Britain's best 'off the beaten track' gems include hidden beaches and forests

12 December 2023 , 14:56

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The UK is full of incredible places most people don't know about

Brits looking for a staycation away from the peak holiday crowds may want to check out a brand new map that highlights Britain's 100 most breathtaking 'off the beaten track' locations, from hidden beaches to breathtaking islands.

While most people will know the UK has Caribbean-worthy beaches in spots like Cornwall or Devon, you may not have heard of gorgeous locations such as Berrow Beach in Somerset or Talybont Reservoir in Wales, unless you're in the know. Other hidden gems include the likes of Wistman’s Wood in Devon, Finnich Gorge in Stirlingshire, and Symonds Yat Rock, in Gloucestershire.

These places feature on an interactive ‘Get Lost with Jeep Compass’ digital map, created by the car company and team of Ordnance Survey's experts. It's easy to use; you simply click on any location and it will unveil the best walking or cycling routes nearby as well as fun activities.

The new map makes it easier to find hidden gems (SWNS)

It comes after a survey found that 31% of adults haven't explored much of what the UK has to offer yet, but over half admitted they found there is more to discover than they had though pre-Covid.

Kris Cholmondeley, managing director for the car maker, which commissioned the research and will also be releasing limited physical copies of the map via its UK social media channels, said: "There is so much of the Great British outdoors people have yet to experience. And together with Ordnance Survey, we want to enable people this Christmas period and beyond to travel off the beaten track in the Jeep spirit. Spots which showcase the best of Britain’s stunning landscapes, yet those that are lesser known to the wider public."

You can now vote for your favourite Tourism Superstar for 2023

There are so many incredible UK holidays to discover of course. Earlier this month, the UK's best places to visit in 2024 were revealed, with Bristol topping the list thanks to its impressive arts and culture scene. Another spot to impress included the Isles of Scilly, which is no surprise considering earlier this year they were named amongst some of the world's best islands. They're often compared to the likes of the Bahamas for their white sand beaches and turquoise waters - although the temperatures are a lot colder of course!

10 ‘Off the beaten track' locations in the UK

1. Berrow Beach, Somerset, England
2. Talybont Reservoir, Brecon, Wales
3. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland, England
4. Roche Rock, Cornwall, England
5. Stiperstones, Shropshire, England
6. Wistman's Wood, Princetown, Devon
7. Talisker Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland
8. Symonds Yat Rock, Ross-on-Wye, England
9. Wimbleball Lake, Somerset, England
10. Finnich Gorge - ‘The Devil’s Pulpit’, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Nick Giles OBE, managing director of Ordnance Survey Leisure, said: "It’s heartening to know that eight out of 10 people in Britain today would love to explore more of our wonderful country. As the survey results show, so much of Britain remains unexplored for so many of us. We are delighted to work with Jeep to map the 100 ‘Off the Beaten Track’ locations and hope that this will inspire people up and down the land to get outside and have new mini adventures away from the more obvious hot spots."

Julie Delahaye