Some Of The Underappreciated Treasures Of The North Of England
Any trip to England is something to well and truly look forward to, but when considering the ‘bucket list’ worthy side of things, the capital city is typically the only thing that comes to mind. The entirety of Great Britain is worth exploring, not to mention Ireland, but here we’re going to look at Northern England, a region that often goes underlooked, despite featuring some of the very best of what we think of when we think of the nation.
Rolling hills and stretching lakes
Whether you want to see some of the most gorgeous landscapes you’re likely to lay your eyes on anywhere in the country, or are an avid fan of wildlife photography, then the Lake District is a must-visit. There’s a host of different experiences to have depending on which lakes you make your base camp, too, with Windermere no doubt being the most popular, but also one of the best to explore, while Ullswater is quieter and a lot easier to find real solitude and peace near.
The best of the nation’s castles
When we think of England, a lot of us think of its tumultuous medieval history, including the many castles often at the forefront of it, which have inspired countless fairy tales and fantasy settings, since. A lot of these are still standing, but few of them are as impressive as the immense Bamburgh Castle of Northumbria. You can book at the Bamburgh Castle Inn to wake up literally under ten minutes from the castle, with access to hours of walkable coastline. The castle itself frequently hosts tours, walks, and events, so be sure to check out which are available when you’re making your trip.
The picturesque English town
There’s no shortage of towns and cities in England that have lovely greenery, parks, and historic buildings. However, few have incorporated all of that charm into a thoroughly modern and urban experience like Harrogate has. The spa town, also known as “The Jewel of the North” has all of the shopping, nightlife, and modern city convenience you could ask for, but with gorgeous stretches of lush green landscapes and impressive Victorian buildings layered throughout, excellently preserving a totally English flavor.
The border of the unexplored
Nowadays, given how easy it is to enjoy a trip up to Scotland, it’s wild to think that some once considered it an inhospitable, unexplored frontier, full of dangerous, wild people. However, when you stand at Hadrain’s Wall, looking at the vast expanse of land to the north, you can get a small sense of what it must have been like to be a Roman Centurion who didn’t know the first thing about the Scots. While it’s certainly not the most impressive or tall wall, you can truly feel the history emanating from every stone that makes it, especially if you take a walking tour along it.
The North of England has a lot more to offer than just the highlights above, but, hopefully, we’ve given you somewhere to start if you’re looking for a place to start your journey across the region
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