From the wind-swept moors to the Scottish highlands, the United Kingdom is a diverse land – both in culture and geography. You’ll discover quaint villages, castles, museums, galleries and much more.

A trip to England, Wales and Scotland is a journey of excitement and history. You’ll find historic homes, castles, meticulous gardens, museums and stunning scenery. Your preference might be to base in the main cities of London, Cardiff and Edinburgh and include a few day trips out of town. Perhaps you want to go into the countryside; off the beaten path and explore England’s Lake District or spend your time enjoying the beauty of Wales. With so many wonderful possibilities, travelers can hardly go wrong.

On her popular website, prolific travel writer Karen Brown has listed several itineraries for visitors to England, Scotland and Wales. Her detailed itineraries offer plenty of interesting and unique places to visit, sightseeing, as well as offering driving instructions and maps of each area. Karen Brown readers also have voted and chosen the following as the best hotels, inns and B&Bs in England, Scotland and Wales:

Romance abounds at Gilpin Lodge in England’s Lake District. This charming hotel, surrounded by 20 acres of gardens, woodlands and moors, won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Most Romantic” lodging in England, Wales and Scotland. The spacious rooms and suites are elegantly appointed and each is different, with charming views of the gardens and moors. Breakfasts and dinners can be enjoyed in one of the restaurant’s four dining rooms, and afternoon tea is served in the lounge. In-room spa treatments can be arranged, as well. You can wander to grounds on a grand country walk or visit the homes of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.

Salisbury, where four river valleys convene, is a charming English town offering a spectacular cathedral that dates to 1220 and a 14th-century pub, and close access to Stonehenge. A stay at Bolhays is the jewel in the crown for visitors to this city. Voted as England, Wales and Scotland’s inn that offers the “Warmest Welcome,” by Karen Brown readers, the inn is located in an 1899 Victorian townhouse. The grand Salisbury Cathedral is a 10-minute walk from this English bed and breakfast. The guest rooms are decorated in perfect English country style. The innkeepers, a pair of warm and friendly sisters, are filled with knowledge about the area. You are sure to find them a useful resource.

Bath, a popular destination and the only city in England named a World Historic Site in its entirety, is home to Meadowland, an appealing bed and breakfast that was named by Karen Brown readers as offering the region’s “Greatest Value.” The three guest rooms of the bed and breakfast are elegant and inviting. Innkeeper, Catherine Andrew, prepares a wonderful homemade breakfast, sometimes including traditional specialties from her native Scotland. The center of Bath is a 15- to 20-minute walk away, and from Meadowland one can plan plenty of interesting day trips, such as visits to the cathedral cities of Wells and Salisbury or perhaps Blaise Castle.

Set on more than 100 acres in Hampshire, Chewton Glen offers all the amenities of a top resort with all the historic ambiance of a proper English country estate. Guest rooms and suites are individually decorated in a variety of styles from contemporary to romantic English country. The Marryat Suite is particularly captivating with its posh sitting area, fireplace and elegant furnishings. The Masterman Ready Suite is another opulent option featuring modern dcor and a clawfoot, soaking tub. Afternoon tea includes the hotel’s own blend of tea, as well as a selection of fine sweets and savories. Dinner and lunch at the restaurant feature ever-changing seasonal menus with items such as fillet of Scottish beef or line-caught sea bass. This posh country inn was named as the region’s top “Splendid Splurge” by Karen Brown readers.

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