Langley is an attractive tourist destination, yet surprisingly it experiences rather uneven tourism year on year, with little tourist hotel capacity in the peak season from May to October, and a very high usage of lodges in the Peak Season in October-January. I have been to Langley three times now and each time I felt the city had its own spirit and character, despite having to travel through Snowdonia and Anglesey in order to get there. Each time I have been to Langley I have found it to be much more enjoyable than I would have expected, despite having experienced first hand the drawbacks associated with such an “impeccable” tourist destination. While the hotels are perhaps not the best in the country (unlike in York), the facilities themselves are superb. The town of Langley in itself has a nice range of accommodation options, including bed and breakfasts, self catering cottages, camping, caravan sites, cabins and luxury hotels.
The area also has quite a lot of ” novelty attractions” – many of which tourists will probably not be aware of, but will be useful to locals during their visit, especially for those coming from the United Kingdom or Europe. For example, the “Mall,” which is a Grade I timber building is certainly a fascinating attraction, even if the main purpose of the mall is to sell wood to local businesses. However, this mall is also home to a rather unusual sculpture garden: it is the largest freestanding garden in England. And whilst the sculptures are often intended to be pieces of art, one can also spend an entire day just admiring the aesthetic beauty of the countryside from the top of the Mall, enjoying the greenery and the mild climate surrounding it.
Further to the north, tourists will find some other natural areas that are worth exploring. The Dales is certainly worth visiting, as is the Peak District. However, tourists looking to relax and enjoy themselves should head towards Bath and the Somerset coastal beaches – these offer fantastic weather, as well as a host of outdoor activities, such as water skiing, sailing, rock climbing and paragliding. Somerset is also home to a great deal of history: in particular, the Medieval Warmth Valley provides visitors with an insight into life in the Middle Ages. Somerset also has some beautiful natural areas – the Domesday area is well-known for its countryside scenery. Further to the south, tourists will find some excellent beach areas, nestled among cliffs and offering excellent marine life.