Want to escape the UK without actually leaving for a Holiday! We’ve got you covered! Don’t be fooled into thinking that there aren’t any UK locations that feel like you’re abroad. There are loads! From the microclimate of the Isles of Scilly to the untouched beauty of the Scottish Highlands and the stunning beaches around Camber Sands, we have an incredible island, and there are honestly so many gems to visit. That being said, we all need a break away from the norm sometimes, and there are heaps of places to holiday in the UK that feel like you’ve left the country!
Honestly, there’s no need to hop on a plane to visit far-flung destinations if you don’t want to. I promise you, there are absolutely amazing places in the UK to visit that you won’t even believe are in the UK.
1.) Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly are a small cluster of islands around 30 miles or so from the coastline of Cornwall. They are small, absolutely stunning and totally easy to get to. Not only that, the Isles of Scilly benefit from an incredibly warm microclimate due to the Gulf Stream that blows over from the Caribbean. This all means that the Scilly Islands can host many more tropical plant species than you’d normally expect in the UK.
You can easily see palm trees growing in the Tresco Abbey Garden (Google Maps pin) and even soak up the rays in the summer months on some of the islands like St Mary’s Island or St Martin’s Island. Best of all, the islands are all connected by small boats, almost like taxis, which you can hop on at your convenience.
Also, the great thing about the Isles of Scilly is that the beaches are crystal clear and typically very calm. This is due to the shallow waters around the islands themselves, and it makes for a great place for a dip, kayaking or even a little swim. The Isles of Scilly are stunning, and it feels like a little tropical island paradise. It’s one of those incredible UK locations that feel like you’re abroad, with a touch of British flair, of course.
Read more: 1-week itinerary to explore the Scilly Isles
2.) Camber Sands
Only around a two-hour drive from London, Camber Sands is an absolute gem of a coastline to visit that doesn’t even feel like the UK. With huge stretches of sandy shores, incredible dunes and a few good restaurants close by, it’s the perfect place to spend a day at the beach and totally forget you’re even in the UK.
Best of all, being on the south coast of England, Camber Sands benefits from warmer weather than, say, the northern regions of Great Britain, like Scotland.
Read more: Best beaches in England to visit
3.) Portmeirion
No joke, Portmeirion doesn’t even feel like the UK! It’s an Italian town that’s perched on the north-west coastline of Wales, not too far from the town of Porthmadog. Built in the 20th Century, Portmeirion has come to be a firm favourite for people wanting a little escape without having to jump open a flight to Italy.
Once you’ve arrived in Portmeirion, you can wander around the quaint town (after paying a small fee for tickets) and stop off at the little cafes and stores along the way. Also, if you fancy a longer break away, make sure to book into the Portmeirion Hotel. This way, you can live your Italian dream holiday over a number of days. It really is a special place.
Read more: Best places in North Wales to visit
4.) Scottish Highlands
One of the many things that the Scottish Highlands does well is its unspoilt natural beauty. It’s an amazing region of Scotland to visit for a road trip. With heaps of lochs, untouched glens and its dramatic coastline, the Scottish Highlands almost feels like you’ve transported yourself to the fjords of Norway. It’s that dramatic and beautiful.
For a really great trip to the Scottish Highlands, follow the NC500 Route, which is an incredible road trip route that takes you through some of Scotland’s most enchanting scenery. Honestly, it’s incredible and it’s well worth spending a week or so here. Just watch out for the midges in the summer months. They can be intense in the warm weather, and they love to bite! Thankfully, they are nothing dangerous, just itchy and quite uncomfortable.
Read more: Best places in Scotland to visit
5.) St Michael’s Mount
Right in the heart of Cornwall is St Michael’s Mount – a beautiful tidal island that honestly feels like you’ve been transported over to France. Centuries old, St Michael’s Mount houses a fortified castle and grounds that you can visit for a day trip. It’s so worth it and totally feels like UK locations that feel like you’re abroad.
The whole area around St Michael’s Mount is stunning and picture-perfect! Though, always be aware that it can get quite busy in the summer holidays.
Read more: Amazing places to see across Cornwall
6.) Minack Theatre
Nestled on the north coast of Cornwall, the Minack Theatre is one of the UK’s most unique places to visit if you fancy a getaway without actually leaving the UK. You see, the Minack Theatre is an open-air venue where you can watch seasonal plays, which are incredible in the summer months when the weather is warm.
Plus, seeing a show with the sunset behind is just magical. It really is a special place and one spot you really shouldn’t miss for a little break from the norm. Honestly, it’s one of those UK locations that feel like you’re abroad and more specifically, Italy. It’s stunning.
Just make sure to book tickets before arriving, shows and tours can sell out at peak times.
7.) Lake Vyrnwy
If you want the feel of Lake Como or Lake Garda in Italy, make sure to head to Lake Vyrnwy (Google Maps pin) in Wales for a little getaway. Now, I can’t always promise you Italian summers, but the landscape around Lake Vyrnwy is stunning. It’s totally charming to visit and one of those places that’s great to explore by car. This way, you can explore the wider region here, and even dip into nearby Snowdonia National Park. It’s just a few miles away from Lake Vyrnwy and is stunning.
Just be aware, this area is best visited by car, like I said. Trains can get you so far to Lake Vyrnwy, but it isn’t sustainable if you fancy travelling around the wider region of North Wales.
Read more: Best places in North Wales to visit
8.) Jurassic Coastline
What most people don’t realise is that you don’t need to visit far-flung places like Hawaii, Costa Rica or Alberta to find dinosaurs!
You see, the Jurassic Coastline is the perfect spot to go dinosaur hunting! Okay, I know they’re extinct, but the formation of the Jurassic Coastline dates back millions of years. To the Jurassic Period, no less. This was when dinosaurs ruled the world and plodded along the area (modern-day Britain) with other extinct species.
Today, you can head to Branscombe Beach (Google Maps pin) and a few others close by, where you can search the beach for fossils. With a little patience, I guarantee you’ll find a few. It took us about 25 minutes to find our first ones, but once we did, we kept spotting them over the next few hours. Best of all, you can keep the fossils you find! The only thing you’re not allowed to do is dig into the cliffs.
To make your chances even better at finding fossils, head to the region after a storm. This is when the coastline has been worn down and new fossils are dislodged. It’s so exciting and a totally fun activity to do with the family.
Read more: How to go fossil hunting in the UK
9.) Belmond Train
If you want to ride the Orient Express, without leaving the UK, then head for the British Pullman train from London. You see, Belmond’s British Pullman train is a totally luxe train that departs from London Victoria on day trips around the Garden of England (Kent). They depart each week, and you can book seasonal tours that stop off at stately homes, vineyards or just a round trip to London. On board, you’ll be served lashings of champagne and the most incredible lunch that is honestly so good. It’s one of those UK locations that feels like abroad and is just as much about the journey as it is the destination.
If that sounds like fun to you, they also have the newer Britannic Explorer train where you sleep onboard and discover destinations like Wales, the Lake District and Cornwall.
Finally, if Scotland is calling, join the Royal Scotsman train. It heads through the Highlands of Scotland. It honestly feels like you’re visiting uncharted territory – the landscape (and the train) are beautiful.
10.) Bamburgh Beach
Nestled on the stunning Northumberland coastline, Bamburgh Beach is an absolutely stunning and unspoilt place to visit. It feels like one of those UK locations that feels like abroad, and you could be forgiven for thinking you’re arrived on the Danish coastline. Now, its big draw is its huge sandy beach and dunes, which stretch for miles.
Not only that, you’ve got the incredible Bamburgh Castle that’s just off the dunes themselves. It’s one of Northumberland’s most iconic castles, and it’s so worth visiting whilst you’re in the area. Plus, you can also visit the nearby Farne Islands (which we did) for a few-hour trip. It’s so worth it if you’re already in Northumberland.
Now, we feel it’s best to explore this area of Northumberland by car. This way, you can stop off at all the other castles, beaches and coves along the way. Plus, you can then drive over to the tidal island of Holy Island, which is where the Viking Age started.
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