With so many famous venues that attract millions of visitors each year, the UK remains one of the world’s favorite places to visit at least once in your lifetime. But if you find yourself wanting to get away from the throngs of tourists and madding crowds for a bit, then you might want to escape to some of these hidden gems. Sometimes the most unassuming places can be the ones that really stay with you – enjoy!
Camley Street Natural Park, Central London
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The last thing you might expect to find amid the hustle and bustle of London is a tiny oasis of calm, home to birds, beehives, butterflies, and waterways filled with fish and amphibians! And yet, situated right between King’s Cross and St Pancras, you find the Camley Street Natural Park – two hectares of previously unused industrial land along the Regent’s Canal that has been painstakingly restored include woodland, grassland, and wetland habitats. If you’re visiting London, then make sure to include a stop here to marvel at the tranquility that can exist right next to two of the world’s busiest stations.
Dunwich, Suffolk Coast – a quintessential seaside town
In days gone by, Dunwich used to be a bustling city with an important seaport for the export of wool and grain – but today, only a small village remains. Best known for its beautiful shingle beach and Heath and Forest reserve, it’s a truly idyllic seaside spot to really get away from it all. It’s the perfect destination for birdwatchers or arranging a ‘deer safari’ to see the stags in action during the Autumn months when they battle for the females’ affections!
Three miles of the coastal park provide the perfect rambling route for dog owners before stopping off at The Ship, the famous local pub and inn. Here you can enjoy such British favorites as fish and chips, steak and ale pie, lamb, pea and mint casserole, and bread and butter pudding, all washed down with local beers and ales!
Walking tours of Manchester
With so much history in one city, a guided walking tour is one of the best ways to really experience a place’s culture and history – and Manchester offers some of the best tour guides out there! Most walks take about an hour, and you’ll get to see a historic Roman fort, St Peter’s Square, the Rochdale Canal, Duke’s lock, the lovely Bridgewater canal basin, the scenic St John’s Gardens, and much, much more!
Paintballing in Manchester is also a popular activity if you’re looking to add a bit of excitement and adventure to your stay!
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Cocoa Wonderland, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
If you’re a fan of all things chocolaty, then you’ve come to the right place! This miniature wonderland boasts its own handmade chocolate factory and rows upon rows of sparkling glass jars filled with every kind of sweet delight you could imagine. It’s every childhood fantasy come to life before your very eyes. Enjoy a cup of proper hot chocolate or some tea and cake while you indulge your sweet tooth like never before!
Bekonscot Model Village, Buckinghamshire
The world’s oldest model village, Bekonscot, presents a series of fascinating views of Britain, miniaturized and frozen in time that delight parents and children alike. Now open for over 80 years, the model village has become something of a historical art installation as well, and gardens, a children’s play area, and a ride-on railway have all been added in recent years. If you have little ones in tow or had a train set of your own as a child, then this is a must-see!
Cass Sculpture Foundation, Goodwood, West Sussex
Experience 26 acres of bluebell-carpeted, idyllic Sussex woodlands with a difference! The Cass Sculpture Foundation is home to an ever-changing variety of about 50 large-scale outdoor contemporary sculptures along with two indoor gallery spaces featuring some of the most prominent and groundbreaking artists working in sculpture today. Art galleries really don’t get much more exotic than this!
Aizle, Edinburgh – the restaurant with a difference
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, then you must give this a try! Instead of choosing dishes from a menu, guests are instead presented with a list of ingredients. Your job is to cross off any you don’t like, and then the chefs create unique dishes for you based on your feedback!
Shell Grotto, Margate
If you’re up for a real archeological mystery, then you must visit this bizarre subterranean grotto. Almost every inch of the walls and roof are covered with an intricate mosaic of some 4.6 million shells – and nobody is quite sure how old it is or what it was built for!
Hidden gems in the UK
Whether you’re looking for a mystery, history, beautiful scenery, or yummy treats, one thing’s for sure – there’s a hidden gem waiting for you somewhere in the UK!
