LocalKnowledge.co.uk - Guides to the best places in the UK

York

Historical City and capital of the North. The world’s most haunted city is an amazing place to visit, steeped in history, culture and of course pubs, over 365 of them, one for every day of the year.

Perfectly set up for those not wishing to use the car. York has fantastic rail links (courtesy of York legend George Hudson – learn more about him at the National Rail Museum) and once you are here you can leave the car as most places are accessible on foot.

Historic buildings, independent shops and cafes, street performers, art galleries and museums and a nightlife assured never to disappoint whether in new riverside bars or centuries-old backstreet taverns.

Lake District

The lake district covers an expanse of 2,292 square kilometres and is home to over 42,000 people. Both these numbers pale into insignificance however compared to the number of people who visit this beautiful landscape each and every year – a whopping 16 million.The lake district covers an expanse of 2,292 square kilometres and is home to over 42,000 people. Both these numbers pale into insignificance however compared to the number of people who visit this beautiful landscape each and every year – a whopping 16 million.

It isn’t difficult to see why so many people visit this area of the UK, it’s high mountains and deep lakes setting the perfect backdrop for the quaint villages and expansive views.

Home to Sca Fell Pike, the highest mountain in England, Wastwater and Windermere – the deepest and longest lakes in England it’s understandable that it is the top destination for hillwalkers, climbers, boatsmen (and ladies) as well as people just wanting to get away from the drab urbanscapes and cities and into the countryide – and I can’t think of a better place to do it.

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire, undisputedly the best of all the Yorkshires and home to some amazing places. Over 40% of this beautiful county is National Parks. The Yorkshire Dales to the west and sperated by the Vale of York, The North York Moors to the East.

Spread across the 3000 square mile expanse are towns and villages like no other place in the county. Indutrious farmers working the land agginst a stunning backdrop of hills and dales.

Home to the three peaks challenge North Yorkshire is popular with hillwakers, climbers, fell runners, ramblers, potholers, cyclists – any kind of outdoor activity and you’ll find people heading here to take place.

Little market towns such as Settle, Skipton, Pickering and Helmsley and popular with summer visitors coming to see the chocolate-box buildings and cobbled streets, a far cry from the city streets filled with big chain stores.

Cotswolds

Picture postcard views, chocolate box villages and more clichés than you can shake a stick at. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty charms all who visit this idyllic area of countryside.

Traditional villages, set in the undulating hills of the Cotswolds is a popular place to visit and fails to disappoint, whatever you are looking for.

English charm comes in abundance with family-run bed and breakfasts, traditional local pubs and beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see.

Devon

With both cliffs and sandy shores Devon is the only county in England to have non-continuous stretches of coastline to both the north and south.

Made up of tourist resorts, fishing towns and ports the coastline offers some of the best coastline in the UK, which is clear from the number of people who flock to visit it from all parts of the UK.

With an abundance of things to see and do Devon offers lots of activities for family holidays as well as being popular with painter, photographers and those who love the outdoors, especially watersports.

Cornwall

Blocked off from the rest of the UK by Devon, Cornwall likes to think of itself and a place of its own, with its own cultural identity. No, not just Cornish Pasties and Clotted cream.

Cornwall has rich history and was best known for its mining and fishing industries. These day it is mostly recognised for its warmer climate, long expanses of moorland and beautiful coastlines to three sides.

Those that continue through Devon are sure to be rewarded with beautiful scenery, age-old Cornish traditions and maybe even some Cornish fudge or ice cream.

Local Knowledge

Guides to the best places in the UK