While it's not the Jersey coast (though probably better than the (New) Jersey Shore), most of the 'waterfront' in MK is quite nice. The canal mostly is surrounded by parkland and it's only in older bits that it's a bit grotty. The artificial lakes were created as part of the recreation of the new town and are relatively nice as well.
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TRIVIA: Britain's most underrated visitor destinations
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Tetchytyke
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I stay in Croydon when I go to London because it's cheap and it's 20 minutes into the centre. But other than the big Ikea and the Whitgift Centre, I'm struggling to think of much there to tourist over. The BoxPark?
The Birmingham canals smell nicer too!
I was going to suggest the Isle of Man, at least for non-TT tourism. Rugged coastlines, big mountains, rolling hills and the weirdness of the flat north, all in an island that's 30 miles long. As scenic as the lake district. Of course the TT skews things quite a lot.
Now I'll be serious:
The Northern Scottish Coast (Thurso - Scourie)
I had no idea about this area apart from a green twisty line on an AtoZ. I've never heard any friends talk about anywhere nearby apart from a friend who occasionally goes to Aberdeen. When I did do my version of the North Coast 500, like Dominic Cummings, it was hard to concentrate driving for every turn producing a cinematic landscape. It really is on a podium far higher than the Lake District for me.
The Western Cumbrian Coast
I always get annoyed that people who visit the Lake District are actually just visiting the same handful of places that get overloaded all the time. However, I enjoy the result that when you pass the Coniston turn from the South, traffic has largely disappeared and you are free to enjoy Foxfield, Broughton, Millom, Ravenglas and the coastline up towards Maryport. My particular stand out is Seascale beach overshadowed by Sellafield
The Northern Scottish Coast (Thurso - Scourie)
I had no idea about this area apart from a green twisty line on an AtoZ. I've never heard any friends talk about anywhere nearby apart from a friend who occasionally goes to Aberdeen. When I did do my version of the North Coast 500, like Dominic Cummings, it was hard to concentrate driving for every turn producing a cinematic landscape. It really is on a podium far higher than the Lake District for me.
The Western Cumbrian Coast
I always get annoyed that people who visit the Lake District are actually just visiting the same handful of places that get overloaded all the time. However, I enjoy the result that when you pass the Coniston turn from the South, traffic has largely disappeared and you are free to enjoy Foxfield, Broughton, Millom, Ravenglas and the coastline up towards Maryport. My particular stand out is Seascale beach overshadowed by Sellafield
The south west corner of Scotland is very quiet but is a beautiful area. There are quite a few lovely little ports, Portpatrick is my favourite. Then there’s Castle Kennedy and Logan botanic gardens, the latter an absolute must if you visit the area. If you want a beach, then visit Sandhead, miles of golden sands with very few people on most of it, only the bits by Sandhead village and the little holiday park have a significant no. of people there, most of it's deserted. Inland there’s the area around Loch Trool for walking and if you can bear the cold water, you can take a dip in the water of Minnoch where the road from Glentrool village to the loch crosses it.
nlogax
Established Member
Birmingham's a nicer place to visit than it used to be..others may disagree 
(spoiler alert; no, Telly Savalas never actually visited Brum)
(spoiler alert; no, Telly Savalas never actually visited Brum)
Over looked area , even by the Scots .
Peregrine 4903
Established Member
The cheviot hills in Northumberland are staggeringly beautiful. The cheviots I think are the least visited national park in the uk and it shows as there is barely anyone about. Combine the cheviots with the Northumberland coast and you have practically the perfect holiday.
Milford Haven is another very underrated place. When I visited last summer I thought Milford Haven would be run-down but instead it's a lovely coastal town with a really nice, well maintained marina and a great assortment of cafes. The docks are a great sight and it's in a good location for coastal walks. There are also some boat trips which allow you to see the staggering beauty of the south Wales coast.
Milford Haven is another very underrated place. When I visited last summer I thought Milford Haven would be run-down but instead it's a lovely coastal town with a really nice, well maintained marina and a great assortment of cafes. The docks are a great sight and it's in a good location for coastal walks. There are also some boat trips which allow you to see the staggering beauty of the south Wales coast.
Milford Haven has certainly improved over the years. The coastal walking to the west around Dale and St Anne’s Head up to Marloes is wonderful. However MH’s problem is that in the part of the world there are nicer seaside towns nearby - Tenby, St David’s, Saundersfoot... and some numerous world class beaches, plus picture postcard villages like Solva. When you’re spoilt with all of that, MH is a bit 2nd division. Of course if it was almost anywhere else in the country, it would stand out, notwithstanding the LNG terminals.
Springs Branch
Established Member
The Forest of Bowland and its villages/hamlets are my personal favourites.
Like many places, the area seemed to be getting better known in the recent past, but still quieter and less touristified than the Yorkshire Dales. I'm lucky enough to remember the time you'd have the place to yourself outside sunny summer weekends or bank holidays.
Like many places, the area seemed to be getting better known in the recent past, but still quieter and less touristified than the Yorkshire Dales. I'm lucky enough to remember the time you'd have the place to yourself outside sunny summer weekends or bank holidays.
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gg1
Established Member
Have to agree with that, Northumberland generally is very underrated, gorgeous scenery and the best beaches in Britain IMO.
If you have any interest at all in history, Vindolanda and the nearby Roman army museum are well worth a visit too.
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
Seconded- Lancaster is really quite a nice city and can of course be combined with a day/afternoon out at Morecambe.
Bobdogs
On Moderation
Kielder is very much a huge forest, fine if you like looking at acres of conifers.
Travel up the A68 to Carter Bar for a superb view of the Cheviot hills.
New Mills in Derbyshire is an unsuspected delight, and as far as I know is the only town in the UK that's built around a gorge. I don't believe there is anything quite like the Torrs Millennium Walkway anywhere else in this country. I led parties of walkers through it on 3 occasions, and they were delighted by it. It was closed for a while not long ago, because a soil pipe from the back of New Mills Central station was leaking on to it, but eventually Network Rail did the decent thing and sorted it out.
Jamesrob637
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Plymouth is a little underrated considering it's always overshadowed by the rest of Devon.
Belfast impressed me last year for half a day and I'll certainly go back.
Coventry hides some very interesting history too.
Belfast impressed me last year for half a day and I'll certainly go back.
Coventry hides some very interesting history too.
WestCoast
Established Member
I've spent time in all the places on your intial list and also lived in Manchester, from those I think Glasgow is a very strong contender although tourists in the city seem to be on the up as are the number of hotels. In my opinion as a non-Glaswegian, the outdoor spaces are some of the best of any large UK city such as but not limited to Kelvingrove Park, Clyde Riverside, Glasgow Green and my personal favourite Pollok Park where you can see the Highland Cows! Pre-covid we used to get quite a few Londoners visting on work trips to my office and they always used to say it was their favourite place to come and spend a week!
Other than that, Dundee is certainly worth a day looking around, some interesting historical architecture and the new Waterfront.
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John Griffiths
Member
Glasgow is a very fine city and top of the list for my wife and I to go for a couple of days once all this is over. We've been a few times, but so much more to see. And if I had to choose, I'd rather live in Glasgow than Edinburgh. Edinburgh is perhaps the most beautiful city in Europe, certainly in the UK and a great place, but it is always so busy with tourists (I know, including us); Glasgow much less so, and people talk to you. I love it.
Glasgow is probably my favourite city in the UK and has an amazing feel to it - hugely underrated (particularly when compared to the MASSIVELY overrated Scottish capital just 45 miles away). I've been to Glasgow many times and I've never been bored, fantastic architecture and Buchanan Street just has a great vibe to it as a shopping street.
185143
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Agreed 100%.
Most people seem to disagree with me when I say Edinburgh is overrated, but it is. I've been on the WHL a few times towards Glasgow and the amount of international tourists on the train obviously travelling from Skye down to Glasgow and immediately over to Edinburgh is noticeable. Stay in Glasgow for a day or two, or least, before heading across!
Though, that said, my favourite Scottish Wetherspoons is without a doubt the Caley Picture House in Edinburgh...
scotrail158713
Established Member
Geographically it’s not part of Great Britain. However, the United Kingdom, or Great Britain & Northern Ireland, it is a part of.
Altrincham
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Knutsford and Tatton Park: exploring the streets of Knutsford is a real treat, especially if you’re interested in mooching around and looking at the various types of architecture. Tatton Park is right on the edge of town and has fabulous parkland, along with the hall and gardens. There’s also a bird of prey centre nearby.
Shardlow: a fine example of a canal village.
Beaumaris: a gem of a town with such an extensive history and fine architecture. The backdrop of Snowdonia across the Menai Straits is breathtaking. I find it tends to get overlooked by some visitors who favour the beach locations on Anglesey instead.
Shardlow: a fine example of a canal village.
Beaumaris: a gem of a town with such an extensive history and fine architecture. The backdrop of Snowdonia across the Menai Straits is breathtaking. I find it tends to get overlooked by some visitors who favour the beach locations on Anglesey instead.
Iskra
Established Member
I agree with all of the above. These all have a rugged beauty.
I agree with this one. It is very unspoiled. The Inn at Whitewell is one of my favourite places and the scenic drive from there to Lancaster is amazing.
I agree, but as a former resident there's not really much to occupy you for more than a couple of days there.
WestCoast
Established Member
It is indeed a fine 'Spoons, however the Counting House in Glasgow is also very impressive (although far too busy).
Iskra
Established Member
I don't think any (Scottish) Spoon's will offer superior views to the one on the wharf at Oban.
185143
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Agreed.
SuspectUsual
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bussnapperwm
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+1 for Deal and Sandwich. They're also quite popular with filming for TV dramas (The Sky Atlantic series The Tunnel & ITV series Liar were filmed in Sandwich and Deal respectively)
Also, one closer to me is Stourbridge. It's glass heritage (and association with Royal Brierley Crystal) is quite interesting (plus it has one of the few remaining Glass Cones nearby). Not just that but it does also have Europe's shortest branch line
My family still live in Kent and have done so all their lives, yet when I mentioned it to them, they had barely ever been to either place in spite of having a direct train service. I gues people don't always know what gems are on their doorstep !
GRALISTAIR
Established Member
Seafront at Lytham is fantastic imho
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