There is no dearth of scenic getaways in England. We’ve waxed eloquent about the gorgeous English countryside before, so our fondness for holidays in the countryside shouldn’t come as any surprise. Usually we’re partial to road trips but there’s something about the summer in the prettiest towns in England that makes us dream of active holidays.
There’s nothing better than days spent walking around towns and villages full of character with countless detours to the lush English countryside. This write up on Walking holidays from Inntravel made us think of all the things we’ve discovered while walking around in England – from fields full of bluebells and canola flowers to decrepit buildings and stunning cathedrals, we’ve seen it all. Here are some of the prettiest towns in England which just need to be explored on foot according to us 🙂
Salisbury
Situated at the confluence of five rivers, the cathedral city of Salisbury is a beautiful place to visit. It consists of timbered buildings, a thriving market and a few of England’s finest historic houses like the English Gothic Cathedral, which houses the well-known Magna Carta, Britain’s tallest spire, extending to a height of 123 meters making it one of the prettiest towns in UK. The Salisbury Cathedral is magnificent and needs to be seen to be believed. A walk around the town will reveal other tourist attractions such as Old Sarum: a fort dating back to the Iron Age, Wilton House: a beautiful 17th century stateroom, Museum of Army Flying: A venue where military aircraft from WWI times are showcased and Longleat: A wonderful place for sight-seeing. Salisbury also has numerous hotels and restaurants which offer high quality dining at affordable prices. The nightlife too is highly active making Salisbury one of the must visit destinations in UK.
Bath
Vibrant culture and rich historical heritage make Bath, Somerset, an attractive tourist destination all-round the year. There are adrenaline pumping motor sports at Castle Come Race Circuit, rock climbing activities at Cheddar Gorge and racing horses at the Bath Racecourse but it is the Bath’s history that makes it special. The well preserved Roman Baths, which give the town its name, are splendid.
The Royal Crescent, a crescent shaped formation made of 30 historic houses, is the focal point of the town. It has been titled Britain’s Most Picturesque Street. See, we weren’t lying when we said walking around in Bath was rewarding. Spend your days exploring its Georgian style buildings and rich culture and talking to friendly locals. More information can be found on the Visit Bath website.
Leeds
The heart of Western Yorkshire, with recorded history dating back to the 5th century, Leeds has emerged as the business and financial hub for the surrounding areas. It might not be the prettiest city in England, but it is special for us because we lived there for a year 🙂 It houses the Leeds City Museum, Grand Theatre, and Phoenix Dance Theatre. Leeds is also an educational hub with the University of Leeds widely renowned for its pedagogy and standards. The vast student population might explain why Leeds is famous for its nightlife and is heavily populated with restaurants, pubs and clubs.
Do not leave the town without walking to Headingley, Leeds’ artsy neighbourhood and exploring the neighbouring moors of Ilkley.
York
A small town located in the heart of Yorkshire, York is one of the prettiest areas of England. There are beautiful markets that have been in the same location since the past several years, half-timbered buildings and the most important of them all, the York Minster, which is visible from anywhere in the city. It is easy to spend an entire day examining the intricate architecture of York Minster and exploring its surroundings. York’s cultural monuments represent the confluence of Roman, Viking and Medieval heritage and are bound to overwhelm. Make sure you visit other landmarks such as the National Railway Museum, Clifford Tower and Castle Museum while walking around York. Take a break from all that walking and tour the magnificent River Ouse on a Yorkboat, hop on a sightseeing bus, or indulge yourself with traditional English Afternoon Tea.
Canterbury
A UNESCO World heritage site, nested in the green countryside of South-Eastern England, Canterbury is deeply rooted in religious and folk history. Every street in Canterbury has unique history associated with it. One can visit the Canterbury Cathedral, an ancient pilgrimage site for Christians. A Royal Castle and later a prison, Canterbury Norman Castle is also a wonderful tourist place with rustic stone walls. Its crumbling facade is surrounded by a beautiful and peaceful garden. While walking around town, one cannot ignore the Canterbury Roman Museum, which showcases the occupation of Romans in Canterbury and the timeline of events. Canterbury is one of the prettiest towns in England for a walking tour because the countryside is picturesque and rejuvenating here. You can admire its serenity by walking around or take historic river tours on small boats winding past the Old Weavers House and other landmarks.
***
If you’re fond of offbeat, quirky experiences, check out ALL our favourite things to do in England 🙂
