With summer in full swing and the August bank holiday weekend approaching, TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking website, is celebrating the great outdoors by revealing the UK’s ten best-rated nature attractions, according to ratings from local and international travellers on TripAdvisor.

"From mountains to beaches – the UK is crammed with natural beauty just waiting to be explored for free! This list of best-rated nature attractions is based on reviews from other travellers on TripAdvisor and offers a great source of inspiration for those looking to get out and about and make the most of the last summer months,” says TripAdvisor spokesperson, Hayley Coleman.

Top ten best-rated nature attractions in the UK

1. Quiraing, Portree, Isle of Skye, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 1,203 reviews

This spectacular rock formation formed by a massive landslip consists of high cliffs, hidden plateaus and pinnacles of rock. The walk is a loop which covers a distance of 6.8km and offers amazing views the whole way. The Quiraing is situated in the north of Skye in the area known as ‘Trotternish’. The start of the walk is accessed from either of the villages of Staffin or Uig, which are joined by a single track road.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “This is "the" view on Skye, and rightly so, it is a spectacular sweeping vista reminisent of New Zealand. You will find yourself thinking of Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings as you move around the landscape.”

2. Catbells Lakeland Walk, Keswick, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 915 reviews

Catbells is a short, steep climb resulting in fantastic views of the Lake District’s mountains and lakes. Situated on the western shore of Derwent Water, Catbells is 3 miles away from town of Keswick. At 451m, the summit of Catbells offers a panoramic view of Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Newlands Valley, Skiddaw, Keswick and Borrowdale.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “The walk up Catbells from Hawes End is among the most beautiful in the region. The picturesque scenery just gets better and better by the step.”

3. Derwentwater, Keswick, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 1,657 reviews

Derwentwater is one of the main lakes in the Lake District National Park. Located a ten-minute walk away from Keswick, visitors to the lake can walk the eight miles around it or take a more relaxing 50-minute cruise to soak up the scenery. From just £30 on TripAdvisor, visitors can make the most of their time in the Lake District and visit ten lakes in one day with a Lake District Tour. This 6.5-hour tour with an expert local guide starts from Windermere and travels around the region by coach, stopping to stroll around villages, explore natural beauty spots and take in the ten lakes.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Undoubtedly the best attraction in Keswick. This place has it all, ducks, rowing boats, little speedboat to hire and a bigger boat doing day trips around the lake.”

4. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 1,279 reviews

The largest expanse of white sand on the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay stretches for three miles and it is this vast stretch of sand and towering cliffs which make it popular with surfers, paragliders and ramblers alike. The village of Rhossili itself is steeped in history and the wreck of the Helvetia, which ran aground on Rhossili Bay in November 1887, can still be seen on the beach today.

On TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Just the best place in South Wales. Fantastic beach, parking, superb views, safe swimming, paragliders, great walks, good food in the pub. Walk along to Worms Head. You have got to go and try this place for yourself and you won't regret it!”

5. RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Bempton, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 840 reviews

The Bempton Cliffs are a bird watcher’s paradise. Over 250,000 birds flock to the cliffs every year and there are many different species to be seen including puffins, kittiwake and gannets.

Birds can be spotted throughout the year but it’s between mid-April and mid-July when the much-loved puffin can be seen. While February to October is the best time to see thousands of gannets nesting on the cliffs.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Stunning cliff top views and plenty of birds to see, particularly gannets. What really made the visit was the input of the staff at every viewing platform who were keen to talk about the birds.”

6. Malham Cove and Gordale, Malham, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 705 reviews

Located in the Yorkshire Dales, Malham Cove and Gordale provide dramatic, picturesque scenery. The cove is an enormous curved cliff formation of limestone rock, with a vertical face reaching about 260 feet.

Gordale or Gordale Scar as it is also called, is a gorge that cuts right into the limestone hillside and features beautiful waterfalls. The gorge was created over the course of the last 3 million years, caused by melting glaciers.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Part of Yorkshire's Crown Jewels. you can't fail to be impressed by Malham Cove and Gordale Scar.”

7. Snowdon, Snowdonia, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 1,215 reviews

The highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon is 1,085m above sea level and the highest point in the British Isles aside from the Scottish Highlands. Located in Snowdonia National Park, it is possible to climb the mountain or for the less mobile, the Snowdon Mountain Railway is available to take passengers the 4.7miles up to the summit. Once at the top, visitors can enjoy views of Snowdonia, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and Ireland.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “I have been to Mount Snowdon a few times now and the scenery is breathtaking every time.”

8. Glen Coe, Glencoe, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 716 reviews

Glen Coe draws walkers and climbers from all over the world. Located in the Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe is the most famous Scottish glen and features mountains, waterfalls and lochs among its landscape. Those wishing to take in the sights of Glen Coe and learn about its history along the way can book a Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Day Tour from £45 on TripAdvisor. On the twelve hour tour, visitors depart from Edinburgh in a minivan with a guide and a small group of no more than 16 to ensure a personalised experience.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Absolutely stunning. Almost impossible not to reach for your camera as soon as you enter the area. The landscape folds up into huge mountains and drops away into magnificent glens. In sunlight it’s achingly beautiful, and so green and in the rain it’s brooding and darkly imposing with the mountain tops hidden in clouds.”

9. Steall Waterfall, 4.5 bubbles out of 5, 714 reviews

Located in Glen Nevis, in the Scottish Highlands, Steall Falls is a spectacular waterfall which cascades into a huge gorge from high above. The waterfall is about 91m high and in the winter it freezes completely and climbers ascend it.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “I was recently in the Fort William area for three days and decided on doing the hike to Steall Falls and boy am I glad we did. Steall Falls is an incredible sight to see and the hike to get there is the icing on the cake.”

10. Ridge Walk Mam Tor to Losehill, 5 out of 5 bubbles, 371 reviews

Located in the Peak District, Mam Tor and Losehill are arguably the area’s most famous hills. Visitors to the site should head over Mam Tor then follow the crest of the Great Ridge until its end at Losehill. This walk offers vast panoramic views into the heart of the Peak District, stretching north over the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “This walk simply has to be done. The views are fantastic and the walking is fairly easy.”

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Notes to the editors

¹ The list includes attractions which are tagged under ‘nature’ on TripAdvisor and have at least 20 reviews and a minimum bubble rating of 4.5 out of 5 as of June 2016.

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