Hannah
22 May 2017
We've decided to celebrate the Great British landscape with a rundown of the UK’s top places in the countryside to visit. It wasn't an easy list to compile, as the competition is strong, but here are our top five rural UK holiday destinations, as well as some of our luxury cottages based in each stunning region.
The rolling green hills of the Yorkshire Dales, the wild open heathland of the North York Moors and the rugged East Yorkshire coastline... Yorkshire really does have it all when it comes to spectacular natural scenery.
In between the hundreds of miles of walks to be had, stop in a picturesque village for a drink at a local pub or browse a range of local produce in a quaint market town. York, with the Yorkshire Wolds found slightly to the east, is also the perfect place to visit for lovers of culture.
Enjoy a break to remember where nature really is on your doorstep at Buttercrambe Shepherd's Hut. This romantic retreat is found just a few miles outside of York, and is located on a working farm - the perfect rural glamping holiday!
A region explored by Julia Bradbury in her ‘Walks with a View’ feature for ITV, the Peak District offers dramatic scenery and a friendly atmosphere, making it a great destination for a UK holiday.
With its multitude of walking trails, cycle paths, riding stables, climbing and caving opportunities, it is ideal for active types. However, with attractions like Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and The Pavilion Gardens in Buxton within easy travelling distance, it is also possible to schedule some cultural interludes into an action-packed week away. We have a handful of beautiful properties in the Peak District, from contemporary, centrally-located Robin Hood Cottage to the boutique and beautiful Bullclough Loft and the luxuriously spacious Hawksmoor Barn, so there is something for everyone.
Home to the Snowdonia National Park and the biggest mountain in Wales and England (Snowdon at 3,560ft), this picturesque corner of Britain also offers a long coastline of sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and glorious estuaries.
It’s not just about mountain climbing and discovering beautiful landscapes on foot, by bike or from the car though. Snowdonia boasts plenty of opportunities to go fishing, enjoy a boat trip or two, or travel back in time with a journey on a traditional steam train. It is also home to Surf Snowdonia, an artificial wave lagoon that is the perfect location to learn to surf or to improve your skills. Located just a few miles from Sheepskin cottage Little Manor (you can actually watch the surfers with binoculars from the garden, if you so wish) and not far from Hilltop, it is a great day out for active kids and adults alike.
There is a wealth of things to do in The Cotswolds during your UK break, from discovering more about the natural world and enjoying the scenery at the Cotswold Falconry Centre or the Cotswold Wildlife Park, to learning more about the region’s history at one of the many excellent, interactive museums.
One of the things we enjoy most about living and working here is the wealth of locally produced food. From Cerney Cheese to Benson’s Fruit Juices, and Bibury Trout to the tasty salamis of The Cotswold Curer, it’s well worth taking at least a week to eat your way around the region!
In order to burn off some of the local food calories, keen walkers can take on some of the many routes that criss-cross the scenic Cotswold Hills. We recommend the 100-mile-long Cotswold Way which runs from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire to Bath in Somerset.
If you’d prefer a gentler stroll and a larger number of celebratory drinks as a reward for your efforts, walk the D’Arcy Dalton Way from Great Rollright to Hook Norton during a stay at Hathaway Cottage or Little Cotswold Cottage. Once in Hook Norton, you can enjoy a tour of the brewery and visit The Sun Inn and the Pear Tree before walking back to the cottage.
For some stunning photo opportunities, enjoy walking the Steeple Barton Circular, which takes in Sandford St Martin where our luxurious barn conversion Cotswold Quail House is located. There are some breathtaking views of the Barton Abbey Estate.
Not often championed by holiday companies, Shropshire truly is an unspoiled corner of England. We are lucky enough to have a gorgeous property in this area: The Weir House. It benefits from a spectacular rural location and has a choice of walking routes from the front door, which is particularly useful if you holiday with a dog (the cottage is pet-friendly). The cottage is also within walking distance of historic Ludlow, a treasure trove of independent shops, delis and cafes.
Families holidaying in the area have a great selection of things to do in the vicinity. Explore the fantastic museums in the Ironbridge Gorge Museum group, get active with quad biking, mountain boarding, clay pigeon shooting and zip wiring at the Edge Adventure Centre or discover the area’s fascinating past by visiting its many historic sites, such as Ludlow Castle.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.