Best Countryside Areas in England
When it comes to finding some outstanding country scenes and landscapes, England's National Parks have been selected by experts for obvious reasons and the attractions of those are well known.
Britain's national parks are ideal places for country cottage holidays. One national park gets a mention in our best places in England for countryside but our top choice has to date not yet been recognised with official park status, yet we still view it as one of the very best places in England for outstanding countryside and notably too so did the famous artist John Constable!
Our Top 3
Suffolk
 Although not home to a national park, part of Suffolk, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths is within an area of outstanding natural beauty. The majority of this area though covers the area along the Suffolk coast which although beautiful, in our view is not quite as charming as the Suffolk countryside. Our favourite part of the Suffolk countryside, is that part made famous by John Constable with his works of art inspired by the beauty of Suffolk. Commonly referred to as Constable Country, this for us is one of the best places in England if you are looking for truly unspoilt English countryside.
In our view, the finest parts of the Suffolk countryside are Constable Country, the area close to the Essex border. Constable Country in fact encompasses parts of Essex such as Dedham too, so in describing the beauty of Suffolk, the nearby countryside in Essex also warrants a mention.
For us, some of the best Suffolk countryside is found around Lavenham, Long Melford and close to Dedham. Indeed, these towns themselves have lots to recommend them and are some of Suffolk's finest towns. Lavenham, Long Melford and Dedham are pure and simply delightful gems with fantastic historical buildings, gift shops, cafes, country inns and restaurants, all making them wonderfully relaxing places to enjoy a day out in the country. For dragonflies, bird song and farmlands that stretch on and on, in our view Suffolk is the very best.
Cotswolds
 For unspoilt natural beauty and rolling countryside, the Cotswolds offers some of England's finest. The beauty of this area is recognised in that the Cotswolds is a recognised area of outstanding natural beauty found in the main in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Visit splendid country houses, wonderful historical towns and villages, arboretums and gardens galore when in this part of England.
 Some of the best places to visit surrounded by glorious Cotswold countryside include Lower and Upper Slaughter, which are peaceful, unspoilt places where you can experience the unique beauty of the Cotswolds far from the crowds found elsewhere. Painswick is another great place to visit, again due to its beauty and charm plus its tranquillity. To experience the real beauty of the Cotswolds countryside and country villages, we recommend staying off the beaten track and visiting the smaller villages rather than the towns.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful spots in the English Cotswolds can be found at the National Trust's Snowshill Manor and Garden. Off the beaten track, here you can enjoy a wonderful walk in the country and a cup of tea or coffee outdoors at the café where you can appreciate some stunning country views.
You can find more information about the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Derbyshire's Peak District
 For a unique landscape, so unlike most of England, Derbyshire's Peak District deserves a mention. With a hilly landscape, charming country towns and friendly villages, the Peak District has ample charm. What's more, this area is a protected national park, renowned for its beautiful green spaces. For walking, cycling, hiking and taking photos, the Peak District is a great place to visit.
 Visit gems such as Bakewell or Castleton and enjoy meandering around the gift shops before tucking in to some locally produced tea and cake. Some of the High Peak Moors in the Peak District come under the protection and management of the National Trust, so being a member can make sense when visiting this part of the world. Discover the beauty of the White Peak and the Dark Peak when in this part of England and discover which you like best.
The White Peak is home to more gently rolling countryside and includes Dovedale and the Manifold Valley whereas the Dark Peak is home to impressive peaks, the Pennine moorlands and includes Mam Tor and the Edale Valley.
For Northern charm and a holiday away to remember, we recommend Derbyshire's Peak District and the National Park.
You can find more information on the Peak District National Park.
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