United Kingdom is a rich in diverse landscapes, offering a number of natural wonders that can only be seen here. Characteristic unspoilt Scottish Highlands with dramatic views, hills and Lake Districts. The British Isles are a diverse ecological and landscape that has evolved over thousands of years. In recent years, as ecotourism has become more popular, these natural paradises are attracting more and more nature lovers.
1. Durdle Door – England
Durdle Door is an iconic natural limestone arch formed by the erosive power of the sea over millions of years. Its dramatic structure jutting out into the sea creates the perfect frame for breathtaking sunsets and picturesque photos. This formation is part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its historical and geological significance. Durdle Door is very, very beautiful, majestic and quite rightly gives a very “Jurassic” impression, which is why tourists and professional photographers like to take photos.
Location: The Jurassic Coast in the south of England in Dorset.
2. Fingal’s Cave – Scotland
Venture out into the open water for a unique view of the incredible hexagonal-jointed basalt columns that make up the natural wonder of Fingal’s Caves. Dock and go ashore on Staffa Island to enter this wonderful cave. The beauty of the tall and majestic columns of the basalt volcano has captivated visitors for 250 years.
The cave’s acoustics are quite unique; so much so that echoes are now even called the music of Fingal’s Cave. These sounds inspired the classical music composer Felix Mendelssohn to write one of his most famous works – the “Hebrides” overture. Today you can visit the cave as part of a Fingal Cave Tour and experience both its natural beauty and beautiful “music” with your own eyes.
Location: The uninhabited island of Staffa, part of a National Nature Reserve on National Trust for Scotland.
3. The Needles – Isle of Wight – England
The Needles are one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic sights. These three white chalk stacks leading up to the Needles Lighthouse are more than just a beautiful sight. There’s plenty to do here, from the world-famous Needles Rocks to the Needles Old Battery and much more. Discover the outstanding landmarks and places of natural beauty that makes The Needles what they are today, well known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs and stunning coastal views.In the summer season, the Needles light up the skies with their famous firework shows. Times and dates announced on their social media pages and website, weather depending.
Location: The western part of the Isle of Wight in Alum Bay, England
4. High Force Waterfall – England
High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England with a 21 metre cascade. Artists, photographers and nature enthusiasts are drawn by High Force’s mighty power and unforgettable beauty, equally glorious at the height or summer or covered in a sprinkling of snow. High Force is one of the biggest waterfalls in England and is popular by tourists. High Force is located near Middleton-in-Teesdale in Yorkshire Dales national park. The waterfall cascades in two stages over an ancient dolerite rock called Whin Sill that was formed over 300 million years ago.
Location: High Force Waterfall in Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham Dales in England.
5. The Old Man of Storr – Scotland
The massive peak of the Old Man of Storr deserves its place as one of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland. This rock formation is 48 meters high and is located on the north-eastern part of the Isle of Skye. It is part of the larger Trotternish Ridge rock range, which was formed by landslides in prehistoric times. This unusual formation attracts crowds of tourists from all over the world.
During a beautiful sunrise and dramatic sky with a local shower here and there. The Old Man of Storr looms over Portree, Isle of Skye and is situated 7 miles north of the town. It is dominated by the high petrified lava pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr, with a brutal tumble of cliff behind, and the panorama spreads across loch, sea and islands to the high mountains of the mainland beyond.
Location: Old Man Of Storr, Isle Of Skye, Scotland
6. Giant’s Causeway – Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway is a facility located on the coast in the northern part of Northern Ireland. Tourists flock to Giant’s Causeway to see the original rock formation. It consists of 37 thousand. (some sources say about 40,000) basalt columns that create a characteristic promontory. This large stretch of staircase-shaped rocks is the result of cooled lava from volcanic eruptions that took place over 65 million years ago.
Near the Giant’s Cave there is a commemorative stone plaque that confirms the inclusion of this place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Another interesting fact about the Giant’s Causeway is that within it, Game of Thrones fans can walk the famous Dark Hedges. It is considered one of the most beautiful roads in Northern Ireland.
Location: Coast of Northern Ireland
7. Wistman’s Wood – England
Wistman’s Wood is an ancient oak woodland which covers over three hectares of the West Dart Valley on Dartmoor. Is like a fairytale scene – Nestling in a moorland cleft, the atmospheric dwarf oak woodland is filled with jumbled boulders.
Wistman’s Wood is characterised by stunted and twisted epiphyte-covered oak trees. It is a relic of the once widespread coppice woodland that was used to make charcoal for smelting tin. The landscape contains extensive remains of Bronze Age settlement as well as of medieval mining. Many legends are associated with the wood, including tales of devil hounds that slept by day in the hollows between granite boulders then hunted with the devil by night.
Location: Oak woodlands on Dartmoor, Devon, England.
8. Seven Sisters – England
The Seven Sisters are a spectacular group with breathtaking views. The cliffs are located on the English Channel at the mouth of the Cuckmere River into the sea. These rocks were formed millions of years ago (during the Cretaceous period). The cliffs are gradually being eroded, and each year the water shortens them by about 30 to 40 cm. Each sister has a name: Haven Brow, Short Brow, Rough Brow, Brass Point, Flagstaff Point, Flat Hill, Baily’s Hill and Went Hill Brow.
Visitors can enjoy numerous attractions here, from hiking to bird watching and kayaking. One of the most spectacular hiking trails in England also runs along the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head cliffs. The name Seven Sisters is associated with the seven sisters who once lived in the area. Each of them had her own house between the hills.
Location: The English Channel Coast and part of the sea-eroded part of the South Downs, in East Sussex, south-east England.
9. Malham Cove – England
Malham Cove and Gordale Scar – probably two of the most impressive sights in the Yorkshire Dales, both within walking distance of the village, as is Janet’s Foss waterfall. Malham Cove, with its magnificent limestone surface, is one of Yorkshire’s most impressive natural features and a highlight of the Pennine Way. This limestone formation is 80 meters high and is truly impressive up close. It is also a popular climbing site. Let’s delve a little deeper into this magnificent landscape that once played host to peregrine falcons and Harry Potter.
Location: North Yorkshire, England
10. Derwentwater – England
Derwentwater is one Keswick’s main assets. Derwentwater is about 15 minutes leisurely stroll via Lake Road and the beautiful gardens of Hope Park from the Market Square in Keswick town centre. The lake is three miles long and is fed by the River Derwent catchment area in the high fells at the head of Borrowdale. Derwentwater Foreshore has a rich and prestigious history.
A little further on from the boat landings is Friars Crag with its stunning views of Derwentwater and the Borrowdale valley. The viewpoint is one of the most popular places for photographs. The view was described by Ruskin as one of the three or four most beautiful views in Europe. There is a memorial to Ruskin on the crag, a slab of rock with a bronze portrait medallion.
Location: North-West England, Cumbria, Lake District National Park.
