From The Airport To The Countryside

With frequent train and bus links running from Britain’s major airports, you can step off the plane and find yourself among amazing natural landscapes within two hours, or even just 20 minutes. Here are a selection of country getaways from airports in England, Scotland and Wales.

- Jessica Way

STUNNING CITYSCAPES, idyllic countryside, shimmering mountain lakes... Britain's landscapes are as varied as they are beautiful. Even better still, they are easily accessible from our major city airports, so make sure you find some time to venture out of the city and enjoy the great outdoors. For the more adventurous, island hopping around Britain is another amazing way to experience our varied landscapes, with many islands to visit - each unique. So whether you like the idea of heading for the Lake District, the Brecon Beacons National Park, or the “tropical island” of Tresco, 28 miles south of Cornwall, we hope this article will help inspire you to plan a trip!

- From: London Heathrow or Gatwick

TO: SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK, south-east England Journey time: 20 – 90 minutes With 1,627 square kilometres of rolling hills and ancient woodlands, South Downs National Park is a world away from the urban buzz of London, but is within easy reach of both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. There are plenty of entry points into the park by train, including the village of Hassocks – just a 20-minute direct train journey from Gatwick and an idyllic spot for cyclists wanting to explore. There’s a community cycle hire centre directly outside the station, and recommended circular cycle routes ranging from eight miles/13 km to 14.5 miles/23 km, so you can pick a route to suit your level.

Another option is the quaint market town of Haslemere, reached via a 40-minute train journey from Gatwick Airport to Guildford, followed by a 20-minute train journey from Guildford to Haslemere.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930), the creator of literary character Sherlock Holmes, lived in a house near Haslemere at the beginning of 1897, where he entertained famous friends including Dracula creator Bram Stoker, who described the view from the house as “a never-ending sea of greenery”.