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.
Filter By:
- Regions
- Type
- Seasons
Explore the English Riviera Global Geopark
Spot rare wildlife, go coasteering, and discover stories of drowned forests at South Devon's Global Geopark, a fascinating area with rich historical and geological heritage.
Location: Torquay, Devon
Sip Earl Grey where it was created: Howick Hall
Earl Grey tea is enjoyed – usually at around 4pm – all over the world, but few know it was invented in Northumberland for Charles, 2nd Earl Grey.
Location: Howick, Northumberland
Journey back to the 1920s at Coleton Fishacre
A 1920s Art Deco house and garden in the beautiful Devon countryside.
Location: Kingswear, Devon
Discover spectacular Lundy Island
A rare experience is to be found on the beautiful and wild Lundy Island just 12 miles off the North Devon Coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
Location: Lundy, Devon
Travel the Solent Way
Get your boots on, pick up some treats and strike out on The Solent Way.
Location: Lymington, Hampshire
A botanical treasure trove on the Jurassic Coast
Sniff your way around the award-winning Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, a coastal haven filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world.
Location: Abbotsbury, Dorset
Take a visit to Looe Island
Looe Island Nature Reserve is a haven for diverse and fascinating wildlife, from silver-washed fritillaries to grey seals.
Location: Looe, Cornwall
Rise above it all with a stay at Chewton Glen’s treehouses
Escape to your very own luxury treehouse for panoramic views and nature at your fingertips at Chewton Glen.
Location: New Milton, Hampshire
Watch Indie A-listers at the End of the Road Festival
The intimate surroundings of the End of the Road Festival give you the chance to get up close and personal with the bands and their music.
Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset
Take a walk through Tresco Abbey Garden
Tresco Abbey Garden has unique climate conditions that allow for the growth of exotic and unique plant life.
Location: Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
Seal watching in Arthur Ransome’s ‘Secret Water’
Explore Walton’s ‘Secret Water’, the setting for Arthur Ransome’s ‘Swallows and Amazons’ book.
Location: Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
Enjoy a rural escape at Kitley House Hotel
This 500 year old country house is set in the heart of the South Devon countryside making it the perfect destination for a relaxing and enjoyable break.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Cycle country and coast along the Crab and Winkle Way to Whitstable
With 7 miles of almost traffic-free cycling, the Crab and Winkle Way trails between Kent’s historical heart, Canterbury, and Whitstable on the north Kent coast.
Location: Canterbury, Kent
All the fun of the fair with Dorset’s summer festivals
Dorset entertains the whole family all summer long hosting an array of amazing events and festivals that are unique, nostalgic or just plain fun!
Location: Dorset
Discover Cornwall’s rugged landscape on the Poldark Trail
Saddle up for Hallagenna’s horse riding trail across Bodmin Moor, taking in some of the stunning filming locations behind the BBC’s Poldark remake.
Location: Cornwall
Explore the cobbled lanes of Clovelly
This ancient fishing village clings to the cliffs on the North Devon coast and tells a magical tale of living history.
Location: Clovelly, North Devon
Follow in the Footsteps of Michael Morpurgo
Are you a fan of celebrated children's author Michael Morpurgo? Come and see the island that has inspired him so much.
Location: Isles of Scilly
Follow in Ben Fogle’s footsteps on an activity break
Discover Durham's great outdoors this summer and follow in the footsteps of TV's Ben Fogle.
Location: Durham