Its closeness to London means Buckinghamshire has long been the country retreat of choice for the city’s powerful and well-heeled – indeed, prime ministers have savoured R&R at their country pied à terre Chequers since 1921. It offers something for everyone, from an invigorating yomp on the ancient Ridgeway that crosses the Chiltern Hills to a quiet amble by the Thames. Follow in the footsteps of the great and the notorious – see the grand interiors at Waddesdon Manor, enjoy the former playground of the socialite set that is now Clivedon House luxury hotel, or stroll the apple orchard at Disraeli’s country house Hughenden Manor.
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England’s gorgeous countryside is waiting for you – south coast beaches to relax on, northern night skies to gaze at, valleys to cycle through, lakes to row across and mountains to stride over. And the great thing is, these pleasures are all easily reachable from any city, so you could be enjoying everything the English countryside has to offer this weekend.
Get inspired: short hop
Easy escape
Wide horizons, rolling countryside, muted colours and salty air that reminds you the sea is all around. The West Norfolk coast offers miles of dog-friendly walks, RSPB wetlands and sealwatching at Scolt Head Island nature reserve. For a taste of the country, head for rural pubs, restaurants and farmers’ markets, serving up fresh local produce and hearty real ales and ciders. Or if you can’t resist a good boutique, there’s Burnham Market, with contemporary fashion and jewellery stalls and home and garden goodies to browse. Oh, and when in West Norfolk… try a pint of local shrimps, or oysters from the saltmarsh creeks at Thornham.
Road trip
England’s smallest county is packed with natural beauty and things to do. At its heart is the serene expanse of Rutland Water, Europe’s largest man-made lake, set in 4,000 acres of stunning landscape, where you can enjoy fishing, watersports and fantastic birdwatching. Footpaths and cycle routes cross the county, or you can follow the Rutland Round – a 65-mile path around Rutland’s perimeter, through fields, over hills, past villages, churches and priories and along the shores of Rutland Water. The official guidebook splits it into five stretches, plotted with cosy inns for the end of each day’s route. We like the sound of that.
All the way up
There’s a feeling of being on the very edge of England when you visit the rugged, unspoilt coastline of Northumberland or roam the awe-inspiring Cheviot Hills, sharing the land, air and water with rare wildlife. Wilderness lies before you, from the tranquil beauty of the Northumberland National Park strewn with purple heather to the sprawling landscape of the North Pennines. Beauty isn’t just all around you, it’s above you too. Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park comprise Europe’s largest Dark Sky Park – the night sky is legally protected from light pollution, making it a mecca for stargazers.
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