7 detours worth taking
Look beyond the most popular locations to explore some less well-known destinations nearby, from Leamington Spa and Canterbury to Sugary Cove and Guernsey.
Published: Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Look beyond the most popular locations to explore some less well-known destinations nearby, from Leamington Spa and Canterbury to Sugary Cove and Guernsey.
Published: Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Incorporating detour destinations into your travel plans is a great way to break from the norm and explore some of the UK’s less well-known spots.
While you can still enjoy the buzz of tried-and-tested locations, you get to experience something a little different too. Here’s our pick of locations on the way to or from popular sites that are worth exploring.
Only around 10 miles from Stratford but without the swarms of tourists, Leamington Spa offers relaxing parks, independent shopping and a cool cafe culture.
While this delightful spa town in Warwickshire might not have the Bard to draw in the masses, it has plenty of history of its own. Throughout the 19th century, the Royal Pump Rooms attracted visitors keen to take in the healing waters of the natural spa baths. Today, it houses the Leamington Spa Gallery and Museum. You’ll find it in Jephson Gardens, one of two parks that bookend the main shopping street. It’s a fantastic spot for riverside walks and picnics on the lawn.
Don’t miss this hidden gem on the way to or from Loch Ness. Plodda Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Highlands but – whisper it quietly – it’s still relatively unknown.
Cascading through lush greenery, rugged cliffs and towering trees that surround it, the gushing water is a soothing sound to the ears as it flows into the pool below. You can get up close to it from the viewing platform or look up at the awe-inspiring sight from the path below.
Most people visiting the Channel Islands head to Jersey. But Guernsey should definitely be on your radar too.
Its capital St Peter Port is considered by many to be prettier than St Helier, with a gorgeous restaurant-lined harbour, protective castle and French writer Victor Hugo’s former home here. Outside the capital, the German Occupation Museum offers an insight into the island’s experiences during World War Two.
Guernsey also has some stunning beaches – in particular Moulin Huet Bay on the south coast. It was a favourite haunt of Impressionist painter Renoir when he visited the island in 1883. If you’re feeling peckish, try a Guernsey ‘bean jar’ or crab baguette at the Renoir Tea Garden.
Stay at Best Western Hotel de Havelet
If you’re holidaying in Wales, try to make time in your schedule to see the Black Mountains. It’s a beautiful mountain range in the Brecon Beacons without the crowds you get at Snowdon.
Its dramatic succession of peaks is surrounded by rolling hills, hidden valleys and pretty towns such as Crickhowell and Hay-on-Wye, known for its book shops and literary festival.
Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will love the freedom to roam here. You can even climb one of its peaks to breathe in stunning summit views.
Stay at Best Western Ebbw Vale
Canterbury is a brilliant detour from the more crowded attractions of the UK’s capital. A city break here combines history and culture with lazy pub lunches and boat trips on the Stour. It offers an altogether slower pace of life than the often-frantic nature of London.
Spend time wandering the medieval cobbled streets, taking in the timber-framed buildings, engrossing museums and smart boutiques. Canterbury Cathedral is also a must-visit, housing more than 1,400 years of history within its ancient walls.
Stay at Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel
This secluded shingle beach at the mouth of the River Dart offers a quieter alternative to some of the busier beaches on the English Riviera.
Backed by rocky cliffs and ancient woodland, this idyllic spot lies at the foot of 70 stone steps that cut down from a leafy pathway branching off from the South West Coast Path. While it’s not the easiest place to get to, it’s worth the effort if you’re mobile enough. When the tide is out, bring a picnic or pull on your bathers for an invigorating dip in the sea.
If you love animals and wildlife, this quiet corner of the Dee Estuary offers a calmer contrast to the big thrills of Chester Zoo.
The RSPB-run Burton Mere Wetlands is home to an abundance of birdlife, from avocets and lapwings to egrets and harriers. The woodland trail is carpeted with bluebells in spring, and you can wander up to the Iron Age hillfort at Burton Point to take in scenic views of the estuary and hills beyond.
