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. But venture a short twenty-mile distance from the metropolis, and a whole other nation reveals itself. There is an England that has nothing to do with the city; rather, it is a terrain of undulating emerald slopes, decaying fortresses, scone-based afternoon snacks, and shorelines that have moved writers to verse for hundreds of years. Complete guides on how to spot fake profiles in nightlife apps can be found on our website.

The Cotswolds. This landscape belongs on every "Visit England" promotional poster: honey-colored stone cottages, rose-covered doors, and villages with names like Castle Combe and Bourton-on-the-Water. The best way to explore is by car or on foot along the Cotswold Way. Break your journey for the beloved ritual of cream tea — that is, scones layered with butter-yellow clotted cream and ruby-red 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 offers a quirky seaside escape. Amble across the classic seaside pier built during Queen Victoria's reign, consume the quintessential coastal dish — freshly fried haddock (or cod) and chips, enclosed in a paper parcel, and step inside the extravagant former royal residence that looks like a fantasy out of the Mughal empire and ancient China combined. Just a short car trip toward the sunrise reaches the towering chalk formation named after seven siblings — spectacular vertical faces of white calcium carbonate that ascend straight out of the English Channel. Walk along the top for views that stop you mid-sentence.

The Lake District. A UNESCO World Heritage site and England's ultimate outdoor playground. The poet who described himself drifting "lonely as a cloud" did most of his wandering right here in the Lake District.

Make the trek to the top of Scafell Pike, England's crowning elevation, glide over Windermere's famous waters, which stretch for nearly eleven miles, or the third option requires no physical effort: a pub seat, a local ale, and the hypnotic spectacle of rain sweeping across the fells while you stay perfectly dry. If your heart beats faster at the mention of castles, cathedrals, and cobblestones, then York must be visited. Stroll atop the medieval fortifications that have protected York since Roman times, explore the Shambles — the real-world inspiration for a certain boy wizard's favorite shopping alley, and make your way to the spectacular York Minster, a cathedral of such scale and beauty that it competes with the great cathedrals of France and Germany.

When you want chills alongside your medieval facts, participate in an after-dark spirit-seeking expedition. York claims to be the most haunted city in Europe. Positioned not far from the urban hubs of Manchester to the west and Sheffield to the east, the Peak District offers dramatic moorlands, reservoirs, and pretty villages like Bakewell (famous for the sweet Bakewell pudding). For a weekend itinerary that pairs scenic trails with satisfying lunches in historic drinking establishments, look no further.

This protruding southwestern peninsula operates culturally and scenically as its own realm. Here you find harsh, dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea, water that sparkles in jewel-like shades of turquoise, and the surfing hub of Newquay, where Atlantic swells roll in consistently. Spend time in St. Ives, home to the Tate St. Ives gallery, countless independent art spaces, and a seafood scene that rivals any coastal town in Britain, see a play (or just tour) the Minack Theatre, an open-air venue that hangs impossibly on the side of a cliff above the crashing waves, and hunt for traces of the legendary King Arthur at Tintagel Castle, the medieval fortress famously associated with Arthur's conception.

Cornwall additionally claims ownership of the pasty, a hand-held baked pie traditionally stuffed with minced beef, diced potato, and turnip (known locally as swede). Eat it with your hands.