7 Natural escapes in Northern France just for you.

Ever jetted off to a far-flung place only to have a hunch that somewhere closer to home might have provided you with just as much escapism?

If that’s you, the answer might lie just on the other side of the Channel in Hauts-de-France, the French region not only providing a rich microcosm of the whole country but a low carbon footprint when you travel by tunnel or ferry.

The lesser-known wide-open spaces awaiting on the other side are nothing short of otherworldly: From the stunning Somme Bay in the west to Flanders in the east and as far south as France’s sparkling champagne slopes, take your pick of our seven walking and cycling experiences.

26 miles away. A world away. Hauts-de-France