For a small and densely populated island, the British landscape is amazingly diverse. From foggy moors and craggy mountains to cosy green vales and meandering rivers, there are gorgeous views and natural beauty everywhere – often surprisingly close to bustling cities. And that landscape has inspired artists and media makers for centuries. Here are our favourite British views that you may not only recognise from film, poetry or art but that you should definitely try and see for yourself.

Lune Gorge, Kirkby Lonsdale

The market town of Kirkby Lonsdale nestles deep in the green heart of Cumbria, between the Pennines and the Peak District. At its heart is St. Mary’s Church, a building over 1000 years old. The churchyard slopes down to a steep valley overlooking the River Lune, which winds through its gorge between fields and steep woodlands on its way to the coast. The 19th century philosopher John Ruskin said it was “one of the loveliest views in England, and therefore of the world. Whatever moorland hill, and sweet river, and English forest foliage can be at their best, is gathered there”. He wasn’t alone – several decades earlier the poet William Wordsworth had stood on the same spot and declared that it proved that Cumbria had scenery to equal Switzerland. The artist J.M.W. Turner painted the view across the river from the churchyard in the 1820s. Although it is now known as ‘Ruskin’s View’, the vista has inspired and moved people before and after he made his visit. 

Bredon Hill

Geologically speaking, Bredon Hill is part of the famously beautiful Cotswold Hills range. But millions of years of erosion has left this hill standing alone as it rises nearly 1000ft above the Worcestershire countryside. This provides astounding views to the Cotswolds to the east, the Malvern Hills to the west, the Severn Valley to the south and the rolling fruit orchards and fields of Worcestershire and Warwickshire in all directions. You can see at least eight English counties from the summit – or, by some local tellings, up to 14 on a clear day. 

The Bredon view has inspired countless artists over the years. Most famously it inspired A.E. Housman to centre one of the most famous poems in is cycle ‘A Shropshire Lad’ around the hill and its view. Other poets and writers have been moved to create works by the view from the top of Bredon Hill, as have composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar. 

Stanage Edge

True locals will simply call this 3.5-mile gristone escarpment ‘Stanage’, since the word means ‘Stone Edge’. However, you name it, this ridge of rock runs along the top of the Peak District – the ‘spine of England’ – separating Yorkshire from Derbyshire. This line of hilltop cliffs stands between 100 and 300ft high above the surrounding ground, providing breathtaking views as the countryside drops away to the west over the Hope Valley.

For film and literature fans, Stanage Edge will be immediately recognisable as the spot where Keira Knightley, in the role of Elizabeth Bennet, drinks in this wild and beautiful landscape on her visit to Derbyshire in the 2005 movie adaption of ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The little Scottish village of Glenfinnan would be an inspiring site all by itself. It lies on the northern shore of Loch Shiel in the north western Scottish Highlands, at the entrance to the steep, heather-strewn glen that gives it its name and that runs beneath the slopes of the mountain Gaor Bheinn. 

In 1901 a railway viaduct was completed across the glen, carrying a new line from Fort William. With 21 arches, nearly 100 feet high and built on a continuous curve, the viaduct is widely hailed as a manmade structure not only complimenting but enhancing a natural landscape. Whether you’re seeing the Scottish scenery from a train crossing the viaduct, or revelling in the combination of glen, loch, mountains and bridge from the panoramic viewpoint nearby, this is an incredible view. The dramatic scenery has attracted artists and filmmakers for decades – most notably the viaduct is crossed by the Hogwarts Express in four of the eight ‘Harry Potter’ films and in ‘The Crown’. 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.