Yorkshire Dales named Europe’s top National Park
The Yorkshire Dales has been named Europe’s top National Park in a new category of this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards.
Numerous other British destinations, including London, Edinburgh and St Ives, also feature in the updated categories for 2021, which spotlight the best locations to visit based on traveller ratings and reviews.
National Parks
In addition to first place in Europe, the Yorkshire Dales National Park - which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2021 - features in 11th position in a new category of the world’s top 25 National Parks.
Known for its wild beauty and expansive moorland, the region is also a newly designated International Dark Sky Reserve, recognising the quality of its night skies and nocturnal environment.
Another of Britain’s outdoor gems, the Peak District National Park, ranked in 24th place globally and fourth in the top 10 European listing.
The New Forest National Park, on England’s south coast, was deemed another of Europe’s best outdoor spaces, featuring in fifth on that list.
Most popular global destinations
Two British cities are among the top 25 most popular world destinations, with London taking second spot and Edinburgh in 23rd.
London’s royal and historical sites, as well as its Michelin-starred restaurants, captivating landmarks and Royal Parks helped to propel it towards the top of travellers’ wish lists.
Edinburgh meanwhile was recognised for its rich heritage, alongside its eclectic mix of museums and galleries in both the New Town and Old Town.
Both capital cities feature in the list of 35 top European destinations too, in first and tenth respectively, where they are joined by Liverpool in 31st spot.
Famed as the birthplace of the Beatles, it’s in Liverpool that visitors can feel the beat of Britain’s musical heritage and bask in the architectural splendour of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Listed Waterfront.
St Ives is emerging
With its picturesque harbour and thriving art scene, the Cornish town of St Ives took fifth spot in the top 25 list of the world’s emerging destinations.
Featuring a mix of narrow cobbled streets, fisherman’s cottages and a plethora of independent shops, it’s somewhere where visitors can escape the crowds and experience a dose of Cornish culture.
York is trending
With a rich history dating back to Roman times and heavily influenced by the Vikings, York saw its popularity grow in the last year.
The city, with its ancient walls, imposing Minster and narrow shopping streets, took 22nd spot among the top 25 world trending destinations, noted for seeing a significant upswing in its popularity.