Top 5 England
The Lake District
Once the home of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, today’s Lake District is a prime base for walking, cycling, sailing and rock-climbing. Where rugged hills and hulking mountains rise grandly above mirror-topped lakes, you can exercise your body and soul: on foot, on water and on the literary trail.
The Cotswolds
Those pictures you saw on the ‘Greetings from England’ chocolate gift-packs? Chances are they were taken in the Cotswolds. Now come and see this classic English countryside for yourself: neat fields, clear rivers, grassy valleys and endless pretty villages with cottages and churches of honey-coloured Cotswold stone – all glowing contentedly whenever the sun is out. >> Find out more
(www.completely-cotswold.com)
Stonehenge
Mystical, magical, maddening. Reactions vary, but Stonehenge remains a top prehistoric attraction. The rings of massive stone archways are simply awe-inspiring. On a misty day, if you arrive before the crowds, you can almost imagine the ancient Britons hauling menhirs across Salisbury Plain.
The New Forest
Visitors to Britain love the New Forest tag; it’s over 1000 years old and there aren’t that many trees. But it’s a great place to visit – for walking, camping, cycling and horse-riding, or simply relaxing in country pub gardens.
Hadrian's Wall
In its heyday the Roman Empire stretched across Europe with Hadrian’s Wall marking the northern limit. And 2000 years later it’s still a stunning testament to ambition and engineering, with forts and ramparts striding confidently over a ruggedly beautiful landscape little changed since the days of the centurions. >> Find out more (www.hadrians-wall.org)
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Northumberland’s coast
Long wild beaches, historic Lindisfarne, stunning castles at Bamburgh and Craster, bird-bedecked Farne Islands.
Peak District
England’s largest national park, hidden limestone dales, high Pennine hills, top-notch walking, climbing and cycling. >> Find out more (www.peakdistrict.org)
Dorset & Devon
Lush farmland, the beautiful Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and 100 miles of fossil-rich ‘Jurassic Coast’.
Suffolk & Norfolk
Peaceful medieval villages, tranquil waterways, beautiful coastline. >> Find out more (www.visiteastofengland.com)