Are you looking for a beautiful place for your British self-catering holiday? Find inspiration by researching the country’s many National Landscapes, formerly known as “Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty” (AONBs).
There are 46 National Landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, along with magnificent National Scenic Areas in Scotland. When an area is designated as a National Landscape, it becomes protected under law, ensuring that its beauty, its communities and its wildlife habitats are preserved.
If you’re dreaming of fresh air and tranquillity among stunning scenery, or can’t wait to stride out into the great outdoors, these unique places make excellent holiday destinations. Discover our picks here, and read on for more inspiration.
When it comes to walking holidays, you’re spoilt for choice in Britain. Stride through the varied landscapes of the Peak District or along the dramatic Pennine Way, or enjoy the gently rolling countryside in Sussex. We love walking the unspoilt Northumberland coast, and in the summer, there’s nowhere like the famous South West Coast Path, which takes in several National Landscapes along its 630-mile way.
If we had to choose one place in the UK for a walking holiday, it would be beautiful Cumbria, where there are three National Landscapes as well as the Lake District National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking routes vary from gentle ambles around the lakes to more arduous mountain terrain: there’s a path for everyone.
As an island, Britain has miles and miles of stunning coastline. Head west to North Wales and the beaches that encircle pretty Ynys Mon (Anglesey), or explore the rugged coast of the Llyn Peninsula, dotted with castles and harbour towns. In England, there are National Landscapes along the famous Cornish coast, heading eastwards to both Devon’s coasts. Holidays in all these lovely locations can be packed full of watersports and sea-based adventures, or you can simply enjoy spending your days on the sand, breathing in that salty air. There’s nothing like it.
If you love a traditional seaside holiday, there are some wonderful Victorian resorts and smaller fishing towns along the East Anglian coast. Here are some of our favourite spots for a family getaway, from fish and chips on Southwold Pier to a gentle sail along the Norfolk Broads.
Holidaying in an AONB or National Park doesn’t have to mean endless outdoor adventures. For many of us, a holiday in a National Landscape is simply about sitting back and admiring the view. If you dream of sitting back in a comfy chair in the window or on the balcony, watching the sea and sky change with the day (add a good book and a cup of tea for maximum relaxation points), take a look at our holiday cottages with sea views, or explore our collection of secluded escapes for some peace and quiet.
Our small island home has such a diverse landscape: don’t automatically choose a coastal cottage for outstanding views. You could wake up to the dappled light of a woodland setting or to the patchwork fields and farmlands of the Howardian Hills. We love the unspoilt beauty of the Kent Downs and the plunging gorges and rocky outcrops of the Mendip Hills in the west.
Find your perfect countryside stay in our Rural Retreats collection.
With its softly rolling hills and honey-hued cottages, the Cotswolds is probably England’s most famous National Landscape. Visitors come here to explore a way of life as well as to enjoy the views and the footpaths. The 787 square miles of National Landscape is home to the country’s prettiest villages and, you’ll be pleased to hear, some of the country’s best small-scale food and drink producers.
If your idea of a good walk involves stopping at welcoming old inns and picking up locally made picnic treats to enjoy en route, this is the place for you. It’s even better if you have a dog to join you on your journeys, and there’s plenty of wildlife parks and visitor centres for families to enjoy.
Over the last few years, many of us have come to love forest bathing. It’s simply immersing yourself in the world of the woods, drinking in the scents and sounds of the forest. From the dappled green light of full summer to the blazing shades of autumn, the woods are beautiful at any time of year. For the more adventurous, you can do far more than bathe your senses in the woods – look out for vertiginous canopy walks, zip wires and adventure playgrounds
England and Wales’ National Landscapes feature plenty of woodlands, including Gisburn Forest in the Forest of Bowland and the leafy Wye Valley. We have luxury lodges in wooded areas across the UK: perfect if you love to wake up to the sound of birdsong and gently rustling leaves.
In Scotland, there’s a slightly different system of designation to the National Landscapes of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland’s “National Scenic Areas” cover 13% of the country, from stunning mountain ranges to coastal landscapes. Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and The Trossachs are all covered by this designation, along with other much-loved areas such as the Shetland Islands and the Cairngorm Mountains (there’s some crossover between the NSAs and National Parks).
Wherever you stay in Scotland, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Spend time among the hills, lochs and mountains of this majestic country, in that matchless clean air, and you’ll soon feel all your cobwebs start to blow away. Choose one of our remote holiday cottages or lodges for dark, starry skies and peaceful days.
At Handpicked Cottages, we have a range of luxury holiday cottages across the country. Take a look at our Lochs and Lakes collection for example, one of many collections of cottages in beautiful areas.
We’re so lucky to have such beauty on our doorstep, from gently rolling countryside to dramatic mountain ranges, and of course, that long and varied coast. What will you see from your holiday cottage?
If you have any questions, you can use our form below to send an email and we’ll be in touch.