United Kingdom
Charming countryside mixed with historic cities
London is truly one of the greatest metropolises in the world, but one of the biggest draws of living in the capital of England is actually everything outside of it. Within a couple of hours by car or train, you can find countless cities, towns and villages that all look like they came from a movie, or have some kind of major role in world events (sometimes both!). So whether you are a history buff or hiker, England has something for you.
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Cities
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Featured Trip
Castle Combe
Looking for some sunshine in the midst of a gloomy British winter, we started scouring Google Flights for warm options close enough to home when we came across £30 flights to the Mediterranean island of Malta in January. We had always wanted to go, and with flights that cheap, there was no way we could turn it down. While peak season is the summer months, it turns out that Malta is absolutely worth a visit in the winter – although not beach weather, there was still plenty of sunshine, comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds.
The Cotswolds
The quintessential, postcard-worthy British countryside
South England
The area roughly within a 2 hour radius of London by train
Up North
The harsh but beautiful lands up near and in Scotland
Wales
Another land of rugged beauty to the west of England
Other UK
Crown dependencies and overseas territories
The Cotswolds
If you’re looking for quintessential British countryside (open fields, rolling hills, lots of sheep) and the relaxation that comes with it, the Cotswolds will deliver. This incredibly charming area which is not too far from London has dozens and dozens of quaint little towns to visit, many lined up along small, idyllic rivers. The honey-colored cottages and care-free lifestyle has brought us back numerous times.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds
South England
The Cotswolds isn’t the only place where you can find the best of the British countryside (even if it’s probably the most concentrated area). Pretty much anywhere you go around England has charming village life on offer, if you know where to look. We spend a lot of time seeking out these small havens of country life.
Up North
If you head north from London and keep going, past the Midlands and the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll get to the more rugged counties of England whose landscapes were influenced more by Vikings and Scottish natives than by Anglo Saxons. Go far enough and you’ll end up in the Scottish jewels of Edinburgh and Glasgow befor ereaching the beautiful highlands and the best of the Scottish countryside.
Wales
The country to the west of England is oftentimes overlooked in favor of the three other kingdoms of the UK, but it’s well worth a visit. We’ve found beautiful mountains, unique coastlines, charming villages – and a very unique language. The Welsh are really proud of their culture, so it almost feels like stepping into another European country.
Other UK Destinations
One of the lasting (and last) legacies of the British Empire is the long list of lands that are part of the UK, but very far from the British shores. Below are the ones we have visited, including Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.