TIRED of visiting the same old spots? Finding new places for a day out in your area can be difficult but now the UK’s best hidden gems have been revealed, great for discovering destinations.
Visit England recently announced the UK’s best hidden gems as part of its Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2024-2025.
And there is something for everyone from museums to brewery tours – here are their best 15 across Britain, per region.
East Midlands
The first hidden gem can be found in Donington le Heath in the East Midlands – the 1620s House & Garden.
Formerly known as the Donington le Heath Manor House, visitors can explore the 13th century building which inside is decked out with 17th century furnishings.
There are also gardens to explore at the attraction, laid out in early 17th century style.
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Also make sure to head to The Old Barn Tearoom for a quick drink, cake or warm bowl of soup.
A second site in the East Midlands that has been named a hidden gem is Melton Carnegie Museum at Melton Mowbray.
The museum is located inside Melton Mowbray’s former Carnegie Library, which was built back in 1905.
Inside, visitors can discover the local history of Melton from the Bronze Age right to the present day.
It is also free to visit.
And finally, Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby was also named a hidden gem.
The heritage house belonged to Hilda Craven, who lived there throughout the 20th century.
Now as a museum and learning centre, visitors can explore the home and daily diaries kept by Hilda.
Admission costs £3.50 per adult and £2 per child.
East of England
Heading to the East of England and the Bushey Museum & Art Gallery in Hertfordshire was named a hidden gem.
The museum and gallery is entirely run by volunteers and inside visitors can explore the local history and heritage of Bushey.
It is free to visit.
Also recognised in the East of England was a hidden gem activity called the Celtic Harmony Camp, which can be found in Brickendon.
The camp is set in around 13 acres of ancient woodland and features life-sized, reconstructed Iron Age roundhouses, a Palaeolithic Cave and a Prehistory Centre.
The experience is also free to visit.
Then, the final one in the East of England is a tour of Ipswich Town Football Club, in Suffolk.
The guided tour allows fans to explore key and iconic areas within the stadium such as the Directors Box or the Boardroom.
North West
In the North West, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester was named a hidden gem.
The attraction celebrates the life of Elizabeth Gaskell, one of the UK’s most important Victorian writers.
Visitors can explore the lavish interiors as well as pretty gardens.
Another spot in the North West made its way onto the list – moviESCAPE in Stockport.
This escape room has a movie theme and there are different rooms including the Haunted House II: Demon’s Curse and SAWtopsy.
For a more family-friendly option there is Merlin’s Magic Academy, where players solve puzzles and challenges.
Prices vary but the more players you have the cheaper it works out per player.
South East
In the South East, Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre tour in Faversham has been named a hidden gem.
Located at Shepherd Neame Brewery, visitors can head on a tour to learn more about their beers and brewing process.
Next up is St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in Lymington – a historic coastal market town.
Inside, visitors can explore the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast.
Another hidden gem in the South East is a tour of The Hook Norton Brewery Co Ltd.
Costing £20 per person, on the tour you will wander around the five-storey Victorian Tower Brewery for an hour and a half.
The tour then ends in the cellar bar, where you of course get to try the beer.
The brewery rather unusually is also home to three shire horses.
If beer isn’t to your taste, then you can head on a tour of the Wildshark Vineyard in Harrietsham.
For £20 per person, you can head on a self-guided tour of the vineyard, thanks to a handy map that shows different walking routes.
Alternatively, for £28 per person you could head on an hour and a half guided tour with a tasting.
South West
In the South West, one spot was named as a hidden gem – Sherborne Museum in Sherborne.
The local museum in Dorset features local history exhibits and a large archive of local records and photos.
It also is free to enter.
West Midlands
Over in the West Midlands, Stourbridge Glass Museum in Wordsley, visitors can explore the region’s history in glassmaking through interactive galleries.
There is even a live hot glass studio.
Last but not least, a tour of the Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton is also a hidden gem.
The tour costs £25 per person and includes tasting the spirits and liqueurs.
Alternatively for £37, you could do a tour and tasting with lunch included.
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