Bute Park

The top 10 UK hidden gems in the UK

Park / Garden Location Score
Bute Park Cardiff 100
Sutton Park Birmingham 94.4
Eden Project Cornwall 92.8
Holyrood Park Edinburgh 89.0
Crystal Palace Park London 88.7
Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh 88.5
Saltwell Park Gateshead 86.0
Williamson Park Lancaster 84.9
Hampstead Heath London 84.3
Lower Gardens Bournemouth 83.3

The UK is renowned for many things, from fish and chips and the royal family to the vast countryside, historical landmarks and breathtaking beauty spots. Come rain or shine, nature lovers of the UK are always looking out for somewhere new to enjoy a stroll with family and friends, followed by a delicious coffee and a tasty cake.

Our expert has collected data from 50 parks and gardens around the UK, to come up with a list of must-see hidden gems to visit in the UK. Scoring each hidden gem on its average rating, the amount of sunshine it receives, the best air quality and also the number of cafes and eateries on each site.

In doing so, we have compiled a list of the best hidden gems in the UK. Find some inspiration for your next trip below.

 

1. Bute Park - Cardiff

Nestled behind Cardiff Castle, Bute Park is a green flag site and Grade 1 listed park. Home to a range of attractions, including the nature activity trail, Dock Feeder Canal, beehives and a wide selection of cafes, there is plenty to do to enjoy a full day out with the entire family. Alongside the main attractions, there are also plenty of events to enjoy throughout the year. According to our index, Bute Park has an average rating of 4.7, has four eateries on site and has seven bus services and one rail service running nearby.

 

2. Sutton Park - Birmingham

Sutton Park is a 2400-acre national nature reserve located 6 miles from Birmingham city centre. The park is home to open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands and marshes, each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife. There are two children's playgrounds for the little ones to enjoy, alongside a number of restaurants and even a donkey sanctuary. It has an overall Google rating of 4.7 and four eateries on site. There are also five bus services and one rail service running nearby, making it super easy to get to from around different parts of the country. Fancy a trip this weekend?

 

3. Eden Project - Cornwall

The Eden Project is a world-famous experimental garden which has become a must-see attraction for those visiting Cornwall. The indoor biomes and outdoor gardens cover 30 acres of land and take around four hours to explore. There are plenty of things for the entire family to enjoy on a day out at The Eden Project, including the rainforest biome, the outdoor gardens, nature's playground and more. The Eden Project is the perfect place for your little ones to not only have fun but learn too. Scoring a 4.3 Google rating, it has 5 cafes and eateries on site so there is plenty of choice. There are also six buses and one rail service running nearby, too, making it very easy to get to if you’re in the area.

 

4. Holyrood Park - Edinburgh

Holyrood Park is the largest park in Edinburgh and is known for its breathtaking views and rich history. Only a short walk from the heart of the city, The park is home to the renowned Arthurs Seat, which after a steep walk, boasts the beautiful city skyline for you to take in. You can also find a large fort if you’re interested in soaking up a little bit of history when you’re there. It has a 4.8 Google rating and amazing air quality so you can guarantee getting a good breath of fresh air while you’re there. There are also seven bus services passing by and one rail service, making it super easy to access wherever you are in the UK.

 

5. Crystal Palace Park - London

Crystal Palace Park is an independent, community-led charity. Located in south-east London, it is a grade 2 park with a wealth of events and things to do throughout the year. Enjoy the Crystal Palace bowl, get lost in the maze or take your little ones to see the large dinosaur statues located on the Penge side of the park. Rated 4.5 on Google, the park has two cafes if you’re feeling peckish, alongside five bus services and two rail services running nearby, making it super easy to access.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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6. Princes Street Gardens - Edinburgh

An integral urban park in Edinburgh, Princes Street Gardens is located in the heart of the historical city. Separating the old town from the new town, it’s home to 37 acres of land and the Ross Fountain monument, where many locals meet up and enjoy the sunshine in the summer. Every year the gardens also host the iconic Edinburgh Christmas Markets, where the grounds are filled with fairground rides, stalls and delicious food and a festive aroma. The gardens receive a 4.6 rating on Google and have an excellent air quality score, alongside having nine bus services running nearby, making it really easy to access if you live near the city.

 

7. Saltwell Park - Gateshead

Located in Gateshead, a small town near Newcastle in the North East of England, Saltwell Park is a historical green flag park that has many things to enjoy, including two children's parks, a dog park, the iconic Saltwell Towers and plenty of running routes for joggers in the area. There are also basketball courts and tennis facilities for those who want to enjoy playing sports outside. The park receives a 4.7 star rating on Google and has two cafes if you get peckish or want a coffee to fuel your walk. It also has five bus services running nearby, and one rail route, making it super easy to access even if you aren’t local to the city.

 

8. Williamson Park - Lancaster

Located in Lancaster, Williamson Park boasts 54 acres of beautiful parkland and enchanting woodland walks. Home to Ashton Memorial, it has plenty of things to see and do, alongside boasting breathtaking views of Morecambe Bay. Inside the park, you’ll find a mini zoo and butterfly house which is an excellent way to spend an afternoon with the little ones, alongside the pavilion cafe. This beautiful park receives a 4,7 rating on google and receives an estimated 4 hours of sunshine per day, so it’s perfect for getting some vitamin D in. There are also six bus services and two rail services passing nearby, making it super easy to reach whether you’re local to the area or not.

 

9. Hampstead Heath - London

Nestled inside North London’s cosmopolitan zone 2, you’ll find a secluded paradise which is Hampstead Heath. Sprawling over 800 acres, it’s home to breathtaking views, a wealth of history and most importantly, the iconic swimming ponds. It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of London life and enjoy reading, swimming or having a picnic with friends. There are also plenty of pubs and cafes nearby where you can pop for a refreshment when you leave. Hampstead Heath receives a rating of 4.7 on Google and boasts an average of four hours of sunshine per day. There is only one bus service running nearby, however, but there are two rail services, including a tube, making it super easy to reach if you live in the city.

 

10. Lower Gardens - Bournemouth

Located only a five-minute walk from the city’s main shopping district, Lower Gardens is a grade two listed, award-winning park in the heart of Bournemouth. Home to a selection of beautiful floral displays and the iconic Pine Walk bandstand, it’s the perfect place for a stroll if you’re in the area, especially during the summer months. The gardens are not short on activities, either, thanks to the mini golf course and art exhibitions running throughout different times of the year. If you visit during the festive period, you will be in awe of the beautiful decorations, Christmas trail and activities to keep the entire family entertained for a fun-filled afternoon together. Lower Gardens receives a Google rating of 4.6 and has two eateries on site. If you live locally, there are six bus services nearby, alongside one rail service if you live in other areas of the UK.

 

These are the top 10 hidden gems in the UK. You can reach a lot of them by car or by foot if you live in the area, but there are also plenty of train routes you can use to get there with Transport for Wales. Buy your tickets online today and receive no booking fees.