Every year, thousands of people jet away for the summer holidays or take a staycation across the UK. However, with the cost of living and over-tourism, many are now opting for ‘undiscovered’ locations for their weekends, annual leave, or school holidays.
We’ve seen it happen with several ‘hidden gems’ going viral across TikTok and Instagram – making them no longer the secrets they once were. From wild swimming spots and quiet beaches, to hiking trails and mountains, people are using car hire to take the scenic route somewhere new.
That’s why we’ve analysed data to find the best-kept secret in each county across the UK, helping you choose where to head this year. And, with many of these off the beaten track, convenient car hire options available across the UK are helping more travellers discover these locations, hidden near home.
The UK’s top hidden gems you have to visit
We have analysed key metrics to reveal the top locations hidden near home in the UK, combining interest from Google searches, social media popularity, press coverage, and overall reviews to identify the best-kept secrets across the 108 unofficial counties in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Arbroath Seaton Cliffs is the best-kept secret in the UK
The beauty of the red sandstone cliffs looking across the North Sea, home to rock formations such as The Deil’s Heid, and Needles E’e, makes the Arbroath Seaton Cliffs the best-kept secret in the UK, with an overall index score of 78.75.
On the east coast of Scotland, people can take in the breathtaking coastal views via a walking path that hugs the edge, which also provides access to the wildlife reserve and cave formations.
Just a 16.3-mile drive from Dundee, this hidden location can be easily accessed by those on a weekend away to the city by car.
Wales features three hidden gems in the UK’s top 10
From nature reserves to coastal parks, Wales has three counties with some of the best-kept secrets, taking their place in the overall UK top 10. Pembrokeshire, Merthyr Tydfil, and Ceredigion are the three counties taking the crown for Wales, with overall index scores of 72.13, 67.89, and 64.39.
Pwll Deri in Pembrokeshire offers cliff-side coastal views, and Taf Fechan Gorge in Merthyr Tydfil provides undiscovered hiking spots. Additionally, Cwmtydu Cove, nicknamed “Seals Bay”, is one of the best spots to see the Atlantic grey seals in West Wales, with visitors also regularly seeing bottlenose dolphins in the bay.
Shropshire and Leicestershire take top spots for their local hidden gems in England
Shropshire and Leicestershire are the two counties in England with the best-kept secrets, both of which are nature reserves with overall index scores of 67.88 and 67.47.
Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve in Shropshire is the fourth-best UK hidden gem with a path through a 360-million-year-old tropical seabed. Visitors will also spot limestone cliffs in the reserve, which are packed with fossils of sea lilies and marine animals.
In Leicestershire, Owston Woods placed fifth, offering a scenic walk through the county’s largest surviving area of semi-natural ancient woodland, and with just five Instagram tags, you can be guaranteed a peaceful visit with minimum crowds.
The real hidden gems in England
Along with analysing key metrics to reveal the top locations hidden near home in the UK, we’ve also broken this down even further to identify the best hidden gems in England.
We’ve done this by combining interest from Google searches, social media popularity, press coverage, and overall reviews to identify the best-kept secrets across the 48 unofficial counties in England.
The top 10 best-kept secrets in England
| Overall Rank | Best-Kept Secret name | County | Overall Score/100 | Hidden Gem round-up inclusions | Pollution Index Score | Distance from nearest city (miles) | Distance from nearest car park (m) | Weather Score | Accessibility by public transport score | Average Rating | Number of reviews | Number of Instagram posts | Average Monthly Google search volume |
| 1 | Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve | Shropshire | 67.88 | 787 | 72 | 40.5 (Stoke-on-Trent) | 21 | 52 | 71 | 4.7 | 293 | 1230 | 170 |
| 2 | Owston Woods | Leicestershire | 67.47 | 4 | 47 | 17.4 (Leicester) | 100 | 66 | 85 | 4.4 | 190 | 5 | 30 |
| 3 | Lud’s Church Chasm | Staffordshire | 64.28 | 85 | 54 | 14.2 (Stockport) | 78 | 37 | 95 | 4.8 | 2234 | 152 | 0 |
| 4 | Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve | West Sussex | 64.20 | 346 | 12 | 18.1 (Portsmouth) | 42 | 71 | 76 | 4.7 | 104 | 1760 | 110 |
| 5 | Lardon Chase | Berkshire | 62.50 | 69 | 19 | 8.6 (Reading) | 54 | 65 | 74 | 4.7 | 94 | 505 | 720 |
| 6 | Felmersham Gravel Pits | Bedfordshire | 60.84 | 66 | 36 | 14.8 (Milton Keynes) | 99 | 72 | 26 | 4.5 | 79 | 10 | 170 |
| 7 | The Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve | Worcestershire | 58.60 | 222 | 45 | 26.7 (Dudley) | 72 | 63 | 28 | 4.7 | 310 | 1120 | 1000 |
| 8 | Hurst Castle Spit | Hampshire | 58.20 | 46 | 16 | 14.6 (Southampton) | 116 | 69 | 43 | 4.6 | 124 | 616 | 320 |
| 9 | Wadenhoe Circular | Northamptonshire | 56.52 | 9 | 49 | 15.6 (Peterborough) | 1664 | 70 | 14 | 4.6 | 156 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve | Essex | 56.11 | 352 | 16 | 28.4 (London) | 126 | 74 | 20 | 4.6 | 206 | 1620 | 0 |
Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve is England’s best-kept secret
It’s official, Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve in Shropshire has been named England’s best-kept secret with an overall index score of 67.88.
With its ancient geology and a 360-million-year-old tropical seabed that once lay beneath this part of Britain, there are countless plant species and green spaces to explore.
Home to wildlife, including falcons and buzzards, the limestone cliffs tower over the reserve with ancient fossils from sea lilies and marine animals embedded in the stone.
Nature reserves are the least discovered attractions in England
When people are looking for more undiscovered spots in their area, nature reserves should be on the list for providing mindful walking locations and wildlife watching.
In fact, out of the top ten best-kept secrets in England, seven of them are nature reserves, with Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve in Shropshire topping the ranking. It’s actually the furthest from a city in the top 10 (40.5 miles from Stoke-on-Trent), making this reserve with wildflower-rich grasslands, rare wildlife, and dramatic cliffs the most remote gem on the list.
Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve in West Sussex follows behind in 4th, with visitors able to see gorgeous seabirds, including Common, Sandwich, and Little Terns, nest on Tern Island.
In 6th place, there is also Felmersham Gravel Pits in Bedfordshire, which is one of the county’s top dragonfly hotspots, with only 10 Instagram posts on the location, making it a true hidden gem for those on social media.
Finally, Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve in Essex placed 10th; it is a protected bird sanctuary with thousands of swifts, swallows, and martins swooping over the water during summer evenings.
Eastern counties dominate England’s hidden gems
From the East Midlands to the South East, the Eastern counties officially have the most undiscovered spots in the UK’s top 10, versus the West or the North.
Among the Eastern counties, Owston Woods in Leicestershire takes the top spot, with Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, West Sussex, following closely behind, with overall index scores of 67.47 and 64.20. Berkshire took the next place with Lardon Chase, followed by the Felmersham Gravel Pits in Bedfordshire.
Hampshire also takes a spot in the top 10 with Hurst Castle Spit, which is a remote and exposed mile-long shingle bank looking out towards the Isle of Wight. Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve in Essex, also ranked in the index with an overall score of 56.11 for its peaceful woodlands.
Best hidden gems within two hours of London
Although the capital may not always be the first thing to come to mind for hidden gems, three of the top ten hidden gems are actually within a two-hour drive of the city.
Lardon Chase in Berkshire, a gorgeous scenic point in Streatley, allows visitors to take a long walk and reconnect with nature, and is just between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 40 minutes from the big city.
Two nature reserves, Felmersham Gravel Pits, Bedfordshire; Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve, Essex, are also within two hours of the city, offering a refreshing escape to touch grass from busy schedules.
These are the best hidden gems and secret spots in Wales
From the well-known Brecon Beacons and peaks of Snowdon, Wales is known for its natural beauty. But what many don’t know is the beauty hiding in every county and county borough across the country.
The top 10 best-kept secrets in Wales
| Overall Rank | Best-Kept Secret name | County/county boroughs | Overall Score/100 | Hidden Gem round-up inclusions | Pollution Index Score | Distance from nearest city (miles) | Distance from nearest car park (m) | Weather Score | Accessibility by public transport score | Average Rating | Number of reviews | Number of Instagram posts | Average Monthly Google search volume |
| 1 | Pwll Deri | Pembrokeshire | 72.13 | 525 | 48 | 52.3 (Swansea) | 106 | 53 | 92 | 4.8 | 82 | 2170 | 260 |
| 2 | Taf Fechan Gorge | Merthyr Tydfil | 67.89 | 128 | 34 | 20.1 (Cardiff) | 127 | 30 | 93 | 4.7 | 78 | 111 | 70 |
| 3 | Cwmtydu Cove | Ceredigion | 64.39 | 130 | 41 | 44.1 (Swansea) | 25 | 52 | 36 | 4.7 | 311 | 270 | 390 |
| 4 | Little Orme and Angel Bay | Conwy | 60.50 | 296 | 69 | 32.8 (Liverpool) | 558 | 53 | 27 | 4.8 | 1316 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Llyn Idwal | Gwynedd | 58.96 | 8410 | 70 | 48.6 (Liverpool) | 24 | 51 | 89 | 4.9 | 367 | 42700 | 2900 |
| 6 | World’s End Valley | Wrexham | 58.74 | 0 | 66 | 27.5 (Liverpool) | 795 | 33 | 1 | 4.7 | 202 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | Alwen Reservoir Circular | Denbighshire | 56.18 | 7 | 68 | 33 (Liverpool) | 2000 | 33 | 1 | 4.8 | 145 | 5 | 1900 |
| 8 | Allt-yr-yn Nature Reserve | Newport | 56.06 | 82 | 14 | 10.8 (Cardiff) | 82 | 60 | 92 | 4.5 | 258 | 522 | 720 |
| 9 | Silent Valley Nature Reserve | Blaenau Gwent | 53.70 | 565 | 29 | 18.9 (Cardiff) | 920 | 35 | 56 | 4.6 | 70 | 449 | 50 |
| 10 | Wenallt Woods | Cardiff | 52.34 | 129 | 23 | 4.1 (Cardiff) | 648 | 46 | 53 | 4.8 | 85 | 3350 | 260 |
Pwll Deri is the best-kept secret in Wales
Pwll Deri, in the county of Pembrokeshire, has been named Wales’ best-kept secret, and ranks 2nd in the UK. Tucked away in the cliffs of the Pencaer Peninsula, this dramatic coastal bay offers a quiet escape from the usual tourist spots, allowing for unspoiled sunsets across the Atlantic.
Despite boasting an impressive 4.8-star average rating, Pwll Deri has received just 82 reviews, suggesting it remains largely undiscovered beyond locals. It’s also one of the easiest hidden gems to visit, with a car park just 106 metres away and an excellent 92/100 public transport accessibility score, making it an ideal destination for a day out by car.
The Welsh hidden gems nobody is searching for
With the virality of destinations now more common than ever, finding somewhere that no one is searching for can almost feel impossible. But, thankfully, there are some beautiful secrets in Wales that no one is searching for.
Little Orme and Angel Bay (4th), and World’s End Valley (6th) all attract zero average monthly Google searches, despite ranking among the country’s top 10 hidden gems.
World’s End Valley is even more under-the-radar, with just two Instagram posts, proving some of Wales’ most beautiful landscapes are still waiting to be discovered. It’s also just 27.5 miles from Liverpool, making it a perfect escape from the city.
Hidden gems in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s best-kept secrets have been unveiled, with Slieve Gullion Mountain in Armagh taking the number one spot for its summit, which contains one of Ireland’s highest surviving prehistoric passage tombs – giving it an overall index score of 65.72.
Just over an hour’s drive from Belfast, this hidden gem is the perfect place to visit whilst on a break in the city.
The best-kept secrets in Northern Ireland
| Overall Rank | Best-Kept Secret name | County | Overall Score/100 | Hidden Gem round-up inclusions | Pollution Index Score | Distance from nearest city (miles) | Distance from nearest car park (m) | Weather Score | Accessibility by public transport score | Average Rating | Number of reviews | Number of Instagram posts | Average Monthly Google search volume |
| 1 | Slieve Gullion Mountain | Armagh | 65.72 | 726 | 54 | 33.4 (Belfast) | 17 | 40 | 41 | 4.8 | 159 | 2840 | 40 |
| 2 | Ballynoe Stone Circle | Down | 65.30 | 937 | 59 | 21.5 (Belfast) | 4 | 52 | 87 | 4.8 | 226 | 5100 | 720 |
| 3 | Portbradden Harbour | Antrim | 56.37 | 513 | 75 | 48.1 (Belfast) | 485 | 42 | 24 | 4.6 | 203 | 477 | 590 |
| 4 | Beaghmore Stone Circles Landmark | Tyrone | 52.39 | 3360 | 82 | 41.1 (Belfast) | 184 | 23 | 1 | 4.7 | 332 | 4 | 720 |
| 5 | Mussenden Temple | Londonderry | 33.79 | 16800 | 84 | 53.1 (Belfast) | 213 | 36 | 13 | 4.7 | 1501 | 70400 | 9900 |
| 6 | Marble Arch Caves | Fermanagh | 31.32 | 12000 | 81 | 79.5 (Belfast) | 2000 | 23 | 1 | 4.8 | 3785 | 21300 | 6600 |
Slieve Gullion Mountain is the best hidden gem in Northern Ireland
Armagh and Down are the two counties in Northern Ireland with the best hidden gems, both of which have been named in the UK’s top 10, with similar overall index scores of 65.72 and 65.30.
Slieve Gullion Mountain in Armagh takes the crown, allowing visitors to walk around the eroded centre of an ancient volcano that was once active millions of years ago, and a landscape that’s woven into Irish mythology. With the lowest average monthly Google search across all hidden gems in Northern Ireland, it’s proven that nobody really knows about this place.
Down has the second-best-kept secret in Northern Ireland, thanks to the Ballynoe Stone Circle, which is a large circle of more than 50 standing stones creating a monument that was rebuilt and repurposed over many centuries.
Both of these locations are hidden close to Belfast, with them being about an hour to an hour and a half drive away from the city.
Historic places are the most hidden in Northern Ireland
History runs through all of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems. The Beaghmore Stone Circles in Tyrone, among the most mysterious archaeological sites in Ireland, offer views of seven stone circles, rows of stones, and burial cairns.
With only four Instagram posts tagging the location, this place truly is a hidden gem that your followers will want to visit afterwards. However, with it being the least accessible on public transport, car hire may be required, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenic route on the 41-mile journey from Belfast.
The Mussenden Temple in Londonderry also has notable historic roots, being built in the 1700s, once serving as a library overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on a clifftop, now recognised as a landmark in Northern Ireland.
Hidden gems in Scotland
Scotland has far more to offer than the NC500 and cobbled streets of Edinburgh, and we’ve found the best-kept secret in each of its 32 council areas, with a special spot in Angus coming out on top.
The top 10 best-kept secrets across the Scottish council areas
| Overall Rank | Best-Kept Secret name | Council area | Overall Score/100 | Hidden Gem round-up inclusions | Pollution Index Score | Distance from nearest city (miles) | Distance from nearest car park (m) | Weather Score | Accessibility by public transport score | Average Rating | Number of reviews | Number of Instagram posts | Average Monthly Google search volume |
| 1 | Arbroath Seaton Cliffs | Angus | 78.75 | 43 | 89 | 16.3 (Dundee) | 69 | 64 | 83 | 4.9 | 287 | 7 | 10 |
| 2 | Yesnaby Sea Stacks | Orkney | 64.69 | 4070 | 93 | 137.4 (Aberdeen) | 773 | 41 | 1 | 4.9 | 51 | 200 | 0 |
| 3 | Linlithgow Peel | West Lothian | 64.10 | 78 | 53 | 16.1 (Edinburgh) | 64 | 47 | 90 | 4.6 | 452 | 139 | 50 |
| 4 | Trottick Mill Ponds | Dundee | 62.64 | 294 | 96 | 3.3 (Dundee) | 157 | 60 | 74 | 4.5 | 211 | 196 | 0 |
| 5 | Menstrie Glen | Clackmannanshire | 60.19 | 140 | 68 | 24.6 (Glasgow) | 1134 | 34 | 17 | 4.9 | 172 | 899 | 110 |
| 6 | Braan Gorge | Perth and Kinross | 59.85 | 3 | 93 | 25.7 (Dundee) | 375 | 29 | 17 | 4.8 | 4003 | 8 | 0 |
| 7 | Ness Glen | East Ayrshire | 59.82 | 2130 | 45 | 31.5 (Glasgow) | 170 | 42 | 93 | 4.7 | 82 | 6030 | 320 |
| 8 | Lyle Hill viewpoint | Inverclyde | 58.94 | 220 | 50 | 22.1 (Glasgow) | 214 | 35 | 82 | 4.8 | 705 | 325 | 1300 |
| 9 | Loch Trool | Dumfries and Galloway | 57.99 | 1890 | 54 | 63 (Glasgow) | 76 | 31 | 46 | 4.8 | 98 | 9,800 | 1300 |
| 10 | Sandwood Bay Beach | Highland | 57.55 | 1640 | 95 | 104 (Aberdeen) | 133 | 37 | 50 | 4.8 | 372 | 2100 | 6600 |
Scotland is home to the best hidden gem in the UK
The striking Arbroath Seaton Cliffs in Angus came out on top as Scotland’s best-kept secret and was also named the UK’s best, with an overall score of 78.75.
Compared to the other Scottish hidden gems, there is a clear 14-point gap, thanks to the pure lack of recognition of this beautiful gem. With just seven Instagram posts and on average 10 monthly Google searches, it’s the high rating (4.9) and small number of reviews (287) that earn this landmark’s title.
Scotland’s most remote, undiscovered locations
Scotland is full of stunning, unique hidden gems, but for those looking to escape the crowds (and the city) even further, some of the best-kept secrets are truly remote sanctuaries.
Considered one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in the UK, Sandwood Bay Beach in the council area of Highland is 104 miles from the nearest city of Aberdeen, making it one of the most remote destinations in the ranking. Yesnaby Sea Stacks, a dramatic stretch of sandstone sea stacks, is a whopping 137.4 miles from the nearest city (Aberdeen).
These destinations provide a special moment of peace away from home, and are best accessed by car hire, for unlimited opportunities to discover.
Car hire unlocks new opportunities to the country’s most beautiful corners
Travel inspiration has never been more accessible, but while many people look overseas for their next adventure, the UK is home to countless breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences can be found much closer to home.
Getting behind the wheel of a premium car hire and discovering the most hidden corners of your own country can unlock new potential you didn’t even realise. Whether it’s a family day out to the sea stacks of Scotland or one-on-one time with your partner to the waterfalls of Wales, SIXT will be behind you, providing reliable and comfortable car hire every step of the way.
Methodology
Using various metrics, we analysed the 108 counties/county boroughs/council areas in the UK to uncover the places considered the ‘best-kept secret’ in each area across the nation. To compile the index, we blended data from Google search volume, weather and pollution figures, public transport connections and car parking availability, Instagram post coverage, and review data. Ranking the scenic locations around the country allowed for the creation of an index score that highlights which of the locations are the least well-known/covered and therefore represent the best-kept secrets for many individuals in the UK looking to explore. All metrics have been marked with an index score out of 100, and then the overall score is their average return.
- Average UK Monthly Google search volume – Google Keyword Planner (based on 12-month average, May 2025 – May 2026)
- Average weather (daylight hours, average temperature, etc.) and Pollution Index Score – Open-Meteo
- Distance from nearest car park (m) and Accessibility by public transport – OpenStreetMap
- Number of Instagram posts (Lower the better) and how many times each has been included in ‘best hidden gem’ roundups – Google Search
- Average Rating and Number of reviews (lower the better) – Google Reviews/AllTrails/Komoot
- Distance from nearest city (miles) – Python calculation
