Great Britain: A new grand tour

Read our guides to Devon and The Lake District, plus the best country houses to visit in Yorkshire, gardens to see in Gloucestershire and some of the best hotels in Britain

Grand Tour of Britain Country LIfe
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

In our January 6 issue Country Life travelled the length and breadth of the country to find some of the most inspirational places to stay in 2016, from Devon to Gloucestershire, plus we have reviewed some of the best hotels in Britian. As well as exploring the delights of coastal Devon, we have located the most awe-inspiring places to visit in the Lake District.

Our Architectural Editor John Goodall has compiled a list of the most fascinating smaller country houses to visit in Yorkshire, while our Gardens Editor Kathryn Bradley-Hole has written a guide to the most fantastic gardens in Gloucestershire.

With recommendations of where to stay in each area, read on and discover some of the best of what Britain has to offer this year.

** Heaven in Devon

A leisurely guide covering North Devon, South Devon and Dartmoor, plus where to stay

guide to devon

Make the first footprints on Elender Cove, looking toward Gammon Head, Salcombe
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

** An English Country Garden

Gloucestershire is a wonderful place to see so many great English country gardens

english country gardens to visit in the cotswolds

History at every turn: Sudeley Castle’s 12 garden areas have seen centuries of occupation

** Falling in love with The Lakes

Discover the area which inspired so many great painters and poets

guide to the lake district

The best way to experience the Lake District is to climb the fells like Wainwright— here, Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks in Buttermere make peerless reflections
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

** Countryside hotels in the UK

A fine selection of wonderful places to stay, from Wales to Ayrshire

patrishow farm1

** Read more travel pieces from Country Life

Country Life

Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.