Stonehenge and Windsor Castle, step aside. Because it’s the rugged coastlines, medieval towns, and verdant hillsides that comprise the ‘real’ England. And it’s still out there, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
Escape the madding crowd and pay a visit to these charming, underrated places in England:
1. Ribble Valley, Lancashire
While the whole world and their dogs squeeze into the nearby Lake District – it draws in around 18 million visitors each year – the Ribble Valley remains a relative sanctuary of ancient woodland and rolling green fells with fewer than 5 million annual visitors. Most of the area is encased within the Forest of Bowland – but it’s more remote and rugged than the word ‘forest’ suggests.
Dry-stone walls slice through deep valleys where the only sound is the call of a curlew or the rush of the River Ribble. It is famously the setting for the 17th-century Pendle Witch trials, and the brooding silhouette of Pendle Hill still dominates the skyline, offering one of the most atmospheric climbs in the country.
Top tip: The valley is dotted with ‘Best Kept Village’ winners like Downham, which has famously banned overhead wires and road signs to preserve its 19th-century appearance. The region has also gained a reputation for gastropubs, where local game and farm-to-table dining are the standard rather than the exception.
2. Shropshire and the Welsh Marches
Stowed away on the border of Wales, Shropshire is a county of rolling hills, quiet market towns, and geological diversity. The Shropshire Hills offer fantastic hiking opportunities, passing moss-covered hills and rolling fields of lavender, without the foot traffic of the nearby Peak District or Lake District.
The town of Ludlow has just about kept its status as a hidden gem, even though it is widely regarded as England’s ‘gastronomic capital’. As well as incredible local produce and Michelin star-strewn restaurants, it’s also home to gorgeous timber-framed medieval architecture. For now at least, it’s definitely still one of the most underrated places in England.
For history enthusiasts, the Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, marks the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The bridge, designed by architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard, was the first in the world to be made of cast iron, and the on-site museum offers a fascinating look at Britain’s engineering heritage.
Top tip: For a gobsmacking view, hike to the top of The Wrekin. This ancient hill fort provides a 360-degree panorama. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Manchester skyline and the mountains of North Wales.
3. The Northumberland coast
While the hordes flock to the beaches of Cornwall, the Northumberland Coast remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets. This National Landscape (or ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in old money) features vast, empty beaches and dramatic cliffside ruins that feel far removed from the modern world.
The crown jewel is Bamburgh Castle, which stands as a sentinel over the North Sea. Just a short boat trip from the mainland takes you to the Farne Islands, a wildlife sanctuary home to thousands of puffins and a massive colony of grey seals. Further south, the village of Alnwick offers a world-class garden and a castle that Harry Potter fans will recognise as the original Hogwarts.
Top tip: Visit at low tide to walk across the causeway to Holy Island (Lindisfarne). It is home to a 12th-century priory and a unique coastal castle, but ensure you check the crossing times carefully, as the road disappears under the sea twice a day.
4. Forest of Dean
If it’s good enough for J.R.R. Tolkien, it’s good enough for me. The Forest of Dean, located in Gloucestershire between the River Severn and the River Wye, is a world apart: this tranquil ancient woodland, covered by a dense tree canopy, is where folklore lives. It’s also one of the only remaining royal hunting forests in England.
Explore the winding paths of Puzzlewood, a strange, moss-covered landscape of ‘scowles’ (iron ore workings) that served as inspiration for Tolkien’s Middle Earth. For those seeking adventure, the Cannop Valley features some of the best mountain bike trails in the country, while the nearby Wye Valley offers world-class rock climbing and kayaking.
Sadly, we don’t know who ‘Dean’ is or why he had a forest. In fact, it’s possible that ‘Dean’ is a corruption of the Welsh word din (meaning ‘hill fort’). All we know is that it’s one of the most underrated places in England.
Top tip: Head to Symonds Yat Rock at 10:00 AM for the best chance of spotting peregrine falcons soaring above the River Wye. The viewpoint offers one of the most iconic river bends in Britain.
5. The Jurassic Coast of East Devon
Durdle Door. Yawn. While the Dorset side of the Jurassic Coast – also home to Lulworth Cove, yawn again – is world-famous, the East Devon section is equally spectacular and far quieter. This 95-mile stretch of coastline records 185 million years of Earth’s history in its cliffs.
Towns like Beer and Sidmouth offer pebble beaches framed by towering white chalk and red sandstone cliffs. The South West Coast Path runs the entire length of this region, providing endless hiking routes with panoramic views of the English Channel. Unlike the more commercialised seaside resorts, these villages retain a traditional, ‘working fishing village’ atmosphere.
Top tip: Visit the village of Beer to see the Hooken Cliffs. A massive landslip in the 18th century created a unique, hidden landscape of chalk pinnacles and secret meadows between the cliff face and the sea.
6. Norwich and the Norfolk Broads
As much as I love Alan Partridge, Norfolk’s reputation may have taken a savaging due to Steve Coogan’s portrayal of the cringey broadcaster. Norwich is often overlooked in favour of the university cities of Oxford or Cambridge, yet it is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the UK.
During the Middle Ages, Norwich was the second most important city in England after London, and that wealth is reflected in its architecture today. The city boasts a stunning Norman cathedral with the second-tallest spire in England and a vibrant market that has been trading for over 900 years.
Just a short drive from the city centre lies the Norfolk Broads National Park, a network of over 125 miles of navigable rivers and lakes. It is the perfect place for a slow-paced boating holiday, where the only traffic you’ll encounter is a passing heron or a traditional sailing wherry.
Top tip: Spend an afternoon exploring Elm Hill, a beautiful Tudor street lined with thatched houses and speciality bookshops that feel like stepping back into the 16th century.
7. Ely and the Cambridgeshire Fens
Ely is the second-smallest city in England (behind Wells in Somerset), yet it carries the weight of a major historical hub. It is dominated by Ely Cathedral, known as the ‘Ship of the Fens’ because the magnificent structure seems to float above the surrounding flat, low-lying wetlands.
Montana (in the USA) may officially bill itself as ‘Big Sky Country’ but Holme Fen, which is actually several metres below sea level, offers similar immense, obstructed views of the skies. Ely itself is a quiet, walkable maze of monastic buildings and riverside tea rooms. It’s an ideal escape for those who want the history of a cathedral city without the frantic pace of a larger metropolitan area.
Top tip: Oliver Cromwell’s House is a fascinating local museum located in his former family home. It offers a gritty, immersive glimpse into the life of one of England’s most controversial and significant historical figures, formally known as ‘Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland’, and his time in the Fens.
Conclusion: underrated places in England
These are just seven underrated places in England; I could have written about 70. But the locations above are certainly an excellent starting point for getting out and exploring the ‘real’ England.
Whether it’s the forest labyrinth of Puzzlewood, the languid waterways of the Norfolk Broads, or the imposing mountains of the Ribble Valley, England’s real beauty is less famous than its tourist hotspots.
