Best place for dramatic scenery in UK

[theweirdthings]

I want to book a holiday for May half term and due to some tricky life things at the moment I need the healing power of nature. Would love the Highlands but doubt can travel that far (I'm south of London).

Any tips for dramatic scenery in the UK? Am thinking Lake District but open to other options. Family of four with two kids. One preschool age.

Eryri in Wales, formerly known in English as Snowdonia. The popular bits are very busy but there are so many wonderful, dramatic mountains that don't really attract many visitors.

Definitely Lake District, will be very busy in the holidays but loads for kids to do e.g. boat trips, easy walks, there’s some great museums in Keswick and near Windermere.

I know you said Highlands to far but I'd fly to glasgow and then rent a car to go out to glencoe. On to West Coast beaches if weather OK.
You can beat it in England imo

The golden valley Herefordshire

Ok thank you I'll look at Eryri too. Have never been there but would like to explore Wales more.

I can't tell you how desperate I am to go to the Highlands but I'm not sure a week will be long enough and I might wait until my youngest is a bit older and less wild.

I just want to be able to take a breath and step out of the tough things in life. I want to close my eyes and hear the birds and let my eyes stretch far into the distance.

The Peak district for ruggedly beautiful - feel it can be a bit overlooked but god it's gorgeous

I did think of the Peak District actually as have been about twenty years ago and loved its rugged wild bleak beauty. It's the bleak that worries me. Will confider it! I guess partly it's getting the right place to stay. Somewhere that is relaxing but also easy with the kids.

The Lake District is just brilliant, you've got it all even a coast. My favourite place

I'd take the sleeper train rather than fly.

If thinking wales, look at south side of snowdonia - Dolgellau was a nice base

Peak District was beautiful.

I love the lake district but hate the crowds, only an hour away so can choose when to go. A week in the highlands would do it for me, or get to some of the Isles, It isn't far, fly as someone suggested, or train, and you can get a long way in not many hours. The North coast and Murray Firth are outstanding.
Or if you want something really rugged, try one street back from the front in Blackpool, you'll struggle to find anything more rugged than that.

Wales is closer, is that possible? Or how about the Peak District, not as dramatic as the highlands of Scotland but only a couple of hours on the intercity north of London plus a stopping train. I recommend the Hope Valley

Northumberland - Hadrians Wall, Kielder Forest, coastline

How about Dartmoor? Could combine with some day trips to the seaside.

Cornwall?

Isle of Man?

North Wales/Eryri, and the Peak District beat the shit out of the Lake District for stunning scenery, imho.

Peak District - especially if you have a drive up Winnats Pass.

Chrome & Parkhouse hills are stunning in fact all the Dove Valley is.

I want to avoid Devon and Cornwall as I love them but lots of memories from childhood there and I need a mental break and to be somewhere with no emotional attachment.

Interesting the comment that North Wales beats the Lake District!

Glencoe is worth the trip, Glen Etive too. Otherworldly.

Lake district has best scenery but always feels a bit crowded and touristy to me.

Kielder water is amazing and feel totally in the middle of nowhere.

Yorkshire Dales stunning.... Malham cove/Goredale Scar my fave for scenery.

The Scottish NW coastal route, the 500. Nothing short of spectacular. Just When you think you’ve seen surely the most perfect vista, there goes another one.

I wouldn't go to Snowdonia with little kids - not much to keep them entertained and you wont be able to do much mountain climbing!

Bowness in Windermere is a good shout, there's lovely walks, waterfalls etc as well as the Beatrix Potter Museum (which is very sweet), train museum, aquarium, crazy golf, a big waterside park - all sorts really. You can get the ferry across the lake and do the walk to Beatrix Potters actual cottage too.

Elan valley in Wales. Beautiful scenery, easy to get to and not over run with tourists.

Isle of Man. You can fly easyJet from Gatwick