I think the United Kingdom’s nature is incredibly underrated. I often found myself wanting to travel around the U.K. more than to neighboring countries. Yes, it’s true what they say about the weather — it is impressively and consistently dreary. From November to early April, temperatures usually hover around 50°F, with gray skies and a constant light drizzle. However, that weather gives the landscape a unique kind of beauty. Because of the U.K.’s temperate climate, it is incredibly lush. No matter which month you explore, the grass is a vibrant green against the muted skies. I actually came to enjoy the misty days even more. They gave everything an enchanted, almost otherworldly feeling. Moss covered stone walls, the forests were damp and vibrant, and mushrooms seemed to appear everywhere.

During my time abroad, I was lucky enough to visit the Peak District, the Lake District, Hebden Bridge (where Sylvia Plath is buried), Gwynedd in Wales, Bristol, Bolton, Edinburgh in Scotland and Bath. One thing that really surprised me was how much variety the U.K. has to offer. Up north in the Peak District, rolling hills stretch for miles, dotted with grazing sheep. Some of the climbs are surprisingly steep, and because there are very few trees, the landscape feels wide open and incredibly windy. Much of the land is used for grazing livestock. One interesting fact I learned is that many historic public footpaths cross private farmland, allowing anyone to hike through as long as they stay on the designated path. The Lake District, in northwest England, was equally breathtaking. With its mountains, forests and lakes, it reminded me a bit of Canada. Further south, around Bristol and Bath, there are beautiful walking trails surrounding the cities that overlook wildflower fields, grazing cows and lush farmland. The scenery reminded me of the small villages nestled in the Alps.

Overall, I was amazed by how accessible nature is throughout the U.K. Many cities are located near national parks or public walking trails that are free to explore. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that England has much stricter rules about wild camping than the U.S. In most of England, camping overnight without the landowner’s permission isn’t allowed. Overall, the U.K.’s landscapes may not be the first thing people think of when planning a trip, but they quickly became one of my favorite parts of living there.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: University of Manchester