Scenic British holidays

From rare golden eagles and adorable ponies to stunning hill views and chocolatebox villages, here’s our pick of the 25 best places to explore nature in the UK…

Best forÉ STUNNING SEASCAPES Portloe, Cornwall

Sitting at the tip of the Roseland Peninsula, and one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall, Portloe is home to several steep-sided valleys with cliffs that tumble down into the sea. Its photogenic good looks have seen it star as a film location over the years, in the likes of steamy drama The Camomile Lawn. Smuggling was rife here in the 18th and 19th centuries, with fishermen bringing home French brandy and hiding it in various coves. Today, more legal pastimes include visiting the picturesque Caerhays Castle, or the nearby fishing town of St Mawes.

where to stay Surrounded by cliffs and windswept headlands forming a beautiful part of the Cornish Coastal Footpath, The Lugger Hotel sits in the heart of Portloe, right on the water’s edge. Its 22 bedrooms are tastefully decorated, and its restaurant serves local fish and seafood. Rooms from around £150pn; luggerhotel.co.uk