Imagine asking a foreign guest to describe England, they will probably mention iconic red phone booths, the giant observation wheel on the Thames, and the King's official residence. Yet journey just twenty miles beyond London, and an entirely separate world emerges. England is not merely one large city; the real England features gentle green uplands, weathered castle ruins, clotted cream delicacies, and seaside panoramas that have given poets their finest lines. Complete guides on staying safe while traveling in Britain can be found on our website.

The Cotswolds. This landscape belongs on every "Visit England" promotional poster: pale gold stone buildings, flower-draped entranceways, and charming villages answering to Castle Combe and the water-famous Bourton. The best way to explore is by car or on foot along the Cotswold Way. Stop for a cream tea—scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, however, a word of caution: the great West Country debate rages on — Cornwall insists on jam then cream, while Devon demands cream then jam.

Brighton & The Seven Sisters. Within easy reach, just sixty minutes from London, Brighton welcomes travelers to its wonderfully weird world of pebble beaches and pier amusement. Amble across the classic seaside pier built during Queen Victoria's reign, find a bench and dig into paper-wrapped fish and chips, with the sea breeze as your dining companion, and discover the remarkable Brighton Pavilion, complete with its minarets, palm trees, and opulent oriental decor. Venture only a few minutes east behind the wheel, and you will arrive at the Seven Sisters Cliffs — stunning pale cliffs that appear to glow against the blue water and green grass above. Make your way along the summit route for perspectives that render you momentarily speechless.

The Lake District. A landscape awarded UNESCO status and celebrated as England's premier location for hiking, sailing, and mountain exploration. This landscape famously inspired the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who wrote of strolling "lonely as a cloud" above the valleys.

Make the trek to the top of Scafell Pike, England's crowning elevation, sail on Lake Windermere, or if exertion does not appeal, choose the pub option — settle into a warm seat, raise a glass of local bitter, and appreciate the famous Lakeland precipitation from indoors. Medieval buffs: York is waiting for you. Walk the city walls, take a wrong turn (deliberately) onto the Shambles, the cobbled lane whose leaning structures and cramped width served as the model for the wizard shopping district, and tour the breathtaking York Minster, which ranks among the most voluminous Gothic churches on the European continent.

Those who enjoy being frightened should consider an evening devoted to ghost stories and haunted locations. York makes the case that it holds the European record for supernatural inhabitants. Closer to Manchester and Sheffield, the the park is known for its wild, open moorlands, vast man-made lakes that reflect the sky, and delightful towns such as Bakewell (hometown of the sweet Bakewell pudding, a must-try treat). For a weekend itinerary that pairs scenic trails with satisfying lunches in historic drinking establishments, look no further.

Cornwall, at the southwestern finger of the nation, carries the atmosphere of a distinct kingdom. Picture sharp, unforgiving cliff edges, water of an improbable bright blue-green hue, and Newquay's famous surfing beaches that attract board riders from across the UK. Visit St. Ives for its art galleries and seafood, visit the extraordinary Minack Theatre, a working outdoor performance space literally cut into the granite face of a Cornish cliff, and walk in the footsteps of myth at Tintagel Castle, the site forever linked to the story of Arthur's birth and the wizard Merlin.

Cornwall proudly defends its copyright on the pasty, a D-shaped baked good whose authentic filling contains specifically beef, potato, swede, and a little onion. Handle it like a sandwich: pick it up, bite into the middle, and work your way toward the thick edge.