Whether you want to discover remote islands, explore nature-filled national parks or experience local life, we’ve got you covered. Here, Rachel Laidler rounds up Great Britain’s most incredible spots.
The Lake District
While this UNESCO World Heritage Site looks spectacular whatever the season, we think spring is one of the best times to visit. Not only will you avoid the summer crowds, but from March onwards the Lakes begin to bloom, with an undulating wave of daffodils, primroses and bluebells enveloping the landscape.
Plus, April 2020 marked the 250th birthday of wordsmith William Wordsworth, many of whose poems celebrate the region’s spectacular natural beauty. To commemorate the occasion, Wordsworth’s charming home, Dove Cottage, has been fully refurbished, while the fascinating Wordsworth Museum, which traces the poet’s life story, has been expanded for the occasion. Explore both, then admire tranquil Grasmere from the museum’s brand-new viewing platform.
Scilly Isles
Come May, there’s even more reason to visit when these sub-tropical islands get festive. Learn how to weave, potter and fuse glass with the help of local craftspeople at the Creative Scilly festival, then soak up traditional sounds at the Isles of Scilly Folk Festival. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Low Tide Experience. This pop-up foodie fest, which takes advantage of the low spring tides, sees food and drink stalls set up on the skinny sandbar that stretches between Tresco and Bryher – so grab a G&T and a serving of fresh paella, and feel the sand between your toes.
Orkney
A mere hop, skip and a jump from John O’Groats, Orkney echoes with the sound of squawks and screeches during the summer months. This cacophonous chorus is all thanks to the legions of seabirds who come to nest on the islands’ craggy sandstone cliffs.
One of the best places to see these feathered flyers is at Noup Cliffs, just one of a total 13 RSPB nature reserves found on the islands. Below the blooming wildflowers that embroider the clifftop, spy the nests of yellow-headed gannets, blunt-beaked razorbills and red-booted arctic terns. If you’re there in early summer, you might even glimpse the unmistakable bright bills of puffins, known locally as tammie norrie.
Beyond the birdlife, Orkney is a great place to celebrate the summer solstice. Not only does the archipelago’s capital, Kirkwall, host the midsummer St Magnus International Festival, with inspiring performances of music, dance, drama and poetry, the solstice is also marked by pagan-inspired celebrations at the mystical Ring of Brodgar. Join locals as they gather at nearby Comet Stone to watch the sunset over this Neolithic stone circle. If you fancy it, why not bring a sleeping bag and hunker down for sunrise? At around 4am, this ancient ring of monoliths and the surrounding windswept landscape are gently illuminated in the glittering golden rays of dawn.
Bristol
After a summer city break? Bristol ticks all the boxes. A historic seaport, offbeat Bristol is home to cutting-edge museums and galleries, awe-inspiring architecture – including the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge – and a vibrant music and theatre scene. The city’s streets are awash with cool, quirky and often subversive street art, and there are plenty of lush parks that are just perfect for picnicking in, from deer-dotted Ashton Court Estate to the city’s oldest park, Brandon Hill.
If all this wasn’t enough to tempt you, Bristol is also overflowing with incredible festivals. Things kick off with Upfest, Europe’s largest festival of live street art, while beer enthusiasts won't want to miss the sud-filled Bristol Craft Beer Festival. The city’s Pride is award-winning, St Paul's Carnival celebrates Bristol’s Afro-Caribbean culture with a kaleidoscopically colourful parade, and the water-side Harbour Festival showcases the city’s maritime heritage, with live music, foodie markets and circus shows.
Our pick of the bunch though, has to be the extraordinary Bristol Balloon festival where over 100 hot-air balloons fill the skies above the city. There are also fairground rides, fireworks and the magical Night Glows event, where countless balloons illuminate the star-flecked sky in time to music. We love this festival so much, in fact, that we showcased it on the cover of our DK Eyewitness Great Britain travel guide.
Pembrokeshire
There are seaside adventures galore, from adrenaline-inducing coasteering and cliff diving to more chilled out activities such as sea kayaking, surfing and coastal walking. In fact, one of Britain’s best long-distance walking routes is found here: the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which traces the county’s undulating coastline over 300 km (186 miles).
Outside of the great outdoors, you’ll find charming coastal towns and villages such as pastel-hued Tenby, pub-filled Newport and tiny, artsy Porthgain. Not to be missed is St David’s, Britain’s smallest city, offering up an historic cathedral (once home to Wales’ patron saint), excellent cafes and a truly laid-back vibe.
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