With many of us enjoying a holiday at home in the UK these days, we thought we'd take a look at the best countryside holidays and getaways for rediscovering the peace and beauty of Britain.
There's so much to see across the length and breadth of the beautiful British Isles and we're always excited to explore a new countryside location in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Home to stunning landscapes for walkers, charming villages and rolling green hills, the UK is an amazing place for countryside getaways.
While we know city breaks in the likes of London and Edinburgh will always be popular, a countryside holiday in the UK offers all the relaxation and views you won't find elsewhere.
To celebrate everything rural Britain has to offer, we’ve compiled the best countryside holidays in the UK.
Our incredible ideas invite you to meet wildlife experts and weather presenters. You can also sail on luxurious private-yacht style ships and ride nostalgic steam trains on these amazing country getaways.
Check out the best countryside holidays in the UK, where you can stay at incredible hotels and experience inspirational views around every corner.
1. Admire Scotland’s Highlands and islands on a stylish cruise
See some of Scotland’s most remote and wild corners in style on the magnificent Lord of the Glens, a private yacht-style ship where you can sink into supremely comfortable armchairs from the Orient Express and sip a whisky in the elegant bar.
rfwil//Getty Images
On Country Living's cruise around Scotland’s countryside, you’ll sail past the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, visit the nation’s seafood capital of Oban and venture through the impressive series of locks that comprise Neptune's Staircase.
You can also join a very special cruise around Scotland's Hebrides with the company of Scottish weather presenter Carol Kirkwood. Carol will tell you about her Scottish family's history and her experiences growing up in Morar during a private talk and Q&A session.
2. Stay in a quirky village inn in East Sussex
The Bell in Ticehurst is a truly unique country pub with rooms, with classic hearty dishes on offer, fairytale décor and oast house lodges out in its garden. You can expect a traditional welcome with roaring log fires and big comfy beds, plus stylish copper tubs in some of the rooms’ ensuite bathrooms.
Booking.com
Outside your front door is the cute village of Ticehurst, with a leafy, traditional centre and community atmosphere, and then the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty beyond, where you’ll find endless walks, the blue expanse of Bewl Water at the National Trust’s romantic Scotney Castle.
3. Steam through the Highlands by train and enjoy the peace of the Trossachs
Another great way to enjoy the delights of the Scottish Highlands is by train. The Highlands have many extremely picturesque train lines, and the Fort William to Mallaig Line is frequently voted the world’s greatest railway line. You can ride the iconic Jacobite train along this line, enjoying the dramatic scenery and passing over the spectacular 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Paul C Stokes//Getty Images
On Country Living’s four-day tour of the Highlands you’ll ride the Jacobite from the foothills of Ben Nevis through rugged mountains and onwards to the shores of the Atlantic at Mallaig. Joining you for part of the trip will be Scottish broadcaster and journalist Kirsty Wark, who'll give a special talk and ask your questions in a Q&A session.
4. Explore the magnificent Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales have inspired countless artists and writers, perhaps most famously the Brontë sisters, with Emily Brontë’s iconic novel Wuthering Heights set among the wilderness of the moors. You'll explore all this with Country Living on a five-day walking holiday in 2024, staying in the charming market town of Skipton and chugging through inspirational landscapes on old steam trains.
Terry Roberts Photography//Getty Images
Transport yourself back in time on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, which includes a stop at Oakworth, made famous in The Railway Children, and soak up the scenery as you take in the Dales along the Pennine Bridleway. Plus, you'll stay at a family-owned hotel with a bar, restaurant, indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room – so there’ll be plenty of time to relax, too!
5. Have a proper adventure at a sprawling estate in the Cotswolds
Home to the vast Farncombe Estate that encompasses three hotels (Dormy House, The Fish and Foxhill Manor), a set of self-catering cottages and an array of activities and places to eat, Broadway is the village to visit for a Cotswold adventure this year. The Fish is an especially magical place to check into, where there are beautiful treehouses and huts (one even comes with a paddle boat for you to relax on your own private lake), and the vibe is laidback luxury at its finest.
Farncombe Estate
While here, an adventure within the 400 acres of Cotswold countryside is a must. There's axe throwing, falconry and archery on offer, and if you've always wanted to try clay pigeon shooting, this is the place to do it. After taking a stroll to a hill close to the hotel's main building, Head of Adventure Neil Forsyth will show you how to perfect your aim and fire in an action-packed session. Once you've experienced the thrill and sheer satisfaction of breaking some clays in the sky, you can head back inside for a boozy afternoon tea or simply relax by The Fish's mesmerising fire.
6. Relax on the ultimate spa break at Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire
Refresh and revitalise yourself next year with a steamy spa break in the leafy Leicestershire countryside, home to one of Britain’s best-loved spa hotels, Ragdale Hall. Matching state-of-the-art facilities, like its fabulous rooftop infinity pool, and indulgent treatments with traditional Victorian architecture, it’s won a string of awards for its first-class service.
Ragdale Hall
With Country Living, you can save up to 35 per cent on a two-night break, where you’ll enjoy full use of the spa and all facilities, two 40-minute treatments, three deliciously healthy meals each day and a free Clarins gift to remember your blissful stay.
7. See the incredible wildlife of the Isles of Scilly with an expert
When it comes to remote countryside, the Isles of Scilly are the perfect destination, scattered in the English Channel off the tip of Cornwall. Due to their southerly location, they enjoy loads of sunshine and warmth, meaning that you can choose between gorgeous sandy beaches, lush gardens full of exotic plants, and rugged grassy plains.
AndyRoland//Getty Images
You can see the best of the Isles of Scilly alongside wildlife and nature expert Julian Branscombe of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, who really knows the islands. Julian will tell you all about the rare birds and plants that thrive here. As well we plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery, you’ll try some of the excellent local cuisine, including ultra-fresh seafood.
8. Explore some of England's finest gardens with a top gardener
For many greenfingered travellers, the perfect UK staycation involves exploring some of the country's many fabulous gardens. We're blessed with a whole array of inspiring gardens here, from sprawling country estates to cosy cottage gardens bursting with fragrant roses.
stevegeer//Getty Images
You can discover some of the country's finest gardens on a four-day tour with the company of Arthur Parkinson, who's been named as one of the UK's young gardening stars by Architectural Digest. You'll visit Hardwick Hall, Haddon Hall and Easton Walled Gardens, where you'll hear from the owner, Lady Cholmeley, who'll give a tour of the garden with its colourful borders, meadows in bloom, and towering, ancient trees.
9. Learn to draw in the Peak District
The Peak District’s rolling hills, rugged landscapes, and picturesque villages make it a popular destination for hikers and cyclists. But even those not actively minded can find joy in these parts. It’s a place of natural wonder and has provided inspiration for creative types, from authors Jane Austen to William Wordsworth to artists and photographers looking to capture its beauty on canvas or film.
Robert Thorley//Getty Images
Aspiring artists can retreat to a country house in the Peak District to spend three days participating in expert-led drawing workshops. Suitable for beginners or those who need a refresher, it’s a wonderful way to develop a new skill and appreciate the beauty of the Peak District as its autumnal colours are emerging.
10. Journey through Norfolk on heritage railway lines
Norfolk is a beautiful place known for its impressive coastline, tranquil rivers, pretty windmills, and vibrant poppy fields. It’s also a region that offers an abundance of nostalgic experiences in glorious countryside settings, like travelling on heritage railways and exploring the reed beds on the River Bure by paddleboat. Even the Royal Family loves Norfolk, retreating to beautiful Sandringham for R&R.
George W Johnson//Getty Images
You can get to know the Norfolk countryside better on Country Living's five-day escorted tour. You’ll board lovely railways and take a leisurely boat trip. A highlight of this holiday is the opportunity to meet TV’s favourite historian, Lucy Worsley – she’s the perfect guide to have with you on a special trip to Sandringham.
11. Explore exquisite gardens in England’s southern counties
Taking a leisurely stroll through English country gardens when they're alive with scent and colour is one of life’s small joys – and when we can spend a few days purely dedicated to exploring them, it’s better still. Some of the most beautiful gardens are found in Kent and Sussex, including Great Comp Garden, Scotney Castle, magnificent Lullingstone Castle, and Sissinghurst.
Thasan Sakthi / 500px//Getty Images
Using Tunbridge Wells as your base, spend four days exploring seven glorious English gardens. You’ll hear from expert gardener Sarah Raven at Perch Hill as she shares stories of the 25 years transforming a dairy farm into flower gardens.
12. Brush up on your watercolour painting skills in the Cotswolds
Another fantastic way to immerse yourself in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside is on a special watercolour painting break. This idyllic slice of UK countryside is a real magnet for painters, and as soon as you arrive you'll see why, with its heavenly views of rolling green hills and pretty farmland having inspired artists for centuries.
GORDONBELLPHOTOGRAPHY//Getty Images
Join Country Living's special watercolour painting holiday to explore the Cotswolds and brush up on your skills. You'll be based at the glorious Grade II-listed Harrington House, a sumptuous country house just a skip away from the heart of pretty Bourton-on-the-Water, the postcard-perfect Cotswolds town known for its chocolate-box cottages, old-fashioned tearooms and stone bridges spanning the River Windrush.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLvUp6ursZyew6q6xmeaqKVfqrhwwNGarZ6kXZ6xpq3SaKqtmamYrrW1zqdkrqNfln96hJJomqitnqm%2Fur%2FInZxmoJ%2BhtqWt2GaspGc%3D