Your Ultimate Guide to exploring off-the-beaten track locations this May bank holiday scattered across the UK.
If the weather manages to stay sunny this May bank holiday, then that's your sign to put on your hiking boots and get exploring! However unfortunately everybody will have the same idea and all head to the same touristy spots.
Luckily, you're reading this article and instead you'll be heading to these hidden gems which more of less you'll have the whole place to yourself!
Here are 10 hidden gems to visit either alone, with your partner, with your fluffy companion or with the kids this bank holiday weekend. We hope you enjoy and happy exploring!
Whorneyside Force is a stunning hidden waterfall located on Whorneyside Fell up high on the mountainside. There are some great views down Great Langdale which can be viewed from the waterfall, and you'll more or less have the whole place to yourself!
Sitting in the shadows of Crinkle Crags, it's clear to see why it's one of our favourite waterfalls in the Lakes. It really is amazing, and it's also the perfect spot for a wild swim if you're up for it in a natural waterfall.
For those exploring with a little one, you can take them to Whorneyside Force since it's easy to reach as there isn't much elevation gain. The last time we went the water looked so magical and green, and it's the perfect destination for a quick dip and a cool down after a busy day hiking around the Lakes.
FAQs/Things to know when visiting Whorneyside Force
1) Where is Whorneyside Force located?
Whorneyside Force is located in the Lake District National Park, near Great Langdale.
2) What makes Whorneyside Force a hidden gem?
Whorneyside Force is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location, tranquil surroundings, and the beautiful cascade of water as it tumbles down a series of rocky steps amidst the rugged landscape of the Lake District. The waterfall offers visitors a peaceful and scenic experience away from the more popular tourist spots.
3) How do I get to Whorneyside Force?
Visitors can access Whorneyside Force by following a footpath from Great Langdale The footpath leads alongside the reservoir and up the valley to the waterfall.
The Eas a'Bhradain is a great hidden waterfall just off the roadside and we definitely recommend visiting if you're in the area or driving by. It's a quick stop on the side of the road, so there's no real path but it's not that difficult to get too.
Eas a’Bhradain is the perfect spot to come for anybody who loves secluded waterfalls and admiring them with no disturbances. When we went we saw a lovely little area by the river which would be goals for those with a picnic (especially for couples as there is something romantic about this spot!).
Overall, Eas a'Bhradain is a great hidden waterfall just off the roadside and often gets missed by Scottish explorers!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Eas a'Bhradain
1) Where is Eas a'Bhradain located?
Eas a'Bhradain is located in the Scottish Highlands, near the village of Broadford in the northwest Highlands of Scotland.
2) What makes Eas a'Bhradain a hidden gem?
Eas a'Bhradain is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location and the stunning natural beauty of its surroundings. Tucked away in the Highlands, the waterfall offers visitors a serene and picturesque spot away from more crowded tourist destinations.
3) How do I get to Eas a'Bhradain?
Visitors can access Eas a'Bhradain by following a short walk from the road near Broadford. The trail leads through scenic countryside and offers views of the surrounding hills before reaching the waterfall.
Dinas Dinlle Beach is a wild, beautiful, ancient shoreline facing West into the Irish sea. The sunsets are absolutely amazing, as are the views back over Snowdonia. It's a dog friendly beach so please remember to pick your litter up after you.
You won't find many tourists or crowds when you visit Dinas Dinlle Beach, and it's a surprise why!
It offers great views of Snowdon mountains, as well as amazing sunsets on a clear day. If you have an interest in history, then there is a really cool WW2 Bunker you can check out whilst you're here.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Dinas Dinlle Beach
1) Where is Dinas Dinlle Beach located?
Dinas Dinlle Beach is located on the north coast of Wales, near the village of Dinas Dinlle and the town of Caernarfon.
2) What makes Dinas Dinlle Beach a hidden gem?
Dinas Dinlle Beach is considered a hidden gem due to its scenic beauty, with a long sandy beach, panoramic views of Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula, and its quieter atmosphere compared to more popular beaches in the area.
3) How do I get to Dinas Dinlle Beach?
Access to Dinas Dinlle Beach is by car or public transportation. Visitors can drive along the A499 road and follow signs for Dinas Dinlle, where there is parking available near the beach. Alternatively, there are bus services from nearby towns and villages.
If you're doing the route to Pennine Way, then this waterfall is another one to visit. The waterfall isn't far from Wessenden Reservoir, and it can be spotted from the footpath. Wessenden Head can be reached by a faint path, but is definitely worth the visit if you're in the area!
The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rainfall, with the views of water cascading down and cutting through the hillside.
You'll have to descend down if you want a close up, and it can be quite muddy and slippery so it's up to you whether to see it properly or not!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Wessenden Head
1) Where is Wessenden Head Waterfall located?
Wessenden Head Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire, England.
2) What makes Wessenden Head Waterfall a hidden gem?
Wessenden Head Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it tumbles down the rocky cliffs, offering visitors a serene and enchanting experience amidst the wilderness of the Peak District.
3) How do I get to Wessenden Head Waterfall?
Visitors can access Wessenden Head Waterfall by foot from the nearby village of Marsden. There are footpaths leading from Marsden into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way and the Kirklees Way, which pass near Wessenden Head.
The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
A beautiful piece of nature where you can see many birds breeding (oh and also seeing this cool waterfall which gushes into the sea!).
You won't come across many waterfalls in the UK which fall into the sea, and Crawton Waterfall is very hidden compared to the likes of Mealt Falls etc.
Crawton Waterfall is often overlooked by around 90% of the tourists which come to visit Scotland, and that's a good thing for you! It's a wonderful find for all you waterfall enthusiasts, and it's well worth the walk to visit.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Crawton Waterfall
1) Where is Crawton Waterfall located?
Crawton Waterfall is located in the coastal village of Crawton, near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
2) What makes Crawton Waterfall a hidden gem?
Crawton Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location along the rugged coastline of Aberdeenshire. The waterfall offers visitors a serene and picturesque setting away from more popular tourist destinations.
3) How do I get to Crawton Waterfall?
Visitors can access Crawton Waterfall by following a footpath from the village of Crawton. The trail leads along the coastline and provides scenic views of the North Sea before reaching the waterfall.
Portheras Cove is a beautiful little bay which is great for those looking to get away from the tourists. You'll more than likely have the whole beach to yourself whenever you visit, however you might be greeted by a few friendly seals!
Portheras Cove is an amazing secluded bay perfect for those wanting to escape the mass crowds which visit Cornwall every summer. It's worth noting that you'll need to walk for about 15-20 minutes from the nearest car park but it is definitely worth the trek!
To get to the bay itself you'll be required to walk down a steep incline so please wear appropriate footwear.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Portheras Cove
1) Where is Portheras Cove located?
Portheras Cove is located on the north coast of Cornwall, England, near the village of Pendeen and the town of St Just.
2) What makes Portheras Cove a hidden gem?
Portheras Cove is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded and unspoiled nature, with rugged cliffs, clear blue waters, and a pristine sandy beach, offering visitors a peaceful and picturesque retreat.
3) How do I get to Portheras Cove?
Visitors can access Portheras Cove by car or on foot. It is located off the B3306 road between St Just and Pendeen, with parking available nearby. From the parking area, it's a short walk down a footpath to reach the beach.
Watkin's Path is a must-visit for all wild swimming lovers. It's only a short walk from the car park, in which you'll be able to experience some great plunge pools for a cold water dip on a warm day.
An amazing walk up around Gladstone Rock will take you to these gorgeous waterfalls and plunge pools in Snowdon. The walks is very scenic, and takes you through woodlands with house ruins until you are presented with breath-taking mountain views.
If you have the right footwear, the whole walk should take you around 30-40 minutes. Don't worry about getting there early to secure your spot; there's plenty of pools to find and have either for yourself, or share with others.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Watkins Path
1) Where is the Watkin Path Waterfall located?
The Watkin Path Waterfall is located in Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
2) What makes the Watkin Path Waterfall a hidden gem?
The Watkin Path Waterfall, also known as the 'Fairy Falls', is considered a hidden gem due to its serene location amidst the rugged terrain of Snowdonia. The waterfall offers visitors a tranquil and picturesque setting away from more popular tourist attractions.
3) How do I get to the Watkin Path Waterfall?
The Watkin Path Waterfall can be accessed by hiking the Watkin Path, which starts near the village of Beddgelert in Snowdonia National Park. The path leads through beautiful woodland and past scenic viewpoints before reaching the waterfall.
This gorgeous beach is absolutely stunning, with its white sandy setting and turquoise sea colour, it's no wonder it's regarded as one of the best beaches in Scotland.
If you're a lover of golden sandy beaches with crystal clear water, then you should definitely be heading to Achmelvich Bay. If you're lucky, you might even see a seal! It can get a bit busy during the summer, but it'll be a lot quieter than the majority of Scottish beaches.
On a clear day, Achmelvich Bay is often described as a beach that looks like it's from the Mediterranean Sea. Even though the water is clear and coloured light blue, please take caution as there may be some jellyfish lurking around.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Achmelvich Bay
1) Where is Achmelvich Bay located?
Achmelvich Bay is located on the northwest coast of Scotland, near the village of Lochinver in the Scottish Highlands.
2) What makes Achmelvich Bay a hidden gem?
Achmelvich Bay is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location, pristine sandy beach, clear turquoise waters, and stunning surrounding scenery of rugged coastline and rolling hills.
3) How do I get to Achmelvich Bay?
Access to Achmelvich Bay is by car or public transportation. Visitors can drive along the A837 road from Lochinver and follow signs for Achmelvich. There is a car park near the beach for visitors.
Scaleber Force Waterfall is a fantastic little gem which is also perfect for a bit of wild swimming! Even during the dry summer days visitors can enjoy an impressive set of falls.
The pathway down to the bottom of the waterfalls can be a bit tricky for some so we recommend wearing some shoes with a good grip on them, as well as good balance and strong legs!
It's isn't that much of a walk from the main road however we recommend wearing appropriate footwear for those adventurous explorers wanting to get to the bottom of the waterfall.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Scaleber Force Waterfall
1) Where is Scaleber Force Waterfall located?
Scaleber Force Waterfall is located near the village of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire, England.
2) What makes Scaleber Force Waterfall a hidden gem?
Scaleber Force Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it plunges down a rocky ravine amidst the peaceful woodland surroundings. The waterfall offers visitors a tranquil and enchanting experience away from the crowds.
3) How do I get to Scaleber Force Waterfall?
Visitors can access Scaleber Force Waterfall by foot from the village of Settle. There is a footpath leading from Settle to Scaleber Force, which follows the course of Scaleber Beck through the woodlands. The waterfall can be reached by following this footpath upstream.
Three Cliffs Bay is a stunning place with lots of great paths to explore and spectacular rugged cliffs. You do have to walk a little bit in order to get to the beach as there isn't a car park near, but it's definitely worth the effort! One you're at Three Cliffs Bay, you won't want to leave.
Three Cliffs Bay really is an amazing location and a must-visit when in Wales. It's regarded by locals as one of the best beaches in Gower, and it's no surprise why with it's stunning scenery with spectacular rugged cliffs.
The only downside is there's no parking nearby, so we don't recommend Three Cliffs Bay to those with walking difficulties.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Three Cliffs Bay
1) Where is Three Cliffs Bay located?
Three Cliffs Bay is located on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, near the village of Parkmill, approximately 15 miles west of Swansea.
2) What makes Three Cliffs Bay a hidden gem?
Three Cliffs Bay is considered a hidden gem due to its stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic limestone cliffs, golden sandy beaches, and lush greenery. Its remote location and relatively unspoiled landscape make it a picturesque and tranquil destination.
3) How do I get to Three Cliffs Bay?
Visitors can access Three Cliffs Bay by car, with parking available at the nearby Pennard Cliffs car park. From there, it's a scenic walk along footpaths leading to the bay. Alternatively, it can be reached via the Wales Coast Path or by public transport to Parkmill village.
There you have it! These are 10 hidden gems which you need to visit this May bank holiday, perfect for your next adventure! Whether you plan to do a road trip around the UK for the weekend or visiting for a day, you should definitely check out some of these hidden gems.
Looking for a cheap staycation in Wales? Check out our 5 staycations in Wales under £100 per night article!
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