What are the best places to visit in the UK?
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Top UK holiday destinations for 2026
Sightseeing tops UK holiday activities (48%) and drove around £6bn of spend in 2024, according to new VisitBritain data.
Here's your ultimate 2026 holiday guide, detailing where to go next – and the nearby campsites that put you right on the views.
Sightseeing and "exploring the area" is now the number one thing Britons do on holiday, accounting for 48% of all activities and it isn't just time well spent; it's serious money. In 2024, holidayers spent £5.943 billion while out sightseeing and exploring.
If you're planning a UK break that leans into those numbers (and the views), this guide pairs iconic sightseeing locations with friendly campsites nearby. Each pairing gives you a base with facilities and easy access to trails, viewpoints and heritage hotspots – exactly the kind of road trip thousands of readers search for every week.
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Portmeirion Village (Gwynedd, North Wales)
A Mediterranean inspired village, Portmeirion is perched above the Dwyryd Estuary and is one of Britain's most photogenic villages. Designed by 1900's architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is a UK architectural anomaly that became a cultural icon after starring as The Village in the 1960s TV show, The Prisoner.
The setting is as compelling as the buildings: terraces and subtle frames, with estuary views that glow in the sun. Many buildings and gardens are listed for their historic and architectural significance, which tells you everything about the quality of the historical designs.
Portmeirion's walking routes reward UK sightseers seeking exploration, with arcades, arches, staircases and sea vistas, plus you can journey to a ride on the nearby Welsh Highland Railways for a classic steam train experience. With Porthmadog just two miles away, you can mix a village wander with harbour cafés or a late-afternoon beach stroll at Borth-y-Gest.
When it comes to planning your visit, it is recommended to visit outside the middle of the day for quieter photos, sunrise and late evenings.
But the pitch is easy to sell: If you love architecture, landscapes and slightly surreal escapism, Portmeirion is an easy win for a North Wales sightseeing holiday. Families also have plenty to do – woodland trails, sandy coves and short scenic drives to castles and coastal viewpoints.
Stay nearby:
Tyddyn Llwyn Caravan & Touring Park, Porthmadog
Tyddyn Llwyn Caravan & Touring Park is a clean, well-kept, family-friendly campsite within walking distance of Porthmadog's harbour and Borth-y-Gest. Every pitch is hardstanding and fully serviced (electric, water and grey waste), which makes set-up easy after a long tow.
You're only a few minutes from Black Rock Sands and under 15 minutes from Portmeirion, so you can time village visits for quieter windows. The campsite is a handy hub for the Snowdonia/Eryri area, with nearby lakes, castles and coastal paths, plus there's an on-site bar with real – and locally made – ales.
Visitors should expect:
- Park-wide WiFi, a children's play area, games room, launderette and freezer-block hire
- Helpful staff: staff know the local area well and will point you to lesser-known viewpoints and family-friendly walks
- Pet-friendly: with level access and clear site rules – ideal for a relaxed, well-serviced base.
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park
Eryri is a scenic area which is joined by 100+ lakes, knife-edge ridges and classic peaks such as Tryfan and Cadair Idris. Sightseeing here isn't a single viewpoint; it's a string of day trips, such as the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which takes you all the way to the summit, a lakeside loop at Llyn Padarn, the nearby miner's ruins – which belonged to the copper mines and slate quarries that emerged in Snowdonia at the beginning of the nineteenth century – and the turquoise waters above Capel Curig, an area known for its mountaineering.
If you wondering where the name Eryri comes from, it has many meaningful roots in Welsh "highlands" and is sometimes linked to eagles that once lived there.
Top nearby castles:
- Castell Harlech
- Conwy Castle
- Caernarfon Castle
Has Snowdonia been renamed? In short, yes. The newly adopted Welsh names – Eryri for the park and Yr Wyddfa for Snowdon – reflect a deeper commitment to the Welsh language and landscape.
Stay nearby:
Bryn Gloch Caravan & Camping Park, Betws Garmon
On the banks of the River Gwyrfai and at the foot of Yr Wyddfa – about as close as you'll camp to Snowdon's heartland. Bryn Gloch Caravan & Camping Park is a family-run, dog-friendly campsite and spreads over 38 acres, so pitches feel airy and green, plus you can wander the riverside looking for kingfishers or, if you're lucky, even otters.
Pitch types run from non-electric to fully serviced, with modern heated wash blocks, parent and baby rooms, a bath, disabled access and a well-stocked shop. There's free WiFi, a TV/games room and play areas, plus fishing on the campsite for slow mornings.
Nearby attractions:
- Scenic mountains and walking trails
- Caernarfon Castle
- Adventure activities at Zip World
- Paddle sessions at Snowdonia Water Sports
- Nearby steam trains only a walk away
Giant's Causeway (County Antrim, Northern Ireland)
At the edge of the town of County Antrim, 40,000 interlocking basalt columns step into the Atlantic, backed by cliffs, myths and legends. With around 162 overall steps and an excess of nearby campsites, sightseeing here is as much about the coastal drive, castles and views as it is the stones.
The legend: a giant called Finn McCool building a causeway to face his Scottish rival – and they make an already staggering geology lesson feel alive. You can see a statue of Finn McCool at Belfast International Airport.
It is advised that visitors should go early in the day or late at night for quieter foot traffic and a better chance at those photos on the famous steps. For families, you could combine a short cliff path walk with a picnic and some seal spotting.
Nearby attractions:
- Dunluce Castle
- The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
- The Old Bushmills Distillery
- Ballintoy Harbour
- Mussenden Temple
Stay nearby:
Ballyness Caravan Park, Bushmills
Award-winning and fully serviced hardstanding pitches place you within a short distance of the Causeway and Old Bushmills Distillery.
Campsite facilities:
- A recently refurbished heated amenities block with free hot showers
- Family bathroom and disabled wet room
- Laundry and dishwashing
- Generous pitches for leisure vehicles
- Free WiFi
Families can also benefit from various activities, such as the outdoor play park and football field, indoor games room, TV area and library/board games for rainy spells.
For local sightseeing, in season, the bus stops near the campsite and runs to Carrick-a-Rede, Portrush and Coleraine, so you can leave your towcar behind and let someone else do the driving.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs (Argyll, Scotland)
The largest lake in Great Britain by surface area and the second-largest by water volume – after Loch Ness – Loch Lomond sits at the centre of Scotland's first national park (established in 2002).
On the eastern side, trails and cycle routes fan out from the foothills; to the west, Luss Heritage Path threads past stone cottages and views back across the loch, there are also boat trips which reveal the islands (some with intriguing history), and wildlife watching can bring surprises, from red deer and pine martens to beavers and otters – on some occasions, porpoises and even minke whales have been spotted.
Top nearby trails/walks:
- Conic Hill
- Ben Lomond Mountain Path
- Conic Hill via Balmaha Circular
- Ben Lomond via Ptarmigan Ridge Path
- The Cobbler (Ben Arthur)
It's a perfect Glasgow escape: motorway for the first half, then classic lochside bends, viewpoints and picnic spots for the second half.
Stay nearby:
Campsie Glen Holiday Park, Fintry
Under an hour from Glasgow and tucked between the Campsie Fells and Fintry Hills, Campsie Glen Holiday Park gives you tranquillity with easy access to Loch Lomond and Stirling. Both dog-friendly and relaxed, it's the kind of spot where you plan one outing and end up adding three.
Visitors with a leisure vehicle get fully serviced hardstandings with big-sky views; those without, can book lodges (some with private hot tubs), good-value caravans or cosy camping pods.
Facilities are dialled to families:
- A heated indoor pool
- Hot tub and kids' pool (April to October)
- A bar & bistro with terrace
- Indoor games room (to 10pm)
- Outdoor play park and Saturday entertainment in season
Blair Atholl (Highland Perthshire, Scotland)
Blair Atholl is a unique and small village which sits in a rare pocket of level ground that's been strategically important for centuries.
The headline sight is Blair Castle, seat of the Dukes of Atholl.
Interesting fact: The Duke of Atholl commands the only legal private regiment in Europe, known as the Atholl Highlanders.
The wider Atholl Estates offer walled gardens, woodland groves and 50+ miles of trails radiating into the hills; in 2008 the village area was brought into the Cairngorms National Park, reflecting how its forests and uplands join that landscape.
Here, sightseeing blends aristocratic history with Highland scenery – a castle morning, a river stroll, then a drive into moorland for red deer at dusk. The nearby A9 keeps access easy (Inverness one way, Perth the other), while the nearby town of Pitlochry, known for its Victorian architecture adds cafés, distilleries and theatres for rainy hours.
If you like your views with a side of history, Blair Atholl is served with the finest castles and a pinch of scenic lakes, towns and architecture.
Stay next-door (literally):
Blair Castle Caravan Park, Blair Atholl
Set within the castle's historic landscape, this is one of Scotland's best-equipped campsites and a dream base for sightseeing.
In total, there are 163 pitches (grass and hardstanding, many with services) plus woodland lodges, caravan holiday homes and glamping pods (standard and luxury with bathrooms/kitchenettes/underfloor heating). For families, there is also a play area and nine acres of open space; rainy days are softened by a games room (table tennis, table football, two pool tables, giant Connect 4 and TV).
On-site facilities:
- Segway tours (Segway Ecosse)
- Bike hire
- Massage & beauty at Atholl Beauty Room
- Estate Larder shop heavy on local produce
Extra benefit: as part of your stay, guests can enjoy discounted entry into Blair Castle.
Yorkshire Dales National Park (North Yorkshire)
Covering 680-841 square miles (depending which boundary you use), the Dales gather a jigsaw of limestone valleys, waterfalls and moor-top views into a single slow-travel paradise. Six peaks top 700m, but sightseeing joy is just as strong at ground level: ancient dry stone walls and field barns criss-cross the meadows, creating one of Europe's most distinctive farmed landscapes.
Villages surround every dale with pubs and tearooms; between them you'll find caves, stepping-stone rivers, natural waterfalls and airy passes, where the area's tranquillity makes it perfect for sightseers and families who want space to explore at their own speed.
Top Yorkshire Dales waterfalls:
- Aysgarth Falls
- Hardraw Force
- Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
- West Burton Falls (also known as Cauldron Falls)
- Cautley Spout
Stay nearby:
Pennine View Caravan & Camping Park, Kirkby Stephen
A family-run campsite a mile from Kirkby Stephen – with the Yorkshire Dales on one side and the North Pennines and Lake District within easy reach.
Pennine View Park offers pitches (grass and hardstanding) which sit around generous green space with a playground, modern washrooms, a launderette and washing-up areas. Walkers and cyclists are also spoiled for choice: valley rambles from the gate, classic fell days a short drive away and a web of quiet lanes for e-bikes. The town of Kirkby Stephen will also provide visitors with local shops, pubs and cafés.
Campsite facilities:
- Grass and hardstanding pitches
- A playground
- Washing-up area
- A launderette
- Washrooms
- The Engine Shed bar
Western Lake District Fells (Cumbria)
The Western Fells carve a huge horseshoe around Ennerdale, forming the southern wall of Buttermere and the northern fence of Wasdale. At their heart rises Great Gable (899m) – known by mountaineers as a challenging mountain to climb.
Sightseeing in the western region isn't only for the high summit/mountain views: as expected, lakesides surround the entire area.
Top nearby lakes in the western Lake District:
- Buttermere
- Crummock Water
- Wast Water
- Thirlmere
- Bassenthwaite Lake
- Tarn Hows
- Easedale Tarn
Another benefit from this area (being in the west) is that it stays quieter than the central Lakes, which means easier parking and emptier trails – prime conditions to freely explore and make the most of the landscaped sites.
Stay nearby:
Shepherds Views Holidays, Holmrook
A small, family-run campsite set in 210 acres with the Wasdale Fells as a backdrop and a sandy beach about a mile away – a very rare sea-and-mountain combo.
Visitors bringing their leisure vehicles can choose fully serviced hardstandings or grass pitches, plus there's a large level camping field and family amenities.
Entertainment runs throughout the day, where the evenings can mean a campfire, a stroll on the dog-walking field, or a wander to meet the resident alpacas. Active sightseers can take advantage of the cycle hire on the campsite and immediate access to Hadrian's Cycleway.
Visitors should expect:
- A large grassed area for ball games
- Campfires on certain pitches
- A large dog walking area
- Cycle hire on site
- Alpacas
FAQs
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What are the best places for sightseeing in the UK?
Portmeirion, Eryri (Snowdonia), Giant's Causeway, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Blair Atholl/Blair Castle, the Yorkshire Dales and the Western Lake District Fells offer top-tier views with campsites close by.
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How much do UK travellers spend on sightseeing?
VisitBritain's latest data shows sightseeing/exploring made up 48% of holiday activities and generated £5.943bn of spend in 2024.
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When is the best time to visit these scenic areas?
Late spring and early autumn give long light, reliable paths and fewer crowds. For Portmeirion, early morning or late afternoon is best; for the Giant's Causeway, aim for sunrise/sunset or shoulder season.
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Are these campsites suitable for families and dogs?
Yes – the listed campsites are family-friendly and dog-friendly (check site rules). Many offer play areas, games rooms, walks and beaches.
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Do I need to pre-book Portmeirion or the Giant's Causeway?
Both can be busy. Advance tickets (or timed entry/parking where applicable) help you access quieter windows; always check each site's official page before you travel.
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What's the easiest UK national park for first-time sightseeing?
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs (close to Glasgow) and the Yorkshire Dales (lots of short, scenic loops) are ideal for first-timers.
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Is Snowdon suitable for beginners?
The summit paths are serious mountain routes; beginners should consider the railway to the top in good weather, or choose lower-level lakeside and valley walks.
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Can I see wildlife on these trips?
Yes. Expect red deer, otters, beavers (in parts of Scotland) and abundant birdlife. Around Loch Lomond, porpoises and even minke whales have been recorded on occasion.
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What's a good three-day sightseeing itinerary in North Wales?
- Portmeirion and Porthmadog
- Eryri lakes and a heritage railway
- Coastal walk and a castle (Caernarfon or Harlech)
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Are these locations good for rainy-day sightseeing?
Yes – nearby there is plenty of cover from any potential rain. Castles, distilleries, village cafés and local villages are not only scenic, but will keep you from getting wet.
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