Expert: Emoor - 11/26/2011

Question
Dear Sir,

I am paul writing from malta.  My friend and I will be visitng England next month for a week.  We will be based at Bath, Bristol, I understand that to the south of us there are the beautiful counties of Somerset, Devon, Exmoor etc but I am at a loss what country side is to the East, North  and West of us.  Hence can you help me, our quest is to visit as much countryside as possible.  Hence it would be greatly appreciate if you could help me in my quest.

In which direction are we to go to find beautiful countryside and anciet quiet villages and towns where could stay at farmhouses etc etc?

Sincerely hoping to hear from you at your kind convenience I thank you in advance.

Regards.





paul

Answer
Please get a good map of England so you can have it to refer to.  In addition to the counties of Somerset and Devon to the south of Bath and Bristol, there is the coastal county of Cornwall which is great to visit.  To your east you could visit the Cotswold villages.

My advice is to pick three or four villages not too distant from your base.  If you have a rental car you will be more flexible.  If not, you can take a bus to a village, walk around, visit the local pub for lunch, and return to your base at night.  If you want to travel the entire week do not plan something far distant or you will spend most of your time traveling rather than visiting the places you want to see.

With your map (you might want to find one online) plan a route to the south but not too far, then east for two or three days, then north into the Cotswolds, and finally returning to your base.  In every village you visit, go to the tourist information office where they can direct you to lodging including low cost housing or farmhouse Bed and Breakfast locations.

Remember, get a map first and look over the villages which are not far from your base.