England's West Country

The West Country includes some of the most visited parts of the UK. Encapsulating Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and The Marches, the area borders Wales and is dripping in ye olde worlde English charm. There's a wealth of attractions to explore in this region, not least the glorious countryside, Tudor irreverence, genteel towns, wild nightlife and museums bursting with ancient artifacts. In its heart, the postcard-perfect, honey-colored villages of the Cotswolds are impossibly quaint with their thatched stone cottages, flower-bedecked gardens and beautiful rural vistas. Bordering Wales, The Marches is renowned for both its ...

The West Country includes some of the most visited parts of the UK. Encapsulating Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and The Marches, the area borders Wales and is dripping in ye olde worlde English charm. There's a wealth of attractions to explore in this region, not least the glorious countryside, Tudor irreverence, genteel towns, wild nightlife and museums bursting with ancient artifacts. In its heart, the postcard-perfect, honey-colored villages of the Cotswolds are impossibly quaint with their thatched stone cottages, flower-bedecked gardens and beautiful rural vistas. Bordering Wales, The Marches is renowned for both its hill-walking and its historical allure. The Shropshire Hills and crests around Great Malvern offer myriad opportunities to burn off local foods, ciders and ales. The beauty and lazy ambience of the region belies the centuries of fierce fighting that took place here and the battle-scarred ruins and scorched castles are a testament to these times. The River Wye is renowned by canoeists and Ross-on-Wye is a good place to break a paddle, especially during August when the International Festival brings the town to life.

About the Expert

Alan Murphy is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Britain, Scotland, India and North India. He has been writing and updating travel guidebooks for the past eight years.