Visit England’s countryside

Wiltshire’s beauty has rightfully earned it star status – you’ll recognise many of its stunning locations from the movies, such as Lacock (‘Cranford’), Lacock Abbey (Harry Potter), Stourhead (‘Pride and Prejudice’) and Castle Combe (‘Dr Dolittle’ and ‘War Horse’). It’s no surprise that almost half of Wiltshire falls within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Explore by rail, by bike or on foot, or by rented open-topped Jaguar E-Type from Vintage Classics in Melksham; seek out the mystical magic of Stonehenge and Avebury, and track down all eight of the white horses carved into hillsides of the chalk downlands.

Go faster, further, higher and even lower than you can go in the confines of the city. Explore the county’s rugged limestone gorge and cave system at Creswell Crags and find out how the Ice Age inhabitants lived, or make like a monkey and book a session at Go Ape, where you can zipwire among the treetops of Sherwood Pines. Come back down to earth with a cycle ride in the wide open space of Clumber Park, or stroll the gardens of Newstead Abbey and see if its trees inspire you to poetry, as they did for its master, Lord Byron, 200 years ago. Or be a modern Robin Hood and Maid Marian in a forest cabin with hot tub...

Stretching 73 miles east to west, coast to coast, the National Trail Hadrian’s Wall Path runs the length of the historic Roman barricade, and the newly completed Hadrian’s Cycleway extends past the wall and along the Cumbrian coastline. Today it’s a far more tranquil experience than it was for Hadrian’s men, crossing two national parks and two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Roman forts and temples, pretty villages and museums along the way. Allow six or seven days for the whole path, stopping off in cosy country inns. You can even get your baggage sent on each day by the excellently named Hadrian’s Haul.