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.

Snowdonia. Northumberland, Scottish Borders. Cornwall.

Probably too far, but the most stunning scenery I have seen is in Shetland. We took the kids there in 2018 and are going back this may. The cliffs at Eshaness are breathtaking.

I’d probably do the Jurassic coast - I know you said not Dorset but there is so much to see and do! Otherwise the beauty of the Yorkshire dales or the peaks- prefer that to the lakes if I’m honest.

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Definitely Eryri, Anglesey and N. Wales in general. I grew up in a couple of the stunning areas mentioned upthread. But Eryri absolutely blew me away.

Northr wales anywhere in snowdonia and beyond for mountain beauty. For sea and mountain backdrop which is even more spectacular stay around Criccieth (on the train) or Nefyn (bus ride) and explore the whole peninsula. Need patient kids for local buses which are OK or access to a car. You can get along the whole coast by train from Birmingham and Shrewsbury (the line that terminates at Pwllheli after Bovey Junction ) so it’s possible to arrive by train. Any stop after Porthmadog will give access to sting scenery but Criccieth is prettiest to stay at, laid out along the coast. You’ll find more choice of wet weather/indoor activities in Pwllheli itself so factor in age of your kids.

Yorkshire Dales. Like going back in time. Find a holiday cottage in a small village. Sheep, hills, waterfalls. So peaceful.

Also thank you for not flying for a UK holiday. I’m the same. Can’t justify it.

The good thing about the peak district is it is so easy to get to. Sheffield, Manchester and Derby are all close. The M1 runs close. There are train services to loads of places, not just the towns like Buxton and Matlock but some tiny villages in the hills like Edale and Hope.

Although the scenery is bleak in the dark peak you are never far from civilisation. If you want dramatic scenery but don't want to feel isolated try staying at Castleton a lovely big village with several pubs and cafes. No trains but a good bus service. Walking distance to the caves, and Mam Tor, close to other dramatic walks.

Although the dark peak is quite bleak the white peak is pretty and chocolate box, not at all bleak. Places like Dovedale and Lathkill Dale are beautiful and there are pretty villages like Ilam and Tissington to stay in.

If you fancy a change from hiking there are some super stately homes to explore. Obviously there's Chatsworth but Haddon Hall, Tissington Hall and Eyam Hall are all interesting too, Ilam Hall and Hartington Hall both have hostel accommodation you can stay in.

There's also the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit to Cromford the birthplace of the industrial revolution is a good stop off on the journey from the south.

Yes North Wales is beautiful (born and bred and still here) but it will be rammed. Be warned.

Upper Swaledale, the northern-most of the main Yorkshire Dales. And its side dales.

I love the hills around Abergavenny.. they are less bleak than the more stark north Wales. Easier journey for you.

This. Fly up there. You won't regret it. It's the most incredible place I've ever been and I've travelled the world.

Yesss to Antrim coast, Isle of Purbeck less rugged but brilliant for kids, or the Jurassic coast around Abbotsbury/West Bay/Charmouth. I love places that are beautiful but slightly under the radar and mid-Wales/Shropshire/Herefordshire fits the brief perfectly. Slightly obsessed with the misty, witchy vibe around there.

Came here to say this. I went this summer and it's now my favourite place in the world!

The cottages at King Arthur Hotel on the Gower would fit the bill.

We did a road trip to the highlands. Went up through Birmingham and Lake District and came back via York and Leeds and making stops at certain points. We were lucky with the weather in the highlands. It was amazing.

Indeed Scotland is big. You would not 'do' England in a week or even a fortnight, and Scotland in some ways is bigger and more diverse than England.
When you do come, don't spend all your time driving. You need to choose a few places and stop to really walk and explore to get the best from Scotland. You need to get ferries. Lie on beaches you didn't know could be so beautiful. Sit in a silent pine forest. Climb further than you thought possible to a mountain top with a view so far you struggle to count the mountains. Visit islands that feel like another country. And so, so much more.

Peak District
North York Moors
Yorks Dales

Oh Northumbria also

I'd agree that Yorkshire is stunning. We've had some of our favourite UK holidays in various parts of Yorkshire.

But. We also loved the northern Irish coast. Blew our minds how breathtaking it all was. And the Isle of Man. Being an island you're never far from the coast. The tram ride from Douglas to Ramsey was so picturesque, we were stunned into silence and just sat and took it all in. It was something else. I was also amazed at how much there was to do there. A week was not long enough by any stretch of the imagination.