BEAUTIFUL ENGLISH DESTINATIONS THAT YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO VISIT

Photo by MJ Tangonan

Originally Posted On: https://www.tilytravels.com/blog/beautiful-english-destinations-that-you-simply-have-to-visit

England is a beautiful country that more people need to visit. Obviously, major cities such as London and Manchester (which will both be mentioned in this post) get plenty of visitors on an annual basis, but there are so many wonderful places to explore in England. That’s quite baffling, in a way, considering how small it is. Still, it should be an incentive for you to explore this tiny but proud nation. It’s quick and easy to travel from place to place, so you could squeeze quite a few stops into a single trip, even if you weren’t planning on staying for very long. This post contains a list of beautiful English destinations that you simply have to visit.

This wouldn’t be a list of the most beautiful English destinations if London were left out. Obviously, the capital city of England might not be full of rolling hills, but its beauty shines in a different way. It has heritage. Its cultural history, both ancient and modern, is worth admiring. You can see it in the city’s famous landmarks, such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and you can also see it in the city’s new landmarks, such as the Gherkin and the Shard. The capital is a city which proudly displays its history, but it also isn’t afraid to embrace modernity. London’s desire to progress ever-onwards is a huge part of what makes this fast-paced city so vibrant and exhilarating.

So, once you’ve taken a walking tour or a bus tour of the iconic landmarks (Big Ben, the Shard, Tower Bridge, Parliament, etc), what else should you do? Well, make sure you pay a visit to the Natural History Museum, first. Not only is it a building full of intriguing galleries and exhibits, ranging from displays of dinosaur skeletons to fascinating information regarding space travel, but it’s also an architecturally-astounding building in itself. You’ll find yourself admiring the sheer size and scale of this building as you wander the halls from exhibit to exhibit. Modern art is big in London, too. You’ll find it all over the city streets, whether you look for it or not. Make sure you check out the street art of East London if you want to see some truly special galleries. It’s free, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
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If you head to the south-west coast of England, you’ll find Devon. This stunning county is definitely worth exploring. It’s much quieter and much more picturesque than London, but that’s why you might want to visit it. You might want a slightly different experience after being in a loud and busy city. Devon is beautiful in a very different way, so you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for a new experience. It offers the natural beauty that draws so many tourists to England. If you’re looking for the rolling hills of the English countryside, then you’ll find plenty of those here. The stunning port of Plymouth is worth exploring if you want fantastic ocean views, and the county town of Exeter has many quaint shops that harbour hidden gems.
Yelverton is a spectacular village on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon if you’re looking for a particular spot to visit because the county would be quite a large area to explore in full. This idyllic village is surrounded by gorgeous country views, and you’ll be treated to those in many of the accommodation options available to visitors. You might want to check out Forest Rise in Margaret River. This eco-friendly lodge offers modern amenities and beautiful views of your natural surroundings. The beauty of exploring villages in Devon, such as Yelverton, is that you can find spectacular natural spots of beauty all around you. You’ll find that there are plenty of transfixing natural views to enjoy.

If you love to visit scenic destinations, then you’ll be thrilled with the Lake District. The north of England has just as much natural beauty to offer as the south of England, and this stunning national park is a testament to that fact. There are so many fantastic trails that you could take and villages that you could explore. If you’re looking for a starting spot, then Haweswater Reservoir in the valley of Mardale would be worth exploring. On a sunny day, the crisp surface of this reservoir reflects the landscape above it as perfectly as if it were a flipped photograph. The vistas in this valley are incredible, so make sure you take a walk around the reservoir to truly appreciate the area. It’s absolutely incredible. And that’s just a small part of what the Lake District has to offer.

When you’ve had your fill of the English countryside, you might be eager to return to civilisation. If that happens to be the case, then you should stay in the north and visit the city of Manchester. Known as the Northern Powerhouse, it’s often viewed as England’s second city. Given the growth it has experienced over the past few years, it seems to have bigger ambitions for the future. You wouldn’t recognise the skyline of Manchester if you compared its 2018 skyline with its 2020 skyline. Skyscrapers are popping up all over the place because this city wants an international platform, and it deserves one.
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What does Manchester have to offer, then? Well, you should start in the city centre. Check out V-Rev if you want a vegan fast-food experience that will seriously impress you (the donut burger is delicious). Make sure you check out the Arndale if you want to do a bit of shopping. Of course, the Trafford Centre, outside of the city centre, offers the best shopping experience in Manchester; it also offers restaurants, a cinema, laser tag, golf, and more. If you want to try indoor skiing, then the Chill Factor is nearby, too. That’s worth checking out. Numerous escape room brands can be found in the city centre, as well. There are endless options in terms of entertainment and dining. Manchester is a lively city. If you’re looking for decent clubs, then you should visit Factory and the Deaf Institute (which also plays live music).