Beautiful Places in England

Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to the most beautiful places in England. One of the best things about living in London is getting to explore the UK. I’ve seen a lot of the country since I moved here, and new places keep winning me over with their picture-pretty streets, skylines, and shores.

It’s hard to narrow it down to just a handful of beautiful places in England, but these spots are ones that have left an impression on me when I’ve visited.

Whether they’re idyllic country villages or stunning mountain peaks, historic city centers or breathtaking coastlines, they’ve all made me fall more in love with England. I hope they do the same for you.

1. The Cotswolds

Given how much time I’ve spent in the Cotswolds over the years, I have to start my list of beautiful places in England here. This part of England is full of storybook villages and sheep-filled countryside.

It has all the thatched roofs I could want, not to mention an abundance of golden stone buildings that glow in the sun.

Some of my favorite places in the Cotswolds are Castle Combe, Bibury, Chipping Campden, Upper Slaughter, Lower Slaughter, and Broadway.

I’ve also enjoyed great Cotswolds walks. From a Burford circular walk to a Moreton-in-Marsh walk, they’ve been great ways to see the countryside.

There are seasonal highlights, too. The Westonbirt Arboretum is gorgeous in the autumn and gardens like Kiftsgate Court Garden and Hidcote Manor Garden are glorious in the spring and summer.

But if I had to choose one spot, it would be Painswick. This village is not only beautiful, but also home to my favorite hotels in England.

2. The Lake District

Up north, the Lake District is another of the most beautiful places in England. The lakes themselves offer stunning scenery, and I love hiking along the trails around the area.

The Lake District also has pretty towns and villages to visit. I love Grasmere, where the little gingerbread shop always lures me in. Windermere is also lovely, and I like taking the boat from Windermere to other places on the lake.

There are stunning houses in the Lake District, too. From Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top to John Ruskin’s Brantwood and the Arts and Crafts house, Blackwell, this area has no shortage of historic homes to explore.

3. The Yorkshire Coast

On the east coast, there are some stunning spots in Yorkshire. My favorite of them is Robin Hood’s Bay. This little village climbs a hill from the shore, its streets running in winding paths among the houses and its history full of smuggling lore.

There are great coastal walks from here to places like Ravenscar, where the views back along the coast are stunning.

Elsewhere along the Yorkshire shoreline, Whitby is one of the most beautiful places in England. This seaside town has Dracula connections, what with it playing a role in Bram Stoker’s book.

But the thing that always wins me over is the ruined Whitby Abbey, which sits on the East Cliff and can be seen from all around. Its Gothic beauty is stunning.

4. Cornwall, England

Down south, Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places England when it comes to the coast. Projecting out into the sea, this part of the UK has some of the most stunning shoreline, cliff walks, and beaches in the country.

One of my favorite places in Cornwall is St Ives. This seaside town is full of pretty cottages and artists’ studios, and has great seafood restaurants.

There are also good museums here, my favorite being the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Elsewhere in Cornwall, I love the Eden Project and St Michael’s Mount. The former has two large biomes full of plants from all over.

The latter is a rocky tidal island crowned by a medieval church and castle. It’s fun to walk out at low tide and explore.

5. The Northumberland Coast

Back up north, Northumberland is one of the most underrated parts of the UK. I’ve spent a lot of time here, and its coastline is one of the most beautiful places in England.

The area around Bamburgh Castle is stunning, not least because the castle dominates the skyline above the beach.

But the 14th-century ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle are equally awe-inspiring, and they’re near Craster, which has some of the best seafood in the area.

I’ve tucked into everything from kippers (they’re what Craster is famous for) to lobster here, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Elsewhere along the coast, Holy Island and the hilltop castle of Lindisfarne are gorgeous, and Berwick-upon-Tweed is one of the most under-the-radar towns in England.

I used to spend a lot of time in Berwick when I visited the Scottish Borders, and I fell more in love with its medieval walls and stunning bridges on every trip.

6. North Norfolk

Back down south, North Norfolk is one of my favorite places to go to the seaside near London. This coastal area has some of the best beaches in the UK, not to mention quaint villages and waterfront restaurants.

I particularly love Holkham Beach and Wells-Next-the-Sea Beach. The former featured in the film Shakespeare in Love and has sand that goes on for ages. The latter has colorful beach huts that epitomize the English seaside.

As far as villages go, Burnham Market is my favorite place in North Norfolk. This gem of a village is not only pretty to walk around, but has great shops, restaurants, and pubs as well. Not far away, Norwich is one of my favorite cities in England.

7. The University Cities in England

And speaking of cities, the university cities are some of the most beautiful places in England. Oxford and Cambridge need no introduction, and both are full of stunning historic architecture and pretty college buildings.

But other university cities are worth exploring, too. Durham is one of my favorites, not least because it has pretty streets, great coffee shops, and a castle and cathedral to discover.

And that’s to say nothing of York, Bristol, Bath, and Brighton, all of which are home to universities and have no shortage of beautiful streets and squares to discover.

8. The Essex Countryside

Back in the countryside, Essex often gets overlooked in favor of other parts of the UK. But I’ve always thought it’s one of the most beautiful places in England for its picturesque villages and bucolic landscapes.

I’ve particularly enjoyed exploring villages in the north of Essex. I went on a country walk here and meandered through Wendens Ambo, Arkesden, Elmdon, and other places. They all won me over with their thatched-roof cottages and lovely scenery.

9. The Dorset Coast

Down on the south coast, Dorset has some of the best seaside scenery in the UK. My favorite place is Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast. Seeing it from the cliffs is spectacular.

The nearby rounded bay of Lulworth Cove is pretty, too. The white pebble beach and clear water make it feel like paradise on the English coast.

10. The Eden Valley

Back up north, the Eden Valley is one of my favorite hidden gems in England. Right by the Lake District, it’s just as scenic but gets far fewer visitors.

I love going for long walks in the countryside here. There are lots of adorable sheep around, and the pubs are everything I hope for in a village watering hole.

The Eden Valley has nature galore, too. There are the aforementioned sheep as well as horses and cows, and also wildlife like rabbits and the elusive red squirrel (I was lucky enough to see one when I visited).

11. The Kentish Castles in England

In the southeast, Kent is not only the Garden of England, but also has a lot of great castles to visit. From Dover to Deal, there’s no shortage of impressive fortresses here.

My favorite is Hever Castle. This moated beauty was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and is surrounded by lush gardens in the warmer months.

Elsewhere in Kent, Leeds Castle is stunning. Like Hever Castle, it’s surrounded by a moat and has expansive grounds to explore. As a Californian, I also like its American connections.

When it comes to gardens, it’s hard to beat Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. This is one of the most beautiful places in England for writer Vita Sackville-West’s stunning flower beds and seasonal blooms.

If you want a two-for-one special, Scotney Castle is a great option. It features a medieval castle ruin and a 19th-century mansion house. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Kent.

12. The Isles of Scilly

Off the west coast of Cornwall lie the Isles of Scilly. This little archipelago is a treasure trove of natural and human-made wonders alike. From stunning beaches to colorful harbors, it’s a great place to get into nature.

One of my favorite places on the Isles of Scilly is the Tresco Abbey Garden. Plants from five different continents call this place home, and the ruined arches lend it an enchanted feel.

Beyond the gardens, there are lots of walks to do on the islands and plenty of good seafood to enjoy.

13. The Peak District

The Peak District has a bit of everything, which is one of the reasons I keep going back. From stunning natural scenery and great hiking to stately homes from Jane Austen films, this part of England is packed with exciting things to do and see.

One of my favorite places in the Peak District is Chatsworth House. This impressive country mansion stood in for Mr Darcy’s Pemberley in the film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and is beautiful both inside and out.

Other stately homes in the Peak District include Haddon Hall and Kedleston Hall. I’ve enjoyed visits to both, and can’t wait to go back someday to see more of the impressive piles in the area.

14. The Sussex Countryside in England

Down in Sussex, there’s no shortage of beautiful places in England. Rye is one of the most idyllic towns in the UK, what with its half-timbered houses and pretty cottages.

Not far away, Camber Sands is a great place to go to the seaside near London. In fact, there are a lot of great East Sussex beaches to explore.

Elsewhere in Sussex, Petworth is a pretty town with a huge stately home on one side. Petworth House has an impressive art collection and grounds designed by the legendary Capability Brown.

And that’s to say nothing of fortresses like Arundel Castle and walking routes like the South Downs Way. I’ve enjoyed many days out walking in the Sussex countryside, and love taking in the rolling hills and bucolic landscapes.

15. The New Forest

In Hampshire, the New Forest is one of the most beautiful places in England to get into nature.

It’s particularly pretty when the leaves turn in autumn, but I’ve been at other times of year and always enjoy the opportunity to get out of the city and onto the tree-lined paths.

The New Forest is full of everything from cozy country pubs to the area’s signature ponies. The latter can be spotted all over the place, and are fun to come across on walks.

16. The Yorkshire Dales

Speaking of walks, the Yorkshire Dales are one of the most beautiful places in England for hiking.

The rocky landscapes are otherworldly, and peaks like Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough are fun to climb. I hiked up Ingleborough on my last visit and really enjoyed the scenery along the way.

Add to that scenic paths like the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and pretty villages like Malham, and there’s a lot to love about this part of northern England.

17. The Cathedral Cities in England

Like the university cities, the cathedral cities are some of the most beautiful places in England. From tiny Wells and pint-size Ely to larger cities like York, there’s no shortage of pretty cities with towering spires.

Some of my favorite cathedral cities in England include York, Chester, Lincoln, Canterbury, Winchester, and Durham. As far as actual cathedral buildings go, Gloucester Cathedral is amazing and Ely Cathedral takes my breath away.

18. The Hampshire Countryside

Back out in the countryside, Hampshire has some of the most picture-pretty villages in Britain. East Meon is straight out of a fairy tale, what with its thatched-roof cottages and pink houses.

Winchester and Chawton are where Jane Austen lived, and I’ve enjoyed touring her house in Chawton and seeing her writing desk.

Beyond villages, the Hampshire countryside is some of the prettiest in England. Hartley Park Farm has a lavender field of dreams, and the area around Leckford is idyllic.

19. London

I couldn’t make a list of the most beautiful places in England without including London. This city is full of stunning monuments, pretty side streets, and great views.

It’s been amazing to call it home for more than a decade, and to fall more in love with it every time I explore a new-to-me London neighborhood.