Leeds, a city in West Yorkshire, England, was one of the leading centers of industry in Victorian England. The Leeds City Museum is a great place to brush up on local history, and many TripAdvisor travelers say no visit to town is complete without exploring the Royal Armouries. You’ll also find lovely parks and a lively restaurant scene, with many eateries specializing in international cuisine.

Make sure to pack your wellies, because Snowdonia National Park is one of the wettest spots in the U.K. Besides being soggy, it’s also pretty impressive. A fairly easy hike takes you to the top of Yr Wyddfa, the highest peak in Wales (topping any peaks in England, too), where peregrine falcons nest in the jagged cliffs. The park also has the largest lake in Wales, Llyn Tegid. It has its own Loch Ness-style monster—called Teggie, of course—though some figure it’s just an unusually large pike. This Snowdonia’s wonders can also be found on a smaller scale. Keep an eye out for the Snowdon beetle, which has rainbow stripes down its back.