Places to get away from it all: Inspired by the National Trust
Country Pubs | Countryside | Historic | Outdoor Activities | Pub | Pub Accommodation | Walking | Posted 2024.02.28
Drawing inspiration from the National Trust, our blog presents a carefully curated collection of serene and secluded destinations—perfect for those seeking an escape. Within the collection of places, discover some of the most captivating islands, expansive rolling hills, and untouched coastal wonders. After immersing yourself in these enchanting places, we’ve also included recommendations for charming pubs to ensure a delightful accommodation experience.
Places to get away from it all
Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk
Situated at the heart of the Norfolk Coast AONB, Blakeney National Nature Reserve showcases the beauty of the North Norfolk coastline with its wide-open spaces and scenic views. The salt marshes serve as a home for a diverse range of birds and England’s largest grey seal colony. For an up-close encounter with the wildlife on Blakeney Point, take a ferry trip from Morston Quay, providing a unique and immersive experience.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Dartmoor, Devon
Designated as a National Park in 1951, Dartmoor spans 368 square miles, presenting a vast expanse of untamed countryside. The landscape is characterized by granite tors, ancient woodlands, hut circles, standing stones, clapper bridges, streams, Dartmoor ponies, stannary towns, and secluded villages, creating a truly distinctive environment. Explore Dartmoor through its extensive network of 450 miles of pathways suitable for walking, cycling, running, or horseback riding.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Ennerdale, Lake District
Situated on the northwestern edge of the Lake District National Park, Ennerdale features a variety of vibrant natural environments and is home to one of the UK’s longest-running wild land restoration initiatives. Managed by the Wild Ennerdale Partnership, which oversees Cumbria’s largest National Nature Reserve, this project aims to allow the landscape to evolve naturally by minimising human intervention.
Visitors can engage with the area’s unique topography by strolling along the lakeside, hiking mountains, or cycling through the forest. The Ennerdale Valley is characterized by the ‘wild’ river Liza, which charts its own course through the valley.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Exmoor, Devon
Covering over 250 square miles, Exmoor National Park features a diverse landscape of dramatic coastline, open moorland, ancient woods, rivers, and streams. Exmoor is a place for both tranquillity and excitement. Explore a range of outdoor activities such as exploring stone circles and ancient ruins during a hike and keep an eye out for wild ponies and herds of red deer that freely roam the area.
As Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve, Exmoor National Park boasts some of the darkest skies in the country. On clear nights, the sky above Exmoor unveils numerous astronomical wonders that can be observed with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland
Extending 73 miles from the Solway Coast in Cumbria to Wallsend near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Hadrian’s Wall offers an opportunity to explore a historic wild landscape and reconnect with nature. Functioning as an effective barrier against unwanted intrusions, Hadrian’s Wall utilized the natural Whin Sill escarpment, earning it the distinction of being the best-maintained outpost of the Roman Empire in northern Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a deeper understanding of Roman military life, explore Housesteads Roman Fort, uncovering the past through archaeological remains.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Newtown National Nature Reserve, Isle of Wight
On the Isle of Wight, explore ancient holloways and vast expanses of downland and heath, providing panoramic 360-degree views. The island’s sole National Nature Reserve, located at Newtown, offers a misty landscape where estuaries and old salt lagoons attract a variety of colourful visiting birds. Wander through hay meadows, traverse ancient woodlands inhabited by rare butterflies and red squirrels, and gaze upon salt marshes and clear harbour waters with sailing boats.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Situated on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath provides a peaceful and quiet environment, allowing visitors to connect with nature. The heath, being a rare and valuable habitat, harbors unique species like Dartford warblers, nightjars, woodlarks, ant-lions, adders, and more. Whether you visit in July or September, Dunwich Heath offers a serene landscape with a wild and dramatic backdrop. The heath comes alive with vibrant colors during this period, featuring a patchwork of pink and purple heather along with the sweet scent of coconut from the yellow gorse.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
New Forest Northern Commons, Hampshire
The Northern Commons within the New Forest is a wide-open, boundary-less landscape, leading gently through heather plains and woodland to miniature valleys, swollen with bouncy bogs and gravel streams and home to an array of wildlife. The undulating landscape supports a wide array of rare and diverse wildlife.
Pubs with accommodation nearby:
Written by Issy Matthews
