Image © britainonview
In many ways it is a good thing the guidebooks do bypass these hidden treasures, or some of them might be overrun with hot-dog stands, picnic tables and bouncy castles.
Part of the charm of having secret places to visit is that they are often passed down through the generations. Here are our top 10 national unsung wonders that you may or may not know, but that certainly merit your exploration.
Dollar Glen, Stirlingshire
The best way to take in this incredible area is on foot. Start and finish in Dollar, a small town at the southern edge of the Ochil Hills in Clackmannanshire, near Stirling. The path rises through the western side of Dollar Glen, a deep, tree-filled gorge with waterfalls and mossy rocks. The glen is dominated by the spectacular, 15th-century Castle Campbell (also known as 'Castle Gloom'), former lowland stronghold of the Clan Campbell. From its tower house, you can see as far as the Forth Estuary. Beyond the castle the route levels out and passes through a coniferous forest and on to open moorland. At the far point of the walk you have stunning views down to Glen Devon.
Nearest train station: Stirling
North Gower, Gower Peninsula
While most visitors flock to the southern coast, make your way to the equally wonderful but quieter Llanrhidian on the North Gower coast. Discover coastal footpaths, abundant bird and wildlife and spectacular views over the estuary where sheep and wild ponies graze the salt marshes. Hunt down the lost village of Llanelen, which lies buried in the woods beneath Welshmoor. Its former inhabitants were killed off by the plague, brought by stranded sailors. Between Llanrhidian and Llanmadoc stands Weobley Castle, the ruins of a 14th-century fortified house overlooking Llanrhidian Marsh. It is hard to beat the sunset views from Penclawdd, too.
Nearest train station: Swansea or Llanelli
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Natural History Museum at Tring, Hertfordshire
This enthralling and quirky out-of-town ‘wing’ of the museum is crammed full of curiosities collected by museum founder Walter Rothschild in the 19th Century. Highlights of the 4,000 stuffed specimens from around the world include dressed fleas, complete collections of birds, some extinct species plus polar bears, flying fish and hummingbirds. There are also 88 stuffed and mounted domestic dogs. It’s bound to appeal to children and big kids.
Nearest train station: Tring
Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, Belfast
Managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust, this hidden retreat lies in a valley behind the Divis and Colin mountains. It is set in species-rich grassland and is famous for its beautiful orchids. You can find seven different species of the plant here, along with Irish hares, skylarks, curlews and butterflies. The reserve also helps to preserve traditional cattle like the Irish Moiled – one of the rarest breeds in the world. You can also enjoy spectacular views of the Mournes, Lough Neagh, Belfast and Scrabo Tower and there are three walking routes, depending on how energetic you feel.
Nearest train station: Belfast
Southwell Workhouse, Nottinghamshire
Step back in time and remind yourself how easy life is by exploring the most complete workhouse in existence. The interactive displays and audio guide bring the 19th-century inhabitants back to life. Discover the segregated work yards (where the men broke stones and picked oakum, the women washed and knitted), day rooms, dormitories, master's quarters and cellars. Then see the recreated working 19th-century garden and food the paupers would have eaten. Opened in 1824, it ran several decades into the 20th century, and has been restored to its bleak heyday by the National Trust.
Nearest train station: Fiskerton or Newark North Gate
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Horsey, Norfolk
Horsey is the closest Broadland village to the coast, just a mile from the sea. The National Trust restored a huge windpump here, which is open to visitors. It is said to be haunted by a man who became trapped in the machinery as he tried – and failed – to save it from destruction by lightning during a great storm in 1943. For a lovely walk, take the National Trust path that leads from the windpump over towards the coast. Follow the Broadland to a windswept beach through a gap in the sea defences. The sand dunes are a nature reserve and another path leads up and down the coast – you can walk for miles. Look out for the colony of grey seals, especially during December and January when pups are born.
Nearest train station: Hoveton and Wroxham
Brockadale Nature Reserve, Yorkshire
Brockadale is a wonderful beauty spot tucked between two villages, 10 miles from Doncaster. It offers ancient woods and meadows combined with steeply sloped craggy water courses and a variety of geology that ensures it has one of the richest floras in the country. It is the magical home of 300 species of flowers including rock rose, violet and lily of the valley and 25 species of butterfly. It is also one of only two sites in England where the tiny snail, truncatellina cylindrical is found.
Nearest train station: Pontefract
Upwey Wishing Well
Whilst nearby Weymouth bristles with bar and beach life, the exquisite, tiny village of Upwey offers tranquility and enchantment. The River Wey tinkles and rushes through the small but delightful sub-tropical gardens that, along with the Upwey Wishing Well, were popular with Victorian visitors. Entrance is through a large tea room, which is well worth a stop for its excellent homemade cakes and proper leaf teas. The 13th-century village church dedicated to St Lawrence is also worth a visit. It is one of only four places in the country that features painted Tudor Roses. Don't forget to make your wish before you leave.
Nearest train station: Upwey
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Pistyll Rhaeadr, Powys
You don't have to travel to Niagra for an amazing waterfall. Wales has one of the highest in Britain at 240ft. The waters from the Afon Disgynfa River fall in three stages over the wooded cliff face, and finally reach a deep pool at the bottom. The falls – named as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales and referred to as 'The Hidden Pearl of Wales' – are reached through the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys, 12 miles west of Oswestry.
Nearest train station: Welshpool
Noar Hill, Hampshire
This westerly outpost of the South Downs, once the site of medieval chalk workings, is carpeted by flowering plants. Walk through its unusual ridges, banks and hollows and you’ll see myriad butterflies – including the Duke of Burgundy – and scarce plants that create an oasis of colour. Look out for the dozen orchid types that grow here. The colony of musk orchids runs to approximately 10,000 spikes and is of national importance. There are also Glow-worms, Rufous Grasshopper and the bizarre Fairy Shrimp, which lives in puddles on the rutted track and survives dry spells in egg form.
Nearest train station: Alton
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