The most beautiful natural sites to discover United Kingdom

Artificial lagoon dug in a natural site. Possibility of diving. Its beauty enough to enjoy passive contemplation, a platform has also been designed for spectators.

Follow the path to the western tip of Wales, Mynydd Mawr, from where you can see the island of Bardsey (about 10 km). You can get there by car or by foot. Take the road from Aberdaron and park after the livestock pass. The trail leads you to the end of the tip. Grandiose!

This long sandy beach belongs to the National Trust. The alignment of its small coloured huts immediately draws attention.

A Visitor Centre helps you organize your excursion to one of the wildest mountain ranges in Snowdonia, Cwm Idwal, which dates back to the Ice Age. Professional guides are on hand to give you advice. One of the most popular routes from this destination is the one to the Idwal Lake (Llyn Idwal). It's probably one of the most impressive in the country. It is located at the foot of a dark massif, a kind of impressive "burnt mountain" called the "Devil's Kitchen". About four hours for five miles.

Overlooking Jack Sound, the park was once designed to shelter deer, hence its name. A wall was built in the 18th century to define a zone for the protection of animals that were never introduced.

Today, the park is very popular with walkers and leads to superb views such as Wooltack Point, where seals and sometimes porpoises as well as seabirds can often be seen. In the southern part of the route, also don't miss the Iron Age fort at Watery Bay.

You can also leave the city centre and explore WhitesandsBay (Porth Mawr in Welsh). It is ideal for swimming, and is also the starting point for splendid walks along the coast. Detailed itineraries can be found at St. David's Tourist Centre.

The beginning of the trail starts at the end of Porkington Terrace. For the less courageous, Panorama Walk has the advantage of leading to a beautiful viewpoint only a few meters from the main street. About ten minutes, and bang! A classic at Barmouth, since the Victorian era!

Possibility of getting there on foot (3 km): head northeast on High Street towards Feidr Fawr, then continue on the B4546. A vast white-sand beach at the mouth of the Teifi estuary, absolutely impressive when at low tide and windswept! This beach, the most northerly in Pembrokeshire, marks the beginning, or end, of the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path. In the parking lot behind the dunes (a charge is made in summer), you'll find a small cafeteria serving ice creams and pasties.

These two superb lakes, surrounded by mountains, are today a meeting place for trout fishermen. It's also an excellent spot for a leisurely stroll or picnic. The views from this 250-meter-high site are spectacular. This particularly beautiful site is now managed by the National Trust. The National Trust is a British charity dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the country's heritage. Today, it owns 250,000 hectares of land, 1,200 km of sides and 300 historic monuments.

The Ynys-hir Nature Reserve belongs to the R.S.P.B. (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). 800 hectares of nature entirely devoted to the development of fauna and flora. What you see will of course depend a lot on the seasons. Spring is perhaps the ideal time, when the reserve is lined with flowers and the birdsong fills the air. Information is given on the birds present according to the seasons (with a photo to identify them). Feel free to bring a pair of binoculars with you!

On the A542, north of Llangollen, the road climbs up the green hillsides to the highest point at Horseshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant in Welsh) at 417 metres above sea level, from where there is a magnificent view over the valley. At the top of the hill is The Ponderosa restaurant, open daily. From the car park, beacons mark the start of a 14km hike to Offa's Dyke Path, through the Dee Valley. It takes about six hours to walk around. We can stop at the restaurant or, in the summer, take the opportunity to have a picnic.

A small documentary film showcases the history of dams and tanks. It also presents the richness of the valley fauna. The permanent exhibition provides additional information on both subjects.

A natural reserve on the banks of the Conwy estuary, south of the Stephenson Railway Bridge, with magnificent views of Snowdonia and the castle. The marked paths make it possible to observe a wide variety of wildlife thanks to hidden places at strategic locations.

In the 1900 s, this was the terminus of the cable cable (submarine cable) to Ireland, hence the name of the bay! Here is the paradise of surfers. Very popular sandy beach located in a sheltered cove.

To get there, park at Bwlch-Pen-Barras, on the B5429 from Ruthin. The top of Denbighshire's highest hill can be reached in a leisurely 45-minute walk - a popular spot with walkers (accessible to everyone). Here stand the ruins of the Jubilee Tower, built in 1810 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of King George III. On a clear day, the view is unobstructed and you can see as far as Liverpool. In autumn, when the heather turns purple, Moel Famau and the Clywd Hills are magnificent.

Formed over 300 million years ago. Saint Tudno built the first cell of his monastery here in the ^6th century. And it was the Vikings who gave it its name, Orme: "worm" or "sea serpent", derived from Old Norse. But it was not until the late ^19th century that the rock really became a tourist destination.

Since then, a tramway has been built, as well as a cable car and a large modern complex (Summit Complex), with cafés, restaurants and stores at its summit. Unfortunately, this complex has greatly distorted the site.

But if you step away from the hustle and bustle, you'll discover a natural environment rich in history, stone circles and prehistoric remains. Another surprise awaits you at the summit: the herd of Angora goats with their long, curved horns.

By car. Just follow the Marine Drive road. 6 km from the pier; toll: £3.50 in summer from 9am to 8pm and in winter from 9am to 4pm.

Streetcar (www.greatormetramway.co.uk). Departs every 20 minutes from Victoria Station - Church Walks. Open from 10am to 6pm April to September, until 5pm in October. Return adult fare: £11.50, children aged 3 to 16: £8.65

In service since 1902, this tramway offers a pleasant ride through the city. You can admire Llandudno's oldest houses at your leisure. There's a stop at the tiny Half Way Station platform, from where passengers can either continue on foot or board the second streetcar to the top.

Around the bend of a small path, in the enchanting setting of the Berwyn Mountains, lies the first of Wales' "Seven Wonders". It's an impressive 80-meter-high waterfall, the highest in the UK. A footpath takes you to the top of the falls in around twenty minutes. The Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall is also the starting point for several walks of varying difficulty and distance. Don't miss this majestic natural spectacle!

In a sumptuous castle, built in 1460 by Humphreys family in Anglesey, in the heart of a beautiful park, a part of the collection of paintings from the National Portrait Gallery in London, pieces of furniture from the Victoria & Albert Museum, and sculptures from the Royal Academy of Arts are exhibited in. An irresistible program for art lovers.

Set in 1910, the gardens also promise a great deal of aesthetic pleasure; Very pleasant for picnic in fine weather.

It is an amazing landscape that forms the national nature reserve of Oxwich Burrows, a large expanse of salt marshes near Penrice Castle, a th century castle where you can stroll through the gardens and around the lake.

Walking leads to bois and leads to an exceptional point of view on Three Cliffs Bay, Bristol Channel and the north coast of Devon, the English district.

A first breathtaking hike to Mumbles, for a glimpse of the beauty of the Gower cliffs. The circuit takes us on a coastal path, whose climbs are in some places a little steep. The gradual ascent, above the sea, causes an intoxicating sensation. We climb up the hillside, with the sea as far as the eye can see and the quiet spectacle of white sailboats splitting the waters. It is then possible to reach Swansea by bus (^nos. 2A and 2B). The stop is at the corner of Plunch Lane and Mumbles Road.

The coastal path is reached by going to Lifeboat Station at the end of the esplanade. Then we go up Cliff Hill to the Cliff Walk Play Area parking lot. On site, there is a snack bar, a children's playground and a miniature golf course.The long strip of grass over the sea is much appreciated by families who organize picnics there. Then continue on Whitcliffe Drive to the gate that marks the entrance to a narrow path winding over the sea. In summer, you can count on the wild blackberries to enhance the walk, enjoy it! The trail then descends to a white pebble beach, from where you can see Flat Holm Island, with its lighthouse, and its neighbour Steep Holm Island. Named by the Vikings because of their form, the first belongs to South Wales County and the second to the English Somerset County.

Going towards Lavernock Point, you reach a large sandy beach with interesting geological formations. Erosion has created natural steps and paving stones in some areas. Views of the Bristol Channel and the English Somerset coast led Sisley to paint paintings at this particular location, which can be seen at the National Museum in Cardiff. (Alfred Silsey is a French painter born in 1839 and died in 1899.) It was also from Lavernock Point that Marconi sent a radio signal over the sea in 1897 to Flat Holm. A world first! In short, a beautiful walk awaits you there!

The name comes from a legend that the devil tried to seduce monks from the top of this promontory inviting them to join him! It is a limestone pillar at the top of which we have a magnificent view of the abbey of Tintern, delimited by the hills and the river. We stand above the vacuum as on a base: impressive!

Distance: 5 km.

Average duration: 1 hour 30.

Many extraction quarries were dug here, following the opening of the Brecon Canal, which allowed limestone to be transported to neighbouring towns. It was widely used for the construction of ovens as well as for bleaching house facades. The limestone also provides a very rich soil, a wide variety of plants flourish on this cliff, now considered of scientific interest and integrated into a nature reserve.

On the walking side, the most popular climbs of the Brecon Beacons are those of the highest point Pen-y-Fan (886 metres) and its neighbour Corn Du. A two to three kilometre trail links the two peaks from Pont-ar-Daf, less than a kilometre from the pub Storey Arms on the A470, between Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil. If needed, you can find a map with the detailed itinerary and much more information (such as alternative routes...) at the tourist office in Brecon. From the summit, very accessible, you have a very nice view!

This centre, run by forest rangers, distributes information about hiking and the surrounding nature. There is a corner reserved for reading brochures and books made available free of charge. If you do not find what you are looking for, do not hesitate to ask for advice. The cafeteria - run by a chef who worked at the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris - offers local dishes such as "Pen-Y-Fan Pasty" or "Beacon Bake".

This is perhaps the best place to see how the establishment of the mines completely changed the organization of rural life. Rhondda Heritage Park is a must-see for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of the country's past. In the center of the hills, the mine, then all around rows of workers' houses huddled together. 160,000 workers once settled in the Rhondda valley to run its 40 coal mines!

A street from the 1950s has been reconstructed in the visitor center building, recreating the everyday atmosphere in which the valley's workers lived. On the second floor is an art gallery (free admission) with a temporary program, independent of the site's theme, and a restaurant.

The Black Gold Tour immediately transports us into the dark world of the mine. The tour's main attraction is its focus on the social impact of the new "black cities". Part of the tour, for example, focuses on the place of women in this changed social organization. The experience is also very physical: you descend into the belly of the mine, wearing a safety helmet and armed with a lamp, to discover the machines and their noise, their impressive volume, the dark and damp environment, the darkness... Excellent staging and multimedia documentation give this tour a particularly lively and didactic tone. It's impossible to leave indifferent..

A natural reserve where wild geese, swans and other birds are resting from October to April. Safari organized at 11 h and 14 h each day.

This visitor centre provides valuable information about the valley's nature reserve and its history. Several species such as badgers, bats and hawks live here and can be observed depending on the season and time of day. His stunts inspired painters Turner and Wordsworth in their art. Dundaff Linn, Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn are some of the places that are accessible. It is reached via several footpaths that criss-cross the area.

Outdoor and interior park for the whole family with a mini-farmhouse where cows, goats, llamas, horses, rabbits… Little train tour of the park, go for children…

This short, easy and accessible walk offers superb views. Bruce's Stone stands on a magnificent vantage point overlooking the waters of Loch Trool (north shore). It is named in memory of Robert The Bruce, King of Scotland, and the Battle of Trool, fought in 1307. English soldiers were ambushed as they marched along the shores of the loch. Robert The Bruce's men attacked them by surprise, with stones. The victory was quick and bloody. Bruce's Stone is also the starting point for the Merrick ascent.

Start by fortifying yourself at the legendary The Head of the River pub under Folly Bridge. On the terrace, you can watch the rowing competitions, the pub being the finish line. Then take the riverbank and follow the Isis River to the right. Iffley Lock, with its stone bridge and weeping willow, awaits you at the end of the road. The city now seems far away. Continue the walk to charming Iffley Village. En route, you'll come across the famous Isis Farmhouse, one of those "old-fashioned" pubs that are worth their weight in gold. When you reach the village, turn around and return to civilization along the left bank of the river, along Christ Church Meadows.

In East Looe, the streets of the city centre lead to a charming sandy beach. It is not dangerous and covered with soft sand, especially attracting families.

The most beautiful views and the nicest sites around Loch Ness are accessible from the south shore of Loch Ness. This route is less touristy but narrower (only one lane at a time), but it offers magnificent views and allows you to reconnect with the wild side of the Highlands, a little lost in the tourist surf around Nessie. To be admired on the road: Loch Tarff, Glen Morh and Loch Morh and the Falls of Foyers.

This island is a few miles by boat from Ilfracombe and is a 4.45 km² nature reserve. Puffins are the local stars, but there are also fallow deer, ponies and all kinds of birds. It is possible to stay on site.

The Montrose Basin is an enclosed estuary of the South Esk River. It covers 750 hectares and is home to over 80,000 migratory birds, including rare species. The Visitor and Discovery Center provides an opportunity to learn about and explore the environment in a family-friendly setting. Binoculars and telescopes are available on site to observe the fauna without disturbing it. Events are regularly proposed.

Benone Beach is one of the longest in Ireland with its 11 km of white sand that starts in Magilligan (Foyle Estuary) to the west, to Downhill to the east. All sports activities are carried out as well as horse riding.

This coastal road over 10 km allows to reach Portrush and go to White Rocks along the coast. He is part of the Causeway Coast Way, which stretches over 52 km to Ballycastle.

A viewpoint where not miss stop to admire the views, the Donegal hills of Antrim and north-east coast.

The forest covers 85 hectares around a beautiful lake with rare collections of trees (such Sitka Spruce, a specimen of conifer). Various walks are marked, a real delight! The gardens were designed by landscape designers and have been maintained since XVIII < sup > th < /sup > century by passionate preservatives.

A beach renowned for its range of white sand, bordered by dunes, some of which, to the Bann estuary, are oldest dated in Ireland.

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is the largest regional park in Scotland. It covers 280 km², west of Glasgow. Although it has a friendly coastal fringe at Lunderston Bay, most of its activities are inland, where the hills, which rise to 522m, are ideal for walking and cycling. There are three routes through the park: the Single Track Roads from Greenock to Largs and Dalry to Fairlie, and the A760 from Kilbirnie to Largs.

Loughareema is quite incredible geological and natural curiosity: there are three streams thrown into this lake without ever having their water re-surfaced. If one likes to believe that they volatilize, the scientific explanation is that they are absorbed into the soil by calcareous cracks. In the event of heavy rains the level increases still, but then disappears gradually… as by enchantment. The site is visible from the road and a trail is approaching as close as possible.

This forest is found at the end of Toberwine Street, from the village. An old stone porch in the mark and nice walks are possible.

West Bay, Dhu Varren. This beach is just across the road from Portrush with all the facilities and surfing opportunities. It has recently been awarded the European Blue Flag for clean water.

East Strand, Causeway Street. East of Portrush, before White Rocks. This is a popular summer beach, bordered by dunes and the Royal Golf Club. There is a well known surf spot and good views of Scotland.

White Rocks, Bushmills Road. This beautiful beach is also a protected geological area of scientific interest.

The Strathnaver Trail offers a journey back in time, through fabulous scenery and on a little-used secondary road. It passes through superb landscapes and 16 points of interest, all accessible and commented on, thanks to panels placed on each of them. Some of them require a bit of walking, and others are close to the road, with direct access. You will make stops according to your curiosity and historical interest. The other attraction of this itinerary is in the frequentation of the hills: the deer are at home there, and in numbers!

Gortin Glen is a forest of 1 500 hectares of conifers with a panoramic 7 km road that allows you to enjoy the magnificent views.

The lakes of Gortin are quite picturesque. Small, lost between the hills of heather, they offer a delightful landscape of mystery and tranquillity. A path allows you to turn it around. 

In the village of Ballyronan, the harbour is complemented by a picnic area, a children's garden, a beach, a restaurant, and campsites and caravans.

The Sperrin Mountains are a vast area of unspoilt and unspoilt hills. Sawel Mountain is the summit and peaked at 678 m. Its landforms were formed by glaciers and there are also many Neolithic sites, such as stone circles. Service 403 Sperrin Rambler allows to explore the surroundings by bus (www.translink.co.uk). The A 6 Glenshane Pass runs through beautiful landscapes and offers exceptional views.