England has some spectacular open spaces where comes naturally. Go ahead and become one with nature once again at one of these less well-known spots for a get-away-from-it-all, natural break.

Wander the Wolds with Hockney, in Yorkshire

There can be few places where you can be surrounded by a living canvas immortalised by Britain’s greatest living modern artist. Yet The Yorkshire Wolds offer precisely that. Follow in the brush strokes of artist David Hockney – who, for many years, called East Yorkshire home – on a self-guided tour of Hockney Country.

This offers the chance to explore the real-life inspirations behind some of his most famous landscapes, including the site of ‘Bigger Trees’ – his largest work of 50 canvases showing a group of skeletal trees – around the village of Warter; and Thixendale, where he created ‘The Three Trees at Thixendale’, a series of paintings reflecting changing seasons. Another favourite location was Woldgate, an old Roman route, a few minutes drive from his Bridlington home at the time.

Tennyson trail in Lincolnshire Wolds

Head south and there’s more inspiration to be found in the Lincolnshire Wolds, this time from the world of poetry. Retrace the footsteps of one of the most famous poetic voices of the Victorian age on the Tennyson Trail, weaving around Lincolnshire’s rolling landscapes that inspired Alfred Lord Tennyson, who was born and brought up in the county.

One of England’s great unexplored landscapes, the gently rolling hills, wooded valleys and chalk streams challenge misconceptions of Lincolnshire being flat, providing leisurely walks to serious treks as well as some great cycling.

From the village of Somersby, where he was born, and spent the first 28 years of his life, the trail offers a chance to stroll through the countryside that inspired him. While at the picturesque village of Tetford is the 16th century White Hart Inn, which served as the poet’s local, where you can even sit in the oak settle used by Tennyson himself.

The ‘other’ Peak District, Staffordshire

Mention The Peak District and most people will think of Derbyshire, but Britain’s first park also stretches over the border into neighbouring Staffordshire.

The Staffordshire Moorlands make up to a third of the Park with views ranging from rocky outcrops to rolling hills and luscious valleys, along with plenty of peaceful villages, and the historic market town of Leek.

But there’s more to discover in this often underrated county. The Roaches – dubbed the gateway to Staffordshire’s Peak District – is blessed with soaring rock faces and heather-covered hillsides, and one of Staffordshire’s most photographed landscapes.

Protected for its wildlife and rare wild habitats, venture into the less-visited northern section, with its sheltered woodlands and the stunning rocky chasm known as Lud’s Church.

Then climb the steps to Thor’s Cave, one of the most spectacular sights of the valley at 250 feet above the track. The magnificent views are well worth the climb, and as you take it all in ponder over the idea that the cave itself is believed to have been home to cavemen.

Hampshire’s havens

Hampshire is home to not one, but two Parks crisscrossed with 3,000 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways.

The South Downs Park

The South Downs Park nicknamed the lungs of south-east England, stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Britain’s newest park, it offers peaceful countryside with rolling hills and panoramic views and plenty of walking routes, including railway lines, which have been converted into trails as well as its most famous route, the 100-mile South Downs Way which winds along the banks of the River Adur.