English Countryside for a first time visitor

Although there are many many areas with their own attributes. the Cotswolds are what everybody thinks of as English countryside. They also have the advantage of being close to London and fairly compact, and very used to having tourists on their doorstep. Also Blenheim Palace is an excellent stately house to visit on the edge of the Cotswolds. ( I , and others, could write eloquently about the beauty of other areas- so i am not knocking them). There are a number of threads on this site about the Cotswolds with many excellent suggestions of where to go- but you should do your own research, there is so much written about the area

Prashant, If this is your view of English countryside the Cotswolds are for you because there is so much of what you describe in this area. Another place for you to researach is the New Forest. It has all of these things in addition to free roaming livestock. (Please drive carefully and do not feed the ponies) There are many many places in England that have what you are looking for, but since you say you only have two days /nights I'm assuming you are getting there via London (?) and you might have some time concens.

I agree with my good friend Laurel, with only two days/nights that Cotswolds you be a good place for you to visit. As Laurel said it has everything you want to see. It's easy to get to...a 2 hour train ride from Paddington Station in London. With bus sevice you would be able to visit some of the beautiful villages...but in orde to visit some of the smaller, quiant villages you would need to have a car. The Cotswold are worth the visit.

May I suggest Dorset? Here in the UK many people consider it to be one of the most beautiful counties. Lots of rolling hills and country lanes. It's known as Thomas Hardy country, and his beautiful thatched cottage still exists. It's a very rural county, steeped in history. It's the home of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
Also the Jurassic coast, a World Heritage site.

I was also going to suggest Dorset, which to me best realized my image of rural England, with its rolling hills, country lanes and sheep in the meadow. I was fortunate to visit the area during my first trip to England, but I was chauffeured around the area by family members, so I don't have any good suggestions for how to travel the region. It seemed that a car would be helpful, provided you can drive on the left side and navigate very narrow lanes.

Another vote for the Cotswolds for all the reasons stated by the posters above, especially since you only have two days/nights.

I second Maggie - Dorset is beautiful.

I agree that Dorset is beautivul.....but with only having two nights you don't want to spend to much time getting back and forth to some place. Cotswolds would be closer to get to.

Thanks for your suggestions. Did not login for sometime and could not respond earlier. I had some places in mind such as Cotswolds, Devon and Yorkshire, but didn't think of Dorset though. Other than the car option, can one take a train down to a central place and then explore local transportation in any of these places?
Also, which of the villages in these areas offer good accommodation?

what areas are you aiming at ? re are tons of villages in the Cotswolds with decent accomodations. Dorset is a little more spread out- and further away from London