From the glittering Fairy Pools of Skye to the imposing brutalism of the Barbican, you’ll find all sorts of beauty across the UK. Some places take a bit more open-mindedness in order to appreciate their full charm, others are just indisputably spectacular.
In Time Out’s latest ranking of the 44 most gorgeous places on the planet, our travel writers have shared which sites around the world have taken their breath away more than any other. And above the other-worldly salt flats of Bolivia, the mesmerising Rainbow Mountains of China and the gleaming lagoons of Mexico, two parts of the UK made it into the top 10.
Bannau Brycheiniog
We named Bannau Brycheiniog (the official Welsh name for the Brecon Beacons) the sixth most beautiful place in the world for 2025. Spanning 520 square miles of mid to south Wales, Time Out contributor Daniela Toporok called it ‘a cathartic, curvaceous wonderland’. Its spectacular landscape includes the peaks of Pen Y Fan, Corn Du and Craig Gwaun Taf and Waterfall Country, a stunning area in the southwest of the park with over a dozen publicly accessible waterfalls. Explore the best of the Beacons with our expertly curated guide.
New Forest
In ninth place was south England’s New Forest. Its beauty lies in its storybook ancient woodland (given its name by William the Conqueror more than 900 years ago), the sunlight that dapples through the treetops and the population of calm ponies, horses and deer that call it home. Want to pay New Forest a visit? We’ve rounded up all of its loveliest bits here.
Beyond the top 10, the Scottish Highlands was the third and final British spot to feature on our ranking. Known the world over for its dramatic, atmospheric good looks, this one probably comes as no surprise. You’ve got dolphins, castles, wide lochs and towering mountains. It’s impossible to go here and not to be awe-struck. The Highlands are huge and there’s no way you can do it all it once, but by way of introduction, take a look at our guide to the perfect weekend in the northeast Highlands.
ICYMI: Two legendary British hiking trails have been named the best in Europe.
Plus: The UK’s first national forest in 30 years is being planted – with 20 million trees.
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