The UK is famous for its beautiful green landscape; from the gentle English countryside to the wild, rugged Scottish highlands, there’s nowhere better to enjoy total peace and tranquillity. More and more people are opting to escape to the country, taking advantages of holiday homes for added privacy. If you’re likely to travel a lot, you could even consider purchasing a holiday home yourself – with international companies like Rent My Cottage you can swap properties and travel around the world without having to break the budget! If you’re looking to escape this summer, look no further!
- Idyllic breaks in the UKtricky (rick harrison) / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
These are some of our favourite places in the UK for a truly serene holiday in the countryside.
South Downs
The Sussex countryside is largely based on chalk, due to the proximity of the coast and the famous Seven Sisters. The South Downs are therefore best-known for their heathland, and you’ll find traditional grazing cattle on the hillsides as well as a number of wild animals and lush green spaces. It’s also a popular place in the UK for winemaking, so look out for vineyards on the south-facing sides of the rolling hills. Near Eastbourne you’ll find Cuckmere Valley and Birling Gap, both of which offer a great range of walks, while towards Portsmouth is Uppark House and Garden, a beautiful Georgian home open to the public.
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is primarily made up of a series of valleys and lakes, with a variety of landscapes and a fascinating cave system to discover – with an expert of course! With woodlands, castles and any number of footpaths, it’s a fantastic location to discover the natural beauty of the North-East. Head to Malham Tarn Estate to see paved limestone and hay meadows covered in carpets of flowers, or visit Mount Grace Priory, a stunning medieval charterhouse in the heart of the Dales.
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a jewel in Wales’ stunning rural backdrop, boasting the highest mountain in the country and a reach that encompasses the coast as well as the hilly inland regions. A slate quarry lies in the middle of the mountainous area, but most hikers in the area focus on Snowdon itself, the walk that takes you up to the highest peak. South Snowdonia is home to waterfalls, lush forest and amazing sand dunes, while to the north you’ll see small villages nestled in the valleys and panoramic views over the dramatic landscape.
Cairngorms
Scotland’s largest national park is a mountain range boasting some of the most geologically significant land in the UK. It’s a beautiful place to visit for quiet walks and wildlife-spotting, and was voted by National Geographic as one of the world’s Top 20 places to visit. Skiing and mountain biking are popular here for those looking for an adrenalin rush, but if you’d rather take it easy go for a hike around one of the vast mountainsides, or head to the town of Aviemore for a round of golf surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the area.
