There have been a lot of manmade wonders in the UK – Stonehenge, the Angel of the North, the (deceased) £3 meal deal – but many of Britain’s greatest wonders are the country’s natural landscapes. From the Highlands to the Scilly Isles, so much of this country is gorgeous; so much so that part of Britain has just been named one of the seven wonders of the world.
Every year, travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller (CNT) concocts its own list of the seven wonders of the world. Rather than picking out ancient sites or well-worn tourist trails, the mag highlights contemporary wonders – places it recommends visiting in the year to come. England has made the cut for CNT in 2026, sitting alongside the likes of a spectacular national park in Canada and Roman ruins in Algeria.
So which part of the country is worthy of such a significant title? Well, that would be none other than the Bradford Pennines Gateway.
The Bradford Pennines might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of iconic British landscapes, but CNT makes a good case for this newly founded nature reserve. The gateway is part of King Charles’ new ‘King’s series’, a project dedicated to maintaining and protecting the country’s natural landscapes by recognising five new nature reserves every year until 2028. The scheme began after his coronation back in 2023, and the Pennine Gateway was named a new reserve last year.
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CNT describes the 1,272 hectare reserve as ‘stoic and un-showy’, adding that ‘these are landscapes of unhurried drama’. In the past, this was the home of the Brontës, so it’s good to know that some of that gothic atmosphere has survived the centuries.
If you do decide to explore the Bradford Pennine Gateway, the publication says to expect ‘wind-polished gritstone tors and views that collapse into long, moody distances broken only by the slow, stately flap of a marsh harrier’.
There are several trails within the area, some of which take you through tiny Yorkshire villages (and via plenty of pubs), and others which stay firmly away from any sort of civilisation. If you’re searching for a bit of stillness in an increasingly loud world, this could be the place for you.
You can read CNT’s full article here.
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