While the world descends on London for the Olympic Games, savvy travellers know that Britain offers a wealth of experiences away from the crowds, where you can discover the country’s true character without the hustle and bustle.
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Explore the Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are a world away from the Olympic crowds. This vast, wild landscape offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe. Hike through Glen Coe, cruise Loch Ness, and visit the historic Culloden Battlefield. The city of Inverness provides a comfortable base with excellent restaurants and accommodation. The North Coast 500 route takes you on a breathtaking road trip past castles, beaches, and mountains. In summer, the long daylight hours give you plenty of time to explore.
Discover the Cornish Coastline
Cornwall in the summer is a delight, with its sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and charming fishing villages. Avoid the most popular spots like St Ives by visiting lesser-known gems such as Porthcurno, Kynance Cove, or the Lizard Peninsula. The South West Coast Path offers incredible walks with views of the Atlantic. Sample fresh seafood in Padstow, visit the Eden Project, or explore the prehistoric sites of Bodmin Moor. Cornwall feels like a different country, with its own distinct culture and pace of life.
Visit the Lake District
The Lake District National Park is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers. The lakes themselves, including Windermere and Derwentwater, offer boating, swimming, and peaceful shoreline walks. The market town of Keswick is a hub for outdoor activities, while the charming village of Grasmere is famous for its gingerbread and its connection to the poet William Wordsworth. The fells provide challenging hikes with rewarding views, and the absence of Olympic crowds means you can enjoy the tranquillity fully.
Explore historic York and the Yorkshire Moors
The city of York is one of Britain’s most historic destinations, with its magnificent Minster, medieval city walls, and the fascinating Jorvik Viking Centre. From York, venture into the North York Moors National Park, a landscape of heather-covered hills and ancient woodlands. The coastal towns of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay offer dramatic seaside scenery and excellent fish and chips. The entire region is rich in history, from ruined abbeys to stately homes, and is far less crowded than London during the Games.
Enjoy the Welsh Coast and National Parks
Wales offers a quieter alternative to Olympic fever, with three national parks and a stunning coastline. Snowdonia National Park provides mountain adventures, while the Brecon Beacons offer gentler hills and beautiful waterfalls. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park features some of the UK’s finest beaches and coastal walks. The city of Cardiff is vibrant and welcoming, with a castle, museums, and a lively waterfront. Wales is a destination where you can experience genuine hospitality and spectacular natural beauty without the queues.
Explore the Suffolk and Norfolk Coast
The east coast of England offers a gentle and uncrowded alternative to the Olympic crush, with wide skies, salt marshes, and historic seaside towns that have changed little in generations. Southwold is a classic British seaside town with a pier, a lighthouse, and the Adnams Brewery offering tours and tastings. Aldeburgh is famous for its fish and chips, pebble beach, and the annual Aldeburgh Festival of music and arts founded by Benjamin Britten. Further north, the Norfolk coast features the stunning beaches of Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea, where pine forests meet golden sand dunes. The Broads National Park offers peaceful boating through a network of rivers and lakes teeming with wildlife. The entire region is known for its birdwatching, with reserves such as Minsmere and Cley Marshes attracting species from across the continent.
Discover the Peak District National Park
The Peak District, Britain’s first national park, offers a landscape of rolling hills, dramatic gritstone edges, and picturesque market towns within easy reach of major cities yet a world away from Olympic crowds. The park is divided into two distinct areas, the Dark Peak with its wild moorlands and rocky escarpments, and the White Peak with its gentle limestone valleys and stone villages. The village of Castleton sits beneath the ruins of Peveril Castle and is famous for its show caves, including the Blue John Cavern where the unique Blue John stone is mined. Bakewell, home of the famous pudding, is a delightful market town with a medieval bridge and excellent bakeries. Walking routes range from gentle riverside strolls along the Monsal Trail to challenging hikes up Kinder Scout, the highest point in the park. The region’s pubs serve hearty food and local ales, perfect after a day of exploration.
Which alternative British destination will you explore this summer?
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