‘Beautiful corner of the world’ named Brits’ favourite UK holiday spot for summer 2026

This village is becoming a popular spot for a staycation (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It might be a small country, but the UK has somewhere for every traveller to explore.

There’s crumbling castles and seaside towns, or vibrant cities and rural landscapes that will take your breath away.

And now, TripAdvisor has released their Summer Travel Index for 2026, which reveals the trending destinations among British travellers this summer.

For those who are looking for a staycation, the fastest growing destination is Grasmere, in Cumbria.

Located in the heart of the Lake District, the picturesque village often gets overlooked for its more popular neighbours, such as Windemere and Ambleside.

But for those who have visited Grasmere, it leaves quite the impression.

Adorable Grasmere (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Lonely Planet founder, Tony Wheeler, once called the village an ‘absolutely a beautiful corner of the world,’ and it’s been the muse for writers and poets for centuries.

Most famously, Grasmere was the home of William Wordsworth, who dubbed it ‘the fairest place on Earth.’

The TripAdvisor ranking was worked out by looking at searches made by British travellers in the UK between February and April this year, for travel between June and August.

While Grasmere claimed the top spot, second place went to Carbis Bay, in Cornwall.

Belfast took bronze, and another Lake District favourite, Bowness, came in fourth. Portrush, in Northern Ireland, placed a respectable fifth.

Perhaps a little more surprisingly though, Coventry ranked as the sixth trending destination, doing the West Midlands proud.

Things to do in Grasmere

Nestled just north of Grasmere Lake, and surrounded by mountains, the village can count some pretty big names as fans, who have all inspired by the majestic surroundings.

John Constable and William Turner both painted here, Sting reportedly owns a cottage in the village, and even Taylor Swift gave it a nod in her song The Lakes, when she sings ‘tell me what are my words worth/take me to the lakes.’

Poet William Wordsworth’s home, Dove Cottage is perhaps the place’s most popular tourist attraction, with tickets costing just £8 for a full day.

You can experience his home as it had been 200 years ago, as well as wander around the beautiful gardens. Wordsworth described Dove Cottage as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’, so it’s certainly worth a trip.

You can also head to St Oswald’s Church, at the centre of the village, which dates back to the 13th century, and is the poet’s final resting place.

Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage Getty Images)

Another of Wordsworth’s former residences, Allan Bank is a popular National Trust property. But instead of antique furniture, the home is full of artworks, as well as opportunities to take in the views — you might even spot some red squirrels.

Of course, a trip to the English countryside isn’t complete without enjoying a cuppa and cake at a tea room.

Baldry’s is popular among locals and visitors, serving the community for 25 years. They bake fresh bread and cakes on site every morning, and use locally sourced ingredients.

No matter how many sweet treats you eat though, you’ve still got to head to The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Not quite the biscuit you’ll be familiar with, this is a cross between a biscuit and a cake, invented way back in 1854.

The famous Gingerbread shop (Picture: Getty Images)

While the shops claims to offer ‘the best gingerbread in the world’, you don’t just need to take their word for it. Renee Zellweger, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise have all been spotted here, and even the King has given it a try.

And of course, Grasmere is the perfect spot for those who love the great outdoors.

Hire a boat and take a gentle row around Grasmere Lake. Boats cane be hired from Faeryland for just £25 for one hour, for four people.

For something a little more adventurous, you can also canoes, kayak, paddleboard and even swim.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, there’s also plenty of walking routes around the lake, and up into the hills.

Perhaps the most famous is the Coffin Route — which isn’t quite as scary as it sounds.

The historic trail links Grasmere to another cute village, Ambleside, and is so-called as it was traditionally used to carry coffins across the countryside.

And, if you’re heading to Grasmere in the warmer summer months, don’t miss Sour Milk Ghyll, a waterfall that makes for the perfect wild swimming spot.

Exploring is thirsty work, so be sure to end your visit to the village at Grasmere Brewery, where you can sample their very own craft beer, as well as whisky, gin and vodka.

You can also enjoy a distillery tour and tasting, but be sure to book ahead.

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