The Best UK Landscapes for Visiting This Summer

Yes, this country doesn’t get enough sun. Yes, it’s often raining. Yes, our food is (wrongly) criticised by the rest of the world. But that doesn’t really give this little island range the credit for what it has to offer. In fact, UK landscapes are among the most beautiful in the world and should definitely be on your summer visit plans. 

Between Scotland and the Lake District, there are a plethora of sites that showcase the UK’s natural beauty in all its forms, perfect for anything from a day trip to an extended stay. This article will share some of the finest examples of UK scenery, so you can plan road trips and visits for the stretches of sunshine that we’ll get this summer. 

Rolling & pastoral landscapes in England

If you’re looking to see the English countryside at its best, there are a few sites that really capture the pastoral glory of this country. 

• Romantic breaks in the Lake District are hard to beat, with the combination of tall mountains, literary history and, of course, stunning lakes. It’s a perfect example of a UK landscape. 
• The Cotswolds have a honey-coloured look, defined by its ancient villages and natural geology, boasting a mixture of limestone and dry-stone walls. 
• The Peak District is similar to its lake-filled counterpart, but has a more rugged and dramatic feel, known for massive limestone ridges and moorlands full of purple-heathered moorlands. 

English landscapes have a lot to offer the hikers and sightseers of the country. 

The vast & epic settings of Scotland

Scotland has some of the best scenery in UK tripmaking history, with a cinematic landscape that has to be seen to be believed.

• The Isle of Skye has the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr under its belt, which arguably makes it a more epic setting than any other in the UK. Its shocking green slopes and jagged cliffs are only accentuated by the frequent mist. 
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs are the gateway to the Highlands, with some shockingly still lochs, dense forests and easy-to-reach peaks. 
• Glencoe is one of the deepest valleys in the Highlands, known for its unbeatable atmosphere and peaks that cascade into waterfalls. It’s a favourite of filmmakers. 

Scotland has so much more to offer than just deep-fried mars bars! 

Northern Ireland’s geological wonders

Northern Ireland has some of the UK landscape’s most thrilling geological sites and thrilling forests. 

• The Giant’s Causeway is a collection of over 40,000 basalt columns, interlocking in geometrical shapes as the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. 
•  The Dark Hedges is a distinct atmosphere, laden with some of the world’s most stunning beech trees, feeling almost as if fantastical. 

If you can take a flight or ferry, Northern Ireland is worth a natural exploration trip. 

The Welsh (& Southern English) coast is iconic

Wales and some of the southern areas of England are known for their gorgeous beaches, which can be a surprise to some less familiar visitors to the country. 

• Pembrokeshire is THE coastal National Park, featuring sheer sea cliffs and wild beaches, punctuated by some stunning Blue Lagoons.
• Snowdonia and Eryi is a mountain range that you can see the sea from, what’s not to like. If you get to the summit of Yr Wyddfa on a clear day, you can see all the way to Ireland! 
• The Jurassic Coast of Dorset and Devon has plenty of standout sights, such as Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks, with massive historical significance. 

The Welsh and Southern coasts are perfect for seaside exploration. 

These are just some of the best UK landscapes there are on this list, but there are also plenty of different ways to find great visiting sites. Check out this list of the best apps to find UK scenic hiking routes and start exploring yourself! The best part about exploring UK landscapes is discovering the paths less followed, so get out there and find some for yourself.