Backpacking is becoming an increasingly popular way of travelling for people who want to see the world, just on a smaller budget. If that’s the kind of thing that interests you then you’ve come to the right place because this site is a great resource for backpackers.
Although backpacking is a great way to see the world, I’m actually going to be covering the best places for backpackers here in the UK.
Lake District
The Lake District provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK and its landscape is a match for anywhere in the world. Located in Cumbria in the North of England, the Lake District was created a national park by the British Government in 1951 and attracts well over 20 million visitors a year.
When visiting the Lakes you can’t help but be amazed by the rolling mountains, calm lakes and thriving woodland. It is little wonder that this area provided the inspiration for many of Wordsworth’s best known poems.
Any backpackers visiting the park should take in the scenery whilst taking a long stroll. Alternatively you could have a look around one of the many villages that can be found nestled in valleys, Ambleside which is next to Lake Windermere is a popular destination and has the feel of a frontier town.
Snowdonia
One of the largest national parks in the UK, Snowdonia is home to the second tallest mountain in the Britain, Snowdon. It receives millions of visitors every year who mainly come to take in the dramatic scenery whilst climbing Snowdon.
As good as Snowdon is, and as much as I recommend it to every backpacker out there, there is so much more to see in this stunning landscape. There are numerous campsites located throughout the park so you’ll always have a good place to start your adventures.
If you don’t want to spend your whole time walking then you should definitely have a look around the medieval town of Caernarfon (pr. Ca-nar-von) which is just outside the park’s boundaries. The town is home to a well preserved castle which is worth a look, as well as many reasonably priced bars and cafes.
Scottish Highlands
All the way to the top of the country now to the wild moors of the Scottish Highlands. It is in these moors that you can get about as far away from civilization as possible in the UK. It is also here that you’ll encounter the tallest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis. Standing at just under 4,500ft Ben Nevis has been a tourist attraction for decades.
As with most of these locations there are numerous campsites available which will appeal to backpackers. Although actually getting to this part of Scotland can take a very long time by train or car so it may not always be that economical.
The highlands themselves range for hundreds of miles and are mostly covered in moorland or dense woodland. The wildlife in these parts is truly impressive, with the Pine Marten, Red Squirrel, Mink, Beaver and Golden Eagle being notable inclusions.
