Timeless and romantic, everyone falls in love with the Cotswolds in south-central England, a region of rolling hills, gorgeous honey-coloured limestone houses, and cottages in prosperous medieval wool towns and villages. The idyllic countryside is also dotted with castles, gardens, manor houses, woodlands, arboretums, and, of course, country pubs.

Historic it may be but this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) touching five English counties is also a working landscape of farmland creating the patchwork fields that England is so famous for. The sum of it more than justifies the superlatives thrown at it and the preserved, stunning streetscapes in delicious towns like Broadway, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden more than seal the deal.

The Cotswold countryside is also a haven for hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers. The 102-mile Cotswold Way walk meanders through beechwoods, fields, towns, and villages with fantastic views from the edge of the Cotswold escarpment. With its unique blend of natural beauty and historic architecture, the Cotswolds is a destination that truly captures the essence of England’s countryside and is a must-see for anyone looking for a quintessentially English experience. — Alison Plummer