| It's a truth universally acknowledged that the English | | | | family getaway: Dad can hit the greens for a round, |
| just don't appreciate their countryside. Sure, the English | | | | Mum can enjoy the hotel's extensive Spa, and kids |
| know their countryside is nice - but few actively | | | | can run wild to their heart's content in the forests and |
| choose to holiday there. Well, their loss is others gain: | | | | woods that constitute Ashown Park's grounds. |
| From the land's welcoming vegetation to its warming | | | | Walking Routes |
| pubs and unashamedly elite golf hotels, everything here | | | | The English countryside is a spider's web of possible |
| is set up to provide unrivalled countryside repose. | | | | walking routes. These routes make for simply |
| The Hotels | | | | excellent daytime strolling - aside from the sheer |
| The English countryside is dotted with castles, manors | | | | beauty of the land, the terrain is always comfortable |
| and stately homes. Once the countryseat to knights, | | | | underfoot, it very rarely rises or drops so that safety is |
| noblemen and royalty, many of these fantastically | | | | of concern, and there are certainly no tigers or bears |
| historical buildings have been converted into small, | | | | lurking to spoil your peace of mind. In fact, walking in |
| luxury hotels. So you can truly live like a King - for a | | | | the English countryside is just about as close to |
| night at least. | | | | rambling perfection as you can get. |
| Bovey Castle in Dartmoor is a good example. This | | | | Plenty of websites document walking routes, but it's |
| resplendent hotel is as classically English as they come: | | | | usually much more fun to get a detailed map of the |
| Shining, vintage cars sit on its drive; stately rooms | | | | local area and find your own way around. |
| feature open fireplaces; diners gather in the Piano Bar | | | | The Pubs |
| or around the Billiards Table for a post-meal digestif. | | | | Arriving at an English country pub after a day spent |
| Bovey Castle is also known as one of the nation's | | | | walking the countryside is probably the most heavenly |
| best golf hotels. A championship level course winds its | | | | experience known to man. Invariably these places are |
| way around the hotel's own grounds. Splendid. | | | | small, homely, and infinitely welcoming. With their roaring |
| Ashdown Park in the Southeast is another wonderful | | | | open fires, their friendly chitchat, and their seemingly |
| countryseat that offers top-drawer golfing | | | | endless supply of beautiful tasting ale, English country |
| opportunities. Set amongst nearly 200 acres of rolling | | | | pubs are simply unbeatable as a place in which to end |
| countryside, this ultra-gentile luxury hotel offers a great | | | | the day. |