Countryside
Both genteel and wild, there’s nothing quite like the English countryside for rural escapes with its patchwork hills, dramatic dales, ancient woodlands and winding country roads. All well and good, but what is there to do in England’s countryside exactly? Quite a lot, actually. Admire the grand interiors of a stately home before catching a play in the surrounding gardens, travel back in time with visits to ancient stone circles and crumbling castles, or step into a chocolate box of quaint villages and market towns and live like a local, trying farmhouse cheeses, cream teas and real ales along the way.
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Take the plunge canyoning in Cumbria
Ever looked at a waterfall and rather than reaching for the camera, thought ‘I’d like to climb down that’? If so, you’re about to discover your new favourite sport – canyoning.
Location: Bowness, Cumbria
Enjoy a boat trip on Canal River Trust's Waterways
Spend your weekend exploring Cheshire’s incredible waterways, at Anderton Boat Lift and the National Waterways Museum.
Location: Anderton, Cheshire
Glide through the waterways of unspoilt Cheshire
Take in quaint villages, welcoming country pubs, majestic industrial heritage sites and even castles on a boat trip through the county’s canals.
Location: Audlem, Cheshire
See the light at the end of the tunnel
Standedge Tunnel, in the heart of the Pennine countryside, is the longest canal tunnel in Britain.
Location: Marsden, Yorkshire
Take a trip on one of England’s last horse-drawn barges
Explore the Grand Western Canal on one of England’s last horse drawn barges, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Devon countryside.
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Try a canoeing adventure along the River Wye
Become one with the water as you canoe through the rapid waters of the River Wye.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Explore Leicestershire’s beautiful waterways at Foxton Locks
Enjoy summer walks past the colourful narrowboats and along the unique waterways surrounded by Leicestershire’s picturesque countryside.
Location: Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Spy on endangered wildfowl at Rutland Water Nature Reserve
Visit Rutland Water's famous wildfowl sanctuary, covering a 1,000 acres of bird hides, mucky nature trails and interactive visitor centres.
Location: Rutland Water, Rutland
Discover The Lakes by Canoe
Canoe along the Derwentwater and discover something special about being close to the water.
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Explore a living canal village
The Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne is like an outdoor museum with historic canal features to explore.
Location: Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire
Sheffield Park Garden
The perfect place for relaxation and nature photography.
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales
Aysgarth Falls are a dramatic set of waterfalls in Wensleydale.
Location: Aysgarth, North Yorkshire
Go otter spotting in Norfolk
When it comes to big game spotting in the Broads National Park, there is no prey more sleek, more rare and more exciting than the otter.
Location: The Broads, Norfolk
Take the River Ferry to Beeses
Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at this scenic English riverside tea garden in Bristol.
Location: Bristol
Kayak the River Dart
Have some family water fun in South Devon this summer.
Location: Tuckenhay, Devon
Set out on a family cycling break in the Heart of Devon
Enjoy a cycling break with friends or family and discover the windswept scenery of the Exe Estuary, just south of Exeter, and its abundant wildlife.
Location: Exeter and East devon, Devon
Recreate the real Alice in Wonderland’s river trip
Take an Oxford River Cruise trip along the Thames just like the real Alice in Wonderland many years ago.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Relax with a day's birding at Langford Lakes
Open bodies of water are a rarity in south Wiltshire, making Langford Lakes nature reserve an attractive stopping-off point for a host of wild birds.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Cycle, sail or swim in the Norfolk Broads
Sense the sounds, smells and colours of spring at Waveney River Centre in Norfolk, a serene countryside retreat with plenty of outdoor activities.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Go barging round Lancashire
Abandon the hustle and bustle of everyday life and head for the peace and stunning scenery of Lancashire, with a canal boat cruise
Location: Burnley, Lancashire