English Countryside & Rural Life

Wiltshire villages offer some great examples of the quintessential English village with scenic outdoor views, rich history, and pretty cottages. And if you’re looking for villages in England that contain these picturesque views and excellent places to explore, you will find them all in Wiltshire. After all, Wiltshire villages have…

Discover The English National Parks: The Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, South Downs, Northumberland, Lake District, Norfolk Broads, New Forest, Dartmoor, North Yorkshire Moors & Exmoor. Despite the density of its population, England manages ten national parks and half the country’s population lives within an hour’s drive of their nearest park.…

Northamptonshire villages are some of the prettiest in the UK. If you’re looking for a weekend away, or even just a day trip, these villages are worth a visit. Each village has its own unique charm, and there’s something for everyone. There are historic villages with beautiful churches and ancient…

So what exactly makes for the perfect English village? We had a go at answering that question with our list of the vital elements of a perfectly quintessential English village. We’ve split them up into essential criteria – the things we reckon a village must have – and optional items…

Birdwatching is one of the most popular pastimes in England partly due to the country’s diverse range of birdlife. Whether birdwatching is a relatively new hobby or you have been a keen ornithologist all your life, we have nine amazing spots to suggest for your next birding experience. Exe Estuary,…

English thatched cottages are popular as homes, and with visitors from overseas as quintessentially English. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best examples – but let’s first see what a ‘thatched cottage’ actually is… What Is A Thatched Cottage? Thatching is the craft of building a roof with…

Here are the finest 20 England rivers for you to explore, from the grandeur of the River Thames to the peaceful upland rivers of Yorkshire (and more). Each of them has something special to offer. The rivers (and canals) of England play an important role in England’s history as a…

Lakes aren’t necessarily the first thing to come to mind when thinking about Britain. Unless you’re a nature lover, other things come to mind first (the hustle of London, pretty county pubs etc). However, with many scenic national parks there isn’t a lack of lakes that could be among some…

Here’s our list of some of the most common British coastal wildlife. The British coastline is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from playful dolphins to stinging jellyfish. In fact there are over 1200 different species of plants and animals on the coast. Here, then is our list containing…

Britain has a surprisingly diverse set of commonly found birds, as showcased by this list of 20 of the most numerous: 1. Blue Tit Renowned as one of the most attractive garden visitors. 2. Barn Owl Source A distinctive, countryside bird which is popularly nocturnal. 3. Blackbird Source One of…

Evidence of windmills in England date back to the 12th century. Most windmills these days don’t serve their original purpose, but some still produce flour. Here are some of the best: Danzey Green Mill Source Danzey Green Mill in Warwickshire. Brill Windmill Source Brill Windmill in Buckinghamshire. Little Marton Mill…

Here are 20 beautiful English hill ranges well worth a visit. You can find different types of hilly terrain in England – mountain ranges, lower mountains, foothills, and sea cliffs. Here, are some great examples of these beautiful upland areas. Cheviot Hills Source A range of rolling hills on the…

The wild flowers of England come in every shape, colour and size. Here are some of the prettiest… 1. Bluebell 2. Foxglove Source 3. Lesser Celandine Source 4. Cornflower Source 5. Herb Paris Source 6. Lily-of-the-valley 7. Primrose Source 8. Oxeye daisy Source 9. Snowdrop Source 10. Ramsons 11. Wood…

English country pubs are an institution. We’ve put together a gallery of some of the finest, from all over the country. Each photo is accompanied by a quote about the pub from the owners. 1. Bridge Inn, Michaelchurch, Herefordshire The Bridge Inn is a 16th century riverside inn, farmhouse with…

One very leisurely way of enjoying the beautiful English countryside is by taking a boat down one of England’s canals. Each canal has its own characteristics and personality. There has been a recent renaissance in canal boating trips. This renewed interest has sparked numerous businesses. The canals of England are…

Whether you want to go for a short afternoon hike, run a marathon or take in stunning seaside vistas, you can do no better than to drive out to the following coastal walks which are some of the best in England: Top 10 Coastal Walks in England 1. Prawle Point,…

The 10 Best English Forests No matter what activity you enjoy, there is a forest that is perfectly suited to you. You can do all types of activities, from canoeing to mountain biking. Rolling hills and moss-covered rocks create a tranquil and relaxing environment. White-tailed deer and beautiful birds are…

England may be a small region, but the island is full of incredibly diverse landscapes, from thick, lush forests to rolling grasslands. Dotting the landscape are rivers, moors, ancient ruins, and diverse wildlife. Some of the most well-known walking trails are known as the National Trails–these are walking, cycling, and…

The New Forest is an area of southern England that includes one of the largest tracts of unenclosed pasture and forest in otherwise heavily populated south eastern England. However, it’s also a former royal hunting area, created in 1079 by William the Conqueror. Here’s our guide to this wonderful and…

English country gardens are some of delights of the country house boom that lasted about 400 years from the 1500s to the Victorian era. Country gentlemen competed to have the best ‘country seat’ which included a fine house and, in particularly, garden. Here we present seven fine examples from all…

The English Countryside is one of the most diverse in the world. For such a small place, England (and its UK cousins) sports heath, hills, lowland, fens, moors, rivers, coast and much more. One of the reasons for this is the impact of humankind – so destructive in many other…