31 of England’s most beautiful places to visit | CNN

London —

The UK has seen a staycation explosion during Covid-19, leaving some areas overwhelmed. There are still plenty of options though. Here are some of England's most beautiful locations:

courtesy Visit Britain

At 978 meters, Scafell Pike isn't only the highest mountain in England, it also offers the best views of the unspoiled <a href="http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/wasdale/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Wasdale Valley</a> and Wastwater -- the deepest lake in England. On a clear day Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man can be seen from the hilltops.

Wasdale Valley, Cumbria —

At 978 meters, Scafell Pike isn't only the highest mountain in England, it also offers the best views of the unspoiled Wasdale Valley and Wastwater -- the deepest lake in England. On a clear day Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man can be seen from the hilltops.

courtesy Visit Britain

Lake Windermere, Cumbria —

Windermere, 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) long and 219 feet (67 meters) deep, is England's largest lake. Part of the scenic Lake District National Park, its small cruise boats welcome more than 1.2 million visitors each year.
Lake Windermere, Lake District National Park, Cumbria

courtesy Visit Britain

The southern seaside town of Brighton has its own eccentric answer to the Taj Mahal. Built for King George IV, the 193-year-old <a href="http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Royal Pavilion</a><em> </em>is now open to the public as a museum. It houses an ice rink from November to January each year.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton —

The southern seaside town of Brighton has its own eccentric answer to the Taj Mahal. Built for King George IV, the 193-year-old Royal Pavilion is now open to the public as a museum. It houses an ice rink from November to January each year.

courtesy Visit Britain

Standing only 13 kilometers from Stonehenge, <a href="http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Salisbury Cathedral</a> in Wiltshire is one of England's most beautiful churches. The structure, built between 1220 and 1258, has Britain's tallest spire -- 332 steps to the top of the tower -- and Europe's oldest working clock.

Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire —

Standing only 13 kilometers from Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire is one of England's most beautiful churches. The structure, built between 1220 and 1258, has Britain's tallest spire -- 332 steps to the top of the tower -- and Europe's oldest working clock.

courtesy Visit Britain

The rolling landscapes of the <a href="http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Yorkshire Dales</a> showcase stunning variety of features from waterfalls to caves to limestone pavements. Hikers can challenge themselves to the <a href="http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/510362/yorkshire-three-peaks-walk-description-map.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">Three Peaks Walks</a>, a trek to summit a trio of tough climbs, covering 38.6 kilometers, within 12 hours.

Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire —

The rolling landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales showcase stunning variety of features from waterfalls to caves to limestone pavements. Hikers can challenge themselves to the Three Peaks Walks, a trek to summit a trio of tough climbs, covering 38.6 kilometers, within 12 hours.

Courtesy Suzanne Plunkett

Minnis Bay, Kent —

Let's face it -- England isn't the most sought-after beach destination. That said, some 58 beaches around England have been awarded the internationally recognized Blue Flag, recognizing cleanliness and good facilities. With colorful beach huts, Minnis Bay (pictured) in the Kent village of Birchington-on-Sea, is one of them.

courtesy Visit Britain/Rod Edwards

Port Isaac is a small scenic fishing village in the northern part of Cornwall. It's also the birthplace of <a href="http://www.thefishermansfriends.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Fisherman's Friends</a>, a singing group that specializes in sea shanties -- another reason to love the place.

Port Isaac, Cornwall —

Port Isaac is a small scenic fishing village in the northern part of Cornwall. It's also the birthplace of Fisherman's Friends, a singing group that specializes in sea shanties -- another reason to love the place.

courtesy Visit Cornwall/Adam Gibbard

Some rocks and fossils found in the <a href="http://jurassiccoast.org/about/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Jurassic Coast</a>, covering southern England's Dorset and East Devon, are 185 million years old. It's England's first natural World Heritage Site. Durdle Door (pictured here) is an iconic natural limestone arch on the beach.

Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast —

Some rocks and fossils found in the Jurassic Coast, covering southern England's Dorset and East Devon, are 185 million years old. It's England's first natural World Heritage Site. Durdle Door (pictured here) is an iconic natural limestone arch on the beach.

courtesy Visit Britain/Adam Burton

Founded in 1753, <a href="http://www.britishmuseum.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">The British Museum</a> was the world's first national public museum. Today, it's still easily one of the best galleries around the globe. It has a collection of eight million pieces -- only 1% of which is on display. The signature Grand Court was designed by Norman Foster and was opened in 2000.

The British Museum, London —

Founded in 1753, The British Museum was the world's first national public museum. Today, it's still easily one of the best galleries around the globe. It has a collection of eight million pieces -- only 1% of which is on display. The signature Grand Court was designed by Norman Foster and was opened in 2000.

courtesy Visit Britain/Britain on View

Sutton Bank is where the heather-clad <a href="http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">North York Moors</a> give way to gorgeous views over the pancake-flat Vale of York. It's one of the three Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the area for star-gazing.

Sutton Bank, North York Moors —

Sutton Bank is where the heather-clad North York Moors give way to gorgeous views over the pancake-flat Vale of York. It's one of the three Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the area for star-gazing.

courtesy Visit Britain/Welcome to Yorkshire

With neo-classical temples, grottoes and bridges built around the lake, the 18th century <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead" target="_blank" target="_blank">Stourhead</a> estate is a perfect example of an English landscape garden.

Stourhead, Wiltshire —

With neo-classical temples, grottoes and bridges built around the lake, the 18th century Stourhead estate is a perfect example of an English landscape garden.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

The Needles Rocks, Isle of Wight —

The Needles are three isolated rocks (a forth needle-shaped rock, which gave the group its name, collapsed in 1764) in a line off the coast of the Isle of Wight. One of the best ways to see them is from a chairlift in the nearby Alum Bay.

courtesy Visit Britain/Adam Burton

Hadrian's Wall —

Hadrian's Wall spans 135 kilometers from Maryport in the west to Tyne and Wear in the east. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built to keep tribal warriors out of the northern frontier of the ancient Roman Empire. In the picture is a section of the Roman wall near Housesteads Fort in Northumberland.

courtesy Visit Britain

Yes, they're much smaller than everyone thinks they're going to be, but they're still the best known cluster of rocks in Britain. We can't be sure if <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Stonehenge</a> really was the <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/07/travel/the-stonehenge-ikea-monument/">first Ikea-style flat pack</a>, but the prehistoric monument never ceases to surprise. Last year, some more and larger stone monuments, dubbed "<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/07/europe/new-superhenge-discovery/">Superhenge</a>," were discovered less than three kilometers from the site.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire —

Yes, they're much smaller than everyone thinks they're going to be, but they're still the best known cluster of rocks in Britain. We can't be sure if Stonehenge really was the first Ikea-style flat pack, but the prehistoric monument never ceases to surprise. Last year, some more and larger stone monuments, dubbed "Superhenge," were discovered less than three kilometers from the site.

courtesy English Heritage

Corby Crags' landscape is so stunning that it was used as a backdrop of Middle Earth in the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/9549670/Middle-Earth-moves-to-Northumberland-in-The-Hobbit-film-posters.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">"The Hobbit</a>" <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/9549670/Middle-Earth-moves-to-Northumberland-in-The-Hobbit-film-posters.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">movie poster </a>in 2012. Corby Crags lies in Edlingham, a small village with 196 residents.

Corby Crags, Northumberland —

Corby Crags' landscape is so stunning that it was used as a backdrop of Middle Earth in the "The Hobbit" movie poster in 2012. Corby Crags lies in Edlingham, a small village with 196 residents.

courtesy Visit Britain

At 3.4 kilometers, York has England's longest medieval <a href="http://www.yorkwalls.org.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">city wall</a>. The well-preserved fortification makes a picturesque two-hour trail around the heritage city.

York City Wall, North Yorkshire —

At 3.4 kilometers, York has England's longest medieval city wall. The well-preserved fortification makes a picturesque two-hour trail around the heritage city.

courtesy www.visityork.org

Painswick, Cotswolds —

With rolling green fields and charming villages, Cotswolds is the largest of the 38 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Painswick (in the picture) is one of area's historic towns.

Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Legend says <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tintagel Castle</a>, a medieval structure on a rugged coastline of North Cornwall, is the birthplace of King Arthur. Below the castle is Tintagel Beach with emerald water and Merlin's Cave, a hiding place for infant Arthur in poet Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King."

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall —

Legend says Tintagel Castle, a medieval structure on a rugged coastline of North Cornwall, is the birthplace of King Arthur. Below the castle is Tintagel Beach with emerald water and Merlin's Cave, a hiding place for infant Arthur in poet Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King."

courtesy English Heritage

The Somerset city of Bath was inscribed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It's known for its <a href="http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Roman baths</a> -- the only place in England for a natural thermal spa -- and Georgian architecture.

Bath, Somerset —

The Somerset city of Bath was inscribed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It's known for its Roman baths -- the only place in England for a natural thermal spa -- and Georgian architecture.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

As the biggest gorge in Britain, <a href="http://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cheddar Gorge</a> is home to some of the country's most dramatic cliffs and rarest animals -- like ancient Soay sheep. It's listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset —

As the biggest gorge in Britain, Cheddar Gorge is home to some of the country's most dramatic cliffs and rarest animals -- like ancient Soay sheep. It's listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

courtesy Visit Britain

A sea fort constructed by Henry VIII in the 1540s, <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-mawes-castle/" target="_blank" target="_blank">St. Mawes Castle</a> offered protection to the waterway of the River Fal until it surrendered to a land attack during the English Civil War. It's regarded as the best preserved fort built by Henry VIII.

St. Mawes Castle, Cornwall —

A sea fort constructed by Henry VIII in the 1540s, St. Mawes Castle offered protection to the waterway of the River Fal until it surrendered to a land attack during the English Civil War. It's regarded as the best preserved fort built by Henry VIII.

courtesy English Heritage

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Gateshead —

The coolest bridge in England? Costing £22 million ($31.7 million), the pedestrian Gateshead Millennium Bridge connecting Newcastle and Gateshead across the River Tyne is the world's first tilting bridge, capable of leaning upwards to allow ships to navigate underneath. This website lists its tilting schedule.

Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

This beautiful hillside castle was built by King Henry II in the 1180s. In 2015 alone, <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dover Castle</a> was featured in two TV and movie productions: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and BBC's "Wolf Hall." In the cliffs underneath the castle lie a network of secret WWII tunnels and an underground hospital.

Dover Castle, Kent —

This beautiful hillside castle was built by King Henry II in the 1180s. In 2015 alone, Dover Castle was featured in two TV and movie productions: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and BBC's "Wolf Hall." In the cliffs underneath the castle lie a network of secret WWII tunnels and an underground hospital.

courtesy English Heritage

<a href="http://www.tresco.co.uk/enjoying/abbey-garden/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Abbey Garden</a> is a tropical-style paradise with plant species from more than 80 countries -- from Brazil to South Africa to Australia. The wild garden experiment began when Augustus Smith moved to and became the owner of <a href="http://www.tresco.co.uk/arriving/overview/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tresco</a> Island, 28 miles off the coast of southwestern Cornwall in 1834. The garden has continued to expand with the help of Smith's descendants.

Abbey Garden, Tresco, Isles Of Scilly —

Abbey Garden is a tropical-style paradise with plant species from more than 80 countries -- from Brazil to South Africa to Australia. The wild garden experiment began when Augustus Smith moved to and became the owner of Tresco Island, 28 miles off the coast of southwestern Cornwall in 1834. The garden has continued to expand with the help of Smith's descendants.

courtesy Visit Britain

Haworth Moor, West Yorkshire —

Top Withins (pictured here) is a ruined site on Haworth Moor. It's said that the wild moorland inspired Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" when the Bronte sisters lived here.

courtesy Visit Britain/Britain on View

Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire —

Back in the 12th century, to visitors in mid-2016. Rievaulx Abbey was one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in England. A brand new museum, a shop and a tearoom will be open to visitors in mid-2016.

courtesy English Heritage

The gothic-style <a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/brompton-cemetery" target="_blank" target="_blank">Brompton Cemetery</a> on Fulham Road is one of London's most famous cemeteries. The cemetery has appeared in multiple movies including Pierce Brosnan's first Bond outing "GoldenEye." It's also the home to the mysterious tombstone of Hannah Courtoys -- read <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/17/travel/london-great-cemeteries/">London's coolest gravestones</a> to find out more.

Brompton Cemetery, London —

The gothic-style Brompton Cemetery on Fulham Road is one of London's most famous cemeteries. The cemetery has appeared in multiple movies including Pierce Brosnan's first Bond outing "GoldenEye." It's also the home to the mysterious tombstone of Hannah Courtoys -- read London's coolest gravestones to find out more.

courtesy The Royal Parks

Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham —

An alien spaceship? Or a deep-sea creature? This futuristic landmark is the facade of a Selfridges department store in Birmingham. The building, covered in aluminum discs, is part of the city's beloved Bullring shopping center.

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Castle Combe, Wiltshire —

Considered one of the prettiest villages in England, Castle Combe welcomed a spark of interest from tourists after it was used as a filming location for Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" in 2011.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Parts of <a href="https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace/plan-your-visit" target="_blank" target="_blank">Queen Elizabeth's official residence</a> are open to visitors at certain times of the year and special guided tours are held occasionally.<br /><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/24/travel/buckingham-palace-open-to-public-uk">MORE: Sneak preview as Queen opens Buckingham Palace to public</a>

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London —

Parts of Queen Elizabeth's official residence are open to visitors at certain times of the year and special guided tours are held occasionally.
MORE: Sneak preview as Queen opens Buckingham Palace to public

courtesy Visit Britain

England's most beautiful destinations

CNN —

The English are known for being reserved. Perhaps that’s why, despite living in one of loveliest countries on Earth, they don’t really shout about it. They should though.

While the landscape in England lacks the drama of other parts of the world – and even other parts of the United Kingdom – it makes up for it with a gentle, ancient beauty that’s hard to match.

London is widely acknowledged as a world-beating destination, but often overlooked beyond the capital is an incredible array of beautiful coastlines, rolling hills, quaint villages, historic cities and innovative design.

Click though the gallery above to see some of the country’s best destinations.

Maggie Hiufu Wong is a former CNN staff writer now working as a freelance journalist in London.