Rural retreats in spring

Rural escapes in spring

With lambs frolicking in the fields and skylarks soaring in the sky, spring is a great time to visit the English countryside. Blow away the cobwebs on hiking trails through ancient forests blooming with bluebells, or discover ancient spring traditions in postcard-perfect villages. Find your perfect spring break below…

29 Experience Results

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Visit a family run vineyard in the heart of the Chilterns

Explore the vineyard and sample the wine and beer produced in this truly independent brewery in Oxfordshire.

Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

 

Retrace Turner's footsteps in Durham

Durham’s landscapes and iconic buildings have inspired several of England’s great artists and writers, including the master painter JMW Turner.

Location: Durham Dales, Durham

 

Visit the hidden hedged gardens of Hill Close Gardens

See the rare survivals of Victorian gardens, which were used by townsfolk who wanted to an escape from the busy town centre.

Location: Warwick, Warwickshire

 

Tuck into a home cooked meal at The Kirkstile Inn

Enjoy a delicious menu made from the best Cumbrian produce, washed down with a pint of freshly brewed ale at the Kirkstile Inn in the heart of the North Lake District.

Location: Loweswater, Cumbria

 

Wander like Wordsworth around Ullswater

Take a trip to Ullswater and enjoy the fabulous lake and the crowd of golden daffodils which inspired the poet William Wordsworth.

Location: Ullswater, Cumbria

 

Cycle along a disused railway line in Stratford-upon-Avon

Explore the English countryside saddle side whilst cycling the 5-mile long Stratford Greenway.

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

 

Relax in style at England’s oldest hotel

Enjoy a stay at this historic hotel on the edge of the Cotswolds, which has been welcoming guests since 1220.

Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire

 

Explore Romney Marsh

This patch of pristine wetland near the south east coast covers a whopping 100 square miles and is packed with wildlife – including the curious ‘laughing frogs’.

Location: Romney Marsh, Kent

 

Discover a glamping oasis in the heart of Suffolk

If the thought of camping conjures images of screaming kids and collapsing tents, then relax, have a cup of tea and check out Suffolk’s Alde Garden.

Location: Saxmundham, Suffolk

 

Visit one of Capability Brown’s finest landscapes

Celebrate Capability Brown’s tercentenary as you explore 42 acres of Sherborne Castle's beautiful gardens and soak up the beauty, peace and tranquility of this natural setting.

Location: Sherborne, Dorset

 

Go on a ‘legless ramble’ through East Sussex’s countryside

Escape to the English countryside and explore Beachy Head in East Sussex, first on a brewery tour and then on foot.

Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex

 

Lounge and dine in a Georgian Country House

Stay in an early Georgian country house set in three acres of mature English gardens and woodland, just a short journey from historic Lincoln.

Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire

 

Discover what life was like for a 16th century noble family

Visit Doddington Hall, an Elizabethan mansion steeped in history, and explore the stunning English gardens that fill its country park estate.

Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire

 

Discover ‘The Good Life’ amongst Kent’s farmyards and gardens

There’s no better time to visit Kent than in the spring so why not follow your nose and discover the county’s fragrant countryside and gardens?

Location: Maidstone, Kent

 

Enjoy afternoon tea in a thatched Cotswolds cottage

Tour the Cotswolds’ hidden gems and receive a warm welcome at the Secret Cottage, a private home where you are invited to traditional afternoon tea.

Location: Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

 

Cheese-y does it now…

Discover the captivating and often emotional story behind Wensleydale cheese and find out how Yorkshire’s art of cheese making evolved.

Location: Hawes, North Yorkshire

 

Discover ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ in Yorkshire

Tour Yorkshire writer and vet James Herriot's original home, recreated to look just as it did in the 1940s, in the picturesque town of Thirsk.

Location: Thirsk, North Yorkshire

 

Experience Wiltshire's magical woodlands in spring

Witness a transformation of spring’s colours in West Woods, near Marlborough, from late April as the green woodlands are carpeted with bluebells.

Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire

 

Explore Rottingdean, the home of Rudyard Kipling

Step into the world of Rudyard Kipling by visiting his traditional English gardens in Rottingdean, near Brighton and Hove.

Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex

 

Experience Somerleyton Hall’s romance, history and grandeur

Step back in time with a visit to one of Suffolk’s best-preserved stately homes and gardens, near the town of Lowestoft.

Location: Somerleyton, Suffolk

 

Escape to Winchcombe, the walking capital of the Cotswolds

Explore an undiscovered side to the north Cotswolds by combining a tranquil stay in the ancient town of Winchcombe with some fantastic walking routes.

Location: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

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