Britain’s natural wonders - Explore Britain’s iconic landscapes

Needles Old Battery

The Needles, Isle of Wight, England

These three jagged chalk rocks jutting from the western coast of the Isle of Wight once made up part of the headland but, over time, erosion has separated them from the coast. They’re best seen from The Needles Old Battery (looked after by the National Trust), a Victorian fort built to protect Britain from invasion. On a clear day, the contrast between gleaming bleached rock, blue foaming water and the endless sky above is spectacular.

Did you know?
None of the squat forms are particularly needle-like. The name refers to two earlier members of the group that crashed into the sea after a storm in 1764.

Malham Cove, North Yorkshire, England

Malham Cove

The curving limestone crag of Malham Cove is formed by an 80m-high cliff that was created at the end of the last Ice Age by melt water. At the top of the cliff is a limestone pavement, scoured by the retreating glacier, a strangely regular feature that resembles rough paving slabs. The views from the pavement across Yorkshire are fantastic and the area is excellent for walking.

Did you know?
Malham Cove appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Jurassic Coast, East Devon and Dorset, England

The Dorset and East Devon Coast, also known as The Jurassic Coast was the first ever site to be inscribed as a 'natural' World Heritage Site. It spans 95 miles of dramatic coastline all the way from East Devon to Dorset. What makes this coast so special is the way its cliff exposures provide an almost continuous geological 'walk through time' spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods - a time capsule holding 185 million years of the Earth's history. Walk along the cliff-top paths to see some of England’s most spectacular geology including Durdle Door, the dramatic rock arch near Lulworth.

Did you know?
Eighties UK chart-toppers, Tears for Fears, shot their video for Shout at Durdle Door.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England

Gough's Cave, Cheddar George 

Britain’s biggest gorge was gouged out of Somerset by meltwater floods over a million years ago. What’s left is a spectacular steep-sided ravine that cleaves the countryside in two. Visit the gorge for cliff-top walks, rock climbing and the show caves that are home to weird and wonderful rock formations and an underground river.

Did you know?
Britain’s oldest complete skeleton, known as the Cheddar Man, was found in one of the caves here.

Seven Sisters cliffs, Sussex, England

The South of England’s white chalk cliffs are an iconic sight and a symbol of Britain’s proud island history. And for our money, the most dramatic of these are the Seven Sisters along the Sussex Heritage Coast. To experience the ‘classic’ view, head for Seaford Head from where you get a sweeping panorama to the cliffs. For as long as anyone can remember their austere beauty has repelled invaders and welcomed home weary seafarers.

Did you know?
The cliffs appear on film in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire, England

This collection of crazily balanced rocks have fascinated visitors for centuries. Formed by Millstone Grit eroding over thousands of years, the formations have acquired names that (supposedly) reflect their shapes. Look out for the The Watchdog, The Sphinx, The Turtle, The Dancing Bear and The Camel. The site is operated by the National Trust and is open all year round.

Did you know?
Early observers thought the naturally formed rocks were carved by druids.

Giant’s Causeway, Antrim, Northern Ireland

Ginats Causeway

The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of basalt cliffs along the rugged Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. This intriguing rock formation, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of some 40,000 tightly packed black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. The polygonal pillars are strangely regular, almost as if formed by human hand. Human… or giant.

Did you know?
Legend has it that the causeway was formed by Irish giant Finn McCool who wanted to cross the Irish Sea to fight Scottish rival, Benandonner.

Fingal’s Cave, Isle of Staffa, Scotland

Across the Irish Sea from the Giant’s Causeway is Fingal’s Cave , a sea cave on the island of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland. It’s part of the same ancient lava flow that created the Causeway and has been an inspiration to artists and writers for hundreds of years. Sir Walter Scott said it ‘baffled all description’ and the composer Felix Mendelssohn composed his Hebrides Overture after hearing the strange echoes caused by water sloshing around the cave. You can visit Staffa by boat from the mainland.

Did you know?
Fingal’s Cave's Gaelic name, Uamh-Binn, means "cave of melody."

Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland

The most northerly of Skye’s peninsulas boasts some spectacular geology. Take the easterly coast road to see the bizarre Tolkienesque spikes of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, a monolith of basalt rising 49m. It was in this dramatic landscape that Bonnie Prince Charlie hid from government troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Did you know?
Trotternish is also home to Kilt Rock, a sheer cliff of hexagonal basalt named after the Scottish national dress it resembles. , Snowdonia, North Wales

Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr, Snowdonia, North Wales

Snowdonia

These two mountains are among the most dramatic in a region not short on epic, rugged scenery. Glyder Fach (994m) is crowned by the famous cantilever rock, a massive precariously balanced slab that’s a favourite spot for climbers to be photographed and Glyder Fawr (1001m), rewards with a craggy summit littered with spiky frost shattered rocks angled like ancient tombstones.

Did you know?
The Snowdonia National Park is Wales’ oldest and largest national park.