Travel writer names 5 most underrated corners of UK to visit in 2025

When asked to name some of the UK’s top travel destinations, most will name only some of our island’s most famous, including Cornwall and the Lake District for their traditional villages and breathtaking scenery.

Or perhaps they will choose cities like Edinburgh, London and Bath for their rich histories and iconic buildings. 

However, there is far more to the UK than meets the eye, with countless numbers of hidden gems to explore. 

Now, a travel expert from The Telegraph has named five of the UK’s most underrated corners to visit in 2024, which lie far off the beaten track of the main tourist routes. 

Welsh Marches

The Welsh Marches, which lies on the English-Welsh border is home to some incredible medieval monuments and is famed for its natural beauty. 

The Welsh Marches were strategically important and were home to the Marcher Lords, who were appointed by the King of England to guard the border. As such, the region has a collection of incredible castles, from Flint Castle in the north to Chepstow Castle in the south. 

For those seeking a more natural experience, the Welsh Marches are filled with hills and valleys, including the Black Mountains, the Malvern Hills and the Long Mynd, which make for the perfect hiking route. The highest peaks are over 700 metres tall, providing breathtaking views of the local scenery. 

The Welsh Marches cater for all types of accommodation for visitors wishing to stay more than a day, including self-catered cottages, hotels, B&Bs, camping and caravan sites. 

South-west Northumberland, England

It is a wonder why south-west Northumberland, where the North Pennines meet Hadrian’s Wall, does not get the attention it deserves – home to natural beauty, a fascinating history and a growing food scene. 

The market town of Hexham, on the south bank of the river Tyne, famed for England first purpose-built prison, is fast becoming a culinary hub, with a variety of places to eat and drink from fine dining, to pubs, cafes and fish and chips. 

For example, the Michelin-starred French restaurant of Bouchon won “Best Local French restaurant in the UK” on Gordon Ramsay’s F-word TV programme and serves a mix of dishes inspired by Scandinavian and Northumbrian flavours and ingredients.

The region is also a fantastic place for walking, with 2025 marking the 60th anniversary of the Pennine Way – England’s first National Trail. This 286-mile route transverses spectacular landscapes, from wild moors to one of the most impressive sections of Hadrian’s Wall. 

From amazing hotels and traditional cosy inns, remote hostels and camping experiences, this largely undiscovered section of Northumberland has it all. 

Inverness, Scotland

Moving northwards, Inverness – a city in the Highlands – is one of those places that many tourists pass through on their way north, but rarely stop to admire its beauty. 

Inverness is home to some world-class nature parks, rivers and forests, allowing visitors to walk along the River Ness, explore the Reelig Glen Highland or visit Glen Affric, which has everything on offer from lochs to mountains to forests. 

The city also has many historic sites, including the site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite Rising, Culloden Battlefield, Fort George which is home to the Highlanders Museum and, of course, Inverness Castle, the iconic landmark perched above River Ness that will reopen to visitors next year. 

If you are craving tranquility and scenic views, a hotel by Loch Ness would be perfect, but if you want easy access to the city’s attractions, a central Inverness location is ideal. For example, the Rocpool Reserve is one of the most talked about hotels in the city, known for being modern and luxurious, while its restaurant, Chez Roux, is highly recommended. 

Kent Downs, England

Heading west, the Kent Downs spread from the Surrey border and rolling countryside to the sea at the cliffs of Dover. 

The Downs is home to every type of landscape imaginable, from dramatic cliff views and farmed landscapes, to historic and cultural heritage, woodlands and wetlands, meaning you can really scratch that rural itch. 

Inland, the Downs – which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – rise to an impressive 240 metres and traverses three prominent river valleys of the Darent, Medway and Stour. 

There are also several ancient settlements to explore, including the picturesque half-timebered Charing and Chilham.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options in the Kent Downs, catering for every taste or budget. For a hassle-free break, stay in a coaching inn and pub with local food and a comfy bed all under one roof, or go off the grid in one of the region’s luxury sites will bell tents or pitch up your own in one of the traditional campsites. 

East Anglia, England

Finally, East Anglia is one of the top places to visit in the entire world in 2025 according to Lonely Planet, and it’s not difficult to see why. 

The region has many attractions, including seaside towns, wildlife parks and historical and royal sites. This includes Holkham Hall, a house and history site with a walled garden, art gallery and cafe and the traditional Victorian Cromer Pier with its sandy beach, museums and surfing spots nearby. 

East Anglia is also home to unspoiled coastlines with Blue Flag beaches and pastel beach huts, as well as the 125 miles of navigable waterways, which make up the Broads National Park, best seen by boat. 

East Anglia has some of the finest Norman cathedrals in England: Peterborough and Ely. Sandringham Estate will also open for seven days a week between March and October, allowing visitors to explore both the house and gardens.

Beyond the traditional hotel and cottage stays in East Anglia, you could also stay in more unique accommodations, including log cabins, a former mill keeper’s cottage, or even become a Lord or Lady of the manor at a luxury, moated private castle in Norfolk. 

Wherever you choose, there is far more to the UK than its major towns, cities and national parks.