s most stunning areas’, 

11. LOCH NESS: This Scottish loch is famous for the supposed Loch Ness Monster, which according to folklore, lives in the waters. ‘In addition to the rich lore and stories that surround it, the area itself is absolutely beautiful’ 

10 COLONSAY: This secluded isle, located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, is ‘truly a slice of paradise’, . Pictured is the island’s Kiloran Bay

9. THREE CLIFFS BAY: this Welsh bay is a ‘spectacular mash-up of misty dunes, endless salt marshes and giant limestone cliffs’. It adds: ‘It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most photographed areas in Wales’ 

8. BRIGHTON: A buzzing seaside town is how describes Brighton. It says: ‘Known for its vibrantly coloured houses and eccentric vibes, Brighton is perfect for a couples, solo or family trip’

7. THE COTSWOLDS: ‘Centuries-old thatch-roofed cottages that seem as if they are made of honey, ancient cobblestone streets and classic English pubs that date to who knows when are just a few things you’ll find in the Cotswolds,’. Pictured is the stunning village of Castle Combe 

6. EDINBURGH: The Scottish capital is ‘one of the UK’s, and arguably Europe’s best cities,’ and has ‘more charming old pubs than you can handle and a medieval atmosphere that just can’t be replicated

5. LAKE DISTRICT: This national park is ‘truly an English gem for its wealth of natural beauty’,. It also has a ‘vibrant gastro scene’ and a ‘unique local culture’. Pictured is Derwentwater

4. CAMBRIDGE: In addition to its ‘rich scholastic past’, this university city also has ‘architecture that is sure to take your breath away’, 

3. BATH:Bath is ‘widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK’ and adds ‘it’s not hard to see why it’s such a popular destination for tourists and Britons alike’ 

2. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK: This national park is the largest in the UK, with five of Scotland’s six highest mountains lying within it. It’s also made up of pine forests and home to a host of wildlife.  ‘In short, the Cairngorms is epic’

1. ISLE OF SKYE: ‘Wildly beautiful and quintessentially Scottish’ is the top-ranked Isle of Skye. It simply says: ‘The Isle of Skye is a Highland knockout’