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Where locals actually disappear in the UK: hidden islands, secret forests, and empty coastlines

By David Nguyen3 min read
Where locals actually disappear in the UK: hidden islands, secret forests, and empty coastlines
Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels (https://www.pexels.com/photo/light-city-sky-landmark-42061/)

Skip the queues at Stonehenge and Big Ben — the UK's real character shows up in places like a car-free island where the lights go out at midnight, a deserted 5km sand spit near Lindisfarne, or a Welsh village locals voted the country's best-kept secret. These spots take a bit more effort to reach, but that's exactly why they've stayed quiet.

Which remote islands are worth the extra effort?

Lundy Island, 12 miles off Devon's coast, has no roads, no cars, and no pollution — electricity even switches off at midnight. Puffins breed here, and all accommodation is self-catering in historic buildings, including a castle and a lighthouse. Reach it by the MS Oldenburg ferry (a two-hour crossing) in summer, or by helicopter in winter.

Further out, the Isles of Scilly sit 28 miles off Cornwall and comprise five inhabited islands — St Mary's, Tresco, Bryher, St Martin's, and St Agnes — each with its own distinct identity and Scillonian way of life. Get there by sleeper train from London to Cornwall followed by a morning crossing, or by flight from Exeter, Newquay, or Land's End (some flights as short as 20 minutes); a helicopter also runs from Penzance to Tresco. While on St Martin's, seek out the island's vineyard, established in 1996, which grows five wine varieties on south-facing slopes — wine historically available only on the Isles of Scilly themselves.

Where can you find coastline without the crowds?

Ross Back Sands in Northumberland is a 5km deserted sandy spit stretching from Budle Bay to Lindisfarne. A 1.5km footpath through Ross Farm and the dunes gets you there, rewarding you with views of Lindisfarne Castle and Bamburgh Castle. Depending on the season, you might spot seals, winter divers, grebes, and scoters, or summer terns.

What inland escapes do locals actually rate?

Beddgelert, a stone-built village in Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), has been named the UK's best hidden gem. Its stone bridges cross the River Glaslyn and River Colwyn, with riverside trails, traditional pubs, and shops set against dramatic peaks and wooded hillsides.

For forest and water, Kielder Forest in Northumberland offers the Lakeside Way, a 26-mile (42km) route circling Kielder Water through dense, lightly developed woodland. The main base, Kielder Waterside, has 50 unobtrusive lodges, and post-Storm Arwen replanting is bringing in native species like silver birch, oak, aspen, and wild cherry.

On Dartmoor's eastern edge, Wray Valley Camping sits on one of Britain's last fragments of temperate rainforest — six of its ten acres were designated a Devon county wildlife site in 2026 for this wet woodland remnant. It offers four "Nearly Wild" camping pitches between Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead.

Any good long-distance trails away from the honeypots?

The Ridgeway, an 87-mile (139km) National Trail in southern central England, follows Britain's oldest road and runs mostly off-road — a good option for walkers wanting distance without the crowds of better-known trails.

FAQ

Is Lundy Island easy to get to year-round? No — access depends on season, with the MS Oldenburg ferry running in summer and helicopter transfers in winter; schedules are weather-dependent, so confirm directly with operators.

Can you visit Orkney without a car? Yes — most places in Kirkwall, Stromness, and St Margaret's Hope are walkable, and buses serve most other areas, though it's worth allowing plenty of time for journeys.

Sources

Related Topics

off-the-beaten-path UKremote UK islandshidden UK coastlineLundy Islandquiet UK escapes

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