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.
Discover a vibrant arts scene within the Forest of Dean
Discover a cultural scene that really breathes life in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Slow things down in Hidcote Manor Gardens
Forget about the outside world for a few hours in this perfect spot of Gloucestershire.
Location: Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
Experience rock climbing in the picturesque Wye Valley
The spectacular Wye Valley cliffs offer a unique and beautiful playground for what is now one of the UK's largest participation sports.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Go shopping for retro clothes on a Cotswolds vintage tour
Visit the Cotswolds and discover vintage treasures on a carefully designed retro-themed driving tour.
Location: Tewkesbury or Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Seek out wild garlic flowers amongst Gloucestershire’s woodland
Wild garlic flowers are pretty little things to spot on a summer’s ramble in the Cotswolds, and make for a delicious addition to your salad bowl.
Location: The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
Explore the rooms and grounds of Snowshill Manor
From suits of Samurai armour to antique bicycles of all shapes and sizes, there are about 22,000 reasons to take a nose round Snowshill Manor.
Location: Snowshill, Gloucestershire
Take part in the Cotswolds & Severn Vale circular cycling tour
Enjoy a circular self guided cycling holiday tour, so you spend a week exploring the Cotswolds & Severn Vale, on your bike with optional day routes.
Location: Gloucestershire, Cotswolds
Retrace the Cotswolds’ Arts and Crafts movement
Explore William Morris's Cotswolds as you relive the area's arts and crafts movement in Chipping Campden and Broadway.
Location: Chipping Campden & Broadway, Gloucestershire
Fly or freewheel through the trees in the Forest of Dean
Hire bikes and go exploring, fly through the air on a zip wire or paddle down the river on a watery adventure.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Magic and mystery in the Forest of Dean
Follow in the footsteps of Dr Who, Merlin and Atlantis, explore the Clearwell Caves or ride through the forest on the steam railway.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Grab your bike for a cycling tour of the Cotswolds
Get off the beaten track with a Cotswolds Adventures guided cycling tour in the summer sun. Meander through lanes, villages, and stunning countryside.
Location: Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
Walk through history at Berkeley Castle
Walk in the footsteps of Wolf Hall’s real historic characters, and also the actors who went on to play them at Berkeley Castle.
Location: Berkeley, Gloucestershire
Stay and play on Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park
Make the most of family fun time camping at Cotswold Farm Park, and visit nearby Bourton-on-the-Water to explore attractions & picnic by the river.
Location: Near Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
June events: Revel in music at Westonbirt Arboretum for Forest Live
England’s forests turn into atmospheric music venues for Forest Live, offering an eclectic range of artists & an amazing night out.
Location: Westonbirt near Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Rediscover yourself on a relaxing farm stay in the Cotswolds
Experience a break with a difference & reconnect with the countryside. Stay in a hut by the pond or a unique shepherd’s hut with a cosy log burner.
Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Strap your boots on for the Cotswold Way National Trail
Escape this summer and walk the Cotswold Way with friends, stopping over along the route at unique accommodation sites nestled in tranquil locations.
Location: Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
July events: Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
Originally one of the world’s biggest battle re-enactments, this event in the normally quiet village of Tewkesbury has grown into a festival recreating all aspects of medieval life.
Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
Enjoy a romantic break at Cotswold House Hotel and Spa
Chill out and rekindle your romance with a wonderful summer luxury break at the contemporary Cotswold House Hotel and Spa in Chipping Campden.
Location: Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
Discover the magic of film and TV within the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Discover a gateway to the far-away worlds of star warriors, magicians and the ancient lands of legendary, mythic heroes and villains.
Location: Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
