homanos

Hello everyone! We are a couple in our late 50s who are coming to visit the UK this summer. First we'll be visiting London, and from there we want to go to a scenic region somewhere in the UK, preferably not too far from London. However, we are definitely not mountaineers, so we would like to avoid very mountainous areas.

Our travel style is mostly by car, and when we see something we like we will park the car and go for a walk. We are not very experienced hikers and we're therefore not looking specifically for challenging hikes, but merely for scenic nature where one can have a walk about. It would also be a plus if there are some cozy small cities in the area to have lunch and the like.

Of course I have already looked around, but never having been in the UK it is hard for us to judge. So far, we have been looking at Wales, but we're open for anything. Can any of you give us some tips, based on our desires? Thanks!

jamikins

I would take a look at the Cotswolds. Lovely scenery, gorgeous villages with cozy pubs, and tonnes of walking paths that cater to all levels. http://www.cotswolds.com/

annhig

jamikins got there first. Here's another vote for the Cotswolds.

it's just the right distance from London, there are lots of lovely little places to see, gardens to walk in [usually with nice cafes] & towns to visit.

one of my favourites is Cirencester but there are plenty of others.

Morgana

Yorkshire Dales sounds perfect too.
You could go from London (Kings Cross) to York by train, which is less than 2 hours.
Then explore York itself for a day or so - it's a stunning place and no need for a car.
Then hire a car and explore the Dales. They cover a large area and are beautiful, ideal for walking and exploring. They are also rich in abbeys, castles etc, many of which you can visit.
www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
http://www.visityork.org/

wrenwood

Cotswolds. Charming villages, charming walks.

Dukey1

Definitely the Cotswolds if for no other reason than their proximity to London.

hetismij2

Maybe the South Downs or the New Forest would suit you. Or around Cambridge - we enjoyed our stay there recently, and found enough walks, and places of interest to visit. Definitely no mountains there.

annhig

the Dales are distinctly hillier than the Cotswolds and IMHO less accessible to new visitors to the UK. In the Cotswolds there's something pretty/interesting round almost every corner and it's easy to get to from London.

Kent would also present lots of easy sightseeing opportunities as this recent thread demonstrates:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ns-in-kent.cfm

homanos

Thanks everyone. It seems like we'll be looking into the Cotswolds. Any more tips are appreciated though!

annhig

homanos - the National Trust would be a good place to start when looking at the Cotswolds - lots of their properties are there.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visi...lace=cotswolds

MissPrism

Suffolk. Beautiful little villages, interesting towns like Lavenham, Constable country. It's just as chocolate box pretty as the Cotswolds but without the tourist buses. It it certainly not mountainous but rolls gently. One of our favourite walks is from Southwold (a beautiful little seaside town), to Walberswick across the Bailey bridge, lunch at the Bell and back via the ferry.

MissPrism

Here you go
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5953925...7612592430267/
plus a bit of Norfolk

Morgana

The Dales are hiller that the Cotswolds but I thought the query was about avoiding mountains, not hills?
Living in the Dales I still find something interesting around every corner!
Agree Suffolk is a good call - rolling countryside and very pretty, without the crowds.

Morgana

Meant to add - I'd try and get sorted and booked up as soon as possible if you are travelling this summer. The school children break up for their holidays mid July and that makes everything much busier. You seem to have decided on the Cotswolds and they are very popular, so I'd try and fix your plans soon.

homanos

That's true Morgana! I just wanted to say that we are not mountainclimbers who enjoy the sole fact of climbing. We were previously looking at Snowdonia in Wales, but it seems that that may be a bit too focused on mountains.
The main thing we are looking for is some beautiful nature where we can have some (modest) walks and have a look.

hetismij2

Well North Wales isn't only mountains. Plenty of lovely walks without too much hillwalking involved. Anglesey is delightful too.

anicecupoftea

The villages in the Cotswolds are pretty, but the scenery is rather... tame. I prefer places that are a little less manicured and sanitised, like the Dales, the Peak District, the Lakes (avoiding rain) or the Highlands (avoiding midges).

anicecupoftea

And I've only been to Wales twice, but my overall memory is grayness. Grey towns with grey houses, grey slate hills, grey clouds.

janisj

I think your perceptions are a bit muddled

No 'mountain' to speak of - or none to worry about anyway. The Cotswolds are lovely and easy from London.

The Dales are terrific -- but I agree for a first visit they may be a bit 'inaccessible'. Not remote as such but many of the roads are very narrow and the villages spread out and just more stressful driving. Don't get me wrong - they are a great place to visit but just more 'work' to get around.

As for North Wales - sure there are mountains, Snowden being the 'famous' one. But one can get to the top of Snowden on a train and not have to do one bit of hiking if you don't want to. But there are also beautiful beaches, some of the best castles in the British Isles, and some amazing gardens.

But . . . for your first visit and starting from London, I'd probably recommend the Cotswolds.

annhig

Morgana, i wasn't "dissing" Yorkshire, far from it. But looking at the OP's requirements, and what I pick up from their query, it just screams "Cotswolds" to me.