THE Lake District has officially been declared the 'prettiest and best place to visit in England'.

Travel guide Hand Luggage Only has revealed its top 20 places in England that are "so much more unique than just cities like London," and unsurprisingly, the Lake District came out top.

Beating out other rural areas like the Cotswolds and the Jurassic Coast, Cumbria's crown jewel was deemed the best of the best.

A popular vacation destination, it’s known for its large looming lakes, marauding mountains and historic literary associations.

The Lake District is officially the prettiest place to visit in England

Hand Luggage Only had this to say: "The Lake District is the UK’s newest UNESCO-protected site; and rightly so, it’s beautiful.

"As you can probably tell from the name, the Lake District is filled with tranquil lakes, beautiful mountain ranges and a whole heap of tiny villages to explore.

"The most well-known is Windermere Lake, but if you want to avoid the crowds, pop over to Ullswater Lake and check into Another Place, The Lake (which is the sister hotel of the Watergate Bay I mention in Cornwall).

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"Whilst here, head out onto the Ullswater steamer, try your hand at paddleboarding and hike to the top of Harter Fell for some of the best views across the Lake District.

"It really is one of the best places to visit in England, especially if you can fit in a tour that takes in ten of the lakes.

"We loved this tour of the Lake District, especially as it’s a 1-day trip and perfect if you’re only staying for a long weekend."