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.

The Northern Lake District. Keswick is a lovely town surrounded by mountains, lakes, and near Whinlatter forest, an amazing mountain forest.

@JoanCollinsDiva I was looking at the Eryri walks and thinking I might get frustrated not being able to do them. All the trains look fun though!

Lake District does seem to have so much to do but I accept it will be busy. I don't think I'll mind that as long as our accommodation is a bit away from it all.

We wouldn't fly within the UK so would have to be car or train. But that's ok.

If the Lake District is too crowded, then the North York Moors could be a good option, absolutely stunning and beautiful coastline.

If you do decide on the lakes - we have stayed at the White Cross Bay Parcdean resort in the past and it was very nice - there's also a swimming pool on-site.
If you have a bigger budget and want somewhere more luxurious The Swan hotel at newby bridge has some gorgeous holiday cottages. But there's obviously loads in between as well. There's a steam train ride that takes you to the aquarium that the dc's always loved and a ride on the boat along Windermere is a must. We love the Lakes and go often.

There are lots of low level shorter walks you can do with children in Eryri, but it depends how good they are at walking! I live there and do so much with my 2 year old while carrying the 1 year old. But my 2 year old loves walking.

There are walks below Siabod from Capel, or around Llyn Ogwen and then up a little towards Tryfan that put you right in the mountains but are only 4 miles and not a lot of ascent but you still get the mountain scenery.

The train around Llyn Padarn is great fun. There is also a little model train in Betws-y- Coed. And great mines in Blaneu if that children would be interested in those.

Lake District is prettier but not as wildly beautiful if that makes sense? And completely heaving in holiday season, you can barely move!

The Peak District is a good suggestion. I think it's more ruggedly beautiful than the Lakes and not as touristy. Grasmere was grim when we were there last year at Easter.

Or what about Dorset, specifically the Isle of Purbeck? Won't interfere with old memories of Cornwall and Devon, loads to do, incredibly beautiful scenery.

Just to offer an alternative, the Isle of Wight. Ventnor is an interesting place to explore. Red squirrels, The Needles, Ryde beach. A good holiday with young dc. Definitely a tonic for me.

1000000% Wales shits all over the lake district. Pembrokeshire is beautiful too.

Lake District is over rated and too touristy IMO!

Wales & lots of great places in Wales mentioned by pp ...

Plus, for more inspiration
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/article/2024/may/28/llyn-peninsula-north-wales-eco-campsite-glamping-family-holiday

Gower

Sail and rail to Isle of Man, loving the other iom love on here. Stay in port Erin, there’s a beautiful beach. And a mountain with a train up it, lots of trams, glens, castles. It’s beautiful.

or Northumberland, easy by train, go to Alnwick . Great beaches there.

The Scottish borders are really wild and much closer than the Highlands! You could combine it with hdrians wall and Northumberland too- much quieter than lake district and closer than highlands.

Northumberland or the North Yorkshire Moors.
Both wild and rugged but other bits to do for kids if you want that - the Notth Yorkshire Moors Railway, Whitby and Scarborough close.

Also in Northumberland there is Alnwick castle with its gardens and lilidorei. Holy Island and some spectacular beaches as well as the hills further inland.

That's exactly what I came on to say. I don't think anything comes close to the beauty of Llanberis Pass; it's outstanding and awe-inspiring.

The Brecon Beacons and then into the Pembrokeshire coast.

Eyri is so very beautiful and the train up Snowdon is amazing with young kids. The views are spectacular and certainly take you 'out of yourself' if you know what I mean

Pembrokeshire coast is beautiful, lake district is lovely but extremely busy. Northumberland is lovely, Alnwick, Bamburgh, Seahouses, holy island or head further inland and explore Hadrians Wall..

The Highlands are absolutely out of this world! We have done Lewis & Harris, Skye, NC500, Glencoe, Cairngorms, West coast such as oban, dunoon, central belt such as Pitlochry, strathyre, SW Scotland... Isle of Arran.. Ayrshire...

Nothing compares 100%

If you're thinking of the Peaks - Buxton is a good base for exploring if you're driving - a great park for running around and some indoors things if you need them.

How about Eskdale in the lakes? It is much quieter there.

If flying is an option, fly into Belfast, hire a car and head up to North Antrim coast. You have Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-rede ropebridge, Rathlin island, Ballintoy harbour. All stunning, and weather is usually good in May. NI don't have a May school holiday so it would be nice and quiet too.

Think North Wales will probably do you, but a small vote for Three Cliffs Bay in Wales. Unbelievably spectacular and gorgeous. The campsite on the cliffs is amazing (though not fenced or anything).

An easier but also beautiful option is the Ambleside youth hostel. Right on Windermere itself.

Lake Vyrnwy or the Elan Valley.

Have a look at Barmouth in Snowdonia. Gorgeous beaches backed by beautiful mountains.

The Lakes. Go to Crummock, Buttermere, Loweswater, Ennerdale, Wastewater - much quieter.

I'm Scottish and love the Highlands but dislike Glencoe intensely - bleak and barren, even on a good day.

The north Pembrokeshire coast. Avoid St David’s and Whitesands beach though- they get stupidly busy.