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Most travellers interested in Europe, dream of seeing renowned big cities like Paris, Berlin, or London. And, while it is safe to say that visiting these metropolitan behemoths once in your life is a must, there are infinitely more amazing places you can enjoy on the old continent.

When talking specifically about the UK, not everyone has heard about the Yorkshire Dales or the Lake District. Both will surprise you with wonderful landscapes, unique fauna and flora, and photo-worthy mountain ranges.

A Brief History of Tourism in the UK

It wasn’t until the turn of the 19th century, during the Victorian period, that mass traveling began developing in England. Still, up to this time, people from all over the world came to Britain for the “Grand Tour” as upper-class folks used to call it.

This Grand Tour was a sort of coming of age custom that young men from the upper-class would follow. With the advent of the industrial revolution, more people could afford to travel throughout Europe, as disposable income became more available to laypeople.

Since then, the industry has grown to accommodate around 25 million tourists every year. Surprisingly, the majority of them are from Europe, with only 3,5 million crossing the Atlantic from the US and Canada, into the UK.

The Top 5 Most Breathtaking Places in England

Since we’ve mentioned the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, and since these are two of the most diverse and expansive regions, let’s begin with them.

1.   The Yorkshire Dales

Fully named The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of England’s most beautiful northern attractions. Hundreds of moors, marshes, enchanting small villages, valleys, and hills make up the vast expanse of the park.

2.   The Lake District

The Lake District is definitely a must-see when visiting the UK. This site is protected by UNESCO and for good reason.

You’ll enjoy picturesque villages, fairytale-looking mountain ranges, and, as the name suggests, loads of lakes to explore. Follow an almost straight route south and you’ll have visited more than half the countries gorgeous landscapes, and reach The Solent, our next destination.

3.   The Solent and Isle of Wight

Whether you’re coming in from Southhampton or Portsmouth, the view clearing before your eyes is sure to take your breath away. The Solent straight connects mainland England to the wonderful Isle of Wight, a popular destination for many travel enthusiasts.

You’ll have the chance to enjoy renting a yacht charter In the Solent, as well as other water-based activities on your checklist. Once you crossover onto the shores of Isle of Wight you’ll see what the fuss is all about.

This little island off the coast of southern England is known for its marvellous sanded beaches and waterfront promenades. Other places on your must-see list are Yaverland and Compton beaches- for their dinosaur fossil collections, Ventnor and Shanklin beaches, and The 3 Needles.

4.   Cotswolds

Leaving behind the contemplative silence of the lakes, moors, and marshes, our next destination leaves us in the middle of the Cotswolds region. This area of England is brimming with festivals, art galleries, museums, and quaint little lodgings that seem misplaced in time.

Here, you’ll walk fancy cobble-stone streets, bike down wavy hills and valleys, and visit the famous arboreta of Batsford and Westonbirt. The most fascinating thing about this magical place that extends over five counties, is the fact that Cotswolds is welcoming and will please all senses, regardless of the season you are visiting in.

The spring is laden with wildflowers and lovable lambs. In the summer, although more crowded, you’ll be part of the many festivities and handmade fairs that go on here.

The fall is a perfect time to visit if you want to witness the grand colour-change the great variety of trees goes through. And, the winter is great for cuddling by a warm hearth, taking long strolls, and low accommodations.

5.   Bath

It might be pleasing to find out that Bath is considered the most beautiful small town in the UK. This marvellous place is imbued with Roman history, due, of course, to the Roman Baths enjoyed by millions of people since their construction around 60-50CE.

For this reason alone, Bath sees a great chunk of tourists each year. If you’re an avid reader or perhaps dabble in some writing too, you’ll be intrigued to find out that Jane Austin had once stayed overnight in Bath.

There are many other wondrous places to visit in Britain, among which are cities like Brighton, Cambridge, and Devon, coastline regions like Suffolk and Norfolk, Corfe Castle, York, and university cities like Oxford, and of course London.

While some activities in the UK, are not commonly searched, they are becoming more natural and starting to grow exponentially in the last few years. Something is becoming recurring in the South of England, in this case Bath or around it. Activities like gambling in Bath or Hire yachts from Hamble.

Conclusion

Although most foreigners think of London, and some of York, when adventuring to visit the UK, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to discover that the old empire has loads more sites and landscapes to be explored.

For water lovers, we highly recommend visiting the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Seaside and beach connoisseurs will get a kick out of Isle of Wight and the Solent.

More earth-bound travellers will be impressed by the wonderful assortment of old-fashion houses, curious museums, lovely art galleries, greenery, and diverse animal life. Whatever you choose, don’t let this list be an exhaustive indicator of the best places to visit in England.

Famous cities like Oxford and Cambridge are sure to raise your IQ levels upon visiting, while ancient cities like Bath, Whitby, and Colchester hold mystery and incite passers-by to discovery even today. Many more hidden gems are waiting to be discovered. Happy travels!