| Ahh, England in summer, the sound of leather on willow from the local cricket match, a pint of local ale in your hand as the sun goes down over the thatched roof of the pub, the world a million miles away... does life get any better? Chocolate box Britain still exists and plenty of gorgeous rolling countryside with wonderful old villages is within easy reach for a holiday, minibreak or weekend away. Go walking in the Yorkshire Dales, explore the pretty Cotswolds, have cream tea in Devon and Cornwall or go boating in the Norfolk Broads... |
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| The Cotswolds are some of the UK's most lovely countryside - gorgeous honey-coloured stone houses sit in quiet lanes amongst the gently rolling landsacape; there are some wonderful bed and breakfasts near villages such Stow-on-the-Wold, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Witney and Burford. The Cotswolds make a great long weekend break from London. In the north, the Yorkshire Dales comprise the river valleys of Wensleydale, Calderdale, Nidderdale, Ribblesdale and Wharefdale making wonderful walking country and you'll be hard pressed to find friendlier folk! The crumbling ruins of Bolton Abbey by the Wharfe are as picturesque a spot as any in Britain and the Settle - Carlisle railway is perhaps the most scenic route in the country. Sussex & Kent are traditional Olde Englande - old red tiled oasthouses, hops and barley - this is ale country although more recently vines and vineyards have made their appearance as well, many of which offer tours and tastings. On the other side of Britain, Somerset is cider country and there are plenty of farms selling their own, usually highly potent, cider and scrumpy and often there are cider tours and tastings. If you need something less fortified, the West Country is also famous for its cream teas and most villages throughout Devon, Dorset and Cornwall will be happy to fill your arteries with their local clotted cream, jam and scones. East Anglia and the Fens are the lowlands of the UK and much of the area has been reclaimed. Boating on the Norfolk Broads is a very popular peaceful break, but people often overlook the many beautiful villages of Norfolk and Suffolk such as Lavenham. The Midlands is often thought of as industrial middle ground, but around the big cities there are some gorgeous and often less visited villages and countryside. Shropshire is particularly beautiful as is the Peak District, which has wonderful walks and is particularly pretty around Matlock and Bakewell. Scotland is well known for its rugged mountain scenery, but it also has some gorgeous pretty villages. The Scottish borders, with famous Gretna Green, Coldstream, home of the guards, and Eskdale offer wonderful, gentle hiking country with good B&B's. In Wales, the Wells Towns offer gentler scenery than the often mountainous terrain Wales is assoicated with. Carmarthernshire also has some pretty spots. |
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