Luxury hotels in the English countryside

It's a truth universally acknowledged that the English just don't appreciate their countryside. Sure, the English know their countryside is nice - but few actively choose to holiday there. Well, their loss is others gain: From the land's welcoming vegetation to its warming pubs and unashamedly elite golf hotels, everything here is set up to provide unrivalled countryside repose.

The Hotels

The English countryside is dotted with castles, manors and stately homes. Once the countryseat to knights, noblemen and royalty, many of these fantastically historical buildings have been converted into small, luxury hotels. So you can truly live like a King - for a night at least.

Bovey Castle in Dartmoor is a good example. This resplendent hotel is as classically English as they come: Shining, vintage cars sit on its drive; stately rooms feature open fireplaces; diners gather in the Piano Bar or around the Billiards Table for a post-meal digestif. Bovey Castle is also known as one of the nation's best golf hotels. A championship level course winds its way around the hotel's own grounds. Splendid.

Ashdown Park in the Southeast is another wonderful countryseat that offers top-drawer golfing opportunities. Set amongst nearly 200 acres of rolling countryside, this ultra-gentile luxury hotel offers a great family getaway: Dad can hit the greens for a round, Mum can enjoy the hotel's extensive Spa, and kids can run wild to their heart's content in the forests and woods that constitute Ashown Park's grounds.

Walking Routes

The English countryside is a spider's web of possible walking routes. These routes make for simply excellent daytime strolling - aside from the sheer beauty of the land, the terrain is always comfortable underfoot, it very rarely rises or drops so that safety is of concern, and there are certainly no tigers or Bear in wait to spoil the peace of mind. In fact, walking in the countryside is almost as close as you can get the perfect distance.

Many trails document web sites, but usually to get a lot more fun, a detailed map of the area around and find your way.

The pub

Arrival in an English country pub after a day walking the landscape seems to be the man known for heavenly experience. Also, these sitesSmall, friendly, inviting and infinite. With its roaring open fires, friendly chatter, and their seemingly endless supply of beer tasting, an English country pub simply unbeatable as a place where, at the end of the day.