Southern England: rolling hills covered in a patchwork of green, breathtaking chalk cliffs rising above the sea, and idyllic villages that look like they’ve stepped right out of a fairy tale. All this and more awaits you in this enchanting southern corner of England. Discover why you’ll want to visit southern England and what you can see and do there.
Kent: The Garden of England
In the southeast of England lies the beautiful county of Kent, also known as the “Garden of England.” Here, you’ll be captivated by the lush countryside, enchanting castles, and the majestic Canterbury Cathedral. Explore the hills by bike or on foot, follow the North Downs Way trail, and let yourself be amazed by Kent’s natural beauty.
Dorset: Where History and Nature Meet
Dorset, located between Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire, is a treasure trove of natural and historical wonders. Let yourself be enchanted by the Jurassic Coast, where the climate is mild and the coastline is dotted with fossils millions of years old. The “Jurassic Coast” runs along the coast of Dorset and East Devon. It is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in England, recognized for its unique landforms, rocks, and fossils.
Devon: A Dreamlike Landscape
Devon, located between Dorset and Cornwall, is a region of contrasts. From its rugged coastline to its peaceful inland areas, Devon is incredibly diverse. Explore the enchanting Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, with their breathtaking landscapes and prehistoric finds.
Cornwall: A Tropical Paradise in England
Cornwall, the southwesternmost tip of England, enchants visitors with its sandy beaches and coastal hiking trails. Marvel at the natural beauty and discover why this is a paradise for hikers and adventurers. Read more about the Coast-to-Coast hike here. Find all the information you need about hiking the South West Coast Path here.
Tropical Islands in Southern England: The Isles of Scilly
About 40 km south of Cornwall, you’ll find five inhabited islands and many more uninhabited ones in the Isles of Scilly archipelago. Thanks to the warm temperatures, the area is home to fascinating flora and fauna. Tresco, the second-largest island, has white-sand beaches and exotic gardens with palm trees and colorful flowers. The largest island, St. Mary’s, is rich in history.
Isle of Wight: An Island of Discovery
Just off the coast of southern England lies the enchanting Isle of Wight, an oasis of tranquility and beauty. Explore the breathtaking coastline, protected flora and fauna, and discover the rich history of this enchanting island.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a touch of history, Southern England has it all. Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of this unique corner of the world and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Tips for Staying Overnight in Southern England
In Devon, there’s a beautiful luxury Glamping site with safari lodges: https://www.longlandsdevon.co.uk/
Devon is also home to Wheatland Farm, which features eco-lodges and has been recognized for its sustainable practices
Mallinson’s Woodland Retreat is located in Dorset. Stunning treehouses, hot tubs, and private saunas in a 10-hectare forest. (see photos above)
In Kent, there’s Gravel Pit Farm. It’s a Glamping site in a very peaceful location with plenty of open space all around.
On the Isle of Wight, you can stay at Tiny Homes Holidays in one of their charming, eco-friendly Tiny houses.
Tips for Southern England
You can reach the Isles of Scilly by ferry from Penzance in Cornwall. You’ll also find several sustainable B&Bs and hotels there. Click here for more information about the Isles of Scilly.
At the Eden Project in Cornwall, you’ll find a stunning global garden that serves as the backdrop for one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are the result of Europe’s largest garden restoration project. This project began more than thirty years ago and is now a paradise for nature and garden lovers.
“The Great Gardens of Cornwall ” is a collection of the 14 most famous and impressive gardens in Cornwall. All of the gardens are privately owned but open to visitors.
The fishing harbor in St. Ives is known for its walking trails along the Cornwall Coastal Path.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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Last September, we had a wonderful six-day hiking vacation from Bologna to Florence (Via Degli Dei). Not only was the weather perfect, but the organization also contributed to this wonderful experience. The hotels were good, and our luggage was always delivered to the hotel before we arrived. The private transfer was on time, and communication via WhatsApp during our hiking week went smoothly as well; responses were quick and clear. We can therefore definitely recommend this hiking vacation through Nature Travel Lab!
After reading the report on the “Alpenüberquerung,” we got really excited. The combination of hiking through beautiful nature and the luxury of luggage transport and a reserved hotel perfectly meets our desire to stay active but then be able to enjoy a well-deserved drink and a delicious meal. The hikes were manageable for us and very varied; some basic fitness is required, especially since we aren’t used to the elevation gain. The trip really gives you the feeling that you’re on a hiking expedition, especially since you hike on your own but meet the same fellow hikers in the afternoons and evenings at one of the mountain huts or at the hotel. Highly recommended for hikers who love unspoiled nature combined with the luxury of a hotel!
Peloponnese Hiking Tour
A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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Get inspired
Are you looking for the most beautiful hiking and biking routes? Or do you want information about traveling by train or advice for the most beautiful road trips through nature. Get inspired for your next trip in green; ideas for planning your own trip or opting for an organized trip.
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