Of course, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are different – as different as pasties, haggis, colcannon and Welsh cakes. As for landscapes, contrast the Scottish Highlands and islands with the Welsh valleys and dramatic coastline. Natural wonders? How about the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland (that’s Game of Thrones country). And England’s variety astonishes visitors, from the romantic Lake District and Cornwall to castles, stately homes and elegant gardens. Follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare and Harry Potter; visit the free, world-class museums and galleries in cities, such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford and Bath, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
TIP: Herefordshire’s Golden Valley looks ‘forever England’. Stroll round picture-postcard villages, such as Peterchurch, Vowchurch and Turnastone. At the 800-year-old Pandy Inn in Dorstone, relax over pints of proper cider produced by Gwatkin’s, just down the valley in Abbey Dore.
Wales: Culture, Steam & Heritage from Rail Holidays of the World is an exhilarating holiday in United Kingdom. Available from 4 Sep 2026 to 4 Sep 2026 this 11 day trip costs from £2,695.
A self-guided hike through Dorset, the most English of counties, from Salisbury to the Jurassic Coast at Lyme Regis.
The walk begins in the vale at Ripon, gradually rises westwards through the Dales, and finishes with an ascent of Ingleborough. There is plenty of fascinating geology along the way, lovely pubs, small hotels and B&Bs, and of course Yorkshire Pudding and plenty of local ales (plus some French chef cuisine).
Isle of Man Driving Experience from Rail Holidays of the World is an exhilarating holiday in United Kingdom. Available from 14 Sep 2026 to 14 Sep 2026 this 8 day trip costs from £1,595.
A self-guided walking holiday comprising a circuit of West Penwith, from St Ives to St Michael's Mount and thence around the coast via Land's End.
An ascent of 2100ft Kinder Scout is an essential rite of passage for anyone who takes their walking seriously. It is here that, in 1932, ramblers met in a “mass trespass” to claim their right to leave those smoky conurbations and walk unhindered on open moorland, an act that would lead eventually to the creation of the National Parks.
In contrast to the more crowded sections of the South West Coast Path, the part along the North Devon and Somerset coasts is not only quieter but of quite a different character. We've created a magical combination of the best coastal walking with Exmoor itself, cosy villages and some striking literary connections.
Offa’s Dyke, the 80 mile long earthwork for centuries marking the border between England and Wales, runs along ridge tops between (formerly) fortified valley towns, resulting in some splendidly scenic walking.
