Dearest Gentle Reader, in just a few short days (May 16), the hit Netflix series Bridgerton will return for its third season, and fans can hardly wait. The lavish world of Regency-era England will be on full display as we follow the trials and tribulations of the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family as they navigate the competitive high-society marriage market of the time.
Wilderness England, the award-winning travel company that specializes in incredible adventure experiences, is a great way to explore England’s bucolic countryside, charming towns, and luxurious accommodations, that all work together to echo the opulence and romance of Bridgerton.
The Cotswolds: A Countryside Sojourn
The famed Cotswolds are utterly charming. A beautiful area of quaint market towns, honey-colored stone villages, and rolling hills. Covering almost 800 square miles and running through five counties, the Cotswolds are also home to some of the country’s greatest palaces, castles, and country houses – perfect for the Bridgerton fan! Promenade (or cycle) around and discover its breathtaking landscapes via historic trails, ancient woodlands, fabulous gardens, amazing shops, and so much more.
Wilderness England offers several different trips, and ways, to discover this idyllic part of the country – be it hiking, road cycling, or new for 2024, e-bikes!
For the true Bridgerton-feel however, consider the company’s new Highlights of England trip, a 10-day/nine-night luxury hiking adventure that explores not only the Cotswolds, but also New Forest, South Downs, and Dorset, and includes stays in top-notch five-star hotels along the way. This includes The Lamb Inn in the historic market town of Burford; Dorset’s Lulworth Lodge, a relaxed coastal hotel; the Montagu Arms, an elegant country house in the picturesque village of Beaulieu; The Spread Eagle in Midhurst, one of England’s oldest coaching inns, greeting guests since 1430, reputedly, including Queen Elizabeth I; and The Star in Alfriston, originally a religious hostel dating from 1345 and then a traditional coaching inn that has been remodeled into a luxury boutique hotel.
Yorkshire: A Journey Through Time
Equally swoon-worthy, with its evocative landscapes, historic houses, charming towns, and rich literary history (think William Wordsworth, Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters), Yorkshire is known for its Roman and Viking roots, its Norman castles, medieval abbeys, Industrial Revolution-era cities, and two national parks. From the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales to the Peak District and East Yorkshire Coast, from the cosmopolitan charm of Leeds to York’s ancient, cobbled streets, and beyond, this area is full of hidden gems. It is also in Yorkshire where Bridgerton fans will find Castle Howard, which played a starring role in season 1, doubling as Clyvedon Castle, the Duke of Hastings’ ancestral home.
Wilderness England’s new Highlights of Northern England luxury hiking adventure spends 10 days/nine nights exploring the unique limestone landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, the pastoral nature of the Lake District National Park, and the romantic scenery of the Peak District. Days unfold at the perfect pace as travelers enjoy leisurely lunches and mellow afternoons exploring fascinating ruins, historic estates, and idyllic villages that brim with rural charm. Each evening is spent in bespoke accommodations that have been carefully selected for their comfortable rooms, lovely staff, and locally sourced seasonal menus. This includes Beck Hall Hotel, England’s first 100% plant-based hotel located at the foot of Malham Cove; Rothay Manor, a country house on the edge of the bustling Lake District town of Ambleside; and The Peacock at Rowsley, a 17th century manor house in the heart of the Peak District’s Derbyshire countryside.
Bath: A Regal Retreat
Historic Bath is where much of the show’s filming took place, with the one section of the iconic Royal Crescent providing exteriors for Mayfair, the Featherington family’s London abode. Also found here is the Holburne Museum, home to a collection of over 10,000 objects (porcelain, silver, books, Roman coins, and more) gathered over the last 200-odd years, but in Bridgerton starred as the exterior of Lady Danbury’s townhouse.
A bit further afield, but located due south of Bath, directly along the A36 to the coast, you’ll find two distinctly beautiful National Parks – New Forest and South Downs – which are featured as part of Wilderness England’s new-for-2024 hiking trip of the same name. Considered a deluxe itinerary, it first explores the old woodlands of New Forest, a place where ancient rights of common pasture are still exercised, followed by the glorious green folds of the South Downs National Park, with its undulating chalk hills and spectacular coastline. Evenings are spent enjoying the comforts of a charming boutique townhouse hotel and a 19th century country house.
For those in search of extra special and luxurious journeys fit for Lady Whistledown herself, Wilderness England also offers a selection of Beyond Luxury trips, bespoke journeys inspired by the idea that luxury is an exploration of exceptional experiences that resonate on a deeply personal level. Designed for every traveler’s wants and needs, these custom itineraries can incorporate all the opulence and pomp on display in Bridgerton with seamless itineraries, exquisite accommodations, lavish experiences, and outstanding guides, that will make you feel like a bonafide member of “the ton.”
