English Vocabulary to Talk About Landscape

Here we explore some common phrases and expressions used to talk about landscapes. We also look at their meanings, how they’re used in spoken English, and highlight a few fun facts about some of the expressions! Read on! At the end of the article you'll find some questions to practise and improve your reading skills.

1. It’s hilly

This expression is used to describe an area with lots of hills. It can be said with excitement or with exacerbation, depending on your point of view.

Examples:

"I loved hiking in the Lake District. It’s very hilly, but the views are worth it."
"Be prepared if you’re cycling there—it’s very hilly, and your legs will feel it!"

Interesting note: A hill is lower and more rounded than a mountain. The word comes from Old English "hyll," meaning a natural elevation. Its simplicity has helped it remain unchanged for centuries.

2. It’s mountainous

This phrase highlights areas dominated by mountains. Apart from being an adjective that describes a type of landscape, it can also be used to convey a sense of grandeur and might even imply a challenge for adventurers.

Examples:

"Switzerland is absolutely stunning. It’s mountainous, with snowy peaks everywhere."
"The region is mountainous, so expect colder temperatures even in summer."

Interesting Note: The word “mountainous” is derived from the Latin “mont” (mountain) and the suffix –ous, indicating abundance.

3. A rural location

This term refers to areas that are countryside or sparsely populated, away from the hustle and bustle of cities. Living or visiting somewhere rural means you probably need a car to get around and you need to make sure you have milk in the fridge, because the nearest shop isn’t likely to be on your doorstep!

Examples:

"They’ve bought a cottage in a rural location to escape the city life."
"A rural location often means peace and quiet, but you might need a car to get around."

4. Off the beaten track

‘A beaten track’ is a track that has been walked along many times, by many people. Hence the track is visible and easy to walk along. Therefore, if we go ‘off’ the beaten track, this means that we are describing a place that is less travelled; places that are secluded, less frequented, or hidden away from popular tourist routes. It suggests an element of discovery and adventure.

Examples:

"The small village we stumbled upon was really off the beaten track, but it had the best local food."
"If you want a quiet beach, go off the beaten track rather than sticking to the main tourist spots."

5. A built-up area

This phrase is used to describe regions that are urbanized, with lots of buildings, roads, and infrastructure. City centres are built up, whereas quieter areas tend to have less buildings and more green spaces.

Examples:

"You can tell it’s a built-up area by the number of high-rise buildings."
"We’re avoiding the built-up area during rush hour because traffic is terrible."

6. A barren landscape

This term evokes images of desolate and lifeless places, often with little vegetation. The landscape could be barren because of frequent high winds, like the moors in England. Alternatively, it could be barren because of a lack of rain so nothing grows. Or, as it says in the example below, it could be barren because the soil does not support the growth of vegetation.

Examples:

"Driving through the desert, we saw nothing but a barren landscape for miles."
"The volcanic eruption left behind a barren landscape that’s both eerie and beautiful."

7. A lush valley

This phrase refers to valleys rich with vegetation, often giving a sense of fertility and vibrancy.

Examples:

"We camped in a lush valley surrounded by wildflowers and flowing streams."
"The region’s rainfall ensures the valleys remain lush year-round."

8. Rolling fields

I love this expression. It reminds me of scenes from Pride and Prejudice, when families picnic in the summer sunshine with the rolling fields surrounding them. This expression paints a picture of gently undulating fields in a slightly hilly landscape.

Examples:

"The drive took us through rolling fields dotted with sheep and stone fences."
"I love the view of rolling fields stretching out to the horizon."

9. A windswept coast

This expression is one of my favourites. Imagine a large broom, the bristles made of wind, sweeping over the landscape, leaving little chance of any tall trees growing. This expression describes coastal areas frequently exposed to strong winds, often invoking a sense of rugged beauty. Many of the British coastlines are windswept, even in summer!

Examples:

"The windswept coast was dramatic, with waves crashing against the cliffs."
"Photographers love capturing the raw beauty of a windswept coast."

10. Dense forest

This term describes areas with thick, closely packed trees, often conveying a sense of mystery or adventure. Imagine the forest that ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ had to cross to get to her grandmother’s house.

Examples:

"We hiked through a dense forest and could barely see the sky through the canopy."
"The dense forest teemed with wildlife, from birds to deer."

A good way to practice these expressions is to put them into an internet search engine, hit ‘images’ and scroll through the images shown. Contrast the images for ‘a built up area’ and ‘a rural location’. This will help you understand the differences in meaning. Perhaps you could choose your favourite images and create an image bank.

Exercises

Choose the correct option.

1. Which expression describes an area full of vegetation?

a) Barren landscape
b) Lush valley
c) Built-up area

2. What does "off the beaten track" mean?

a) A popular tourist area
b) A secluded, less-visited place
c) A location with lots of hills

3. What is a "built-up area"?

a) Countryside
b) Urbanized region
c) Dense forest

4. Which phrase best describes gently sloping fields?

a) Rolling fields
b) Windswept coast
c) Mountainous

5. A "windswept coast" is most likely:

a) Sheltered and calm
b) Exposed and windy
c) Covered in dense vegetation