While it’s fun to visit exotic, far-flung locations, the UK also has lots of hidden gems. Recently, a travel site put together a ranking of the UK’s most beautiful places, and the spot that got to number one has long attracted tourists.

This free-to-enter area is easily accessible, yet gives you the kind of views you usually only get at the end of a long hike. And over the years, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the spot, including one very famous royal.

Queen’s View in Perthshire overlooks Loch Tummel, and is surrounded by classic Highland scenery including dense green forests and unspoilt hillsides for as far as you can see. Its untouched beauty saw it take the number one spot in the list of 50 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the UK in 2026 compiled by Enjoy Travel.

One of its most famous visitors, Queen Victoria, arrived at the site in 1866 and boldly assumed it was named after her. However, the history of the viewpoint goes back much further than the Victorian era. It is thought that it was named after Isabella, Robert the Bruce’s first wife, who lived more than 500-years before Victoria’s visit.

In addition to the viewpoint, where you can take lots of stunning photos, Queen’s View has some walking paths which are especially beautiful in spring, a visitors’ centre, and a tearoom which makes the most of the views.

Queen’s View even managed to beat the Lake District that came in at second place, and the Forest of Dean which rounded off the top three. In fourth place was another Scottish attraction, the Fairy Pools, found on the Isle of Skye.

The Fairy Pools are a series of waterfalls and natural pools set in the rugged landscape of the Black Cuillin mountain range. A circular walk of about an hour will take you past these clear water pools, which are incredible just to look at.

If you’re particularly brave, some visitors choose to swim in the pools, and it’s a popular spot for wild swimming even on the coldest days. However, you may need a wetsuit and should make sure you follow local safety guidelines when finding a spot to enter the water.

Coming in fifth place was the first Northern Ireland attraction on the list: Rathlin Island. This uninhabited island is six-miles long and home to a huge seabird colony, most famously, groups of puffins. From around late April to early August, visitors can travel to the island and see the puffins with their chicks – adorably these are called ‘pufflings’ – up close from a viewing platform.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in the UK 2026

1. Queen’s View – Perthshire, Scotland

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