Whether you are fortunate enough to reside in the rural English countryside or are planning a vacation away from your busy, city-dwelling life to a quieter location in more natural surroundings, you will already know the beauty of this country’s natural green spaces.

Continue reading to discover ways and means of making the most of the countryside and hidden gems you may not have previously been aware of.

Reconnect with Your Sense of Contentment

Many people spend their working days rushing from one appointment to another. Even if you absolutely adore your technological-based job in a high tower block in the city center, the difference in spending quality time surrounded by nature simply cannot be denied.

Being in and around the natural environment will provide numerous healthy benefits to your emotional wellbeing, including the following to name just a few:

• A higher quality and duration of sleep each night
• A general lift in your mood and sense of contentment
• Vitamin D levels will increase
• A reduced propensity to worry and over-analyze
• A way to help reduce your levels of anxiety and stress

Therefore, you have lots to gain from booking some time away from work and heading outside. There is no better place than the English countryside. Here is everything you can do.

Head off the Beaten Track!

There are, of course, many positives to choosing a popular tourist pathway when planning a walk for the weekend, especially if you have a time limit and want to pack a lot into your day.

However, the real gems are if you choose to head off the beaten track and look into the best scenic walks in the UK, and moreover, not being as rigid when it comes to planning your routes and working to a strict timing schedule will always bring copious benefits. Of course, you should always let someone know where you’re going if you’re heading out on a big hike, but wandering trails less traveled will always be an exciting activity.

Visit a National Trust Property

The National Trust is the most established trust that concentrates solely on cultivating and protecting the most spectacular buildings, gardens, and historic sites across England.

From protected and listed buildings to arboretums and flower gardens, there is something to do when visiting National Trust sites for everyone, regardless of age or mobility level. Additionally, when you become a member of the National Trust, you will also be helping to protect and preserve each site with your entry money.

Take to the Railways

Finally, and right out of a scene from the Harry Potter franchise, riding a steam train through the English countryside is by far the most comfortable and efficient way of enjoying such vast areas of green, natural beauty.

There are many fascinating railway museums and old-style railway stations, most of which are still functioning today, so look online at the different stations in the area you are looking to visit and plan a steam train ride you will never forget.

You could even combine a trip on the railways with a few nights on a traditional English narrowboat, experiencing both the land and the water throughout the countryside.

Also, Read: Dos and Don’ts After Sustaining Traumatic Brain Injuries After a Workplace Accident