If you’re looking for a sign to get out and explore some of the amazing scenery that the UK has to offer, let this be it. One stunning UK harbour town with impressive coastal scenery and even a castle to explore should be on your radar, as there’s so much to see and do there. 

Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is the perfect place to spend a couple of days visiting this summer. A new study by the experts at CEWE has revealed this gorgeous spot is home to one of the most beautiful walks in the UK. And if you’ve ever been before, you’ll know why – the scenery is so breathtaking, it looks like something out of a postcard.

Each location on the list was analysed for star ratings, number of reviews and descriptive terms such as ‘beautiful’, ‘stunning’, ‘amazing’, and ‘lovely’ – words commonly associated with picturesque places that people love to photograph and remember.

And the walk around Dunnottar castle came in joint second place overall with Powis Castle in Wales, beaten by Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland.

Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s national treasures and played a crucial role in the country’s history for 1,000 years. Offering clifftop views, the space has hosted historical figures including Mary Queen of Scots. The castle is also the inspiration behind many films such as Disney’s Brave and Mel Gibson’s Hamlet, with the official website of the castle stating: “Perched on a cliff-top amidst striking scenery with stunning seascape views, it’s not hard to understand why the beauty of this outstanding location has been captured on the silver screen on numerous occasions.”

Perched on a steep 160 foot cliff and surrounded by glistening seas, this landmark really has to be seen to be believed. You can head out to the Aberdeenshire coastline and book a spot to explore the castle, or simply walk around the grounds and marvel at the sight of it. 

Things to do in Stonehaven 

Dunnottar Castle is about 1.6 miles south of Stonehaven, so it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re in the area. But aside from the castle, there are so many brilliant things to do in this town. 

You can’t visit Stonehaven without spending some time out at the harbour. There are so many places you can sit and eat, drink and relax, and there’s nothing better than watching the boats bobbing along in the water.

While you’re here, you can also visit the Tolbooth Museum, which is the oldest building in the town and used to be a prison many years ago. Some of the features are even still there, like the classic cell door. 

If you’re after a bit of adventure, you could also try out a paddleboarding lesson or two out on the water. But if you’re not quite feeling brave enough to get in the sea, there’s an outdoor swimming pool located along the seafront which is open until September.