Travel + Leisure's 2023 Destination of the Year: The United Kingdom By Travel + Leisure Editors Travel + Leisure Editors Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 29, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Oh, how we’ve missed our neighbor across the pond. The Crown and Ted Lasso sustained us — and The Great British Bake Off kept us well-fed — but at long last, it’s time to go back. Our editors and contributors have crossed England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in search of what is truly great in the U.K. right now: the innovative chefs, groundbreaking galleries, majestic landscapes, stylish hotels, and cozy pubs that make the nation more inviting than ever. In the following stories, you’ll find experiences that have stood the test of time, as well as fresh reasons to visit in 2023. Cheers to that! CITIES & TOWNS Why the U.K. Is T+L’s Destination of the Year for 2023 8 Picturesque Small Towns in England This Charming U.K. City Is Home to One of the Prettiest Streets in Europe — Plus Lots of Culture and Beautiful Architecture 8 Best Small Towns in Scotland — From Bucolic Islands to the Rugged Highlands 18 Best Free Things to Do in London 8 Charming Seaside Towns in the U.K. for Beautiful Beaches, Delicious Seafood, and Nautical Pubs 14 Best Day Trips From London — From Small Towns to Stunning Forests This Coastal Town Is Scotland’s Best-kept Secret — With Award-winning Whisky, Breathtaking Landscapes, and Outdoor Adventures The Best Times to Visit Scotland for Good Weather, Fewer Crowds, and Cheaper Prices 7 Destinations in the U.K. Where Locals Love to Travel 5 Places in Wales Locals Visit for Gorgeous Hikes, Epic Stargazing, Castles, and Rugby 14 Beautiful Castles in Scotland — From Cliffside Ruins to Present-day Royal Homes Why Now Is the Time to Visit Northern Ireland — Plus Where to Eat, What Do, and Places to Stay 9 Castles Near London That You Can See During a Day Trip 16 Fairy-tale Castles in Wales to Inspire Your Next Trip This Small Town in the Cotswolds Might Be the Best-kept Secret in the U.K. This Is the Best Way to Explore London If You’re Visiting for the First Time This Seaside Resort Town Near London Has Victorian Pubs, Global Cuisine, and a Vibrant LGBTQ+ Scene HOTELS This English Countryside Estate Is the Hottest New Weekend Getaway From London — Here's What It's Like Read More These Are the Most Luxurious Tree Houses in the U.K. — Perfectly Perched Between the Forest and Coast Read More This Bucolic English Countryside Hotel Is Unlike Any Other in the U.K. — With Apple Orchards, Bee Safaris, and a 17th-century Mansion Read More These Are the Best New London Hotels to Visit in 2023 Read More This Cotswolds Hotel Dates Back to the 16th Century and Has Hosted Royals and Celebrities Alike Read More Edinburgh Is the Perfect Mix of Old and New — With Luxury Hotels, Gothic Architecture, and a Surprising Food Scene Read More This London Hotel Takes Inspiration From the Glamorous Days of Transatlantic Travel — Here's a Sneak Peak Inside Read More COASTAL, NATURE, & ADVENTURE 10 Amazing National Parks in the U.K. for Gorgeous Views, Wildlife, and Unforgettable Hikes Hike With Ponies, Shop for Magic Spells, and Stay in a Charming Manor House in England's New Forest One of the Newest Sections of the England Coastal Path Is in the Under-the-radar Lake District — With Cozy Inns, Mountains, and Scenic Small Towns 10 Most Beautiful Walking Paths in the U.K. — With Views of the Seaside, Snowcapped Peaks, and Mystical Glens The Best Way to See Wales Is by Canal Boat — Here's How to Plan Your Trip Norfolk, on England's East Coast, Is the Perfect Place for Sailing, Seafood, and Stately Homes 18 Best Beaches in the U.K. 8 Most Scenic Train Rides in the U.K. This Epic Train Journey Through Scotland Is the Best Way to Experience the Country's Stunning Landscapes, Rich History, and Tasty Whisky This Remote U.K. Island Is Home to a Rare Breed of Wild Ponies and a 13th-century Castle Where You Can Spend the Night FOOD & CULTURE Somerset Is a Perfect Long Weekend Getaway From London — With Farm-to-table Food, Boutique Hotels, and Chic Shops Read More How London Became One of the World’s Most Diverse Dining Destinations Read More Manchester Is One of England's Most Dynamic Cities — Here's What to See on Your Next Visit Read More England’s Peak District Has Charming Gardens, Country Homes, and Rugged Landscapes Read More These Luxury Trips Were Inspired by Agatha Christie's 1922 World Tour — and You Can Book Them Now Read More 6 Can't-miss Pubs, Inns, Shops, and Towns in the U.K., According to T+L Editors Read More This Coastal Road Trip Showcases Quaint Towns, Stunning Hikes, and the Best of Celtic Culture Read More Was this page helpful? 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