The pretty little UK island with 'no mass tourism' that's one of Britain's 'best' spots

A UK island that's home to diverse habitats, stunning natural landscapes and even a Biosphere Reserve has been named as being among the best destinations the country has to offer. A visit here and you'll be met with scenes of sandy , dramatic cliffs, rolling hills, and lush glens, all contributing to its one-of-a-kind visual appeal. Best of all, mass tourism has evaded this magical spot, meaning all the beauty without the heaving crowds. Indeed, while number of visitors to the Isle of Man rose in 2024 to over 329,000, it remained below pre-pandemic levels.

So beautiful in fact, writer Andy North travelled the length and breadth of the charming island for his new book, Wild Guide: , and further explored why this spot is among Britain's best. North headed to the Isle of Man to photograph its "wilder side", highlighting how it magically provides an obvious commitment to balancing nature with human life.

The island offers a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to exploring its unique towns and villages.

According to North, the Isle of Man is "unique in the variety of landscapes and wild spaces that it manages to fit into its landmass of 572km2".

Ranging from inland mountains and valleys to rugged coastlines, the island's unique geological history and its location in the Irish Sea have all created one of the most diverse landscapes in all of the UK.

The island's unique formation is a result of glacial activity along with the effects of erosion and weathering which have created a variety of terrains evident here including woodlands, high moorlands and sandy beaches.

For these reasons, and many more, the Isle of Man was even named one of the 25 best places to travel in 2025 by the .

"This small island set in the middle of the Irish Sea, has mostly forgotten mass tourism and is the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of modern-day life," North told the .

"Forget the chaotic pace of urban living with its traffic jams and embrace the national slogan 'Traady Liooar', which means 'there is time enough'."

Another major selling point to the Isle of Man is its climate which is mild and pleasant almost all year-round.

The Isle of Man's crowning glory can be found along its gorgeous coastline, which features traditional fishing ports, wide bays and ideal opportunities for wildlife spotting, which includes sharks, whales, seals, and an array of seabirds.

The island also offers a host of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, abseiling and even gorge walking.

For lovers of all things quirky, The Isle of Man offers several unique attractions, including a historic narrow-gauge railway known as the Isle of Man Steam Railway, a tailless feline breed that is native to the island known as the Manx cat and the Great Laxey Wheel - a massive waterwheel that was built to pump water from the mines.

Visitors appear to agree with North when it comes to the beauty of the island, with one writing on TripAdvisor: "Fantastic views and we were really lucky with the weather, it was a wonderful family holiday we will remember for years."