Britain’s most beautiful views have been revealed – and they’re so stunning people can’t believe they’re in the UK.
Lake Windermere in the Lake District topped the list for Britain’s most beautiful view, followed by Snowdonia in Wales and Loch Ness in Scotland. Yet despite three quarters of Brits believing they are good at geography, the data also revealed that many struggle to believe these amazing sights are actually in the UK. When people were shown a picture of the rolling purple lavender fields of Snowshill in the Cotswolds, a fifth were convinced it was in Provence, France.
Presented with an image of Luskentyre Beach on the island of Harris in Scotland, 18 percent thought it was in New Zealand or the Caribbean.
The findings by temporary car insurance providers GoShorty also found the rugged rock formations of Kynance Cove in Cornwall were believed to be either in New Zealand or in the Mediterranean. Even the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis in Scotland, had a third believing it was in Iceland.
Managing director Phil Evans said: “It’s incredible to see how many breathtaking views we have right here in the UK—so stunning, in fact, that our research shows many Brits don’t even recognise them as homegrown. From the turquoise waters of Luskentyre Beach to the dramatic peaks of Snowdonia, these locations rival some of the world ’s most famous landscapes.
“With so many people keen to explore more of the UK, a road trip is the perfect way to discover these hidden gems—whether it’s a weekend away or a spontaneous day trip. At GoShorty, we’re all about making road travel flexible and hassle-free, so drivers can hit the road and experience the UK’s beauty without the commitment of a long-term insurance policy.”
Other places featured in the best views list include Durdle Door in Dorset, Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and the iconic Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Even though many may not know where they are, four in ten think that Britain is home to some of the most beautiful views in the world, while 30% think, as a nation, that we don’t appreciate how beautiful the UK is.
Nine in ten would love to spend more time travelling around the country, but many can’t due to time restraints and the price of travel and fuel. Two thirds think a trip within the UK can be just as, or even more enjoyable, as a holiday abroad.
1: Lake Windermere, Lake District – 42%
2: Snowdonia, Wales – 35%
3: Loch Ness, Scotland – 29%
4: St Michael’s Mount in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall – 22%
5: The Yorkshire Dales – 22%
6: Durdle Door, Dorset – 22%
7: St Ives Bay, Cornwall – 22%
8: The Jurassic Coast, Dorset – 21%
9: The Three Sisters in Glencoe Valley, Scotland – 21%
10: Cheddar Gorge, Somerset – 18%
11: Stonehenge, Wiltshire – 18%
12: The White Cliffs of Dover – 18%
13: Tower of London – 18%
14: Kynance Cove, Cornwall – 17%
15: York Minster – 16%
16: Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh – 16%
17: London Eye – 16%
18: Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland – 15%
19: Brecon Beacons, Wales – 14%
20: The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland – 14%
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