What is a hidden gem?

A hidden gem is any place that is easy to overlook but adds something special to your journey. It might be a quiet viewpoint, a small historic detail, a tiny museum, a craft workshop or a local story most travellers miss.

Why should I include hidden gems in my itinerary?

Hidden gems bring personality to your trip. They help you escape the crowds, discover authentic spots and create memorable moments that feel unique to your own journey.

How do I find hidden gems along my route?

Use curated map layers, explore side roads, ask locals for recommendations and keep a little flexibility in your day so you can stop when something looks interesting.

Why Hidden Gems Transform Your Road Trip

Hidden Gems on your road trip

Hidden gems: authentic places that most travellers pass by.
Personal moments: small discoveries that make your journey memorable.
Better value: quieter stops with more flexibility and fewer crowds.Connect iconic highlights—from the Giant’s Causeway to the Ring of Kerry—into one unforgettable road trip experience.

Hidden gems are the moments that make a road trip feel personal — the small discoveries, quiet viewpoints, and fascinating stories that most travellers miss. Whether it’s a historic carving tucked into a church wall, a peaceful picnic spot off the main road, or a craft workshop run by local makers, these lesser-known places add depth and character to your journey. Our road trip guides highlight these hidden gems so you can explore with confidence, enrich your itinerary, and uncover the stories behind the landscape. With the right tips, you’ll experience a road trip that goes far beyond the obvious.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about hidden gems on a road trip, what they are, why they matter, how to find them, and how to make the most of them as you explore. Check out below:

Quiet scenic places
A shady picnic spot by the river, a viewpoint away from the crowds, or a beach reached by a short detour.

Independent crafts and local makers
Small distilleries, potteries, blacksmith forges, workshops, and local artisan studios that reflect the character and heritage of the area.
Overlooked landmarks
Monuments or sculptures many people drive past without knowing the story behind them — even when they tower overhead.

It’s always great to discover a bit more and find something you may otherwise have missed. Sometimes they are not hidden at all, but they could be overlooked and under-appreciated. It wouldn’t be surprising to miss the bullet marks on a church wall, telling the story of a Civil War skirmish, for example. Or, a witch’s mark, scratched onto a chimney in a medieval public house could easily be missed. Moreover, often the larger things, like monuments that stand proudly, towering over us, may be passed without a thought about the story they are representing. It’s in taking the time to notice these things, that we can uncover more. Each Uncover Britain road trip includes a Hidden Gems map layer as well as hidden gems mentioned within the guide pages, to help you spot these places more easily and understand their significance.

Part 1: What Hidden Gems Actually Are

Hidden gems aren’t always dramatic or remote; sometimes they’re simply overlooked. They might sit beside a main road, or even in the heart of a village, yet remain unnoticed by most travellers.

Types of Hidden Gems You Might Discover

Historic marks and stories
Scratched witch marks on a medieval fireplace, Civil War bullet holes on a church wall, or a memorial tucked into woodland — often visible only to those who pause long enough to look.

A flowing creek with small waterfalls surrounded by rocks and dense green forest

Part 2: Why Hidden Gems Elevate Your Road Trip

Hidden gems transform how you see a place. They elevate a standard travel plan, making it more meaningful, unique, and unforgettable.

1. You get the authentic experience. Big-name attractions provide a general overview. Hidden gems reveal the nuances – the kind you discover when you stray off the beaten path or take a closer look.

2. You craft genuinely personal moments. Discovering a serene chapel, a secluded garden, or a local café with an unfamiliar dish can be the best part of a road trip.

3. You'll likely spend less. Less crowded spots usually mean lower prices for meals, parking, and admission.

4. You'll have more freedom. Self-drive road trips offer flexibility. Hidden treasures encourage spontaneity – the opportunity to explore a side road or pause somewhere surprising.

Sunlight filters through tall trees in a dense forest during sunset.

Part 3: How to Find Hidden Gems on Your Road Trip

While it’s fun to stumble across hidden gems by chance, a little planning helps you uncover far more.

Use the Hidden Gems Map Layer on Your Uncover Britain Guide

Every itinerary includes an interactive map with a dedicated “Hidden Gems” layer. You can:

zoom into specific areas
filter by region or type
add hidden gems into your trip plan
read notes that explain what makes each one special

This is one of the easiest ways to weave genuine discoveries into your route.

Ask Local People

Locals often know places that never appear online: a quiet woodland walk, the best view of the coastline, or a tiny museum run by volunteers.

Take the back roads

A short detour, a winding lane, or an alternative driving route often leads to surprising discoveries.

Be spontaneous

If something catches your eye, pull over safely and explore. Some of the best hidden gems are found this way.

Part 4: Tips for Getting the Most Out of Hidden Gems

It's often the little things that truly elevate an experience.

Discover the history that shaped this location - A straightforward monument can reveal layers of intrigue once you grasp its significance.

A few key items should always be kept in your vehicle - A good pair of walking shoes, a trusty flask, or even a picnic blanket may make impromptu breaks a breeze.

Factor in some breathing room - A brief pause, even just 10 minutes, can uncover details you'd otherwise overlook.

Document your findings - Snapshots, brief scribbles, or a fast pin drop on your map – these are all ways to keep track of the places you love.

Part 5: Bringing Your Road Trip to Life

Hidden gems are part of what makes a journey feel personal. With each Uncover Britain road trip guide, you get:

a handpicked selection of hidden gems,
an interactive map layer,
and the context behind each location so you can understand what you’re seeing and why it matters.

Whether you’re exploring the coast, countryside or historic towns, these lesser-known spots turn a simple drive into a richer, more meaningful adventure.

So next time you head out on a self-drive route, keep your eyes open, slow the pace, and enjoy the stories the landscape is waiting to tell.

Check out our Find Inspiration pages for ideas on where to go, if you’re looking to hire or buy, check out our Find a vehicle pages, and our Route Planner tips.

A hidden gem is any place that is easy to overlook but adds something special to your journey. It might be a quiet viewpoint, a small historic detail, a tiny museum, a craft workshop or a local story most travellers miss.
Hidden gems bring personality to your trip. They help you escape the crowds, discover authentic spots and create memorable moments that feel unique to your own journey.
You can use our road trip guides with the dedicated Hidden Gems map layer, explore side roads, ask locals for recommendations or simply stay open to spontaneous stops along the way.
Yes. Many hidden gems, such as quiet beaches, small attractions and local craft studios, are perfect for families and help break up long drives with interesting, low-cost discoveries.
Not always. Some are quick stops, while others invite you to linger. The key is allowing a little flexibility so you can enjoy discoveries without feeling rushed.
Many are free, including viewpoints, carvings, memorials, natural features and small village stops. Some craft studios or small attractions may have modest entry fees.
They work best alongside them. Well-known sites give you the big highlights, and hidden gems add depth, detail and character to your overall trip.
Each road trip includes a handpicked list of hidden gems with an interactive map layer, making it easy to zoom in, filter and add these special stops to your itinerary.