"England is a country that rewards the traveller who looks beyond the obvious — and the obvious is already extraordinary."
England is a country of extraordinary contrasts — the world's most culturally diverse capital city, a countryside of almost pastoral perfection, a coastline of dramatic beauty, and a food scene that has been quietly transformed over the past two decades into one of the finest in Europe. London alone could occupy a month; the Cotswolds, the Lake District, Cornwall, and Yorkshire each deserve a week. The country house hotel tradition — at its finest in properties like Whatley Manor, Chewton Glen, and Gilpin Hotel — is unmatched anywhere in the world.
England is best experienced slowly — by train between cities, by car through the countryside, and on foot through the national parks. The National Rail network connects London to Bath in 90 minutes, to York in two hours, and to the Lake District in three. The country's free museums — the British Museum, the National Gallery, the V&A, the Tate Modern — are among the finest in the world, and the fact that they charge nothing for admission remains one of the great civilising acts of any government.
"The Cotswolds in June — honey-stone villages, walled gardens, and a light that makes everything look like a painting."
TastesOf Editorial
At a Glance
Regions to Explore
London
The world's most culturally diverse capital — with more Michelin-starred restaurants than Paris, the finest museums in the world (all free), and a theatre scene that rivals Broadway. The City, the West End, Mayfair, Notting Hill, and the South Bank each have their own distinct character. A week is barely enough.
The Cotswolds
England's most beautiful countryside — a 790-square-mile Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of England, with honey-coloured stone villages, ancient market towns, and some of the finest country house hotels in the world. Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, and Chipping Campden are the highlights.
Bath
A UNESCO World Heritage city built on Roman foundations — with Georgian terraces, the Roman Baths, and a restaurant scene that has made it one of the finest dining cities outside London. The Royal Crescent and the Circus are among the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the world.
The Lake District
England's largest national park — a landscape of glacial lakes, fells, and stone-walled valleys that inspired Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, and John Ruskin. The walking is extraordinary; the country house hotels, including Gilpin Hotel and Holbeck Ghyll, are among the finest in England.
Yorkshire
England's largest county — with the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, the medieval city of York, and a food scene anchored by The Black Swan at Oldstead, one of the finest restaurants in the country. The Brontë country around Haworth is extraordinary.
Cornwall
England's southwestern peninsula — with dramatic Atlantic coastline, fishing villages, and a food scene built on the finest seafood in the country. The Tate St Ives, the Eden Project, and the coastal path from Land's End to Minehead are the highlights.
Cities We Cover
London
The world's most culturally diverse capital — world-class museums, extraordinary dining, and a theatre scene that rivals Broadway.
Bath
A UNESCO World Heritage city of Georgian terraces, Roman Baths, and exceptional dining.
York
England's finest medieval city — Viking heritage, a magnificent Minster, and cobbled streets unchanged for centuries.
Oxford & Cambridge
The world's two greatest university cities — extraordinary architecture, world-class museums, and punting on the river.
The Verdict
A country that rewards slow travel — spend a week in London, drive the Cotswolds, and walk the Lake District fells.