Life in and around the city can be stressful, so we’re very lucky to have areas within easy reach of Manchester to escape to when we need a bit of mindfulness. Now, a new global study has revealed the top destinations for mindful travel in 2025, naming places where stress melts away and disconnection is the goal, and our very own Lake District has taken one of the top spots.
Mindful travel isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a response to real burnout. With always-on jobs, screen fatigue, and non-stop city living, more travellers are prioritising peace over pressure. Whether it’s a forest escape with no Wi-Fi, a retreat focused on breathwork, or just a solo trip somewhere scenic – people are actively choosing destinations that slow them down, not speed them up.
Using a unique ‘Mindfulness Score‘ – based on sentiment analysis, keyword tracking, and thousands of real traveller reviews – the research by Blakk Smoke ranks the cities, islands and landscapes that best deliver calm, clarity, and wellbeing.
Each destination was scored out of 100 based on how often travellers described it using words like “peaceful“, “relaxing” and “mindful” – and the presence of wellness-based activities like yoga retreats, spas and nature escapes.
The Lake District came in third place, just under Sedona in Arizona, and Lake Bled in Slovenia, with a huge 87/100 mindfulness score. Visitors cited the National Park’s walks, journalling spots and feeling of stillness amongst their highlights, and we know how true these are from experience.
The Lake District can be reached from Manchester in just an hour and 30 minutes, depending on the area you’re aiming for, but if you fancy going further afield, the Scottish Highlands and Cornwall also both came within the top 10 mindful destinations. These gorgeous UK destinations placed amongst global beauty spots including Kyoto in Japan, Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and Big Sur in California, so we now feel the need to explore every corner of our own country…
The Top 10 Most Mindful Travel Destinations of 2025 (mindfulness score/100 & highlights)
- Sedona, Arizona, USA: 92 – Energy vortexes, red rock trails, spiritual retreats
- Lake Bled, Slovenia: 89 – Mirror-still water, mountain air, island chapel views
- Lake District, England: 87 – Windermere walks, hilltop journalling, total stillness
- Big Sur, California, USA: 85 – Wild coastlines, remote cabins, nature therapy
- Santorini, Greece: 83 – Slow sunsets, whitewashed calm, cliffside yoga
- Scottish Highlands, Scotland: 81 – Vast solitude, misty hikes, digital detox vibes
- Asheville, NC, USA: 80 – Blue Ridge trails, spa breaks, artsy downtime
- Amalfi Coast, Italy: 78 – Lemon groves, sea views, the art of doing nothing
- Cornwall, England: 76 – Secret beaches, cottagecore escapes, wild swims
- Kyoto, Japan: 75 – Zen gardens, quiet temples, mindful rituals
Of course, it goes without saying that these wonderfully mindful destinations, including the Lake District, only stay that way if visitors look after them, so remember, pick up your rubbish and be ‘mindful’ of residents and the environment in the local area. But most of all, enjoy what our planet has to offer!
