Belfast is home to two hidden gem streets that offer the perfect backdrop for capturing one-of-a-kind photos. Joys Entry, with just 1,100 Instagram hashtags, is a quaint and narrow alleyway dotted with cosy pubs, giving a true sense of Belfast’s historic charm. Nearby, Commercial Court (1,500 hashtags) offers a lively yet off-the-beaten-path experience, with vibrant murals, twinkling lights, and colourful umbrellas that come alive at night.
Isle of Wight street tops UK’s hidden gems list
Tucked away in the quaint village of Calbourne, Winkle Street on the Isle of Wight is a true hidden gem with only about 500 hashtags so far. Its row of thatched cottages creates a timeless escape into traditional English countryside life. Particularly magical during winter when snow falls, it’s an idyllic spot for capturing the charm of a bygone era, famously depicted in works by artists like A. Heaton-Cooper.
Also tied for the top spot is King’s Parade in Cambridge, a quintessentially British street steeped in history. Lined with stunning Gothic architecture and offering a striking view of King’s College Chapel, this picturesque street will provide a serene yet grand backdrop for your shots. Located in Manchester’s Ancoats district, Anita Street (500 hashtags) is a small, historically rich lane lined with red-brick terraces and vintage lamp posts. A favourite filming location, this Victorian street featured in various adverts, including one for Seabrook crisps.
In second is Oxford’s Merton Street, another hidden gem with only 1,000 hashtags. This quiet, cobbled lane boasting centuries-old architecture is flanked by some of Oxford University’s oldest colleges. Sharing second place are Chester’s Eastgate Street, Bywater Street in London, and Bregagh Road in Ballymoney, where you can capture Insta-worthy shots without the crowds.
Topping the list by a landslide is Oxford Street in London boasting an impressive 1,020,700 Instagram hashtags so far. Not only is it incredibly magical at Christmas with 300,000 star lights dangling across the streets, it’s also the busiest shopping street in Europe. Regent Street follows with 469,200 hashtags, famous for its grand angel Christmas lights, while Carnaby Street adds a quirky flair, drawing 425,000 snaps.
Not far behind, Portobello Road’s colourful houses (362,000 hashtags) and Bond Street’s (290,000 hashtags) luxurious festive displays also make a splash while Neal’s Yard shines with its vibrant, multicoloured buildings, attracting 184,000 posts.
First street outside London to make the list is Victoria Street (127,600 hashtags) in Edinburgh, known for its colourful shops along a winding cobblestone lane. Famous with Harry Potter fans as the inspiration for Diagon Alley, the iconic street becomes even more enchanting with the twinkling of Christmas lights. Two other Edinburgh streets also make the top 15, with the medieval buildings and rich history of The Royal Mile bringing in 22,600 snaps, while Circus Lane earns around 20,000 Instagram hashtags with its picturesque, flower-covered mews.
Bath’s Royal Crescent takes eighth place garnering a whopping 56,600 hashtags to date. Its sweeping crescent-shaped row of Georgian houses is a sight to behold every season. Close behind, The Shambles in York follows in ninth with 53,800 Instagram hashtags, captivating visitors with its maze of narrow alleys and 600-year-old wooden-framed buildings.
Gold Hill in Dorset rounds off the top ten most photographed streets in the UK with 39,700 hashtags. Famous for its appearance in the iconic 1973 Hovis bread advert, where a boy rides up the cobbled street to deliver a loaf of bread, the view from the top offers sweeping vistas over the Blackmore Vale. Meanwhile, Lincoln’s Steep Hill (39,500 hashtags) enchants visitors with its winding lanes dotted with quaint shops and tearooms, leading up to the towering spire of Lincoln Cathedral.
