BA - The Club - Ten views to make you fall in love with the UK

Sycamore Gap, Northumberland National Park

Even in their eroded state, the remnants of Hadrian’s Wall don’t so much sit as impose themselves across 73 miles between the Solway Firth and Wallsend. The 1,891-year-old wall still cuts through the moorlands, craggy hills and dense woodland across Cumbria and North Tyneside. But at almost halfway lies one of the most photographed trees in the country. The deciduous broadleaf sits undisturbed and majestic at the junction between two dramatic dips in the hills that dive towards the ground like rollercoaster tracks. The sycamore is at once lonely-looking and defiant, romantic and rough, tall amid the lowly remains of the Roman’s greatest work.
Says who: Chris Mandle

The Copper Horse from the Long Walk, Windsor

It’s hard to know which to recommend more: the view from the tree-lined avenue known as the Long Walk up to the Copper Horse standing proud on Snow Hill, or the stunning outlook from the foot of the statue: towards Windsor Castle, Wembley Stadium and, on a sunny day, London’s skyscrapers. It may come down to whether you can face the gentle 2.7-mile stroll up the hill to this memorial to King George III. Whichever you plump for, aside from the resident red deer and real-life horse-riders, it's not rare to get to enjoy this regal spectacle all by yourself.
Says who: Charlotte Swift

Muckle Flugga lighthouse, Scotland

If the Scottish Highlands are just a little too ‘urban’ for your tastes, then Unst – the most northerly of the Shetland Islands – could be your saviour. The Muckle Flugga lighthouse at its far end is the very last building in the entire UK. The lighthouse itself is automated these days and off-limits to visitors but climb up to the summit of Saxa Vord hill on Unst (watching out for dive bombing gannets) for sweeping views of this full stop at the end of the country, standing forever firm against the turbulent spume of the North Sea and the Arctic wilds beyond.
Says who: Rob Crossan

Durdle Door, Dorset

The spectacular pinnacle of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast may look as if it’s taken you one epic, beast-laden, Jason And The Argonauts-style journey to reach, but in fact it graciously emerges 200 feet out of the sea just a one-mile stroll from Lulworth Cove’s pay and display car park. Get here to soak in the brute power of the ocean, which has carved this Unesco-protected limestone icon out over 10,000 years, or, if the mood takes you, recreate Cliff Richard’s video for Saviour’s Day.
Says who: Chris Sayer

Conwy Castle, North Wales

Looming large over the town beneath, the medieval Conwy Castle remains as imposing today as when it was built in the late 13th century. Commissioned by King Edward I, it was intended to intimidate and dominate – a feat it still achieves today as it battles with the rugged landscape surroundings for supremacy. The castle’s eight turrets offer impressive views across the estuary of the River Conwy and down into the town. Protected by 21 towers and three gateways, the World Heritage site still wears its military history proudly, while the absence of a roof gives Conwy a uniquely brooding edge against the other Welsh castles ready to vie for your attention.
Says who: Dan Mobbs

Christ Church Meadow, Oxford

Approach Oxford from the south (if possible, on a misty autumn morning) and the first college you will see is Christ Church, marked on the skyline by the Christopher Wren-designed Tom Tower. Before you reach it, however, you will encounter the gorgeously laid-out Memorial Gardens which abut Christ Church Cathedral and before those, Christ Church Meadow, a peaceful, pastoral paradise of pasture and river lazily intermingling on the outskirts of the inner city. Botanic Gardens to your right, dreaming spires straight ahead; the choice is yours.
Says who: John Naughton

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, Inverness-shire

Even the most unrepentant muggle will recognise this stunning railway viaduct as the bridge that transports young wizards to Hogwarts. Dominating a green valley in the West Highlands, the dramatic concrete structure was built in 1897 and its strong arches still carry trains, most notably steam-powered tourist train The Jacobite (whose very carriages made up part of the Hogwarts Express). For the best views, visit the nearby Glenfinnan Monument and keep your eyes peeled for zealous Potterheads walking near the tracks.
Says who: Carrie Mitchell

The Beatles’ Childhood Homes, Liverpool

Making a house a home is one thing, making a home a tourist destination is another. A living monument to British music history, Beatles fans are able to visit and ogle all four of the Beatles’ childhood homes where they grew up in the city of Liverpool. George’s red-brick terrace can be found at 12 Arnold Grove and Ringo’s is across town at 10 Admiral Grove. You can’t go inside theirs, but John’s and Paul’s are open to the public eight days a week.
Says who: Liv Siddall

Cuckmere Haven, Sussex

Many picnickers and ice-cream lickers don't make it far beyond the little car park near Exceat. And that’s OK, because it is a beautiful car park, positioned as it is on a bend of the Cuckmere River near the East Sussex coast. But those who follow the footpath south for a mile and a bit along the river, past the sheep and windswept gorse, are well rewarded. A short beach of shingle rears up into the Seven Sisters – the rolling chalk cliffs that stretch towards Eastbourne. On a balmy summer evening, swim out for a view back at the beach as the Sisters glow orange in the setting sun.
Says who: Simon Usborne

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Set along the rugged Antrim coastline, the Giant’s Causeway’s primal yet seemingly manicured rock formations leap out of the landscape as if from the pages of a fantasy novel and proved to be an ideal film location for Game of Thrones. Dating back to a volcanic age almost 60 million years ago, the 40,000 or so hexagonal-shaped pillars tumble from the hills into the sea and are steeped in myth and legend. It's said that the Unesco site was formed when Irish giant, Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built a path to Scotland, which was promptly ripped up by Scottish big man Benandonner, leaving the impressive site behind.
Says who: Dan Mobbs

Ten views to make you fall in love with the UK

Sycamore Gap, Northumberland National Park

The Copper Horse from the Long Walk, Windsor

Muckle Flugga lighthouse, Scotland

Durdle Door, Dorset

Conwy Castle, North Wales

Christ Church Meadow, Oxford

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, Inverness-shire

The Beatles’ Childhood Homes, Liverpool

Cuckmere Haven, Sussex

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Sycamore Gap, Northumberland National Park

The Copper Horse from the Long Walk, Windsor

Muckle Flugga lighthouse, Scotland

Durdle Door, Dorset

Conwy Castle, North Wales

Christ Church Meadow, Oxford

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, Inverness-shire

The Beatles’ Childhood Homes, Liverpool

Cuckmere Haven, Sussex

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

More from previous issues

London’s finest alfresco restaurants

The world’s hottest beach cities right now

Where to go in August

The Guru