The UK’s most Instagrammable counties

Photographs play a massive part in our lives. From the moment we wake up to the moment our heads hit the pillow, we are snap happy and uploading to the ‘gram, sharing day-by-day activities, food updates and stories about our lives and travel. Instagram is one of the best sources of inspiration for finding the most picturesque travel spots!

This got us thinking - which UK counties get the most Instagram action? Where are people posting the most? In which county are people sharing most about their lives?

We set out on a mission to find out, listing the UK counties and searching for their hashtag count. 

The results are in...

The UK's most Instagrammable counties are…

The South West counties of Cornwall, Devon and Bristol have all made it into the top 5 most Instagrammable UK counties! Cornwall takes the number one spot with 8,284,779 hashtags, Bristol comes in second with 6,429,743 and Devon sits at number four with 4,545,581 hashtags. That's a total of 19,260,103 hashtags between them, making the South West the most Instagrammable region in the UK!

With lots of coastal scenes, surfing snaps, romantic moments and outdoor adventures documented, it is safe to say lots of fun is had in Devon and Cornwall. As well as foodie snaps, dog walks, historic landmarks and arty coastal town pics, Devon and Cornwall get a huge share of the Instagram pie! 

Search for #devon and #cornwall to see the most popular posts and popular places that people are visiting across these two coastal counties.

Bristol is the second most Instagrammable county in the UK with 6,429,743 hashtags to its name. Being both a city and a county, snuggled between Somerset and Gloucestershire, Bristol is unique in its own right. The colourful riverside city, famous for its harbour, shows off a blend of architecture and a rich history. Some highlights have to be the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Balloon Fiesta and Banksy street art tours - all of which appear in the #bristol hashtag. Follow #bristol to get more ideas on the most popular things to do.

Essex, sitting to the east of London, takes the 3rd spot in the top ten line-up. It’s no surprise really, being the home of the popular reality TV show ‘TOWIE’. Essex is a county representing celebrity culture and flashy lifestyles. However, there is more to Essex than meets the eye. It is, in fact, one of the historic counties of England which was set up by the Normans, and Essex is a former kingdom created by the Anglo Saxons. Essex is also home to the longest pier in the world! That’s right - Southend's pier is 1.34 miles long and it is classed as a Grade II-listed building! Search #essex to see what people get up to there.

Kent, just to the south of Essex and London, follows closely behind with 4,414,465 hashtags. Also known as ‘The Garden of England’ due to its number of hop gardens, Kent is a beautiful county with lots to offer. You will find 26 castles, many historic monuments, orchards, vineyards and the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral: the most famous building in Kent. There are miles and miles of coastline and two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Discover more with #kent.

Also in the top ten are: Surrey (4,239,524 hashtags), Cardiff (4,014,531 hashtags), Norfolk (3,845,789 hashtags), Cheshire (2,828,915 hashtags) and Durham (2,770,431 hashtags). 

England's most Instagrammable counties

Replacing Wales from the UK’s top ten, Dorset has made its way into England's 10th place with 2,633,853 hashtags!

Dorset can be found on the southern coastline of England neighbouring Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Known for its glorious Jurassic Coast, it is a coastal destination which has been a tourist hot spot for many years. Durdle Door is probably the most famous of the landmarks, a natural ancient arch which cuddles a shingle beach. Inland, the countryside is gentle and rolling, dotted with idyllic English villages and thatched roofed cottages. With a history rich in smuggling, hiding hundreds of coves and caves, it is a fascinating place to come and explore. #dorset will give you lots of travel ideas!

Scotland’s most Instagrammable counties

Angus is the council area in Scotland with the most hashtags, totalling well over 1.7 million. It is an eastern coastal county encompassing some of the Cairngorms National Park as well as boasting miles of uninterrupted coastline.

Dundee City Council neighbours Angus and is in second place in the race with 1,038,550 hashtags. This is a cultural city with lots going on, well known for its creative art school and foodie scene!

The Highlands, probably the most famous of Scotland’s council areas, has taken third place. It is the largest local government area in the UK, mostly known for its mountains, wilderness areas and ‘Outlander’! 

Fife is a council area bordered by the North Sea on three sides. Home to popular historic fishing towns and villages like St Andrews, Crail, Pittenweem and Anstruther, you will see these all dotted on the #fife wall.

Taking 5th place is Aberdeenshire, an eastern council area known for its oil industry being based on the North Sea. Fishing and shipping industries thrive here and there is also a lively cultural scene.

Also in Scotland's top ten are Stirling (500,888 hashtags), Scottish Borders (336,236 hashtags), East Lothian (286,045 hashtags), Moray (268,816 hashtags) and Falkirk (238,741 hashtags)

Wales’ most Instagrammable counties

Not only is Cardiff the most Instagrammable county in Wales, but it took 7th place in the overall UK top ten! Both a county and a city, Cardiff is the capital of Wales and the UK’s 11th largest city overall, home to the beautiful Cardiff Bay, the huge Cardiff Castle, and plenty of shops and entertainment. Have a look at #cardiff for more ideas.

Newport is a small area covering just 73.5 square miles and is the gateway between England and Wales. Steeped in industrial history and heritage, the city is famous for its docks, and today is a buzzing hotspot with lots going on. Explore with #newport.

The second largest city in Wales, Swansea, has taken third place with 1,348,042 hashtags. This is a seaside city with bundles of character and is a vibrant centre for art. Here you will find the largest structure of glass and wrought iron in the UK - the Swansea Market. #Swansea will show you more.

In fourth place is Pembrokeshire with 685,613 hashtags - no huge surprise when National Geographic Magazine rated it the second best coastline in the world. There is over 186 miles of coastline which boasts over 50 beaches, craggy cliffs, coves and caves, and lots of colourful fishing towns. Get all your ideas at #pembrokeshire.

Wrexham in North Wales takes 5th place with 263,947 hashtags and is a perfect destination for getting the best of both worlds - Wrexham city and the surrounding Welsh hills. Wrexham itself is rich in history with landmarks - the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct being one. Check it out with #wrexham.

Also in Wales's top ten are Conwy (211,917 hashtags), Bridgend (150,967 hashtags), Vale of Glamorgan (147,120 hashtags), Caerphilly (125,755 hashtags) and Carmarthenshire (117,125 hashtags).

Visit the most Instagrammable counties and regions of the UK

We hope you have enjoyed discovering the most Instagrammable counties, council areas and county boroughs across the UK - we certainly did. 

If you want to visit the most Instagrammable area of the UK, come to the South West and enjoy all it has to offer. For accommodation ideas, make sure you keep our Devon cottages in mind for your next trip. We offer everything from coastal cottages for two to large family holiday homes with swimming pools. 

And remember if you do come, make sure you post about your holiday with #devon !