The world’s best ‘slow travel’ destination has been revealed – and it’s in the UK

When you think of travel, you might picture frantic itineraries, overnight buses, and trying to cram a city’s worth of sights into 72 hours. But there’s another way – slow travel. Think: taking your time, soaking up local life, and actually coming home more relaxed than when you left.

And according to a new study by Sainsbury’s Bank, the very best place on Earth to do just that is right here in the UK: Cornwall.

Related entries to add to your Bookitlist

Scoring an impressive 47.5 out of 50, Cornwall came out on top for its jaw-dropping beaches, incredible food scene, and wild natural beauty. From sleepy harbour villages to dramatic clifftop walks, the county has a knack for making time slow down. Or as the report puts it: ‘time truly slows here’.

4 Nights Bookitlist Digital Detox Retreat

 

4 nights from

£949.00_pp

View

The research compared destinations worldwide across factors like scenery, cuisine, accommodation, affordability, and sheer relaxation potential. Cornwall beat out sunny rivals including Portugal’s Algarve (2nd) and France’s Provence (3rd). Ireland’s County Mayo also earned a spot in the top 10, proving that the British Isles know a thing or two about slowing down.

Here’s the full ranking:

1. Cornwall, UK – 47.5
2. Algarve, Portugal – 46.9
3. Provence, France – 46.9
4. Lanzarote, Spain – 46.4
5. Oslo, Norway – 46
6. County Mayo, Ireland – 45.9
7. Dubrovnik, Croatia – 45.7
8. The Balkans, Montenegro – 45.4
9. Iceland – 45.3
10. Tallinn, Estonia – 45

Feeling Inspired? Check out some related holidays from our trusted partners