English Regions & Cities

Share Tweet Pin Bedfordshire, a county of almost 670,000 people, boasts not only a rich history but also an array of picturesque villages that capture the essence of rural England. Here are twenty of the most historic and beautiful… Woburn Woburn, nestled in Central Bedfordshire, is famous for its Abbey and…

The English South Coast – the counties of Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex – has been a key part of the country’s maritime history. From being the home to the Royal Navy at places like Portsmouth and Plymouth, to being the Victorian seaside playground for London and the South East, the…

Kent is a county in the far South East of England, with a long history (the Battle of Hastings was fought in the county) and farming background, especially the apple and brewing industries. Here’s our guide: Where Is Kent? Kent is south East of London bordering Essex to the north…

Winchester on the south coast of England is the archetypal cathedral city. Winchester Cathedral is one of the country’s largest Norman cathedrals, and also one of the most magnificent. But there’s a lot more to the city, so let’s look at its history and other attractions, as well as that…

All of England’s cities contain at least one cathedral. But some cathedrals dominate a city more than others, and these places are often known as Cathedral Cities. English cathedral cities tend to be smaller towns that grew up around an ancient and magnificent cathedral, which plays a central role in…

Canterbury is a cathedral city located in the government district of Kent, England. It is less than an hour away from London and lies on the River Stour.  The location of this beautiful district makes it an ideal stop for vacationers traveling to South East England, whether staying for a…

Leicestershire villages provide a fantastic opportunity to see some of the prettiest places in England, right at the heart of the country. Leicestershire is a county in the East Midlands region of England, known for its picturesque countryside, charming villages, and rich history. It’s also known for its fox hunting…

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” – The Wind In The Willows.

Home to some of the most secluded and tranquil islands and hotels of the world, the UK coastline provides ample opportunity for a coastal break for couples in the UK. Here are some great examples. Grand Hotel in Scarborough If you’re looking for a bit of old-fashioned grandeur for a…

There are so many incredible places to explore while vacationing in Britain – but why not give a day in Brighton on the south coast a try? Brighton is one city many tourists add to their list of stops to make, thanks to the abundance of entertainment, adventure, and unique…

English market towns are often the center of a region’s life and still form a key part of rural life even now. Here are some of the best examples.

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…

Leeds in northern England is an old industrial town that bloomed during the Victorian age, declined in the 20th century but which has recently undergone a renaissance. Here’s our Leeds travel guide. This city is full of history, delicious dinners, and activities to keep your schedule packed for days.  Our…

Our profile of the cities of Northern England including Manchester, York & Liverpool and the other English cities in the North. We’ve done posts on many of them and have included the links if you want to know more about any of them. (We’ve also recently done a post on…

If you are looking to have some fun while visiting Manchester, here are 12 fantastic things you don’t want to miss.

Newcastle sits along the northern banks of the Tyne River. It is one of North East England’s most populated areas and is well known for its nightlife, strong sporting traditions, and other tourist attractions that bring in tons of visitors from all over the world.

The best and prettiest Somerset villages. Gorgeous dwellings in the heart of this rural West Country county.

We’ve put together some of the best towns and cities in southern England for a day trip, holiday, or vacation. From epic coastline to quaint villages and ancient cities, there’s just a lot to explore in South England. Here are our picks…

Stratford upon Avon in the centre of England is a lovely market town on the river Avon, with an illustrious former resident: William Shakespeare. The Bard was born and grew up here, returning after a successful stint in London’s theatrical community. The town is proud of its famous son and…

Our selection of the best Shropshire villages, including many full of half timbered cottages (the so called ‘Black and White’ villages). Enjoy.

County Durham is a North Eastern county based around the ancient city of Durham. It’s just above Yorkshire, but below the better known county of Northumberland.

Our guide to the best Staffordshire villages… Staffordshire in the Midlands is a lesser known county, sandwiched between Birmingham to the South and the Peak District in the north. However, Staffordshire is home to many fine villages, twenty of which are featured here.

Berkshire villages include many of the prettiest places in the the county, lying between Oxford and London, including many down the River Thames.

Here’s our guide to Yorkshire holiday cottages, for those wanting a self catering holiday in the gorgeous county of Yorkshire in the North of England. It’s a wonderfully diverse county and if you’re looking for a stay in a seaside retreat, upland farmhouse or fisherman’s cottage, Yorkshire has something for…

Buckinghamshire villages are some of the finest examples of villages in England. Here are just some of the loveliest, all within a short drive from London. England is a small country with a huge history. The English countryside is beautiful and has long provided the public with various means of…

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…

Here are 20 of the prettiest and best Sussex villages to explore. Sussex, England, is full of rolling hills, lush countryside, and a fantastic coastline. You can find some of the most beautiful villages in the entire country here. Here are our picks: (NB We may have cheated a little…

The Yorkshire Dales have long been a favorite area for walkers and day trippers. Here are the best ‘Dales’ places to visit.

Hertfordshire villages, in the area just north of London, don’t have the most glamourous of reputations. Many people would see the county as a suburb of London, or commuter belt at least, forgetting that it’s a home to wonders such as St.Albans and some lovely villages which are the equal…

Chester in North West England (just over the border from North Wales) is home to some of the best preserved historic buildings in the UK. We’ve chosen to feature the city as it has some of the best preserved Tudor architecture in England. But we could have chosen many periods…

Dartmoor in Devon is an area of bleak but gorgeous moor that has inspired artists, and the odd movie director, for centuries… You know you’re onto a good thing when an A-list movie director waxes lyrical about a place. Steven Spielberg was very taken with Dartmoor when he came to…

Herefordshire is one of the off the beaten track counties in Western England on the Welsh Border. Despite its low profile there’s lots to do and see in this lovely place. The area has a bloody history – England and Wales being at each others throats for much of the…

Lincolnshire is a rather forgotten county on the East Coast of England. It’s not quite in East Anglia and not quite in the North either. It’s also not quite on any of the major routes out of London. And so it has been rather overlooked. That’s a mistake because it…

Norfolk villages are more diverse than you’d think being in England’s flattest county, Norfolk, in East Anglia. Whether it’s riverside villages that dot the Norfolk Broads to the windswept seaside places on the north coast, there’s something for everyone. As a relatively undisturbed place, it’s also the best preserved with…

Situated on the east of England, the region of East Anglia is sometimes overlooked by visitors drawn to the better known beauty spots of the Cotswolds, Lakes or Peak District. Those ready to take a closer look, though, will find beautiful countryside, pretty market towns, wide sandy beaches and magnificent buildings.…

Cambridge is home to one of most prestigious universities in the world. But, whilst the University provides many of the most beautiful sites, it would be a mistake to ignore the charms of this pretty East Anglian town. Smaller, and less busy, than its rival Oxford, it’s a lovely peaceful…

Northumberland Villages including Bamburgh, Seahouses and Alnmouth… The rural North-East English county of Northumberland is best known for its historic castles, miles of stunning coastline and spectacular scenery. Northumberland – as the name would suggest – is the northernmost county in England and is located on the border with Scotland…

Essex is one of the UK’s largest counties, and across it, you’ll find a diversity of landscapes, from the rural north to the more built up south. Here are 20 Essex villages you should not miss. If you’re interested in looking for accommodation in any of these Essex villages, then…

Lake District villages are a great base to explore the region, which entices visitors from across the world, drawn by the promise of pretty lakes backed by brooding fells. Nestled among them are some delightful places well worth checking out. If you’re tempted, here are our picks for the 20…

The county of Oxfordshire is most famously known for its medieval, prestigious university city of Oxford. But apart from the “City of Dreaming Spires,” visiting the sweet little villages of Oxfordshire offers some much-needed peace and tranquillity away from the bustling, beating heart of the county. Here’s a look into…

From the mill villages and the moors to the seaside settlements of the coast, Lancashire has a wealth of little places to explore. Here are some of our picks for the best Lancashire villages. Downham Beloved of location scouts and directors, Downham has no village sign, satellite dishes or TV…

The best, most gorgeous, Suffolk villages seem like they’ve been plucked right out of a postcard. Complete with pretty thatched-roof cottages, winding cobblestone streets and cosy village pubs perfect for Sunday roast. Surrounded by idyllic countryside, meadows with flowing rivers and medieval houses that have set the scene for Harry…

If you haven’t heard of Rutland, England’s smallest county, than don’t be too distressed. Many of the English would struggle to place this tiny part of the Midlands. Discover Rutland: Rutland Water, Oakham & More This anonymity is a shame as Rutland is actually one of the prettiest areas of…

Surrey has the reputation for being on the London ‘stockbroker’ commuter belt and therefore not a great place to visit. However, even they do I’m sure contain many stockbrokers, the following villages are just as pretty and interesting as neighbouring Hampshire or Sussex… 1. Shere Shere is a village in the Guildford…

The Yorkshire Wolds lie to the east of God’s Own County and are often overshadowed by the Yorkshire Dales or Moors. Indeed The Yorkshire Wolds Way is, arguably, one of the least well known National Walking Trails in Britain. It is 79 miles – or one week – of tranquil, isolated villages…

Visit Yorkshire in the north of England, one of the most popular tourist regions in England. There are tons of things to do and places to see. It’s many attractions include fishing villages, historic cathedrals. and breathtaking countryside. Here, then, are some of the top destinations in this lovely county… (We’ve split…

One of the many beautiful counties in England, Somerset has something to offer for all tastes in travel. Sandy beaches, historic architecture and rolling hills, this vast county has a diverse range of sites to explore. Here then are the best things to see should you be lucky enough to visit Somerset: (We’ve…

Top 10 Places To See In Bristol, England The largest city in South West England is famous for balloons, bridges, bikes, boats, Banksy, and Brunel. The name of the place is derived from the old English word “Brycgstow”, which means “the place at the bridge.” Even before it became the…

Visit Northamptonshire – a beautiful county in the East Midlands of England, also known as ‘The Rose of the Shires’. Here’s our guide.

Cornish fishing villages dot the coast of Cornwall, in the far south west of England. The county is famous for its smugglers, wild seas and pretty little villages that have grown up around the coves and inlets of this rugged coast.

We’ve featured Devon in South West England several times before, but thought we’d concentrate on one of the reasons for the county’s popularity with visitors: its many lovely villages.

Hampshire on the south coast is pretty rural county, like its neighbour, Dorset. Here, then, is our pick of the best of Hampshire villages.

For over a century, some of England’s most celebrated poets and writers have found their inspiration in the dramatic beauty and solitude of the Lake District.

Nottingham, a city in East Midlands, is full of character and history. If you’re visiting for a day or two, there is plenty to do, see, and explore. City’s award-winning public transport system ensures that everything is within easy reach and you can move around quickly and carefree.

Essex is a vibrant location with various attractions to keep visitors occupied, but discovering what to do can be tricky considering it’s difficult to know where to start. Since you’re spoilt for choice in Essex, this article has been written to provide inspiration for those who are intrigued to visit…

Birmingham, the “Second city” of England, is also often the most underrated in the country. The city made its name as an Industrial centre, a hotbed for manufacturing, aided by the intricate canal system that runs through it. It underwent extensive bombardment in 1940 but rose like a phoenix after…

Any trip to the United Kingdom is incomplete without a day, or a few days, spent discovering the charms of Wales.

Photos of England’s cities at night, featuring shots of London, Newcastle, Liverpool and more.

With its elegant Georgian buildings and ancient Roman Baths, the city of Bath on the River Avon is truly inviting. As you have probably already guessed from the name, this city is famous for its healing waters. The Romans loved the natural hot spring waters and built beautiful and functional…

Whilst London is rightfully known as the culinary capital of the UK, there are lots of great restaurants outside of London. Here’s our list of the best fine dining outside the Capital… Best Restaurants Outside London 1. The Great House Restaurant and Hotel, Suffolk Source Here we have one of…

Liverpool is one of the best known cities in the world due, in large part, to it having been the home of The Beatles. Plus it has a great sporting heritage, with Liverpool’s Anfield being one of the world’s best known soccer stadiums. But, these are not the only things…

Lancashire is an ancient county to the west of its arch rival, Yorkshire. This rivalry dates back from the Wars Of the Roses fought in the 1400s between the House of York (symbol: a white rose) and the House of Lancaster (symbol: a red rose). It’s now a ruggedly pretty…

How much do you know about English places? Take our England Geography Quiz below to find out. For each statement, choose which of the four options is being described. (Answers at bottom of page): English Places Quiz 1. I am a small island off the South West coast of Cornwall,…

The Peak District is an upland area of Northern England, in the county of Derbyshire, similar to the Yorkshire Dales (but probably less well known). Like the Dales it offers stunning views of upland sheep country, dry stone walls and pretty villages nestling in valleys. Here, then, is our guide…

(Updated February 2022) Cheshire in England is one of the oldest and most historically relevant counties in the country. It is situated in the northwestern part of England and has a small population of around 1 million. The county town of Cheshire is Chester and it is regarded as one…

Leicestershire, a landlocked county in the English Midlands, is one of the foremost places of tourist attraction in England because of the choices it offers in activities, places to visit, cultures, and architectures.

The largest city in South West England is famous for balloons, bridges, bikes, boats, Banksy, and Brunel. The name of the place is derived from the old English word “Brycgstow”, which means “the place at the bridge.” Even before it became the leading commercial harbour of the country, it was…

Cornwall is a region of England that has a lot to offer, from biodomes to castles, from modern cities to the quaintest of Cornish fishing villages and from modern science to ancient fairy tales. It is a region where every visitor will be able to find something that suits their…

A Shropshire Travel Guide The name Shropshire might not immediately ring a bell, but some of the places in this list definitely will . While the region is usually not a tourist’s first choice, there is a lot to see and you will find that this region of England just…

Dorset is one of the more untouched counties of England, offering the beauty of the Cotswolds, without the crowds. It’s also home to one of England’s finest authors, Thomas Hardy, whose novels such as Tess of the D’urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd were based in the county. The…

There’s a lot to see in England, and it would be a big ask to name just a few places on an ultimate bucket list. Here, however, are six for starters. Some make easy day trips from London, so don’t miss out on your chance to see them. Whether it’s…

What do the Bee Gees, New Order, Oasis, Herman’s Hermits, The Chemical Brothers and The Stone Roses have in common? All of these artists hail from the fertile music scene of Manchester, England. Drawing from the city’s industrial and blue-collar past, artists from Manchester possess the ability to write songs…

English seaside resorts are a popular in summer time for locals and visitors alike. Here we review the best so you can enjoy them too.

The Thames Valley region of England is a loose term for the counties and areas that roughly follow the course of the River Thames as it flows from Oxfordshire in the west to London in the east. The region is dotted with charming villages, cities, and towns, many of which…

Explore six of the greatest cities in England that aren’t London and find a world of incredible architecture, museums, restaurants, and so much more.

The North East region of England comprises the counties of Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and the Tees Valley. Here are the best bits.

The train is an excellent way to get around in England, and so we’ve looked at some of the best English rail journeys for your next visit.

The best places to visit in the Cotswolds are the epitome of what many visitor would see as the English countryside. Gorgeous little villages, nestling in pretty hills, surrounded by green fields farmed for centuries.

The West Counties of England (Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall) are a rich hodgepodge of cultural history and modern ingenuity. These areas are famous for their speciality foods, friendly locals, and breath-taking views. If you want to explore all that the English countryside has to offer, then you will definitely want…

The natural beauty of the Lake District includes such a lot in such a confined space, from mountains and valleys to lakes and forests.

People from all over the world recognize York as a destination full of history, culture, and activity, with beautiful architecture, museums full of intriguing artifacts, and views that speak of times present and times past. Here are some of the must see York attractions.

Oxford is the city of ‘dreaming spires’ and a world wide reputation for learning. It’s a collection of about 40 colleges, the oldest being University college founded in the 13th century.