What are the Seven Natural Wonders of the UK?
The world is full of natural wonders. Do you know what the seven natural wonders of the UK are?
These are the places that leave you standing in owe at there sheer beauty. Many of them leave you in amazement of what lies in front of you. I was doing some work the other day on the seven natural wonders of the world. We all know what makes that list, some of the biggest buck list destinations in the world. Places like Victoria Falls, The Grand Canyon and The Northern Lights. This got me thinking, I wonder what the seven natural wonders of the UK could be. Let’s be honest, did you know what they were?
After some extensive research, here are the seven natural wonders of the United Kingdom.
Wastwater, Lake District, England
The first natural wonders of the UK is Wastwater Lake. Which makes up part of the Lake District National Park, is located in Wasdale. The lake is nearly 3 miles long and more than one third of a mile wide. Wastwater Lake is the deepest Lake in England at 258ft deep (79 m). It remains a popular spot for diving and all water sport activities. Some of the highest peaks in England, including the highest Scafell Pike, surround Wastwater Lake. This makes for a truly beautiful backdrop and setting to this wonderful place.
How to get there?
The easiest and quickest way to reach Wastwater Lake is via the M6 motorway. Head for the Lake District National Park. Once you arrive at the park boundary if travelling from the south, come off at junction 36 (A590). You then will need to turn right onto the A595 looking for signs for Gosford. Once you reach Gosford, Wasdale is signed posted. If coming from the North, use the M6 motorway. Come off the motorway at Carlie (junction 40). Continue on the A66 heading for Cockermouth , then pick up the A595 for Gosford. Once you reach Gosford, Wasdale is signposted and it will take you straight onto Wastwater Lake.
Once you get to the lake, there is plenty of things to do and see but most importantly. Swimming, Kayaking and Paddle boarding are all welcomed on the lake. There are also loads of hiking and walking trails to explore. The area is beautiful. The mountains (including Scafell Pike), the lakes and the forests make for a beautiful destination.
There are plenty of places to stay around the local area, from camp sites to Bed and Breakfasts. All to suit any budget. Take a look NOW and book your stay at the stunning Wastwater Lake. CLICK HERE.
Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, Wales
This waterfall is thought to be the tallest in Wales and the highest single drop Waterfall in the United Kingdom, although this has never been confirmed officially. At 240ft high (73 meters) it is certainly an impressive waterfall to visit in the heart of the Welsh countryside.
You are able to walk right up to the bottom of the waterfall and you can hike to the top of the falls for an impressive view of the local area. I stayed at the top for a while, there are a number of stones and rocks to sit on as the falls thunder past you and on a lovely sunny day it was the perfect place to sit and relax for a while taking it all in.
How to get there?
The waterfall is 4 miles from the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in Powys, Wales and 16 miles west of Oswestry. It is a little tricky to get to and I would advise to follow your SAT NAV using this postcode: SY10 0BZ. It is the one I used and got me close; once you get into the little village, you can follow the signs for the waterfall. This really is a sight to see, I can certainly see why it’s a natural wonders of the UK.
You can check out my trip to Wales here, with a detailed look into when I visited this beautiful waterfall.
Dovedale, Peak District, England
An area of outstanding natural beauty in the Peak District National Park. Dovedale is a valley and attracts approx. one million visitors per year. The River Dove that flows along the Valley floor has naturally created the Valley over millions of years. The River is 3 miles long and makes a great hiking/walking trail.
The area is also famous for its natural limestone pillars like Lovers Leap, a wooded forest ravine, caves and 942ft (287m) high limestone viewpoint known as Thorpe Cloud. Protected under law as a national park the Peak District National Park was the first National Park of the United Kingdom.
How to get there?
Getting to Dovedale is easy, with both the M1 and M6 motorways running alongside the Peak District National Park. It is signposted well from the main A52 and A515 with a car park and facilities like toilets and small café. Dovedale is actually a small walk from the car park into the Valley (just head for Dovedale Car Park). Parking is pay and display, which will cost five pound all day.
With miles of hiking/walking trails, one of the most pristine Ash Woodlands in the country, winding rivers, limestone structures and caves the area truly makes for a wonderful day of adventure and exploration. No wonder, this wonder makes it onto the list.
The Needles, Isle of White, England
One of the most iconic landmarks on the south coast of England is The Needles. The Needles are a row of chalk stacks that rise out the English Channel to the west of the Isle of White. Just off the south coast of mainland England is the Isle of White, it can accessible via Portsmouth, Southampton or Lymington by passenger and car ferries and the journey can take anything from 10 to 25mins depending on mode of transport.
The Needles are a huge tourist draw to the Isle of White and many places all around the Island will advertise The Needles. They are significantly important conversation areas. Boat trips are common from Alum Bay nearby, which will take visitors next to the chalk stacks providing history talks and tours of the area. One of the main areas on the site is a decommissioned artillery battery, which is owned by the National Trust and open to the public. One of the most popular attractions is the chairlift that takes members of the public down onto Alum Beach and Bay for a truly beautiful view of The Needles and Lighthouse.
How to get there?
As I mentioned getting to the Isle of White is generally easy, you can use multiple forms of transport from passenger ferries to car ferries to cross the channel. However, please note that bad weather can halt ferry crossings so will be worth checking times before setting off. Once you get onto the island itself, you will leave the ferry terminal onto the A3054 then you just need to follow B3322, which will take you directly to The Needles Visitor Centre.
There are plenty of places to stay around the local area, from camp sites to Bed and Breakfasts. All to suit any budget. Take a look NOW and book your stay next to the one of the seven wonders of the United Kingdom. CLICK HERE.
Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
From one of the most famous landmarks on the south coast of England to one of the most famous in Northern Ireland.
Giants Causeway is an area made up of 40,000 interlocking stone columns. A volcanic eruption caused the rock formation. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast and is one of the top tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, one of only two on this list. Most of the stone columns are hexagonal in shape but not all and the tallest stands at 39ft (12m), they form a series of stepping stones leading from the foot of the cliff all the way to the sea.
The area is rich in legend, which is how it got its name. According to the legend, two giants who wanted to meet to fight built the causeway. The Irish Giant (Fionn) and the Scottish Giant (Benandonner). The story has two different endings depending on who you talk to the Irish or Scottish but that is how the area got its name.
How to get there?
Giants Causeway is just outside the small town of Bushmills in County Antrim. The A26 or A44 will get you close and it is signposted from there. The visitor centre does have a car park and postcode but there is also a park and ride from Bushmills. From mainland England, a ferry crossing from Cairnryan in Scotland (this is the closest) would get you into Northern Ireland.
Loch Coruisk and The Cuillins, Scotland
Now, I do not want to confuse you here but technically these are two separate places. They are next to each other. Both places are located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Scotland is known for its amazing beauty and the Scottish Highlands are the one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
Loch Coruisk is an in-land fresh water loch. (loch is a Scottish Gaelic word for Lake). The loch lies at the bottom of The Cuillins which is why both of these places are one of the seven natural wonders of the United Kingdom.
How to get there?
Loch Coruisk can only be accessed on foot or boat. By foot, the hiking trail from the nearest town is 8 miles and crosses some difficult climbing/hiking routes. The Cuillins is a range of rocky mountains in the Scottish Highlands on the Isle of Skye. The highest point of the Cuillin is Sgurr Alasdair standing at 992m (3,255ft).
Due to the high peaks, outstanding clear waters of the Loch and the many climbing/hiking trails that this area is known for that it makes the list of the seven natural wonders of the United Kingdom.
Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England
Maybe one of the most famous coastlines in the United Kingdom. Maybe the most famous of the natural wonders of the UK. The Jurassic Coast is an area of coastline along the south coast of the United Kingdom. The coastline is a distance of 96 miles long and is a world UNESCO Heritage site.
Its gets its name as the coastline spans 185 million years of geological history. All along this coastline, coastal erosion exposes an almost continuous sequence of rock formations covering Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The coastline offers extensive arches, pinnacles, coves and rock stacks making it an area of outstanding natural beauty and a site of scientific importance.
The can get busy in the summer months with tourists coming to the beaches and coves. Maybe the most famous would be Lulworth Cove, Old Harry’s Rocks and Durdle Door (the famous arch). The Jurassic coast makes up the South West Coastal Path meaning you can if you are up to it walk/hike the entire 96 miles of coastline.
How to get there?
The area is too large to give detailed directions. There are some beautiful towns running along the 96-mile coast, which are all worth taking a visit too. Some that I must mention, Swanage, Studland Bay, Axmouth, Sidmouth, Portland and Lyme Regis all offer great destinations to enjoy this amazing coast.
There you have it, the seven wonders of the United Kingdom. All offer some amazing activities, some outstanding natural beauty, some great days out or weekends away. Maybe most importantly a chance to really appreciate how incredible beautiful the United Kingdom is.
Until Next Time….