We don’t need to tell you that there’s loads of gorgeous scenery in the UK. Whether you prefer a sandy beach or an ancient castle, this country is full of the sort of landscapes that make you wish you were talented enough to paint them. It’s no surprise, then, that four UK spots have made Time Out’s recent list of the most beautiful places in Europe.
It takes a lot for somewhere to make it into one of our lists, which are curated by guides editor Ella Doyle. She consults with experts across the continent, asking locals and travel writers for their favourites, so each spot has been chosen by someone who really knows what they’re talking about. That way, only the best of the best makes the cut.
The list of Europe’s most gorgeous places is pretty varied, ranging from a Tuscan Island to a canal in Amsterdam, to a block of flats in Marseille, but all four of the UK’s entries are natural wonders tucked away from crowds and cityscapes.
The highest ranking entry – the Giant’s Causeway – came second in the continent, which is no mean feat. The Peak District National Park also ranked very highly, landing at fifth place out of 28. Here’s every British spot that made the cut, including what our writers had to say about them.
The Giant’s Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway, a two mile stretch of north Antrim coastline, looks so man-made that the local ‘made by a giant’ myth seems almost more believable than the reality: that it’s the result of a volcanic eruption. Time Out contributor Shilpa Ganatra describes it as a place where ‘legend and land combine in an awe-inspiring way’, and recommends ‘soaking in the scene from a height’ by watching on from a nearby cliff face.
Ganatra also notes that the Causeway is accessible for free if you bypass the Visitor Centre and instead ‘walk around the side and follow the road… straight to the stones’.
The Peak District
One of 15 national parks in the UK, the Peak District is described by Time Out editor Ella Doyle as ‘a land of dramatic gritstone cliffs and windswept dales’. Indeed, the views from the top of any single Peak District hill are unrivalled on a clear day, where you can see for miles across untouched northern nature.
There are loads of ways to enjoy it, as Doyle says: ‘You could clamber up to Thor’s Cave, a natural cavern in a limestone crag, fascinatingly deep and offering pretty spectacular views over the Manifold Way. There are quite literally thousands of routes to choose from.’ Simply pick one and enjoy the journey. And the sheep.
The Southwest Coast Path
Another excellent option for the hikers, the southwest coast path is ‘a 630-mile walking route around the southwest peninsula of the UK, starting in Minehead, Somerset, outlining the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall before ending in Poole’.
Unlike the Peak District, the coastal path offers panoramic views of the sapphire-blue Cornish seas, as well as hundreds of cute pubs stocked full of local cider. Obviously, most of us don’t have the time to complete the whole thing, so Time Out’s Laura Hall recommends ‘the stretch between Falmouth and Penzance’ which ‘takes in sandy coves, smugglers beaches, and the Lizard Peninsula, the most southerly point in mainland Britain’.
The Arrochar Alps
Scotland’s Arrochar Alps represent the UK’s third hiking destination in the list, showing that this is absolutely the place to be for those who love to get properly immersed in nature. Olivia Simpson, a Scottish native and Time Out writer, says that although it is ‘often overlooked in favour of the Highlands’, the Arrochar Alps is a brilliant spot to explore, and has ‘the added bonus of being far closer to Glasgow and its transport connections’.
Simpson also recommends popping over to Oban for a daytrip if you have the time to visit the local distillery and try some world-class seafood.
The most beautiful places in Europe, according to Time Out.
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