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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Chainsaw sculptures capture the eye at Beacon Hill
Where would you expect to see a sheep duo, rock character, miniature train and fairy castle, all carefully carved out of wood?
Location: Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire
Be inspired with a visit to Tudor House
Tudor House is one of the most prominent buildings in Broadway which houses objects and artefacts on loan from the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Location: Broadway, Worcestershire
Peace and quiet at Belgrave Hall and Gardens
Belgrave Hall was built in the early 18th century, in what was then a small village three miles from the town of Leicester.
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
Enjoy fresh, local produce on The Vale Trail
Have a unique horticultural experience in one of England's most fertile lands. Sample fresh produce from local food and drink producers.
Location: Evesham, Worcestershire
Explore the ruins of Ashby Castle
Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel of 1819, Ivanhoe featured Ashby Castle as the backdrop to the famous jousting scenes.
Location: Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
Be inspired by the grand Malvern Hills
Enjoy great views on top of the Worcestershire Beacon and follow in the footsteps of writers and composers including Sir Edward Elgar and C.S Lewis.
Location: Malvern, Worcestershire
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
Walk with Offa in the Shropshire Hills
Follow in King Offa’s footsteps with 18 way-marked pub walks taking you through border country between England & Wales and along Offa’s Dyke.
Location: Clun, Shropshire
Stay at All Stretton Bunkhouse in the Shropshire Hills
Experience the great outdoors with a stay at All Stretton Bunkhouse, nestled deep in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Location: Church Stretton, Shropshire
Stand where Mary, Queen of Scots was executed
Now only the earthworks and the conical motte remain of Fotheringhay Castle, standing above the peaceful River Nene.
Location: Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire
Swing through the treetops in Sherwood Forest
Connect with your inner monkey as you swing through the trees at Go Ape in Sherwood Forest.
Location: Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Get back to nature at Attenborough Nature Reserve
The tranquil waters of the beautiful Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottingham set the landscape for discovering and watching wildlife at its best.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Wig wam your way to Clumber Park
Camping in tents is so last year – why not try sleeping in a yurt or wigwam in the beautiful surrounds of Clumber Park?
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Enjoy a camping weekend at the National Water Sports Centre
Take advantage of a budget break in Nottingham with a camping weekend at the National Water Sports centre, just 10 minutes from the heart of the city.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Explore the beautiful and curious Rushton Triangular Lodge
This place is proof that in England you'll find architectural treasures in the most unlikely places.
Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire
Tour the decadent rooms and gardens of Renishaw Hall
Wander round immaculate gardens and artistic rooms at this historic family home.
Location: Renishaw, North Derbyshire
Tour the 18th century Walled Gardens at the Apley Estate
Take a guided tour of the Walled Gardens on the Apley Estate, sample its produce at The Creamery Café or buy your own from Apley Farm Shop.
Location: Apley, Shropshire
Forage for fungi in Sherwood Pines Forest Park
Plunge the depths of the Sherwood Forest and discover penny bun mushrooms and oyster fungus at their best.
Location: Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
See the golden sun set over the world-famous Sherwood Forest
Rekindle your romance and stay in a luxurious cabin within tranquil, secluded woodland, ideal for romantic escapes.
Location: Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Indulge in a luxury forest retreat in Nottinghamshire
Relax in the heart of Sherwood Forest with your own private cabin and outdoor hot tub. Explore ancient woodlands and give archery a shot.
Location: Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Explore the heart of Shakespeare's England
Get out of the town and explore the romantic countryside and luxurious hotels of Shakespeare’s England in the heart of rural Warwickshire.
Location: Warwickshire