What places in the UK take your breath away?

[lovemeorleaveme]

I live in the SW and Devon and Cornwall are just stunning. What places in the UK take your breath away? Looking for holiday inspiration!

[BummyKnocker]

The view from Windy Castle in Surrey on a clear day.

OK, it isn't really Windy Castle from Peppa Pig but I'm sure it was based on this place

lovely

the tower

[WobblyLondoner]

Another vote for the Scottish highlands, especially Assynt.

[DuggeesWoggle]

So much of the landscape of the UK is incredibly beautiful - the wide Norfolk beaches, the wild Knoydart peninsula in NW Scotland, the lake District, the dales. Just a quiet country lane in May/June with a hedgerow bursting with greenery and ancient trees overhead.

It's mainly the bits we've built on that aren't so stunning but even some of those are nice too.

[BettysLeftTentacle]

Fountains Abbey and the North Yorkshire Moors.

[ethelredonagoodday]

Northumberland coast, the lakes, drive up to Scotland through those huge hills (drive to Skye, not sure of name, was a kid last time I did it!)

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Another vote for Harris, and, across the water, the Coigach peninsular.

I'm also quite partial to the view of Ailsa Craig from Kennedys Pass.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

Northumberland, West Coast of Scotland, Highlands, Peak District, Lake District x

[puppymouse]

So excited reading this thread as we are going to Harris for 3 days in January. We're already fans down south of Carbis Bay and St Ives.

[ErrolTheDragon]

We've just been to the Outer Hebrides - the white shell sand beaches, turquoise shading to darker blue water are fabulous ... and then add the wildlife. (And the seafood!)

[sewinginscotland]

Deffo west coast of Scotland! Arran is nice if you've never been before.

[DuggeesWoggle]

Ooh if you get the east coast main line from Newcastle to Edinburgh there's a stretch from Berwick and beyond where the train goes really close to the edge of the cliffs and you are right next to the sea. From Alnwick really it's all beautiful. And people carry on reading/looking at phones while I'm sitting slack jawed with wonder at it. I'm sure the Dawlish line was the same until the storms swept it away.

[Pipsqueak11]

This has inspired me to look at planning a trip to the Hebrides- what's the best way to do it if you were planning a 7-10 day trip? Are the islands connected by road - is there any recommendation for where to base yourself if you want to maximise opportunities to explore but also want to be near pubs / restaurants etc ? Finally i have been deterred from visiting because of all the horror stories about midges - what is best time of year to avoid them? I have a v bad reaction to insect bites normally and guessing midge bites will cause same problem . Any Advice welcome

[ErrolTheDragon]

Pipsqueak - we went end of April/early May, no midge problems - we've also been to mull twice during the May half term holiday and that was fine too.

Others may have more expert advice, but i think there's a couple of different ways to do it.

What we did was drive to Oban, stayed overnight there then ferry to Barra, at the southern end. This is linked by a causeway to Vatersay, a small island with a stunning 'tombolo' pair of beaches. We stayed a couple of nights. If you go to Barra, it's worth seeing it's airport in action (the only scheduled airline where the schedule depends on the tide!) and do book the Kisimul Cafe ... if the idea of an Indian restaurant on a Scottish island sounds unlikely, think again.

Then ferry to Eriskay, and then we drove up to North Uist via South Uist and Benbecula - these are all linked by causeways. We stayed 3 nights in North Uist. The coast round the top of north Uist is particularly fine.

Then ferry to Harris and Lewis - which is actually one island. Harris has the most spectacular combination of scenery, beaches and mountains - and eagles. Lewis has some interesting ancient sites along its west coast, in particular the broch. We had 3 nights in Harris, 2 in Lewis.

And then we took the ferry to Skye for a few nights... but could have instead got a ferry to Ullapool on the mainland.

If you wanted to just stay in one place, I'd choose Harris, if two then I'd combine Harris and north Uist.

The ferries are all Caledonian McBrane.

[Pipsqueak11]

That is so helpful Errol

• thank you so much. I'm going to start planning . Can't wait to explore this part of the world

[SwingoutSisterSledge]

Coniston in the Lake District j7st beautiful

[SwingoutSisterSledge]

Just!

[Doje]

Three Cliffs Bay in the Gower and all of The Lakes.

And a particular view on my way home of Castle Hill in Huddersfield. Spectacular when the sun is low.

[thatmustbenigelwiththebrie]

The west coast of Scotland is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in the UK. I also love the Lake District (where I live). Parts of Wales can also be lovely. Yorkshire Dales are OK on a good day.I also love the North York Moors when the sun is out. Quite bleak when it's not.

Went down south for a holiday over Christmas and found the scenery very boring (Cotswolds etc).

[Skyejuly]

Fairy glen...Skye

Walberswick...suffolk

[GorkyMcPorky]

Llangrannog (west Wales in general) but here particularly.

[Evap0ratedM1lk]

Lots of beautiful places, but depends on the weather too;
Outer Hebrides
Norfolk Broads
All National Parks
Coastal towns & villages
Some parts of cities
Islands
Not made it to Orkney, Shetland or Scily isles yet, but look good

[Gone2far]

The Reading Room on the 2nd floor of the Wellcome Foundation in London.
Before it burnt down, Macintosh's library at Glasgow Art School .

[Fakeflowersandlemonade]

West coast of Scotland is my happy place. I live in a coastal town in the NE of England and I think think that is pretty special but does not come close to Scotland.

[MoobaaMoobaa]

Malham cove.

No picture can come anywhere near close to what you see and feel at being there. I love the walk to the top past Janets foss, and standing at the bottom looking up is something else.

[Miljah]

Take home message: It Depends Upon The Weather.