The United Kingdom is famous for its gorgeously varied landscapes, but there are some places that will have you rubbing your eyes, convinced that you are in a totally different country, and maybe even continent.
Click through the gallery to see the jaw-dropping UK scenic spots that could be in Continental Europe, the Caribbean or even South East Asia…
This purple-hued blanket startles all who see it in Owler Tor, in the Peak District National Park, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light is phenomenally beautiful. Late August or early September is when the flowering heather looks its best.
Located on the Ceredigion coast, Tresaith is one of Wales' most stunning spots, and more peaceful than Pembrokeshire's more well-known bays and beaches. The waterfall on Tresaith Beach is a spectacular sight – the water gushes straight into the sand. Cardigan Bay, where it is located, is also home to a pod of bottle-nosed dolphins.
Tresco Abbey Gardens' subtropical conditions are down to three factors: the Isles of Scilly have more daylight hours than mainland Britain, the winters are milder and there’s a giant wall around the gardens to protect it from the harsher Atlantic winds. The beautiful grounds are filled with vibrant plants hailing from as far as Myanmar and New Zealand, and overlook the pretty beach of Carn Near, near the ruins of an abbey.
Located in the Isle of Harris, Luskentyre is a place described as a haven to reset from the world. The beach itself is phenomenal – bright blue water lapping at a litter-free, white sandy shore. Its tucked-away location makes it one of the most peaceful places in the UK, quiet save for the occasional bird flying overhead.
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Europe’s first traditional Hindu stone temple in Neasden – Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – cost £12 million ($15.5m) to build, and it remains one of the most impressive temples in the UK. It was hand-carved in India, built with 5,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara, Indian Ambaji marble and Bulgarian limestone, and assembled in London.
Situated in the Gower AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Three Cliffs Bay is just 10 miles (16km) west of bustling Swansea. Set against three dramatic limestone cliffs, this tranquil location has got the winning combination of emerald green hills, turquoise sea and golden sand.
North of Lizard Point is one of England’s most photographed and painted places. The perfectly clear turquoise waters meet pale gold sands while the craggy rock is an unusual mix of red and green hues in a serpentine shape. The cove even has a royal seal of approval, after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are said to have visited while on holiday in the area.
If it looks like an eldritch scene from Game of Thrones, that’s because it did feature in the hit TV show. Dark Hedges was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century, intended to be an impressive entrance to their manor. Over time, as beech is prone to do, the branches intertwined and created a spooky avenue that looks like a portal to another dimension.
In Somerset, when lavender is in bloom from June onwards and its heady scent is rising in the air, it's like a lovely summer's day in the south of France. At Somerset Lavender, a farm near Frome, bumblebees flit across the pretty fields to make the delicious honey that's sold on site. There's also a healing garden with a special spot to sit and breathe in the fragrance of chamomile.
Formed by a river from the Ice Age, this striking limestone formation is part of one of the most popular walks in the Yorkshire Dales and less than a mile from the village of Malham. Pictured is the top of the 230-foot-high (70.1m) cliff which overlooks the stunning national park.
A natural cave, Gaping Gill is one of the most impressive and one of the largest underground chambers in Britain. The Fell Beck stream flows through and crashes 328 feet (100m) to the floor before draining into the next cave. Situated on the lower slopes of Ingleborough Hill, the cave is just a mile (1.6km) from the pretty village of Clapham.
The pleasure palace built for King George IV remains one of the most recognisable sights in the seaside city of Brighton. An architectural stunner created by John Nash, its domes and minarets are built in an Indo-Saracenic style which was popular in the 19th century. The grounds are said to be the only fully-restored Regency gardens in England.
There are over two thousand castles in Scotland, but none other than Dunrobin resemble a French château, designed in the 19th century. Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, it has 189 rooms and is one of the oldest houses in Britain to be continuously inhabited since the 1300s. Even the gardens have a French influence and certain parts were modelled on Versailles.
With a backdrop of pine trees, this jaw-dropping bay with crystal-clear water can be found just off the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Sunset is when the beach is at its most beautiful, especially on a clear day, as the final rays of sunshine wash everything in a soft pink.
Built by Italian POWs during World War II, this Italian-style chapel is particularly spectacular given its remote location. Found in Lamb Holm on Orkney, it's beautifully ornate and all the materials to build it were scavenged. The chapel's exterior was fortified with cement to protect it from the elements, and the converted hut stands starkly against the expanse of the sky and sea.
Carved into granite cliffs high above the sea of Porthcurno Bay, a performance at this open-air theatre is a unique experience. It looks like an ancient construction but it was only built in the 1930s. Plays, tours and storytelling experiences unusually run throughout the year, and the views are spectacular.
Perched high up on Calton Hill, the National Monument is dedicated to the Scottish sailors and soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. When the structure was built in 1822, it was originally meant to be an exact replica of the Parthenon in Athens but funds ran dry and it was only half finished, giving it the nicknames ‘Scotland’s Disgrace’ and ‘Edinburgh’s Folly’. Sunrise at the National Monument is especially magical, with a gorgeous view of the city bathed in light from above.
The highest mountain in the British Isles looks like a beautiful and remote wonderland in winter, as if it's plucked from Scandinavia or the Alps. The top of its misty peak features a stunning panorama of the lochs and glacial valleys down below.
Crocuses and cherry blossoms are two of spring’s biggest delights, and The Stray in Harrogate is home to the ultimate showstopper display. Its 200 acres of parkland encompasses part of the town centre, and when the flowers are in bloom it's one of the country's most beautiful natural sights.
The sands here are so pristine and the sea so blue, Calgary Bay looks more like a slice of paradise in the Caribbean. But what with it being Scotland, the clear waters are not quite the same temperature.
This pretty tiny port looks like it belongs in Denmark rather than on the Isle of Mull. Tobermory is one of the prettiest harbours in the country with colourful houses brightening up even the greyest day. Legend has it that just off the bay, a Spanish galleon lies sunk at the bottom with gold, but none has ever been recovered.
West Bay is a stunning area with a golden cliff face that glows when the sun shines. Dubbed the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, it's also unsurprisingly part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Winding limestone karsts carpeted in greenery and forbidding shades of grey are an impressive sight in the Somerset countryside. Cheddar Gorge, formed by meltwater, is one of the country's most spectacular natural landmarks and is where Britain’s oldest complete skeleton was found.
The largest wine estate in England could almost be mistaken for a French vineyard, particularly at sunset when a soft light stretches across the fields. Denbies features a working winery, over 200 acres of beautiful vineyards and an impressive collection of fine wines, from deep reds to sparkling whites.
There's plenty to see along the Jurassic Coast but Old Harry Rocks, at the most easterly point, is a highlight. Only three miles (4.8km) from Bournemouth, these three huge chalk formations jut out of the turquoise sea and earth, and are striking against a bright blue sky. In the spring and summer, the surrounding land blooms with wildflowers and orchids.
Located in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, this lake is so astonishing in its beauty it's given rise to many local legends and myths, including the mysterious lady of the lake.
The second largest lake in the Lake District, Ullswater has a ribbon-like shape and a breathtaking backdrop. Amid the peace and quiet, the area’s high rainfall means the hills are lush and green. On a calm day, the water is still like glass, reflecting the mountainous scenery all around.
The Old Man of Storr is a large pinnacle of rock which marks the most famous walk on the Isle of Skye. Said to be the gravesite of a giant, it is beautiful no matter how ghastly the weather. There are several vantage points, but the view is always rugged and dramatic.
The view of Pulteney Bridge, with steps cut into the River Avon below, could be that of a quaint Mediterranean town – especially when the sun is shining. But instead, this is Bath, where the Palladian architecture is truly unforgettable.
Reminiscent of a luxury hotel, this restored 1935 Art Deco lido offers the best of both worlds: it’s a saltwater swimming pool with the experience of being near the sea but without the choppiness. Swimming is secondary to the view as, on a clear day, it overlooks an expanse of brilliantly blue water.
No, this beautiful ornate structure isn't in Thailand. Wat Buddhapadipa in Wimbledon, south London, is the first temple of its kind in the UK. A red-roofed beauty with a sanctuary garden is a top spot for quiet in the capital. In fact, the calm haven requires voices to be kept low.
At low tide, the two expansive miles (3.2km) of Watergate Bay beach look as if they belong in Australia or New Zealand, not north Cornwall. This photo has captured the perfect trio of rugged outcrops, golden sand and low scudding waves.
Set in the spectacularly beautiful area of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the entrance to the Benmore Botanic Garden is lined with majestic giant redwoods. There’s a restored Victorian fernery and a monkey puzzle tree forest, while a viewpoint leads to superb vistas across Holy Loch.
The most northeasterly tip of mainland Britain isn’t John O’Groats, but actually Duncansby Head, just two miles (3.2km) away. Along the head are stone stacks described as sentinels guarding the coastline. The formidable jagged points are like javelins sticking out from the sea.
The inspiration for writers, artists and composers, including Felix Mendelssohn, the spectacle of Fingal’s Cave is extra special because most people don’t know it's there. Located on the uninhabited island of Staffa, it's formed from hexagonal basalt columns. It is believed that Fingal's Cave was made by the same lava flow that created the famous Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland across the sea.
Set in the lush Upper Teesdale countryside, the River Tees wends its way across heather-covered fells and plunges 68 feet (21m) over the rock face at the aptly named High Force waterfall. Part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the views here at the base of the waterfall, and beyond, are breathtaking.
Did you know, the Farne Islands off the northeast coast of England are a haven for puffins? There are over 30,000 pairs here. Summer is the best time to spot the birds as they’re nesting. It’s also a colony for grey seals and hundreds of seal pups are born here every autumn.
St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall is a lovely tidal island with a cobbled causeway that stretches across Mount's Bay. The island boasts sub-tropical gardens and medieval architecture. It looks like a scene from a fairy tale and legend has it that a giant used to live on the Mount and would wade ashore to the mainland to steal livestock.
Speaking of fairy tales, Wistman’s Wood – the highest oakwood forest in the UK – in Devon is more the dark, Brothers Grimm kind. Legend has it that druids performed pagan rituals in the woods and people have described it as feeling haunted.
Known as one of the most iconic seaside towns in Wales, Tenby is a charming coastal resort in the southwest. The pretty pastel houses, sandy white beaches and glittering turquoise waters are just a few reasons why Tenby looks like it belongs in the Mediterranean. There’s plenty of picturesque spots, including the postcard-worthy North Beach (pictured) and the winding Victorian streets of the town centre.
This tropical paradise is actually on the southwestern tip of Scotland, and is the country's most exotic garden. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the tranquil spot is home to an array of colourful and unusual plants from across the globe including New Zealand, South and Central America and Southern Africa.
The highest mountain in the historic county of Argyll, Bidean nam Bian is a majestic mountain range towering over the Scottish Highlands at 3,770 feet (1,150m). The dramatic range features complex ridges, crags, steep summits and various hiking trails towards the peak and surrounding mountains.
A few miles (4.8km) north of Chichester, this mystical canopy of trees also known as Mill Lane grows alongside an ancient track that has sunk over the years from footfall. The enchanting tree-lined path leads to Halnaker Windmill on Halnaker Hill, featuring panoramic views of the stunning surrounding countryside.
Located in the picturesque setting of Snowdonia in Wales, Llyn Padarn is a gorgeous glacially-formed lake just over 10 miles (16km) from bustling Bangor. The pretty lake, seen here reflecting the sky and the scenery, flows for two miles (3.2km) with the Pont Pen y Llyn bridge at the northern edge offering fantastic views.
With a dramatic drop of around 90 feet (27m), Henrhyd Falls is said to be the highest waterfall in south Wales. The stunning display, surrounded by the scenic woodland of Brecon Beacons National Park, also doubled as the Batcave in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises.
Set on the gorgeous Jurassic Coast in Dorset, Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch formed after the sea pierced the rock over 10,000 years ago. Surrounded by a beautiful sandy beach, charming chalk cliffs and blue waters, it looks spectacular at sunset. Durdle Door has become a much-loved attraction since the coast was named England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
Located in Norfolk, the Broads National Park is known for the historic smock drainage mills, similar to those found in the Netherlands, dotted throughout its lush greenery. Pictured here are the ruins of Brograve Windmill, a former 18th-century windpump in Sea Palling, now a Grade II-listed building.
Another pretty spot from the Isle of Skye, this natural phenomenon is as enchanting as its name. Located at the foot of the Black Cuillin near Glenbrittle, these beautiful rock pools are formed by a series of waterfalls from the mountain above. On sunny days, the mythical blue-green waters are clear enough to see the mossy stones at the bottom.
Just over 20 miles (32km) from Snowdonia National Park is Portmeirion, a village unlike any other in the UK. Framed in mountains and facing an estuary, the village was designed between 1925 and 1976 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the style of a colourful Italian village, with a piazza and Baroque-inspired domes. The village has long attracted playwrights, actors and musicians seeking inspiration, including The War of The Worlds author H.G. Wells.
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