What UK holiday destinations do you recommend to your friends and where to avoid as a tourist?

I've visited Belfast which was low-key intense because of the history of the place, Edinburgh which is simply beautiful and a great tourist city, and London where we did most of the official tourist stuff you see advertised like London Eye, Madame Tussauds, changing of the guard etc.

Areas of natural beauty or special UK known local secret treasures where tourists don't usually go because they don't know about them and they're not "official" or common tourist destinations especially welcome.

Anywhere you found disappointing or just not tourist friendly (if any) give me a heads up please! Not really looking for "tourist trap" places unless they're really good and I'd be missing out not to know. Cheers!

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jelly10001@reddit

The Peak District and Northumberland are both beautiful parts of England that aren't overrun with tourists.

York I found disappointing last time I went because The Shambles is now overun with Harry Potter tat shops and also you have to avoid when the races are on, as all the hotels in the city centre get booked up.

Liverpool I loved going to The Beatles Story Museum, but the row upon row of boarded up houses outside the city centre was depressing, although that was back in 2007 so I think so things might have changed now.

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HotBackground2867@reddit

Midlands / Worcestershire. People often don’t go inland. Loads cheaper. Beautiful countryside. Great attractions; Cadbury World, Think Tank, National Space museum, etc.

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WorcsBloke@reddit

Worcestershire, you say? Agreed, but it's a tricky county. Evesham ought to be lovely and (bar the riverside area) unfortunately really isn't. Go to nearby Pershore instead - smaller but nicer. On the other hand, I find Droitwich strangely pleasant on a nice day in spite of it being completely untouristy. Bewdley is a solid choice. Stourport feels like an inland version of a struggling small seaside resort. Malvern obviously, but pick a hill other than the Worcestershire Beacon if you don't want to share the summit with 500 other people. Worcester itself is okay and the cathedral is great, but it can be just a tad rough in the evenings (by local standards! this isn't Blackpool). Tenbury Wells if you want to feel you're at the end of the world...

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

The coast of North East Scotland is a mix of rugged coastline and golden beaches with rock formations that are stunning. The towns and villages are interesting and authentic and the Cairngorms are only ever half an hour or so away.

See Elgin - Cullen - Pennan - Banff for examples

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OldGodsAndNew@reddit

Then you hear the locals speaking, and immediatley regret coming

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

I’ve found most tourists think Doric is interesting.

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whippetrealgood123@reddit

You've forgotten Findhorn, hopeman and Lossie. Findhorn is one of my favourite beaches.

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

Findlater castke, sandend, tarlair…. The list of cool stuff in that bit of coast is insane.

Bullers of Buchan, slains, ratra head, crimsons animal reserve….

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Minimum_Salad9372@reddit

I think you can drive past Stonehenge and claim to have seen it all. I lived next to it for years and it isn't exciting.

Id rather visit a city like York or Salisbury than London. Just my opinion obviously.

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crescentmoonrising@reddit

If you want a stone circle, Avebury is the superior option.

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OldGodsAndNew@reddit

Ring of Brodgar is the best one

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General-Bumblebee180@reddit

and the local church is interesting. very old font etc

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StuartHunt@reddit

I definitely wouldn't recommend Wrexham, even with all the hype surrounding Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. It's still a shit hole.

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NoEnthusiasm2@reddit

Definitely one of the most depressing places in Wales

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dwair@reddit

No. It's been horrid since the early '80s at least. Maybe decades or even centuries longer. Even the Romans didn't like the place much.

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StuartHunt@reddit

I know that better than most, it's my home town lol.

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fart_simpson_@reddit

It’s no Port Talbot 😂

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StuartHunt@reddit

Port Talbot is great, if you like that post apocalyptic Vibe they have going on 🤣

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fart_simpson_@reddit

The M4 running straight through it is a lovely feature.

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YchYFi@reddit

I went to a lovely pub in the centre. Landlady had Guinness already prepped for some people in the fridge.

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dwair@reddit

As a Cornish, I can only recommend avoiding Cornwall completely and going to Devon. It's honestly rubbish here. Devon is much better.

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roloem91@reddit

Margate in the summer is absolutely gorgeous, lovely food spots, interesting history and sandy beaches. Also close to Broadstairs for more exploring.

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Awkward-Impress-2636@reddit

Edinburgh avoid Edinburgh, we’ve enough tourists as it is.

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koalateacow@reddit

Edinburgh genuinely feels like its stuck in August mode these days and August is just a whole new level of hell

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Narrow-Device-3679@reddit

Omw

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Both-Firefighter-668@reddit

I have travelled the world and only just last month made it to Edinburgh! Possibly the busiest touristy place I have visited (over Rome, Venice, London, New York etc), I am sure numbers wise it’s not top but given the size it was so crowded. Still beautiful though!

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Medical-Fox2471@reddit

The Norfolk and Suffolk coast is lovely

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Ok_Contract3027@reddit

Try Derbyshire Peak District for countryside views

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OldFizzgig@reddit

York is lovely, but one I'd save for off-peak holiday time.

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bahumat42@reddit

Skip Stonehenge, if you want old stones check out aylesbury, it's free, less busy and you can get right up to them.

Skip the London eye, it costs too much and the views are worse than other viewpoints in the city.

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Come to the Highlands with a tent and a sleeping bag and just walk. You don't even need much of a plan. Just come for a walk, when you get a bit tired have a sleep. Takenyour watch off, it's summer, just do what feels natural with your body and the elements. Our pubs are great fun and we love a wanderer. If you happen to come by my house I'll invite you in for a brew and a toastie.

There's some tourist attractions around us but honestly just get into the wilderness and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of it all.

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Narrow-Device-3679@reddit

Gosh that sounds good.

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy overseas holidays as much as the next person.

But a week of just wandering, maybe staying in the office bothy, camping where you like, cool fresh water from streams, walking for a while day without seeing another soul, is really grounding. I really value being connected to nature, and so being able to just wander into a forest from my front door after work and set up a hammock for me and the dog is the dream.

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Narrow-Device-3679@reddit

You ever though about writing smut? I'm almost there.

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Oh gawd I wasn't expecting that and literally spat out my gulp of squash!

I do keep a diary though. I can send you some extracts if you want 😂

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IntrepidMaybe8579@reddit

😂😂😂 oh my daiiis

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Its_all_sabai@reddit

This is random but I’ve just got back from the Vale of Pewsey and it’s so pretty. Amazing scenery and chocolate box villages to rival the Cotswolds. Very ancient feeling and a bit pagan if you like that vibe.

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General-Bumblebee180@reddit

they have an excellent night carnival

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PARFT@reddit

North west Wales and in particular Anglesey. Least friendly place in the world.

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Groovy66@reddit

Blackpool is grim af. It’s full of pissed OAP Scots with an average of one tooth per three people

I went once as an adult and swore I’d never return. Went again as a parent thinking the daytime funfair experience and it was passable.

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Recidivist67@reddit

It's genuinely some weird meeting point for the absolute worst Rangers fans. Feel for the people of Blackpool having to desk with it.

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Toe_Bean_Bandit@reddit

I think it's a nice day trip on a nice day, good amusements, very good theme park and water park, a zoo, the tower and it's circus etc.

I wouldn't be staying there on holiday or venturing as it's a very rough area overall, but the attractions have a lot to offer.

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Darkgreenbirdofprey@reddit

Reddit hates Blackpool. But on a sunny day it's better than any UK beach resort.

It has soft sand, a relatively clean sea that comes in, 3 active piers that reach the sea, a decent zoo, a decent theme park, a good aquarium.

Like what have people really got against it? Working class people?

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CrossCityLine@reddit

Yeah agreed, the seafront is fine (don’t go more than 1 street back). The pleasure beach is decent, so is the zoo, and Stanley Park is really nice.

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EldritchCleavage@reddit

Scilly Isles, Essex coast.

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yoloswaggins92@reddit

Liverpool and Newcastle are both class city breaks.

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glibduck@reddit

I agree with this. Don't discount Chester or York either. Both charming cities.

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yoloswaggins92@reddit

Aye York is lovely, never been to Chester yet

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NoEnthusiasm2@reddit

Most of North Wales is very scenic. Avoid South Wales because they speak funny.

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YchYFi@reddit

Alright butt

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louwyatt@reddit

Aberystwyth is lovely seaside town in Wales that has a lot of Welsh and international culture. Its especially good for walking, as you have the costal path going through.

Theres a cute steam powered train that can take you up to devil bridge. Which has a beautiful walk with waterfalls.

Theres a Victorian funicular to take you up a little hill to a restaurants and mini bowling thing.

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DrMamaBear@reddit

Northumberland

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Greedy-Ad-3779@reddit

Low key intense? Oxymoron.

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Darrowby_385@reddit

That's the kids for you. Like, literally.

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Fingers_9@reddit

Gower is incredible. I love Swansea, but it's not for everyone.

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Toe_Bean_Bandit@reddit

Some of the loveliest places I've been too: - Cornwall - absolutely stunning, friendly and amazing if you catch nice weather - Lake district - again beautiful area and great if you are an outdoorsy person - Peak district - some lovely walks and pubs - Pembrokeshire and surrounding areas like Tenby is southwest Wales are lovely, as is a lot of north west Wales and the very west coast - Scotland - Edinburgh, st Andrews, the lochs and Highlands stand out as amazing places

For city breaks outside of London look at York, Manchester, Bath and Cardiff as these are my personal favourites.

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Wild-Second998@reddit

Graduated from York last year - is an amazing city and would 100% recommend. Beautiful minster, so many independent businesses and good variety of pubs/bars/restaurants. Also close to Dales/Moors if you want to go for a hike

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Darrowby_385@reddit

The Esat Neuk of Fife is very pretty, not hugely tourist, well Anstruther is. And the Angus coastline and inland around Edzell and places like Clova. I'd not recommend Edinburgh Old Town. Its become this weird, toy-town tourist trap. Really rather grim.

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impermanence108@reddit

York is beautiful.

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limitedregrett@reddit

Southwold is a lovely weekend away.

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myrargh@reddit

PYO at the Southwold flower farm!

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UKMatt2000@reddit

Make sure to visit Tim Hunkin’s quirky Under the Pier Show arcade, which is actually on the pier.

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jessikatnip7@reddit

The Cairngorms, it’s such a beautiful place!

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ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit

Bath is amazing. Lived there for 2.5 years during/after Covid. Was amazing.

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L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit

I enthusiastically tell all my friends to go - somewhere. where doesn't matter, I don't particularly care. I just want them to go and then I can secretly live in their fabulous houses while they're away, rent free indefinitely, spread out over the course of the year.

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