When you poll travelers about their mental image of England, they will probably mention iconic red phone booths, the giant observation wheel on the Thames, and the King's official residence. Yet go only twenty miles from the capital's limits, and a whole other nation reveals itself. The country exists far outside London's boundaries; rather, it is a terrain of undulating emerald slopes, decaying fortresses, scone-based afternoon snacks, and shorelines that have moved writers to verse for hundreds of years. Complete guides on avoiding entertainment scams in the UK can be found on the online guide.

The Cotswolds. You have found the England that sells postcards by the millions: houses built from warm golden limestone, entryways draped in climbing roses, and charming settlements bearing monikers such as Castle Combe and the Venice of the Cotswolds. The optimal method of discovery involves renting a car or walking the designated footpath known as the Cotswold Way. Pause to enjoy a traditional Devon-style tea featuring warm scones served with thick, clotted cream and sweet strawberry preserves, however, a word of caution: the great West Country debate rages on — Cornwall insists on jam then cream, while Devon demands cream then jam.

Brighton & The Seven Sisters. Barely an hour's travel from London's center, this peculiar south-coast resort gives visitors a charmingly odd getaway. Explore the vintage pier with its amusements and sea views, dine on golden-fried fish and chunky potato wedges, presented in a paper wrapping, and step inside the extravagant former royal residence that looks like a fantasy out of the Mughal empire and ancient China combined. Venture only a few minutes east behind the wheel, and you will arrive at the Seven Sisters Cliffs — magnificent white rock faces that climb dramatically from the shoreline into the air. Take a footpath along the cliff's upper edge for vistas so beautiful you will forget what you were saying.

The Lake District. Honored by UNESCO and beloved by generations as the place where England goes to play outside. The poet who described himself drifting "lonely as a cloud" did most of his wandering right here in the Lake District.

Hike up Scafell Pike (England's highest mountain), rent a small sailing vessel or hop aboard a passenger ferry on Windermere, or or do as the locals do: withdraw to a stone-floored pub, drink a pint of something dark and malty, and watch the grey skies empty themselves onto the green slopes. Should you have a passion for all things medieval, the city of York is simply not optional. Take a promenade along York's well-preserved defensive walls, which encircle the historic core, get lost in the Shambles (a narrow street that inspired Diagon Alley), and tour the breathtaking York Minster, which ranks among the most voluminous Gothic churches on the European continent.

For a spooky twist, join an evening ghost tour. The city asserts with confidence that no other place in Europe can match its density of documented hauntings. Located within easy striking distance of Manchester and Sheffield, the Peak District serves up sweeping highlands of heather and grass, artificial water reservoirs, and charming towns such as Bakewell, which is internationally associated with a small sweet pastry called the Bakewell pudding. The area provides the ideal setting for two days of walking followed by hearty midday meals in cozy country inns.

Cornwall, at the southwestern finger of the nation, carries the atmosphere of a distinct kingdom. Here you find harsh, dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea, water that sparkles in jewel-like shades of turquoise, and the surfing hub of Newquay, where Atlantic swells roll in consistently. Travel to St. Ives, where the light has attracted painters for generations and where the daily catch lands directly on restaurant plates, walk the stone steps of the Minack Theatre, which was carved by one woman's determination into a sheer slope overlooking the Atlantic, and explore Tintagel Castle, where a recent discovery of a 6th-century slate has reignited the Arthurian connection and where a dramatic footbridge now connects the mainland to the island.

Cornwall is also the home of the pasty—a baked pastry filled with beef, potato, and swede. Use your fingers; the pasty's rolled edge is intentionally made to keep your hands clean while you hold it.