Nature in the UK

From the Jura coast in the south of England to imposing peaks in Wales to the magical islands in Scotland - Britain's diverse landscape has some highlights to offer. Britain's most spectacular landscapes can be seen here:

1. The Needles on the Isle of Wight, England
The three elongated chalk cliffs tower on the west coast of the Isle of Wight. They were once part of the headland, erosion separated them from the coast. The best way to see the chalk cliffs from The Needles Old Battery is a Victorian building that was originally designed to protect Britain from attackers. When the weather is clear, there is only one name for the local interplay of colors consisting of glossy white rock, foaming blue sea and sheer endless sky: spectacular!

Already knew?
The three rocky islands hardly look like needles. The name comes from two members of a group who plunged into the sea here after a storm in 1764.

2. Trotternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye in Scotland
The northernmost peninsula on the Isle of Skye has some geological highlights: On the eastern coast road you can see the Quiraing, shaped by the landslide, with its jagged summit peaks that are reminiscent of Tolkien's fantasy novels. Don't miss the “Old Man of Storr”, a 49 m high monolith made of basalt. In this dramatic landscape, by the way, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” hid from government forces after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Did you know?
The Trotternish peninsula is also home to the so-called "kilt rock" - a narrow cliff made of hexagonal basalt, which is reminiscent of the tartan pattern of the tartan skirt ("kilt").

3. Malham Cove Bay in North Yorkshire, England
The semi-circular rock formation Malham Cove consists of a 80 m high wall, which was formed from melt water at the end of the last ice age. On the top of the cliff you will find unusual limestone paving washed up by the melting glacier: its regular pattern is indeed reminiscent of rough paving stones. Here you can go hiking and have a fantastic view of Yorkshire.

Already knew?
Malham Cove Bay is featured in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)".

4. The Jurassic Coast in Devon and Dorset, England
The coast in Dorset and Devon is nicknamed the Jurassic Coast and made headlines as the first “natural” World Heritage Site. The spectacular coastline stretches 95 miles from Dorset to East Devon. The local cliffs send visitors on a journey through time through geological epochs: the Triassic, the Jura and the Cretaceous periods are almost complete and cover 185 million years of Earth's history. If you hike high up on the cliff paths, you will experience another example of spectacular geology: the huge limestone arch “Durdle Door”.

Already knew?
Oscar Wilde's film biography 'Wilde' was starring Stephen Fry and Jude Law.

People coasteering at the Durdle Door limestone rock arch on the Dorset Jurassic coastline

5. The Cheddar Gorge gorge in Somerset, England
The history of Britain's largest gorge, Cheddar Gorge, dates back over a million years. Floods of meltwater left behind a spectacular gorge with steep walls that divided the local landscape in half. Today you can go on cliff walks, climb or explore caves and underground rivers in the idiosyncratic rock formations.

Already knew?
The oldest fully preserved human skeleton in Britain has been found here: the “Cheddar Man”.

6. The Seven Sisters in Sussex, England
The white chalk cliffs in the south of England are a symbol of the country and a symbol of the proud history of the island. One of the most impressive cliffs of this type is the “Seven Sisters” on the Sussex coast. Her austere beauty has always deterred attackers and welcomed returning seafarers. For example, you have a stunning panoramic view of the cliffs at Seaford Head!

Already knew?
You can see the cliffs in the film “Robin Hood - King of Die

7. Brimham Rocks sandstone formations in North Yorkshire, England
This unusual collection of stones has fascinated mankind for centuries. For thousands of years, erosion has formed interesting sandstone formations here that bear significant names today: for example, a watchdog (“The Watchdog”), a sphinx, a turtle (“The Turtle”), a dancing bear (“The Dancing Bear ”) and a camel (“ The Camel ”). The non-profit organization “National Trust” maintains the place, which is open to visitors all year round.

Already knew?
It used to be thought that these natural rock formations were carved by druids.

8. Giant’s Causeway in Antrim, Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the rugged coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland. The fascinating rock formation is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of around 40,000 basalt stones that rise from the sea. The polygonal pillars are arranged so regularly that one might think they were specially made - by people - or by the hand of a giant ...

Did you know?
According to legend, the Irish giant Finn McCool built this dam to cross the Irish Sea and fight his Scottish rival Benandonner.

View out to sea at The Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland © VisitBritain / Craig Easton

9. Fingal's Cave on the Isle of Staffa in Scotland
On the opposite side of the Irish Sea you will find the sea cave “Fingal’s Cave” on the uninhabited island of Staffa in the archipelago of the inner Hebrides. For centuries, the cave - which was formed from the same lava masses as the giant dam in Antrim - has been an inspiration for artists and writers from all over the world. Sir Walter Scott, for example, wrote that she “amazed in every way” and the composer Felix Mendelssohn composed his famous Hebridean overture after hearing the idiosyncratic echo of the roaring water in the cave. Boats leave for the island of Staffa from the mainland.

Already knew?
The Gaelic name for Fingal’s Cave is “Uamh-Binn” and means “cave of melody”.

10. Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr in Snowdonia in North Wales
These two mountains with their rough, heroic nature are definitely one of the region's remarkable peaks. Glyder Fach (994 m) crowns the Cantilever Rock - a dangerous stone slab that has become famous as a photo motif for climbers. Glyder Fawr (1001 m) is rewarded with a rocky peak, littered with pointed, rock shattered by frost, which are arranged like tombstones.

Already knew?
Snowdonia National Park also has the highest peak in England and Wales: Snowdon.