After a long, dark winter, spring break is a great opportunity to get away from the stress of college life and enjoy some fresh air. Spring is a great time to explore England – with budding leaves, flowers popping up, and the smell of rain in the air. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your homework assignments, class schedules, and extra-curricular commitments, a bit of travel over spring break could be just what you need.
There are tons of fantastic destinations you could check out, but this list will show you the top places to visit in England during spring break. Take advantage of your time off school by getting out and seeing what this beautiful country has to offer.
- The Cotswolds
This rural area is home to some of the most charming historic towns and villages England has to offer, with honey-colored stone buildings and bustling markets full of local produce. There are some more urban places to visit, like Gloucester, but the rolling hills and country atmosphere are what make this destination such a great getaway from the stresses of campus life. Spend a night at a cozy bed and breakfast, walk through ancient woodlands and meadows filled with blooming wildflowers, and dine at some quaint cafés throughout the area.
- Brogdale Collections, Kent
Home to more than 4,000 varieties of fruit, this orchard is packed with cherries, strawberries, plums, apples, and pears – and is open for tours throughout the spring. You can also take a self-guided walk through the expansive property. There are quite a few festivals and events hosted at this impressive orchard throughout the year, so see if you can schedule a visit to coincide with one of these exciting events.
- Glencoe, Scotland
Voted the most romantic glen in Scotland, Glencoe is a scenic wonder where you can easily spend the entire week. Anyone who enjoys hiking or mountaineering will find no shortage of challenges here, since Glencoe makes a perfect base for exploring Scotland’s beautiful highlands. There’s also plenty of history to discover, for students who prefer a bit of education with their vacation.
- Bodnant Gardens, Wales
Spanning 80 acres of hillside, Bodnant Gardens features a gorge garden, notable trees, a waterfall, and an impressive Laburnum arch – the longest in the UK. This arch flowers each spring, making this the perfect time of year to explore this beautiful destination. The garden was founded in 1874, and new areas are opened regularly. Guests come back year after year to visit the garden, and to take part in workshops, walks and talks, and family activities.
- Yorkshire Dales
One of the most impressive landscapes in the UK, the Yorkshire Dales highlights traditional farming scenes – barns, hay meadows, and stone walls. These ancient homesteads are broken up by waterfalls and other historic remnants of industrial heritage, as well as beautiful stone-built villages. The Yorkshire Dales National Park offers a ton of options to visitors, including shows, festivals, and events, great dining, and even opportunities to learn new skills like painting or butchery.