It’s natural to have emerged from the pandemic with a list of must-dos and goals for the future. Priorities have changed and we’re no longer putting off the things we want to do. After a year of being locked away at home, many of us are raring to get out and see more of the world. While travelling abroad is finally possible, it’s not the only option. In fact, with flights set to rise due to increased demand and supply chain challenges, if your travel budget is smaller than usual, it may be your best bet.
If you think taking a trip within the UK will be boring, think again. Between the offerings of England Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, there are plenty of spots to visit relatively close to home, and you might be surprised by the amazing sights that have been on your doorstep all along.
Having put some research into some of the most popular places across the UK, here’s some of our recommendations of places we think you should go and explore for yourself:
Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Here at Jules Verne, we researched Snowdonia National Park, finding it holds an impressive 83% TripAdvisor rating and has an average of 22,200 Google searches per month.
Located on the west coast of Britain and stretching over 823 square miles of land, Snowdonia National Park is home to the highest mountain and largest natural lake in Wales. It has a population of over 26,000 people, half of whom speak Welsh, and is surrounded by culture and history. The area features picturesque landscapes and several small villages including Betws-y-Coed and Beddgelert.
Fountains Abbey, England
Another favourite for visitors in the UK is Fountains Abbey, which revealed it has an excellent TripAdvisor rating (80%) and that an average number of 49,500 people search for the attraction on Google each month.
Located near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Fountains Abbey is a World Heritage Site steeped in history. It was established by Cistercian monks in 1132 and features a fun water garden designed in the 18th century, as well as statues, ostentatious follies and small waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic outside or eat at the on-site restaurant.
Loch Ness, Scotland
Of course, we can’t mention Scotland without talking about Loch Ness, finding it to have a 53% TripAdvisor rating and an average of 49,500 Google searches per month.
Located near Inverness, Scotland, Loch Ness is a beautiful pool of water, best known as the home of the mysterious Loch Ness Monster or “Nessie”, since the first sighting of the giant creature was reported back in 1933. To this day, scientists are baffled by the phenomenon of the Loch Ness Monster, despite over 1,000 sightings and unexplained evidence. To see the loch for yourself take a boat trip around the area from Inverness, Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit.
Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a place of pure wonder and Giants Causeway is a firm favourite for visitors. We found that this stunning landmark has a 69% ‘Excellent’ score on TripAdvisor and attracts 49,500 Google searches every month. Born from myth that the Antrim coastline was torn up by giant Finn McCool and hurled towards rival Benandonner in Scotland which resulted in the creation of this landmark, this is certainly a view which will take your breath away.
Other favourites
Our research found a number of other popular UK landmarks. Highgrove House and Gardens in England received an excellent rating of 81% on TripAdvisor and has an average of 2,400 monthly Google searches a month. This was quickly followed by Dartmoor National Park, also in England, with a high rating of 77% and a monthly average of 14,800 Google searches.
If all this wasn’t enough, we also did some digging around other popular UK landmarks and found that Alnwick Castle in England was rated 58% on TripAdvisor, achieving an average of 49,500 Google searches per month. Wales’ Cardiff Castle gained a 56% rating on TripAdvisor and an average monthly Google search of 18,100, while Scotland’s Duart Castle received a 49% TripAdvisor rating and an average of 1,900 Google searches per month. Finally, the Cliffs of Moher also has a firm place in visitors hearts, with 77% excellent rating and over 1,200 monthly Google searches.
It’s clear you don’t have to travel abroad for amazing sightseeing experiences. Whether you want to see breathtaking views, stunning scenery or beautiful architecture, there’s a spot to suit you. If you’re intrigued by what the UK has to offer, why not book a tour and start exploring? Here at Jules Verne, we offer Small Group UK tours featuring these attractions and more. Choose between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales; wherever your dream destination is, we’ll get you there.