12 hidden gems in the UK that everyone should visit, according to people who live there

Insider's UK office is based in London, the UK's capital city, but our reporters have lived all over the country. Insider's senior lifestyle reporter, Mikhaila Friel, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and currently lives there, while Insider's junior lifestyle reporter, Maria Noyen, lived in two towns in Buckinghamshire, England, before moving to London.

Armani Syed, another junior lifestyle reporter at Insider, grew up in Manchester, North West England, and studied in Warwickshire in the English Midlands before moving to London. Meanwhile, Insider's lifestyle fellow, Josh Ong, was born in Wiltshire, England, before moving to Bristol and then Cardiff, Wales, where he now lives.

Below, our reporters have rounded up the best hidden gems to visit in the UK that you likely won't find in guide books.

The Devil's Pulpit is a picturesque gorge less than an hour's drive from Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. It's most often visited by Glasgow locals in the summertime, where people go swimming and take photos with their friends by the waterfalls.

Its real name is Finnich Glen, but is known among locals as the Devil's Pulpit because of folklore. According to Travel Awaits, the name was given because of a mushroom-shaped rock that rests at the bottom of the stream as it's rumored to be where "evil" visited, including the devil himself. The devil is said to have preached to his followers from the submerged pulpit.

Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is the country's second-most visited tourist attraction, according to the tourist organization Visit Scotland. But according to Scots Castles, there are more than 1,500 castles in Scotland.

Inveraray Castle is located on the shores of Loch Fyne in Inveraray, a small town 60 miles northwest of Glasgow. With its turrets and surrounding gardens, the castle looks as if it has been plucked straight out of a fairy tale.

The castle was recently featured in the fictional TV series "A Very British Scandal."

Adult admission tickets to the castle cost £14.50, or around $19.

Port Ban Holiday Park is a camper van and camping site located on the west coast of Scotland. The site overlooks Cretshengan Bay, a public beach that has incredible views of the islands Islay and Jura, which are accessible by ferry.

It's ideal for people who enjoy outdoor activities, like swimming, canoeing, or surfing. It's also a great location for star-watching. The beach is a popular location for weddings.

There isn't much in the surrounding area, so it's the perfect location for those looking to switch off from the outside world for a while.

The Campsie Fells are a range of hills just north of Glasgow. The hills are popular for walking, and in the summer, swimming, as there are several waterfalls and rivers.

The hills are located on a dormant volcano, according to Visit Scotland, which reports that there is geological evidence of 30 lava flows that date back to the Carboniferous period, over 300 million years ago.

Anyone who is a fan of cheese, specifically a mature cheddar, should visit the dairy mecca that is Cheddar Gorge.

Located in the heart of Mendip Hills near Somerset, England, the picturesque gorge is home to beautiful hikes, rock climbing, idyllic boutiques selling local cheeses, ciders, and beers, as well as an adorable Christmas shop called Rowlands, where you can purchase festive decorations year-round.

The area itself is well-known for archaeology, and is where the UK's oldest human skeleton, nicknamed the Cheddar Man, was found.

Dorset encapsulates what a lot of people probably romanticize England to be like. It's idyllic, filled with undulating rolling green hills, farmland scattered with adorable sheep and cows, as well as charming cottages and villages like Evershot, referenced by famed British author Thomas Hardy in his novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," the BBC reports.

On top of that, it's also the home of a stunning vineyard and winery called the Furleigh Estate, which doubles as a wedding venue. Guests can book tours of the grounds, wine tastings with cheese pairings, and take a behind-the-scenes look at how British wines are actually made.

While Scotland is often revered for its natural beauty and ancient buildings, Wales has just as many stunning locations that fall off the radar.

Tucked away behind a cliff and accessible only by foot, St Govan's Chapel is a beautiful location surrounded by mythology and legends.

The small chapel can be dated back to the 13th or 14th century, though it was built to commemorate the 3rd century Welsh saint, Govan, who hid in the location after being chased by Irish pirates, according to Atlas Obscura.

Another beautiful natural location in Wales is just a short drive from the UK's smallest city, St Davids.

This Blue Lagoon lives up to its name, with beautiful blue-tinted, clear water, alongside stunning views over the surrounding bay. Loved by locals and visitors alike, you can choose to walk around it and admire it from afar, or even jump straight into it and swim within its waters, with local companies offering activities like coasteering.

Just south of the Brecon Beacons mountain range is an area known as "waterfall country," Glyncorrwg — pronounced glin-coh-roog — is one of the many waterfalls in the area that exhibit some of Wales' best natural beauty.

Getting there will require a small hike, but it's worth it for the hidden gem tucked away at the base of the Welsh mountains.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a town in Warwickshire, a county located in the center of England's Midlands.

The town, which has the River Avon running through it, is best known for being the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare. His exact date of birth is not known but according to records cited on the Royal Shakespeare Company website, he was baptized on April 26, 1564. His wife Anne Hathaway was also born locally and people can visit both of these homes.

From the 16th-century Tudor-style houses to the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre, the town is quaint and perfect for a weekend in the English countryside.

Elevated 104 feet, or around 32 meters, above the Yorkshire dales, Ribblehead Viaduct is a railway bridge formed of 24 massive stone arches, according to the Visit Cumbria website.

The website states the viaduct is located over the border from Cumbria into North Yorkshire and connects Settle Junction, on the Leeds-Morecambe line, to Carlisle, Scotland. It adds that there are a number of memorials along the line for those who lost their lives building the viaduct.

The structure adds to the stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales and can be a great place to watch sunrises.

Tatton Park is a historical estate located in Knutsford, Chesire, in North West England. According to the park's website, it consists of 1,000 acres of deer park, a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens, the Tudor Old Hall, and stables.

Aside from being a popular wedding destination, the mansion and grounds can be great for long walks and afternoon tea surrounded by beauty indoors and outside.