Escape to the Country: UK Locations Worth Discovering

The British countryside is known for its rolling hills, stone cottages, and winding country lanes. Whilst all this is present in spades, the reality encompasses so much more. From the soaring peaks of Scotland to the glassy waters of the Lake District, from Cornwall’s rugged coastlines to Yorkshire’s timeless farmland, the landscapes are as varied as they are breathtaking.

Threaded through this natural beauty are centuries of history and tradition, found in bustling market squares, ancient ruins, and villages where community life still thrives. Each region offers its own distinctive character, shaped by culture as much as scenery. So, what are some of the most captivating UK countryside locations? That’s what we’re here to find out, highlighting some of the best British countryside towns along the way. Ready? Let’s moo-ve.

With its honey-coloured cottages clustered along winding lanes and watercolour-worthy rolling hills, the Cotswolds is like a fairytale made real. What’s more, it’s renowned as the home of some of the best English countryside towns.

Quintessentially Cotswolds: Broadway
Amidst this plethora of picturesqueness, Broadway shines as a jewel. Its wide main street is lined with golden stone buildings hosting tearooms, galleries, and inviting inns. Just beyond, Broadway Tower crowns the hills with gothic splendour.

Among UK countryside locations, the Highlands represents the pinnacle of untamed natural grandeur. This is the place where jagged peaks reflect in mirrored lochs, where whitewashed houses are framed by mountains and sea, and where myths of creatures and legends continue to stir.

A Highlands Highlight: Plockton
Tucked along Loch Carron, Plockton’s whitewashed cottages line its sheltered bay, framed by mountains and dotted with fishing boats. Thanks to a surprisingly mild climate, palm trees thrive here, giving the town a tropical twist. Beyond its picturesque harbour, Plockton serves as a gateway to rugged landscapes, boat trips, and wildlife encounters. As one of the best British countryside towns in the Highlands, it offers a rare blend of tranquillity and dramatic scenery.

The east coast county of Norfolk is considered one of the most tranquil, unspoiled, and diverse of all UK countryside locations. With its sprawling open landscapes and relatively flat terrain, it’s famed for its “big skies,” an ideal setting for panoramic views, dramatic sunrises and sunsets, and stargazing.

Norfolk’s Georgian Gem: Holt
For those seeking UK countryside locations that balance charm with tranquillity, Holt is an enduring favourite. Set among woodlands and heathland, Holt’s elegant Georgian streets are lined with galleries, antique shops, and independent cafés, while nearby Holt Country Park offers peaceful woodland trails.

With fells rising above glassy waters, the Lake District has long been a muse for poets and painters. Wordsworth’s verses and Beatrix Potter’s tales remain stitched into its landscapes, just as walkers trace timeless trails across valleys and peaks.

Heart of the Lakes: Keswick
Nestled between Derwentwater and Skiddaw, Keswick pulses with both natural wonder and cultural flair. Its bustling market square, weekly stalls, and thriving pubs create community spirit, while The Theatre by the Lake offers creative sparkle. For those seeking UK countryside locations which marry activity with inspiration, Keswick captures the essence of the Lakes.

Stretching across the heart of Wales is its largest and most sparsely populated county. Powys stands out among UK countryside locations for its balance of natural splendour and cultural richness. The Brecon Beacons dominate the southern horizon with dramatic peaks, while gentler hills and river valleys create a softer rhythm in the north. And woven throughout the landscape, castles, abbeys, and traditional market squares reveal centuries of history.

Powys’ Literary Landmark: Hay-on-Wye
With its thirty-plus bookshops and renowned literary festival, Hay-on-Wye has well and truly earned its moniker as the “town of books,” not to mention its status as one of the most distinctive countryside towns in Britain.

Stone walls ripple across emerald hills, waterfalls cascade through wooded dales, and historic abbeys such as Fountains whisper of centuries past. The Dales remain a sanctuary of simplicity, beauty, and heritage.

The Home of Wendsleydale: Hawes
If being the home of Wensleydale cheese wasn’t enough of a draw, Hawes is also the highest market town in England. This, combined with its picturesque stone cottages, charming independent shops, cobbled streets, and traditional markets dating back to 1307 earn it a place among the most idyllic of UK countryside towns.

County Antrim epitomises Northern Ireland’s blend of rugged beauty and rich tradition. Its dramatic coastline is shaped by ancient volcanic forces, where cliffs tumble into the Atlantic and rolling green glens hide quiet villages. From the iconic Giant’s Causeway to windswept headlands and historic castles, Antrim offers a landscape as legendary as it is breathtaking.

Causeway Coast Classic: Bushmills
Just inland from the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills is steeped in both heritage and hospitality. The town is famed for Old Bushmills Distillery, which has been producing whiskey since 1608, making it one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world. Beyond the lure of a dram, Bushmills’ stone-built streets, cosy inns, and welcoming community provide the perfect base for exploring the Causeway Coast’s dramatic scenery, from the basalt columns of the Causeway itself to nearby Dunluce Castle perched precariously on its cliff edge.

Cornwall’s rugged cliffs tumble into golden sands, while narrow lanes thread through fishing harbours and artistic enclaves. Meanwhile, historic tin mines, lush gardens, and the Eden Project reflect both heritage and innovation.

Cornwall’s Creative Hub: St Ives
St Ives embodies Cornwall’s creative soul. Whitewashed cottages rise above turquoise waters, while winding streets lead to studios, galleries, and artisan shops. Once a fishing town, today it thrives as a hub of modern art, home to the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum. The combination of seaside beauty and cultural vibrancy makes St Ives one of the most inspiring UK countryside towns to visit.

Located along the Welsh border, Shropshire remains a quieter pocket of rural England, defined by soft hills, ancient woodland, and villages seemingly untouched by time.

Shropshire’s Culinary Jewel: Ludlow
Renowned for both medieval charm and culinary brilliance, Ludlow ranks high among the best English countryside towns for ardent foodies and culture vultures alike. Its Norman castle towers over streets lined with timber-framed houses and independent food shops. Celebrated for its annual food festival, Ludlow delights with flavours as rich as its history, offering a feast for both eye and palate.

Dorset balances serene inland villages with a coastline of global renown. The Jurassic Coast reveals millions of years in its cliffs and coves, while rolling chalk downs frame thatched cottages and blooming gardens.

A Dorset Heritage Hotspot: Sherborne
Known for its striking abbey, historic castles, and honey-coloured architecture, Sherborne is one of Dorset’s gems. Independent shops, antiques markets, and traditional inns give the town enduring character. This, coupled with its setting amid green hills so close to the Jurassic Coast reflects why Sherborne belongs among the best British countryside towns – where heritage and pastoral beauty walk hand in hand.

From the Highlands’ rugged peaks to Cornwall’s windswept coasts, the British countryside brims with countless charms. Whether tracing literary footsteps in Hay-on-Wye, sampling cheeses in Hawes, or exploring Holt’s Georgian streets, the countryside towns in Britain promise experiences as rich as their landscapes.