A stunning region brimming with undulating verdant hills, lakes boasting crystal-clear waters and delightful villages reminiscent of storybooks has been crowned England’s most beautiful destination for 2026.

The Lake District has consistently drawn visitors from across the globe, frequently appearing in lists of Britain’s most scenic locations and picturesque landmarks. Now, it’s been recognised as one of the UK’s most beautiful places, securing the silver medal in fresh rankings from Big 7 Travel.

“England’s largest national park, the Lake District, is surely one of the UK’s most beautiful areas,” the team behind the research explained. “Whether it’s grass-covered fells, England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), beautiful lakes such as Ullswater and Windermere or quaint towns like Grasmere and Keswick, the Lake District has it all. Perfect for everyone from hikers to swimmers, photographers to artists and more, the Lake District is easily one of the most beautiful places in the UK.”

Whilst it’s scarcely an undiscovered treasure, it’s easy to understand why the Lake District proves so appealing to holidaymakers. The region offers numerous spectacular lakes to discover – 16 to be precise – with sought-after attractions including Lake Windemere, Derwentwater and Ullswater which feature an array of watersports facilities and activities.

(Families may especially wish to note the World of Beatrix Potter which brings the stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends to life). Then naturally that verdant landscape is filled with everything from leisurely walks to challenging hiking routes, depending on how much ground you wish to cover in your walking boots.

Additionally, the area is famous for its numerous excellent pubs where you can cosy up beside a fire, enjoy a substantial roast and savour a well-earned beverage after an action-packed day of discovery.

Meanwhile, if you’re seeking further staycation ideas then you could naturally visit the UK’s most stunning location in the rankings. That honour was awarded to the Queen’s View in the Scottish Highlands, a picturesque vantage point overlooking Loch Tummel.

One of its most notable visitors, Queen Victoria, visited the spot in 1866 and allegedly believed the location bore her name. (In actuality, it’s thought to have been named after Isabella, Robert the Bruce’s first wife, who lived over 500 years prior to Victoria’s visit).

You can see the top 10 rankings below….

The UK’s top 10 most beautiful places

1. Queen’s View – Perthshire, Scotland
2. The Lake District – Cumbria, England
3. The Forest of Dean – Gloucestershire, England
4. Fairy Pools – Isle of Skye, Scotland
5. Rathlin Island – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
6. Berwyn Mountains – Powys, Wales
7. Heights of Abraham – Derbyshire, England
8. Holkham Beach – Norfolk, England
9. Eilean Donan Castle – Highlands, Scotland
10. Knaresborough – North Yorkshire, England

You can find out more on enjoytravel.com.