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…
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
