The UK is home to some absolutely breathtaking natural sights, and thanks to the National Trust, many of them are beautifully preserved and open to explore.
From enchanting castles and ancient woodlands to grand gardens and mystical ruins, some places feel like they’ve been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook. Whether you’re looking for a dreamy day out or somewhere that ignites your imagination, here are some National Trust locations that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale.
1. Stourhead, Wiltshire
With its picture-perfect lake, ancient temples, and romantic grottoes, Stourhead looks like something out of a fantasy novel. The 18th-century landscaped garden is breathtaking in every season, but autumn, when the leaves turn fiery shades of red and gold, feels especially magical.
The arched Palladian bridge, hidden caves, and classical ruins scattered throughout the grounds add to the sense of mystery. It’s easy to imagine mythical creatures lurking in the mist or a grand ball taking place in the grand Palladian mansion.
2. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through a forgotten medieval ruin, Fountains Abbey is the place to do it. The dramatic remains of this once-magnificent monastery, surrounded by rolling countryside, give the whole area an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Next to the abbey, Studley Royal Water Garden is equally enchanting, with ornamental lakes, secretive woodland paths, and perfectly placed statues. It’s the kind of place where you half expect to stumble upon a hidden door leading to another realm.
3. Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
If you were to imagine the perfect fairytale castle, Bodiam Castle would be it. Surrounded by a wide moat, this 14th-century fortress looks like it was plucked straight from a children’s storybook, complete with round towers and a dramatic entrance bridge.
While the interior is mostly in ruins, the outer walls remain remarkably intact, making it easy to picture knights, kings, and secret courtly meetings. Visiting at sunset, when the castle reflects perfectly in the water, makes the whole experience even more magical.
4. Cragside, Northumberland
Hidden among the hills and forests of Northumberland, Cragside is like a fantasy home for a Victorian wizard. The grand house itself is impressive, but it’s the surrounding woodlands, secret tunnels, and tumbling waterfalls that make it feel like a fairytale setting.
Exploring the gardens, you’ll find twisting paths, wooden bridges over gushing streams, and quiet spots that feel untouched by time. The whole place has an air of mystery, as if it holds forgotten secrets waiting to be discovered.
5. Wistman’s Wood, Devon
Few places in the UK feel as otherworldly as Wistman’s Wood. This ancient, twisted woodland is packed with gnarled oak trees covered in moss, tangled roots, and a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that feels straight out of folklore.
Legends say the forest is home to ghosts, wandering spirits, and even mythical creatures. Walking through the moss-covered boulders and shadowy paths, it’s easy to see why this place has inspired so many eerie tales.
6. Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Although not a grand estate or historic ruin, Castle Combe is a village so perfectly preserved that it feels frozen in time. Thatched cottages, a stone bridge over a gently flowing stream, and ivy-covered buildings make it look like something from a fairytale.
The entire village, cared for by the National Trust, has been used as a backdrop for countless period dramas and fantasy films. Walking its narrow streets, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into an old storybook illustration.
7. Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
Few places in the UK are as steeped in myth and legend as Tintagel Castle. Perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea, this ruin is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur, making it a must-visit for fans of magical tales.
With wild coastal views, a hidden cave beneath the cliffs known as Merlin’s Cave, and a sense of history stretching back centuries, Tintagel feels like a place where myth and reality blur together. Walking across the high bridge to the ruins feels like crossing into another world.
8. Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
With its towering windows, grand staircases, and endless rooms filled with tapestries, Hardwick Hall feels like the kind of place where a royal ball could take place at any moment. Built in the 1500s, it was designed to impress, and even today, it still has a magical air.
Surrounded by rolling parkland and mysterious woodland walks, the house itself looks like something from a gothic fairytale. Whether you imagine noble ghosts lingering in its corridors or a secret treasure hidden within its walls, Hardwick Hall has a timeless, enchanting quality.
9. St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Rising from the sea like something from a legend, St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island with a castle that looks like it belongs in a fantasy novel. At high tide, it’s cut off from the mainland, adding to its mysterious charm.
Legends say the island was once home to giants, and walking its winding paths up to the castle does feel like stepping into a mythical past. The views from the top are breathtaking, and the whole experience feels like something straight out of a storybook.
10. Dunster Castle, Somerset
Dunster Castle sits high on a hill, overlooking a picture-perfect medieval village. With its towers, turrets, and surrounding gardens, it has all the makings of a classic fairytale setting.
Inside, the castle is packed with historic treasures, from grand tapestries to hidden passageways. Outside, you’ll find enchanted-looking woodlands, a river running through the grounds, and even a working watermill. It’s the kind of place where you half expect to stumble upon a hidden door leading to another time.
The National Trust is full of magical places, but these locations truly feel like stepping into a fairytale. Whether it’s a castle surrounded by mist, an ancient woodland filled with legends, or a dreamy village frozen in time, these spots remind us that a little bit of magic still exists in the world.
