The best UK holiday destinations, ranked
The best UK holiday destinations, scored on traveller ratings, review volume and things to do, with standout places to stay and eat in each.
How we rank UK holiday destinations
Every destination on VacationGuide is scored from the traveller reviews published on the site: the average rating across its hotels, restaurants, things to do and rentals, how many reviews sit behind that average, and how much breadth there is to fill a few days. Ratings shift as new reviews land, so the order below moves with them.
1. The CotswoldsSouth West & Midlands, England
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Rolling limestone hills dotted with honey-coloured villages, wool churches and very good pubs. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty best explored slowly, on foot or by car between market towns.
- When to go
- April to June for blossom and quieter lanes; September and October for autumn colour.
- Getting there
- About 1h 30m by rail from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh or Kemble; a car makes the villages far easier to reach.
Highest-rated right now
- La Vecchia Cantina — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Chequers — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Tikiri — restaurant, 0.0/5
2. The Isle of SkyeHighlands, Scotland
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
The largest island of the Inner Hebrides, joined to the mainland by a bridge: rock pinnacles, sea cliffs, the Cuillin mountains and Portree's coloured harbour. Wild, weather-beaten and unforgettable.
- When to go
- May, June and September for long days with fewer crowds and midges.
- Getting there
- Drive over the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, or take the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. Inverness is about 2h 30m by road.
Highest-rated right now
- Café Cùil — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Edinbane Lodge — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Loch Bay Restaurant — restaurant, 0.0/5
3. OxfordSouth East, England
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
The city of dreaming spires: medieval colleges, the Bodleian Library, punts on the Cherwell and some of the world's great museums, all within a compact, walkable centre.
- When to go
- April to June and September; colleges have restricted access around exams in late spring.
- Getting there
- About 1 hour by rail from London Paddington or Marylebone; the Oxford Tube coach runs 24 hours from London.
Highest-rated right now
- Dishoom Permit Room Oxford — restaurant, 0.0/5
- 100% PASTA — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Beefy Boys Oxford — restaurant, 0.0/5
4. CambridgeEast of England
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A university town of college courts and riverside lawns, best seen from a punt along the Backs. Smaller and flatter than Oxford, with superb free museums and easy cycling.
- When to go
- May and June for the Backs in bloom; December for King's College carols.
- Getting there
- About 50 minutes by rail from London King's Cross; a little longer from Liverpool Street.
Highest-rated right now
- Dishoom Permit Room Cambridge — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Nazar Turkish Kitchen + Bar - Cambridge — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Bread & Meat — restaurant, 0.0/5
5. ManchesterNorth West, England
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A former cotton powerhouse turned creative capital: red-brick mills, world-famous football, a huge live music scene and the independent bars and cafés of the Northern Quarter.
- When to go
- May to September for festivals and rooftop bars; any time for football and gigs.
- Getting there
- About 2h 10m by rail from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly; Manchester Airport is 20 minutes by train.
Highest-rated right now
- Circolo Popolare Manchester — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Louis Restaurant — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay - Manchester — restaurant, 0.0/5
6. LiverpoolNorth West, England
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A great port city reborn: the Beatles, two cathedrals, a waterfront of grand buildings and free national museums, with famously warm locals and a big night out.
- When to go
- May to September; late August for the International Beatleweek festival.
- Getting there
- About 2h 15m by rail from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street; 35 minutes from Manchester.
Highest-rated right now
- Dishoom Permit Room Liverpool — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Fogo de Chão Liverpool - Original from Brazil — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Cowshed Liverpool — restaurant, 0.0/5
7. BristolSouth West, England
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A harbour city of colourful terraces, Brunel engineering, street art and a big independent food scene, on the doorstep of Bath and the West Country.
- When to go
- May to September; August for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
- Getting there
- About 1h 40m by rail from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads.
Highest-rated right now
- Rock Salt — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Flat Iron Bristol — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Cappadocia Restaurant Bristol — restaurant, 0.0/5
8. BelfastNorthern Ireland
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A city of shipbuilding history, murals and lively pubs, with Titanic Belfast on the waterfront and the Causeway Coast within a day trip.
- When to go
- May to September for the longest days and coastal trips.
- Getting there
- Fly to Belfast City or Belfast International, or take the ferry from Cairnryan or Liverpool; trains reach Dublin in about 2 hours.
Highest-rated right now
- The Muddlers Club Restaurant — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Darcy's Belfast — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Ginger Bistro — restaurant, 0.0/5
9. GlasgowScotland
0.0/5 average across 7 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Scotland's biggest city trades on Victorian grandeur, Mackintosh design, free world-class museums and the best live music scene in the UK. Friendly, loud and far less touristy than Edinburgh, an hour along the line.
- When to go
- May to September for parks and festivals; January for Celtic Connections.
- Getting there
- 4h 30m by rail from London Euston; 50 minutes by train from Edinburgh Waverley. Glasgow Airport is 20 minutes by bus.
Highest-rated right now
- The Buttery — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Merchant Steakhouse — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Six by Nico - Glasgow — restaurant, 0.0/5
10. CardiffSouth Wales
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Wales's compact capital: a castle in the city centre, Victorian shopping arcades, a regenerated bay and match-day atmosphere at the Principality Stadium.
- When to go
- May to September; autumn and spring for the Six Nations and big matches.
- Getting there
- About 2 hours by rail from London Paddington to Cardiff Central.
Highest-rated right now
- Konak Mediterranean & Fine Dining — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Pasture Restaurant Cardiff — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Six by Nico Cardiff — restaurant, 0.0/5
11. Inverness and Loch NessHighlands, Scotland
0.0/5 average across 8 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
The capital of the Highlands, on the River Ness, and the gateway to Loch Ness, Culloden and the North Coast 500.
- When to go
- May to September for long days; June for the best chance of dry weather.
- Getting there
- About 3h 30m by rail from Edinburgh or Glasgow; the Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London.
Highest-rated right now
- River House — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Black Isle Bar & Rooms — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Rocpool — restaurant, 0.0/5
12. Eryri (Snowdonia)North Wales
0.0/5 average across 7 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Wales's largest national park: jagged mountains, glacial lakes, slate villages and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales and England. Built for hikers, but with castles, steam railways and beaches within easy reach.
- When to go
- May to September for walking; aim for weekdays to avoid the busiest summit paths.
- Getting there
- About 3h 30m by rail from London Euston to Bangor; the Conwy Valley line and Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses reach the park itself.
Highest-rated right now
- Olif — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Eating Gorilla — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Goat Inn - Tafarn Yr Afr — restaurant, 0.0/5
13. The Peak DistrictEast Midlands, England
0.0/5 average across 7 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Britain's first national park: gritstone edges, limestone dales, stately homes and stone villages between Manchester and Sheffield.
- When to go
- April to October for walking; late summer for the heather on the moors.
- Getting there
- Trains from Manchester and Sheffield reach Edale, Hope and Hathersage; Matlock is served from Derby.
Highest-rated right now
- The Packhorse Inn — restaurant, 0.0/5
- A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Royal Oak — restaurant, 0.0/5
14. PembrokeshireWest Wales
0.0/5 average across 7 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Wales's coastal national park: sandy bays, sea cliffs, puffin islands and Britain's smallest city, St Davids.
- When to go
- May to September; puffins on Skomer from May to July.
- Getting there
- About 4h 30m by rail from London to Haverfordwest or Tenby; a car makes the coast far easier.
Highest-rated right now
- Bella Roma Restaurant & Pizzeria — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Crug Glas Country House Restaurant — restaurant, 0.0/5
- STOKED Restaurant — restaurant, 0.0/5
15. NorthumberlandNorth East, England
0.0/5 average across 7 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
England's least crowded county: castles above empty beaches, Hadrian's Wall and some of the darkest skies in Europe.
- When to go
- May to September for the coast; autumn and winter for stargazing.
- Getting there
- Trains on the East Coast line stop at Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed; Newcastle is about 3 hours from London.
Highest-rated right now
- JASPERS BISTRO — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Courtyard Pegswood — restaurant, 0.0/5
- The Cook & Barker Inn — restaurant, 0.0/5
16. BrightonSouth East, England
0.0/5 average across 5 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
London's seaside: a pebble beach, a Victorian pier, the extraordinary Royal Pavilion and the independent shops of the Lanes. Creative, liberal and fun at any time of year.
- When to go
- June to September for the beach; May for the Brighton Festival and Fringe.
- Getting there
- About 1 hour by rail from London Victoria or London Bridge; 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport.
Highest-rated right now
- Dishoom Permit Room Brighton — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Flat Iron Brighton — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Burnt Orange — restaurant, 0.0/5
17. EdinburghScotland
0.0/5 average across 2 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Scotland's capital pairs a medieval Old Town with the elegant Georgian New Town, all watched over by a castle on an extinct volcano. Expect cobbled closes, superb whisky bars and a festival city that hums all summer.
- When to go
- May to September for long days; August for the festivals; December for Hogmanay.
- Getting there
- 4h 20m by rail from London King's Cross; Edinburgh Airport connects to the centre by tram in 30 minutes.
Highest-rated right now
- Under The Table — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Society Bar & Kitchen — restaurant, 0.0/5
18. BathSomerset, England
0.0/5 average across 2 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A honey-stone Georgian city built around Roman baths and thermal springs. Compact, elegant and endlessly photogenic, with a strong independent food scene.
- When to go
- April to June and September for mild weather and thinner crowds.
- Getting there
- 90 minutes by rail from London Paddington; 20 minutes from Bristol.
Highest-rated right now
- Edesia — restaurant, 0.0/5
- PrimaVista Bath — restaurant, 0.0/5
19. YorkYorkshire, England
0.0/5 average across 2 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Two thousand years of history inside intact city walls — Roman, Viking and medieval — with the Shambles, the Minster and a rewarding tea-and-pubs culture.
- When to go
- Spring for blossom on the walls; late November for the Christmas market.
- Getting there
- Under 2 hours by rail from London King's Cross.
Highest-rated right now
- Nola — restaurant, 0.0/5
- Delrio's Restaurant — restaurant, 0.0/5
20. LondonGreater London
0.0/5 average across 0 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
The capital does everything at scale: world-class free museums, theatre, markets and a restaurant scene that changes faster than any guide can keep up with.
- When to go
- May, June and September; January for the cheapest hotel rates.
- Getting there
- Six airports, five Eurostar-served terminals and the Elizabeth line across the middle.
21. CornwallSouth West England
0.0/5 average across 0 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
Turquoise coves, surf beaches and fishing harbours strung along 400 miles of coast path, with Britain's best seafood at the end of most days.
- When to go
- June and September for warm sea and quieter beaches.
- Getting there
- 5h by rail from London to Penzance, or the overnight Night Riviera sleeper.
22. The Lake DistrictCumbria, England
0.0/5 average across 0 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
England's largest national park: sixteen lakes, high fells and slate villages. Walking country first and foremost, with a growing crop of excellent inns and lakeside spas.
- When to go
- May, June and September — long light and fewer school-holiday crowds.
- Getting there
- Rail to Oxenholme or Windermere; a car helps for the quieter valleys.
23. St AndrewsFife, Scotland
0.0/5 average across 0 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
St Andrews is a compact coastal town in Fife, on Scotland's east coast, best known as the Home of Golf. It sits about 10 miles south-east of Dundee and roughly 90 minutes' drive from Edinburgh, and it is small enough to explore on foot. The medieval centre is laid out along North Street and South Street, which converge on the ruined cathedral, with Market Street running between them. The town has seven public courses run by St Andrews Links Trust, including the Old Course, which has hosted the Open Championship 30 times, more than any other venue. Beyond golf, visitors come for the two-mile West Sands beach used in the opening scene of Chariots of Fire, the cliff-top castle, and the University of St Andrews, founded between 1410 and 1413 and the oldest university in Scotland. The 155th Open returns to the town from 11 to 18 July 2027.
- When to go
- Summer brings the longest days and seasonal RNLI lifeguard patrols on West Sands and East Sands, but it is also the busiest period. In 2027, demand will peak around The 155th Open, which the R&A has scheduled for 11 to 18 July 2027, and in the week commencing 28 June 2027, when the University holds its graduation ceremonies. Term time also shapes the town: the 2026–27 academic year starts with orientation week from 7 September 2026, and Raisin Weekend, a student tradition, falls on the last weekend of October. Golfers should note that the Old Course is closed for play on Sundays.
- Getting there
- St Andrews has no railway station of its own. The nearest is Leuchars, on the Edinburgh–Aberdeen line, served by ScotRail, LNER, CrossCountry and the Caledonian Sleeper. From Leuchars, Stagecoach bus 99 runs to St Andrews bus station on City Road, a few minutes' walk from the town centre; taxis also wait at Leuchars at busy times. Buses also run to St Andrews from Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. By road, allow about 30 minutes from Dundee and about 1 hour 30 minutes from Edinburgh. Edinburgh Airport is the main gateway: take the tram or Airlink 100 into Edinburgh, then a train to Leuchars. Dundee Airport has had no scheduled flights since Loganair ended its services in October 2026. Petheram Bridge car park, about 150 metres from the bus station, is free.
24. The East Neuk of FifeFife, Scotland
0.0/5 average across 0 reviewed places · 0 traveller reviews
A string of pantiled fishing villages along Fife's south-east corner — Elie, St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther, Cellardyke and Crail — linked by the Fife Coastal Path. Expect harbour walls, lobster creels, artists' studios and some of Scotland's best fish and chips.
- When to go
- May to September for long coastal evenings; Pittenweem Arts Festival takes over the first week of August.
- Getting there
- About 1h 30m by car from Edinburgh over the Queensferry Crossing; train to Leuchars or Kirkcaldy then the 95 coastal bus, which links every village.
Frequently asked questions
- How is this UK holiday destination ranking put together?
- Each destination is scored on the average rating of its listings, how many traveller reviews sit behind those ratings, how much there is to do, and overall popularity. Ratings and review counts update as new reviews come in, so the order changes over time.
- When is the best time for a UK holiday?
- Late May to early June and September give you long days and thinner crowds than the July and August school holidays, and accommodation is usually cheaper. Cities such as Edinburgh and London are worth visiting year-round.
- Which UK destination is best for a first visit?
- London for museums, food and easy rail links; Edinburgh for a compact, walkable weekend; Cornwall or the Lake District if you want coast or fells rather than a city break.
- How many days do you need for a UK break?
- Two full days covers one city comfortably. Allow four to five days for a region such as the Lake District or Cornwall, where the driving between spots eats into your time.
Plan the trip
Shortlist two or three of these, then compare them side by side — costs, travel time and what each day would actually look like.