If sustainability and nature preservation are important to you when planning your holidays, the UK has plenty of eco-friendly travel destinations that allow you to explore nature in a responsible way.
From the Eden Project in Cornwall to the beautiful Lake District and the mysteries of Stonehenge, the UK has a diverse range of places to visit that do a lot of favours for your carbon footprint.
So, with sustainability and eco-friendliness in mind, where are the best places in the UK to visit? Here’s a selection of our favourite ecotourism destinations in the UK.
Eden Project
Created roughly 20 years ago in Cornwall, England, the Eden Project offers a unique experience for nature lovers and green travellers. The Eden Project, or Edenva in Cornish, was founded in a reclaimed clay pit.
The Eden Project now features two massive enclosures formed with conjoining domes. The first dome, the largest of its kind in the world, houses a rainforest environment. The second dome houses a Mediterranean environment.
The two structures provide habitats for thousands of plant species. If that’s not enough, there’s also an outdoor botanical garden to explore.
The Lake District
With its assorted lakes, forests, mountains and rolling hills, the Lake District is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and a perfect spot for sustainable tourism. The Lake District National Park is the most visited in England and the second largest in the UK.
Some park highlights include exploring the surroundings of Windermere, England’s largest lake, or renting a kayak in Coniston. With no shortage of hiking trails and mountain views in a lush natural environment, the Lake District guarantees to satisfy those passionate about unspoiled nature (and undeniably adorable chocolate-box villages).
Coastal Walking Route
Though plans to open the entire 4,500-km UK Coastal Route haven’t quite reached completion, many segments are already open, each with its own unique offerings.
If you choose the South Bents and Amble stretch in the Northeast, you can experience sights like the first lighthouse in the world to use electricity and the Tynemouth Castle and Priory. This castle, over 2,000 years old, is famous for its coastal views, history, and fish and chips!
A remarkable atmosphere
If you make your way to Manchester, Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens — or Fletcher Moss as it’s called by locals — provides you with a dense and unspoiled garden to explore.
Created by 19th-century philanthropist Fletcher Moss, the gardens have held the Green Flag Award — the national standard for parks and green spaces in England — since 2000. The grounds are most famous for their walled-in rock gardens, though there is an abundance of diverse plants and wildlife to admire. Bicycle rentals and picnics are top-rated at Fletcher Moss.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is likely the most well-known megalith in the world. Holding mysteries over 4,500 years old, Stonehenge’s UNESCO status guarantees preservation and guidance to prevent damage or corrosion.
Stonehenge sits on every eco- traveller’s bucket list, an important world site whose astronomical significance is still being explored.
Want to experience the magic of Stonehenge for yourself? Take a look at our Stonehenge tours. Our Inner-Access Tour is our most exclusive, but there are plenty of adventures on offer.
As part of our sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right, our goal at Evan Evans is to include at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER™ Experience on 50% of our itineraries worldwide by 2025 – read our Impact Report 2023.
