> SlowTrav > Google Maps

Slow Travel Google Map: United Kingdom, England and Wales, North

Author: DavidX
Notes: England and Wales Visitors' Map north of Bristol - London line showing large cities [not necessarily recommended for a visit, but included to help you visualise the position of other marked places], National Parks [my favourites are indicated by '*'] and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty [see note below]. You will also find some favourite cathedrals and other must-visits.
Areas of Natural Beauty [AONBs] are legally designated areas recognized for the distinctive character of beauty each contains and protected under special regulations. I have added a '*' to AONBs which I personally recommend as holiday areas and '**' to some areas without official recognition which I consider of greater beauty than some of the designated AONBs. AONB markers with neither of these symbols are designated AONBs that I don't necessarily recommend for a holiday. In some cases I'm quite open about my total ignorance of the area. With others I personally shouldn't find enough stimulation for a holiday. Since this is highly subjective you might still want to try. All of them have websites in the 'read more' sections.

Areas of Natural Beauty

Anglesey AONB

Welsh: Ynis Mon

This AONB doesn't cover all Anglesey but most of the coast

Arnside & Silverdale AONB

One of the really small AONBs and it must be over 30 years since I was there.

Peaceful and pleasing rather than majestic, it's fine for wildlife.

Cannock Chase AONB

The truth is that, until I found it for this map, I didn't know it existed. Strange because I've passed Cannock on the M6 any number of times.

Chilterns AONB

I don't know this area enough to comment.

Clwydian Range AONB

A pleasant range of hills with some really good scenery near to the northern border with England.

Cotswolds AONB *

Please see Pauline's travel notes on this area and her separate Google map:
The Cotswolds According to Me
Cotswolds map

Forest of Bowland AONB

This was mainly a private area with no walking allowed until fairly recently. Hence I've not been able to enjoy what I'm told are fine walks.

Gower [Gwyr] AONB *

Coastal scenery of very high quality - less of it than at Lleyn [qv] but the same sort of quality.

Howardian Hills AONB

My knowledge of this area is marginally less than of Cambodia. I've been to neither but at least I've read a bit about Cambodia!

Lincolnshire Wolds AONB

Gentle range of rolling hills.

Lleyn AONB *

This AONB includes much of the coastal part of Lleyn shown in my Snowdonia National Park map.

Malvern Hills AONB *

I hesitated about giving this marker a '*' as I think it more appropriate for a short break than a whole holiday but it certainly merits more than just driving through.

I suggest you listen to a bit of Elgar before you go.

Mid Wales **

The fact that so much of Wales is highly scenic does not, to me, constitute a reason for leaving Mid and West Wales out, except for the relatively small Brecon Beacons National Park.

I'm not being too precise about an area and maybe it should be more than one. The area round Devil's Bridge and the Elan Valley and that I've marked between Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron are, to my mind, outstandingly scenic.

Nidderdale AONB *

It seems absurd that Nidderdale is not in the Yorkshire Dales National Park but I suppose its AONB status compensates a bit.

Norfolk Coast AONB *

A very distinctive saltmarsh coast. Proximity to Norfolk and the Broads add to its attractions.

I shouldn't suggest this as a venue for your first trip to England - but if you want a change - - -

Northern Pennines AONB

Wilder than the more southerly part of the chain and far less visited - perhaps the closest thing to a wilderness in England.

Northumberland Coast AONB *

This is a wonderful stretch of coast with great beaches, castles, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the marvellous nature islands of the Farnes.

Shropshire Hills AONB *

Particularly for those who can't make the high tops of Snowdonia or the Lake District this area provides lower but still spectacular hills with terrific views.

Solway Coast AONB

Quite a small AONB south of the Solway Firth which forms the border with Scotland here.

South Pennines **

OK - so it's my home area - but it also contains a blending unique in England of wild moorland scenery merging in with the remains of Britain's textile industry with some of the first industrial canals and early railways.

There MAY be a good reason why we don't qualify as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but to me it's simply outrageous!

Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB

I don't know this area at all.

Wye Valley AONB *

One of very few AONBs without significant hills where I recommend a holiday. The Wye is a beautiful river.

Coventry Cathedral

English cathedrals did not stop with Gothic or even Neo-Gothic. Here you can see the ruins of the old cathedral, wrecked by WW2 bombs, and then visit its replacement.

Durham Cathedral

Durham's Norman pillars are colossal and there's lots of history but the external view of the cathedral by the river Tees makes it one of the two most picturesque in England.

Ely Cathedral (SV)

This is simply magnificent and the octagonal 'lantern' is unique.

Gloucester Cathedral (SV)

One of our very best - perpendicular architecture and fan vaulting in particular reach perfection here.

Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln is an attractive city but it's the cathedral that really makes it.

Norwich Cathedral

Much of the architecture is still Early English [Early Gothic] from when it was built but its magnificent Perpendicular style [Late Gothic] roof and spire were fire repairs!

Peterborough Cathedral

It's a pity so many people's consciousness of Peterborough is limited to being somewhere on the way to or from London [mine was for ages.]

Some features of its cathedral more than justify a few hours break there.

Worcester Cathedral

Particularly noted for the external view by the Severn which places it in competition with Durham for the most scenic on this map.

York Minster

York not only has a superb Minster [classified as a cathedral] but numerous high quality museums and buildings, enjoying a history from Roman and Viking times and then for long enjoying the status of England's second city in the Middle Ages.

Birmingham

At least have a look at the website [read more.] There's a lot more to Birmingham than often thought.

Bristol

Bristol is possibly my favourite of our larger cities.

Cardiff

Capital of Wales

Leeds

Liverpool

London

This mighty city needs no introduction from me. if you choose/chose London for your first visit here, that's understandable and probably right - but don't think you've then seen England!

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle [stress on middle syllable] and Gateshead, its southern neighbour across the Tyne, have seen considerable development in recent years as far as visits are concerned.

Sheffield

Parks

Brecon Beacons NP

Mid-Wales mountains with stunning waterfall scenery.

Lake District NP *

See my Lake District map for this.

Norfolk Broads

If there's any difference between the Broads Authority and a National Park, I don't know what and it can't be important because the National Parks site includes it.

I have a feeling that if I had boated on here instead of only seeing a small part once, it would have a '*' added!

North York Moors NP

With the Yorkshire Dales being much nearer, I don't know this area too well; a bit shameful for a naturalised Yorkshireman.

Northumberland NP

If you've not been before go to the Hadrian's Wall website from the 'read more' one.

If you want something different you'll find suggestions if you 'read more.'

Peak District NP

Fine scenery but we never think of going there - too near and yet too far - too near for a holiday and too far solely because it means going thrugh uninteresting town areas.

A more relevant drawback is the National Park's proximity to so many big cities, leading to overcrowding.

Towns

Cambridge

Our ancient University cities, Oxford and Cambridge, are marvellous and visitors often say it's like being in a giant film set.

Oxford