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.

This. We did this (although we drove to Glasgow). Absolutely beautiful and top holiday.

The fens in East Anglia. You want drama? Mist rising up out of the black earth. It's so spooky you will think you see ghosts!
And there is very little sound. It's like time has ended. My dad made up a story about fenlanders worshipping the devil when I was about 8 and off school sick. He had to take me with him as he went for a part for a tractor or something, (farming family). I believed him until I was at University and checked all the actual social history of the area.
Also you don't have to walk uphill! And there hasn't been a crowd in rural East Anglia since the Black Death so its nice and peaceful, scary but peaceful.

I'd also recommend the Isle of Wight. It's close and easy to get to, but just the fact you have to get the ferry (or hovercraft) makes the journey exiting and you feel like you're going abroad.

There are some lovely beaches, the countryside is beautiful, there are red squirrels and also lots of children friendly activities.

We used to take our 2 DC there when they were little (they're now in their 20s!) but I went back last year and walked the coastal path and it was still fabulous.

I would pick north Wales / Eryri national park every time. It's actually easier to get the mountain feeling here, than in Scotland where the distances are bigger and the mountains more remote.

Either Llanberis or Beddgelert would make a great base sourrounded by mountain scenery and if you're renting a cottage you might even find something just outside the village which could feel very remote.

Plenty for children to do in the area, lots of attractions and some low level, easy walks with great views all the same. And you also have some amazing beaches and seaside too, especially just over the water on Anglesey.

I was going to suggest Barmouth too. Felt a bit Cape Towny being on the beach with mountains. We liked dolgellau nearby.
We live quite near the Peak District and it always amazes me how stunning it is and then I promise I will visit again soon and then don't, so you've prompted me!

West coast Scotland/Glen Coe area. Like Lake District/snowdonia if they were done properly 😜

This.

Purbeck is a good shout, too, though Dorset and the IoW probably aren't the dramatic sort of landscape you want, if you were thinking Highlands, lovely as they are.

Isle of Arran - it's known as Scotland in miniature due to having Highlands and Lowlands.
It's a lovely place.

If you want somewhere closer then the north and south downs can be brilliant. Box Hill has dramatic views, as does Ditchling Beacon. And most of the area is open access land so you can easily find routes to suit all appetites/interest levels.

Try Dartmoor then, it’s great for that “huge expanse of sky” feeling. Kids tend to love seeing the ponies roaming around too.

I grew up in Eryri (near Barmouth) and agree with those suggesting it, but I have two extras in Wales to put forwards - Ceredigion/Pembrokeshire (Mwnt, Cei Newydd, Aberaeron, Tyddewi - all gorgeous places), and the Gower (Three Cliffs Bay, Rhosili, all the way up to Penclawdd - absolutely stunning, but with the city of Swansea and town of Llanelli right on your doorstep if you need anything or want to do something different).

North Wales is amazing, but if you can do without rugged mountains and settle for beautiful peace, child friendly hills and lots for kids to do I'd suggest Shropshire. Much closer.

There is NOTHING to do for tiny kids in most of the highlands, they are busy, over touristy with coach tours and the weather can be unpredictable even in May. Beaches are a good bet for small children but most of the cafes, pubs etc in scenic areas are geared towards middle aged people with dogs and are pretty un child friendly.
Basing yourself in Aviemore or Crieff might be doable but again a long way even if you did hire a car.
I'd go to Normandy or Brittany, huge beaches, statics or chalets in parcs with amenities, wild countryside and only a couple of hours away.

Honestly it's like this all over.

I’ve just looked this up and it looks beautiful ! Do you have any tips for visiting the area with two children aged 7 and 10?

This is all wonderful! Thank you. Going to sit down and work through suggestions and put together a plan.

I seem to have been pushed away from the Lake District (not forever but at busy times) and towards Wales after reading some comments.

Scotland too seems too 'big' and probably too far for just a week in half term. I want to plan it all a bit better as have been wanting to do it for years.

Dorset and IoW definitely would make a lovely holiday but I'm not sure they would have the drama I'm after. I live near the South Downs and can easily get to pretty landscapes but I think I need more than that.

We had a lovely holiday in Shropshire some years ago! But I can't stop thinking of the mountains in Wales. And my son would go mad for the train up the mountain.

I reckon I've got holiday ideas for some years to come in this thread ☺️

Can't thank everyone enough.

North Wales is best as you have the Coast and the mountains / Hills, plenty of nice water falls too and less rainfall than the Lakes

I think I am sold on North Wales. Just tying myself in knots now trying to find the perfect cottage.

Have loved all the other suggestions too I am making a list of places to visit in the future!

Some North Wales ideas here
Be quick to screen shot them as the website is going next month.
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk
Other notable places
Bala The Lake
Llangollen All sorts in a small town / village
Harlech, Barmouth and the Llyn Peninsular. Root out some of the less popular places Trevor is a lovely quiet place good for Crab fishing but not popular as it's just a beach with toilets and a cafe.
A bit further south and if you like the TV Crime series Hinterland you can easily tack Borth and Devils bridge on to this trip.

https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-10-lad-dad-trip-to-mid-wales-and-internal-fire-museum/

When my DC were small DH used to take them to Llandudno for a few days. Tram up the Great Orme and walk down, slate mines, Snowdon train and Ffestiniog Railway

Oh, bleak isn't the word I would use to describe most of it. Beautiful certainly, especially if you stay in the White Peak area rather than the Dark Peak.

A PP suggested Buxton as a base. This is certainly a lovely town but I would think somewhere near Bakewell would be even more central. Loads of lovely walks in the area.

Chatsworth is also worth a visit. Even if you are not remotely interested in stately homes the parkland on the estate is very beautiful.

Yorkshire dales, or north Yorkshire moors. I live in Yorkshire, been all over the country and the next best thing to God's
own county is North Wales.

Glencoe

The western Highlands is, in my opinion, the best scenery in the UK. I live on the border of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Both are pretty, rather than dramatic but I guess if you live in London they will both be more dramatic than where you've come from.

Wales always seems a bit bleak to me, and I say that as a Cumbrian.

I love all of these suggestions. NW is beautiful, just over the border with Cheshire there is Delamere forest if you fancy some forest bathing.

N yorks has some amazing places to visit: Hallam cove is breath taking as is Brimham Rocks. If you have DCs the forbidden corner is a fun and quirky day out which will certainly help you to escape your troubles.

Just to throw in another suggestion: The Forest of Dean is a beautiful and lush place to unwind and these are some stunning views. It is close enough to Cheddar Gorge which is breathtaking.