8 ideas for a two-day vacation in rural England

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When you think about a short vacation in England, what locations come to mind first? London, Liverpool, Manchester? Yes, those destinations are very popular and famous. But what if we offered you an alternative experience?

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Think about walking through amazing landscapes. Diving into beautiful green hills, enchanted forests, and peaceful little villages. It’s a real fairy tale scenery that you can enjoy and explore.

Sounds tempting? In this case, a vacation in rural England would fit you perfectly! You can do a wine tasting, go see sheep farms or even alpacas. Visit old castles or book a room in a lovely spot to spend evenings with a cup of tea. You will feel like an essay writer finishing a new bestseller. Imagine the sea wind in your hair. Breathtaking garden views. Delicious homemade baking and a fresh teapot ready. You would visualise yourself no less than Jane Austen or Charles Dickens.

The beautiful British Isles are small. Yet, they offer so many unforgettable countryside locations to explore. Some views you won’t find elsewhere. To not get lost in all the possible destinations, let’s see the compilation of the best getaways for a weekend.

Peak District

This area can offer you everything – from rock climbing and paragliding to horse riding and walking trails. It is one of the most visited national parks in the UK. So what makes it special?

• its hidden walking trails 
• dreamy woodland 
• green hilltops, caves, rivers, and viaducts
• ancient stone villages.

This National Park has three main landscapes – the Dark Peak, White Peak, and South West Peak. Crazy about challenging walks and outdoor experiences? Choose the Dark Peak. The landscape is remote and includes wild wooded areas too. 

Do dales with meadows, pastures, dry-stone walls, and varied habitats inspire you? The White Peak is your perfect match. The South West Peak is like the Dark Peak, although with a smaller area of moorland interlinked with hedges and farmland.

Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales include inspiring castles, abbeys, green valleys, hills, and moors. The best thing that you can get from the area is a breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere. There are plenty of lovely villages, waterfalls, and fields surrounded by stone walls to explore. The entire Dales are perfect for discovering while studying remotely, as they offer various attractions for any season. 

Snowshill, Gloucestershire

Historic Victorian charm and warm sand-coloured stone cottages await you here. This is a small town near Broadway, Worcestershire. What is its draw? Spectacular fields of lavender and a famous manor house – definitely worth a visit. Charles Wade purchased the manor and restored it. He designed the beautiful terraced gardens around it.

Also, a stroll around the village appears in Bridget Jones’s Diary, so you can already have an idea of how pretty it is. When walking around, don’t forget to stop for warm scones with clotted cream and jams at Snowshill Manor Café.

Hope Cove, Devon

This is an old fishing village made up of two sandy beaches on the seaside of the South Devon area. It has two distinct areas, Inner Hope and Outer Hope. Rock pools, clean sea, and serene views make it perfect for a summer vacation.

The bay is excellent for watersports. It has two slipways, one at each end of the cove providing easy access to the water. If you are keen on wild swimming, It is also one of the best spots for you. If you get lucky, you may spot seals bobbing in the surf.

Mousehole, Cornwall

During the period of the 13th to 16th centuries, Mousehole was the main port of Mounts Bay. Hundreds of ships exported cured pilchards to France. This tiny village in west Cornwall is famous for its fishing heritage. It is also popular for its charm and unique character.

Mousehole is famous for its narrow streets filled with hidden gems. It might be one of the coziest destinations to visit during the summer. It is full of:

• Pubs
• Local galleries
• Selling spots for books and plants
• Houses that are decorated with cats, rainbows, and positive messages. 

While visiting, don’t forget to pop into one of the many Mousehole pubs and try Stargazy Pie.

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire is a county filled with green places around the towns with amazing architecture and history. The most desired attraction in this area is Oxford University, one of the most prestigious unis in the world. If you are traveling during your gap year, this might be an awesome place to visit. You can explore the culture and life of the oldest university in England. 

Besides Oxford, you definitely need to see Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. It is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has more than 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens to explore, filled with history and nature’s beauty.

Stonor Park in Henley-on-Thames offers a chance to escape into wonderful parklands, gardens, and picturesque trails. It introduces you to one of the most beautiful and oldest manor houses in England, home for many generations of the Stonor family.

Exmoor

Exmoor can offer unforgettable dark sky walks as it is famous for its Dark Sky Discovery Trail. This trail is located at Exmoor National Park. Imagine starry constellations accompanied by the sounds of night birds, wind, and crickets. This place offers you a view of one of the darkest skies in England, which makes it perfect for stargazing.

During the day, you should definitely see a deserted medieval village in the mysterious Doone Valley. Alternatively, you could enjoy the exceptional views from the Dunkery Beacon – Exmoor’s highest point. Here you might have a chance to spot famous red deer or many other species of local wildlife.

Norfolk Broads

This might be the most famous wetland in England. The Norfolk Broads are 30 shallow lakes formed in medieval times. Rivers and dykes connect them.

If you ask us: what should I not miss when I visit this area? Our answer will be quick. First of all, you should see the Thurne Mill. A snow-white 200-year-old working mill that is one of the most iconic sights in the region.

Norwich, the only city in Norfolk, is a complete medieval city in the United Kingdom. This city is a feast of history and architecture. It has lots of cobbled streets, historic buildings, and half-timbered houses. Norwich Cathedral spire dominates the skyline. 315 ft tall, it is the second-tallest in England.

Wrapping Up

The countryside is the pride of England. So if you want to get a truly authentic experience of British life – rural England is your place to be. 

There are plenty of reasons why people choose a vacation among the dramatic landscapes of the English villages. But reason number one: what does rural Britain have to offer? It is the possibility of taking life at a slower pace and becoming absorbed in the tranquil atmosphere.

Disclosure: this is an advertorial feature.

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