The UK’s Most Underrated Destinations for Summer 2026

New research reveals the UK's most underrated travel destinations for 2026 with low crowds, low costs and well off the beaten path.

With crowded hotspots and soaring costs, more people are seeking out quieter, less-visited corners of the UK – places that offer genuine atmosphere without the crowds. But which destinations truly qualify as off the beaten path?

To find out, Betway Casino sourced a list of alternative UK destinations from travel articles and Reddit communities, then analysed each one across three metrics: volume of Instagram hashtags, Google search volume and the average cost of one night’s accommodation. The lower the footprint across each measure, the higher the score, revealing the UK’s most rewarding destinations for travellers looking to escape the crowds this summer.

The UK’s Top 10 Underrated Destinations in 2026

1. Llyn Brianne, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Llyn Brianne takes the top spot as the UK’s ultimate underrated destination. Tucked deep into the Carmarthenshire countryside, this remote reservoir and its surrounding woodland sit far outside the usual Welsh tourism trail. With just 4,468 Instagram hashtags and an annual search volume of 34,800, it remains one of the least-documented landscapes in the country.

Accommodation in the area comes in at £100 per night, making it one of the more accessible options in the ranking. For travellers willing to venture off the map, Llyn Brianne offers sweeping upland scenery and near-total solitude, perfect for a quiet hike, birdwatching, or even stargazing.

2. Grey Mare’s Tail, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Grey Mare’s Tail ranks second. This dramatic hanging waterfall, one of the UK’s highest at 60 metres, sits in a remote glacial valley in Dumfries and Galloway – a region that often goes under the radar compared to the Highlands. With only 9,218 Instagram hashtags, it sees a fraction of the online attention of more familiar Scottish landmarks.

At £95 per night for nearby accommodation, it also represents strong value for tourists. The surrounding landscape, home to wild goats and ancient geology, makes it even more worth the journey for those travelling to this off-the-beaten-path spot.

3. Simonsbath, Exmoor, England

Sitting at the heart of Exmoor National Park, Simonsbath ranks third. This small village is one of England’s quietest rural retreats and one of the least searched, generating just 2,733 Instagram hashtags. Despite its location within a designated national park (Exmoor National Park), it has managed to retain a genuine sense of remoteness.

Accommodation costs around £141 per night, which is fairly reasonable for a national park setting. With moorland walks, ancient woodland and the River Barle on its doorstep, Simonsbath is worth a visit for those looking for a scenic, crowd-free experience.

4. Strawberry Line, Somerset, England

The Strawberry Line takes fourth place. This former railway line is perfect for walkers and cyclists, offering nine miles of stunning scenery that passes through cider apple orchards and Cheddar Gorge. Its 5,050 Instagram hashtags and annual search volume of 34,800 suggest it remains well beneath the radar of mainstream travel audiences.

Overnight stays for those looking to rest after a day spent exploring the route are available in the area, with an average price of £158 per night, offering a comfortable base for tourists.

5. Coquetdale, Northumberland, England

Coquetdale rounds out the top five. Stretching through the heart of Northumberland, this sweeping river valley sits within the Northumberland National Park, the least visited national park in England. Its search data reflects that status, recording an annual volume of just 3,120. With only 2,589 Instagram hashtags, it is the least socially visible destination in the top 10 ranking.

At £227 per night, accommodation sits at the higher end of the top five, but the relative isolation on offer is unmatched. Vast moorland, ancient hillforts and the River Coquet winding through the valley floor make this one of the most beautiful landscapes in northern England.

The UK’s Best Value Alternative Holiday Destinations

Durness in the Scottish Highlands takes the top spot as the most affordable overnight destination in the ranking, where accommodation can be found for just £88 per night on average. Sitting on the North Coast 500 route, it attracts significant interest from road trippers and visitors with 177,600 searches per year; however, its remote location ensures it still retains a sense of seclusion and unspoilt natural beauty

Grey Mare’s Tail follows at £95 per night, doubling up from its second-place finish in the overall ranking, while Llyn Brianne in Wales completes the top three at £100.

Scotland dominates this ranking, claiming six of the ten spots, reflecting the country’s variety of stunning visitor locations outside of the main tourist hotspots. Stonehaven and Banchory, both in Aberdeenshire, offer affordable coastal and riverside bases respectively, while Wanlockhead, the highest village in Scotland, rounds off the top 10 at £210 per night.

Are you planning on visiting any of these off-the-beaten-path spots this summer?

Methodology and sources

To identify the UK’s most underrated destinations, Betway Casino sourced a seed list of locations from travel articles and Reddit communities.

Each destination was then scored across three metrics: volume of Instagram hashtags (sourced via Keyword.io), UK Google search volume over 12 months, and the average cost of one night’s accommodation sourced from booking.com between 22nd – 23rd August. For each metric, a lower figure produced a higher score, with all three scores combined to produce a final total.

Data collected May 2026.