Including some stunning coastal spots
Durdle Door is among them(Image: Western Daily Press)
Dramatic cliffs and dreamy coastlines in the West Country have ranked among the UK’s most beautiful views.
Lake Windermere in the Lake District took the top spot according to a newly-published public survey, with 42 per cent voting it as the nation’s most stunning vista.
It was followed closely by Wales’ majestic Snowdonia and Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness, but half of the top 10 were taken up by locations right here in the South West.
The closest to Bristol was Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, offering panoramic views and rugged scenery for rambling and climbing. Cornish beaches and two Dorset landmarks also made the list.
The research found 92 per cent of Brits would prefer to visit a scenic spot in the UK over going abroad, with many even mistaking local beauty spots for destinations overseas.
When shown a photo of the vibrant lavender fields in Snowshill in the Cotswolds more than one in five people polled assumed it was taken in Provence, France – and Ben Nevis was mistaken for Iceland.
The top 10 most beautiful views in Britain, as voted by the UK public, was:
1. Lake Windemere, Lake District
A view of Lake Windermere and Waterhead Bay in the Lake District, where Jules and team are filming Escape to the Country(Image: Ashley Cooper via Getty Images)
Lake Windermere is England’s largest natural lake, stretching over 10 miles. Surrounded by charming villages like Bowness-on-Windermere and dense woodlands, it offers scenic boat rides, photogenic walking trails, and panoramic viewpoints like Orrest Head and Gummer’s How. It’s clear its natural beauty is a favourite among walkers, photographers, and anyone seeking peace and serenity.
2. Snowdonia, Wales
Snowdonia National Park, or Eryri National Park, is home to Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest peak in Wales at 1,085 metres. The landscape includes rugged mountains, glacial lakes, waterfalls, and quaint stone-built villages – and is a paradise for hikers and outdoor lovers, with routes for all abilities.
3. Loch Ness, Scotland
Loch Ness is one of the deepest and largest bodies of freshwater in the UK – and stretches for 23 miles. The loch is bordered by dramatic hills, medieval ruins like Urquhart Castle, and picturesque walking trails – which is arguably most famous, thanks to the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
4. St Michael’s Mount in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall
St Michael’s Mount is one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in Cornwall (Image: Olivier Vergnault / Cornwall Live)
This tidal island is topped with a medieval castle and church, and connected to the mainland by a causeway that appears only at low tide – and often gets mistaken for Mont Saint-Michel in France.
5. The Yorkshire Dales
This national park boasts green valleys, dry stone walls, ancient moors and woodlands, and limestone cliffs. The Dales are also home to waterfalls like Aysgarth and hidden gems like Malham Cove.
6. Durdle Door, Dorset
This iconic limestone arch has been carved naturally by the sea over thousands of years. With turquoise waters and golden sands, it looks more like a Mediterranean beach than something found in England.
7. St Ives Bay, Cornwall
Beach-goers pack Porthmeor Beach in St Ives(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)
St Ives is home to a sweeping bay of soft, sandy beaches and turquoise water. It’s also a cultural hotspot, home to the Tate St Ives and numerous artist galleries.
8. The Jurassic Coast, Dorset
Lulworth Cove in Dorset(Image: Western Daily Press)
Spanning 95 miles, The Jurassic Coast is rich in geological wonders and fossil-strewn beaches. Spots like Lulworth Cove and Old Harry Rocks are particularly photogenic.
9. The Three Sisters in Glencoe Valley, Scotland
Among the most iconic landmarks in the Scottish Highlands, these three steep ridges on the Bidean nam Bian mountain are famed for their striking beauty and dramatic scenery. Facing the main road through Glencoe, the peaks of Aonach Dubh, Beinn Fhada, and Gearr Aonach are collectively known as the Three Sisters of Glencoe.
10. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Britain’s largest gorge boasts towering limestone cliffs that plunge into a dramatic, narrow valley. This geological wonder offers winding cliff-top trails, mysterious caves rich with ancient history, and breathtaking views. It’s also the birthplace of a classic British favourite Cheddar cheese.