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.

26 Experience Results

View results as:

Filter By:

 
The domes of the Eden Project at night

Discover Cornwall's Eden Project

Five biomes nestled under five giant bubbles in the hills of Cornwall make for one of Britain's most impressive indoor eco-attractions.

Location: St Austell, Cornwall

 

Rainy Day Activities: Embark on an expedition into Cheddar Gorge

This ultimate indoor activity will have you venture deep into the famous caves at Cheddar to see where the Cheddar Man, Britain's oldest skeleton, was discovered.

Location: Cheddar, Somerset

 

Heart-pumping mountain biking in the Forest of Dean

Feel the adrenaline flow through you as you experience downhill mountain bike tracks in the Forest of Dean.

Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

 

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

 

Uncover the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

For lovers of the great outdoors, the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst showcases giant pieces created from materials you might find in the Forest.

Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

 

Visit the home of the Dymock Poets in the Forest of Dean

In the quiet village of Dymock, literacy history was being made by six of the finest poets of the early 20th century.

Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

 

Explore the Regency spa town of Cheltenham

This pretty spa town in Gloucestershire is the perfect place to explore and base yourself for a Cotswold sojourn.

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

 

Discover Laurie Lee Country

Take inspiration from the BBC adaptation of the classic novel ‘Cider with Rosie’ and follow in the footsteps of author Laurie Lee through the Slad Valley.

Location: Slad village near Stroud, Gloucestershire

 

Find romance in the depths of Thomas Hardy Country

Enjoy woodland walks and cosy inns, and immerse yourself in the romantic landscape that this renowned writer called home.

Location: Dorset

 

See nature come to life on the Somerset Levels

See the Red Arrows equivalent for starlings in stunning Somerset countryside.

Location: Somerset

 

Get an authentic taste of Cotswolds farm life

Ever fancied trying your hand at making your own sausages? Be part of a traditional farming experience at Old Farm, near Moreton in Marsh.

Location: Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire

 

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

 

Explore Devon’s countryside on a mushroom foray

Join Riverside Cottage mushroom expert John Wright as you forage in Devon’s woodland fields to identify, gather responsibly and cook some wild fungi.

Location: Axminster, Devon

 

Go wild for the wildlife of the Cotswolds

Experience the wild beauty of Batsford Arboretum and the sight of rare birds of prey soaring over the surrounding Cotswolds hills.

Location: Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire

 

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

 

November events: See Longleat in a different light

Experience the magical Festival of Light with hundreds of illuminated displays after dark before staying in a luxury Longleat spa hotel.

Location: Warminster, Wiltshire

 

Take in the views and afternoon tea in Wiltshire

Build up an appetite with a walk through the picturesque Vale of Wardour before stopping for tea and a spot of cake in the pretty village of Tisbury.

Location: Tisbury, Wiltshire

 

October events: Be wowed by Abbotsbury's Illuminate

Discover an illuminated winter wonderland at one of Dorset’s finest annual events.

Location: Abbotsbury, Dorset

 

Discover the Cotswolds and Severn Vale by bike

Discover the south Cotswolds on a new bike route from Nailsworth to Frampton on Severn, enjoying Prema Arts Cafe, Uley Bury and the tranquil canal en route.

Location: Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

 

October events: Lace up your boots for Dursley’s Walking Festival

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the undiscovered south Cotswolds and take part in the annual Dursley Walking Festival, which takes place every October.

Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

 

Head to Scilly for a rural retreat

Head to England's remotest and most southwesterly islands of the Isles of Scilly, and experience English countryside with a twist.

Location: Isles of Scilly

VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes.

Go to the survey

To add items to favourites …

… you need to be logged in.

If you already have an account, log in.

Or register a

Access your account

Enter your e-mail address or username.
Enter the password that accompanies your e-mail.
Forgot your password? Recover your account
Don't have an account? Register an account