The travel experts at Bounce have analysed Google search data, to reveal the most popular hidden gems in the UK.
The top 10 most popular hidden gems in the UK:
| Annual Searches 2023 | ||||
| Rank | Hidden Gem | Location | UK | Global |
| 1 | Bangor | Wales | 647,000 | 1,585,000 |
| 2 | Dartmoor | South West England | 449,300 | 1,181,500 |
| 3 | Ludlow | Midlands | 618,000 | 987,000 |
| 4 | Knaresborough | North Yorkshire | 788,000 | 933,000 |
| 5 | Dunnottar Castle | Scotland | 317,100 | 733,500 |
| 6 | Holy Island | North East England | 496,000 | 690,600 |
| 7 | Robin Hoods Bay | Peak District | 580,700 | 678,100 |
| 8 | Llangollen | Wales | 556,200 | 644,500 |
| 9 | Tintagel | South West England | 357,200 | 612,600 |
| 10 | Devils Bridge | South Wales | 185,800 | 600,000 |
Bangor is the most popular hidden gem in the UK, with 1.5 million Google searches over 2023. Bangor is home to heritage sites such as Bangor Cathedral, which has been used for Christian worship since the 6th century and is full of gothic columns and stained glass windows, and Penrhyn Castle and coastal footpath, featuring extensive gardens that are ideal for kids to explore among the backdrop of mountains.
Dartmoor ranks as the second most popular hidden gem in the UK, reaching 1.2 million Google searches over the last year. Dartmoor National Park is a vast moorland in southwest England. Defined by forests, rivers, wetlands, and exciting rock formations, Dartmoor is a great place for an outdoor adventure.
Ludlow is the UK’s third most searched-for hidden gem, seeing just shy of 1 million searches over 2023. Ludlow is a quaint market town in Shropshire, England, packed with architecture from the Medieval, Tudor, and Georgian periods. In fact, Ludlow has over 500 listed buildings.