England

England is just too diverse to comment on in one place. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of it. The good news is that the train service is amazing. The bad news is that it is also expensive. There is also an excellent network of bus lines. Or you can drive everywhere but London. They actually charge tax for people to even drive through certain areas. But the public transport there is fabulous, and taxis great fun, and I think reasonable. Remember that when visiting, especially London, that August is the European vacation month, and everybody has come to see the same things you have(I was once caught in a Japanese tour at Westminster Abbey, and unable to even touch ground for twenty minutes). London is another city I highly recommend taking the double-decker bus tour. And don’t miss those historical museums, like the Naval Museum. The Brits really know how to put a museum together.

Mid-North

 Not a big place. The Museum is excellent, otherwise it’s mostly a good jumping-off point.

Hotel Recommendations

Derbyshire

Manor House Farm
Chris Bell
Prestwood, Denstone
Uttoxeter, Derbyshire
018895904 http://www.manorhousefarm.co.uk/

  • real Jacobean farmhouse complete with eccentrics!

Leeds

The Willows Cottage
Ivegate, Yeadon
1132501189
https://www.willowcottage.org.uk/

  • Historic farmhouse within five minutes of Leeds airport.

Howarth
(Bronte Country)

Down the road from Jervaux Abbey

Cotwolds

Hotel Recommendations

Frampton Court
Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire
 (0) 1452 740267

  • Grade I historic manor in sleepy little village from the 1500s I swear is the British Brigadoon.

Elvington House Guesthouse
Elvington Rissington Road
Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
01451 822026

  • Warm, comfortable family-run B&B within walking of Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters.

South

Hotel Recommendations

Blandford

The Crown Hotel
West Street
Blandford Forum, Dorset
01258 456 626
https://www.crownhotelblandford.co.uk/find-us/

Wales

Hotel Recommendations

Llanthony, Abergavenny

Llanthony Priory Hotel
Llanthony, Abergavenny
Monmouthshire
01873 890487
https://www.llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk/

  • One of the most amazing places we’ve ever stayed. A 12th century priory that holds the little hotel in the old monks’ quarters. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it. It’s on a little road between Abergavenny and Haye-on-Wye. One caveat; it’s a 12thc priory. No elevators, the stairs are Norman spiral stairs, and all the bathrooms are on the first floor. Which means coming down those steps if you’re on a higher room. And back up again.