The 13th century building beat four other beautiful scenes of Dorset, Swansea and the Lake District which were nominated by readers.

The winning view was judged by a panel including author Joanna Trollope who is known for inventing the romantic "Aga saga" genre of novels, set against idyllic countryside backdrops.

The medieval cathedral was built to inspire awe and its celebrated view has been painted twice by John Constable and much reproduced.

Critics say that the view is nostalgic, evoking a soft-focussed impression of the countryside that has never been true.

What impact does the view have on you? Are there more beautiful scenes in Britain? Which view would you vote for?

Click here to see your pictures.

The view across a pint of Guinness, out of the window of the Trafalgar Inn, Greenwich, across the Thames to the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf. Pure heaven...
Jon, England

The best view is underground - the Baker Street Circle Line station. Doesn't a subway station from the 1860s appeal to anyone? Go there, and take a look at it, because it's an amazing sight, and one to be proud of.
Steven Coran, USA

All that history in a sprawling metropolis!

Leigh Crane, UK

Standing on the Embankment in London with Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, HMS Belfast, The Monument and St Paul's to your left all in spectacular vision. All that history in a sprawling metropolis!
Leigh Crane, UK

The entrance to Dartmouth harbour at 7:00am on a summer morning after a long night at sea in a very small boat.
David Olley, England

I concede that Scotland is full of stunning views but the view from Crickley Hill over the Severn Vale near Gloucester has got to be in there with a shout for shear pastoral beauty. Malverns to the right, May Hill and the Black Mountains to the left and the Cotswold edge in the foreground. My birthplace - framed.
Martin Jones, UK

The best view in Britain

Joanna Jay, UK

The sight of the Liver Building and other great Liverpool buildings dominating the downtown waterfront when seen from a "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" is the best view in Britain.
Joanna Jay, UK

Dorset has the best views - Durdle Door, Worbarrow Bay, Poole Harbour.....I'm very lucky to live here!
Keren, UK

I have two favourites. The view from the top of the London Eye; and sunset at Loch Ness. Both beautiful in their own ways.
Jo Perrett, London, UK

The best man-made view is looking up from the Cumberland Basin(Bristol) and seeing the sun set behind the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Georgian houses of Clifton, difficult to believe you are in England.
Paul, UK

The view across Chobham Common from Staple Hill is pretty beautiful - uncultivated, open and wild, but in the middle of Surrey.
Mike, England

Isle of Skye

Kyle Sterry, Scotland, UK

Isle of Skye gets my vote for one of the scenic places in Britain due to the sheer dramatic surrealistic landscape of the Black Cuillin, and the harsh lowlands with small traditional towns.
Kyle Sterry, Scotland, UK

The view from the top of York Minster is unforgettable, and so is the climb!
Gus, New Orleans, USA

The people of Britain are your best view. We remember fondly the silent crowds watching Princes Diana's coffin pass by. All landmarks will fade away over time, but the faces of a nation will endure forever.
Andrew Hoover, Walnut Creek, California, USA

The first view of Mount's Bay, Cornwall after slogging down the A30

Brian, UK

Hereford and Worcester set out like a carpet of fields, spires and woods from the hills above Llanthony Priory and the first view of Mount's Bay, Cornwall after slogging down the A30.
Brian, UK

The 'welcome to England' signs on the Scottish and Welsh borders get my vote.
Tom, England

Burbage Moor in winter. Five minutes from Sheffield and it feels like another world.
Liam, UK

Wembury in Devon on Christmas morning. I'd send in a picture for you all but that just wouldn't capture it, you'd have to be there.
Steve, USA

The view across Wastwater from the top of Great Gable must take some beating.
Tom, England

Waves breaking over Mortepoint

Chris, UK

The view along a deserted Woolacombe Beach towards the village on a hot summer's evening, with waves breaking over Mortepoint in the distance. Closely followed by the views in and around Manuden village in Essex, soon to be engulfed by Labour's plans for Stansted Airport.
Chris, UK

Looking south across Loch Lomond from the top of Ben Lomond on a clear summer's day.
Niall, Scotland

My four year old daughter whilst she sleeps.
Sean, London, UK

I'm not convinced that Durham is the most beautiful city, though it does have the best views of finest of all Norman cathedrals. Otherwise, the view from the cliffs of the north Antrim coast take some beating.
James Munro, Scotland

London borough of Richmond has some of the best sights in the country, Richmond Hill, Bushy Park, the riverside, it's a peaceful borough in busy London
Jon, England

The view from the top of Alfred's tower near Mere in Wiltshire has to top all others

Tom, UK living in USA

Salisbury cathedral is one of the places that comes to mind while I'm here in California thinking of home, but the view from the top of Alfreds tower near Mere in Wiltshire has to top all others it's astounding.
Tom, UK living in USA

The Thames at Marlow (particularly the watermeadows), the back of Easedale Tarn in the Lake District, where you can see five lakes and Morecombe Bay, the bluebells in the field down the road from my parents' place, and a decent pint of beer. I miss them all.
Ruth, USA (ex-UK)

Go to the Sussex Weald. One ridge of beauty meets another from the Kent border down to the coast. The best one is from Batts Wood, Wadhurst pointing down to the Heathfield-Burwash ridge. Great views, no people - absolute paradise!
Mike, Czech Rep

There are too many beautiful sites to name just one. Salisbury Cathedral is certainly one of the best. For a natural site, Giant's Causeway in Antrim. Edinburgh Castle and the city seen from the north.
Bill Carter, USA

The sight of Cardiff Bay from the Barrage during sunrise is a spectacular sight, one which everyone should get the chance to view.
Gareth, UK

Two choices in Dorset: The top of Ballard Down on Isle of Purbeck with Poole Harbour on one side and Swanage Bay on the other; and from the cliffs above Durdle Door beach looking across to Portland.
Phil Butcher, UK

As a Yorkshireman exiled in US - any British pub door at opening time looks good to me
Steve, USA

I am not surprised that Swansea's Gower Peninsular has been short-listed. There are many stunning seascapes and beautiful rural views, some of the best you can get anywhere in the world.
Julian Richards, Wales, UK

As a Yorkshire lass born and bred, you can't beat the view from the top of Sutton Bank any season of the year. However my personal favourite is the view of the cricket green and beautiful parish church of St.Patrick's in Patrington, East Yorks. Ultimate England!
Fiona, US

It always makes me feel proud

Ali Bowe, UK/ Frankfurt

A perfect autumn day in the Lake District would be my vote, with the rusty coloured beech trees and red squirrels, especially around Windermere. It always makes me feel proud and you can see why so many poets and writers were inspired by the stunning scenery.
Ali Bowe, UK citizen temporarily in Frankfurt

A cold pint on a warm day...
Dave Jones, UK

The view over Dorset from the top of Eggerton Hill (nr Powerstock) on a summer's evening - spectacular!
Richard, Philadelphia, USA

Hartland Point in Devon with the view of Lundy Island and the Devon coast on a lovely sunny spring day.
Jacqui, USA

Sitting by the river looking out across the reeds towards Arundel Castle

Duncan, GB

The view that makes me happiest is from the Black Rabbit pub, in the late afternoon, sitting by the river looking out across the reeds towards Arundel Castle. I've travelled to many places, but when I am there, I know I am home. Forever England.
Duncan, GB

The "Welcome to Scotland" sign when heading North on the A74.
Brett, UK

I feel I have to intervene on behalf of County Antrim here. May I suggest the view of Fair Head from Clare Park in Ballycastle?
Dave, UK

The view across the lake designed by Capability Brown as you enter Blenheim Park from the Town Gate in Woodstock. It is most stunning when the sun is setting behind the palace and the bridge on a warm summer's evening. Romantic, but nice nonetheless!
Dom, UK

Coming in by train to Newcastle

Steve Wilson, UK

Standing opposite Baltic Wharf in Newcastle, and looking up the Tyne at all the bridges. Or coming in by train to Newcastle at night and looking down the Tyne with all the new bridges illuminated, very pleasant
Steve Wilson, UK

Most of rural England is picturesque. It looks so postcard perfect and manicured, just beautiful. I also love the rugged natural beauty of mid Wales.
Lisa, Canada

I am torn between the view of Centre Point from the west side of Soho Square at dusk and the one from the middle of Waterloo Bridge where you can really feel that the earth is round.
Vasken Davidian, UK

Durham Cathedral and Castle seen from the railway line as you leave Durham station. Night or day, it's always breathtaking.
Greg F, UK

The Elland Road stadium from the train into Leeds.
John E Boy, UK

Rolling green hills

Lon, UK

Coming back from Amsterdam - the train trip from Harwich through to London. It was always like a promotional video for England, rolling green hills, Beatrix Potter rabbits, villages, churches and hundreds of cricket matches.
Lon, UK

The Warren Hills in Leicestershire. The land just drops away and you seem to be able to see forever.
Ian, UK

The most beautiful view in Britain is Bridlington on a summer's morning.
Andrea Smith, England

I have found some of the loveliest scenery to be in the Yorkshire Dales

Sonya, UK

Well, I have to say that as a Yorkshire lass, I have found some of the loveliest scenery to be in the Yorkshire Dales, where I often went camping as a child with my family. Whenever I go there, it makes me realise that there are actually some beautiful places near to where I live, and it makes me feel proud of my Yorkshire roots!
Sonya, UK

There are very few areas in the UK that I haven't visited. While there are too many beautiful views to count, my reminiscing invariably drifts to the view from the midst of the Lammermuir Hills in the Borders/East Lothian area of Scotland.
A. R. Grove, USA

Walk the stretching, mighty spine of the Malvern Hills up to its beacon. Look west and behold the sprawling meadows as they sink at the feet of the Brecon Beacons. With the warm welcome of Wales just yonder and a canopy of delicious blue and rose sky - can you ask for more?
Ryan Muliette, UK

London from a plane

Khaled, UK

The sight of London from a plane, coming in to land at Heathrow!
Khaled, UK

A sunny day, kids playing in complete safety without a worry in the world - thank God Britain can still give us this.
Nick S, UK

The best view is of Lands End from the air with all its rugged beauty.
Annie, UK

Any 60s style car park

Jake, UK

Any 60s style car park. They should put glass around them, then people could live there too. Practical and beautiful.
Jake, UK

Sitting outside the pub with a pint looking down Henley in Arden High Street, the prettiest High Street in England.
S, UK

The best view of England is from the back of the ferry to France.
Henry, France

You're all wrong! It's got to be the view from the Mourne Wall at the foot of Slieve Donard in County Down - looking out over a fantastic Tolkien-esque landscape in the summer!
Karl, UK

My rubbish being taken away

James Wright, UK

The best sight I've seen in a long time was my rubbish being taken away after the strike.
James Wright, UK

The Solway Firth, from the Scottish side, early on a winter morning.
Bozzy, England

Nowadays my favourite view is from the right hand window of a train travelling between Clapton and Tottenham Hale stations. There is an awesome moment there when London suddenly disappears and you are gazing over an ancient landscape with only the towers of St Ignatius' Church in the background. I love the marshes by the River Lea.
Alcuin, UK

Turn a corner and the Norman cathedral appears imposingly above you.

Richard, UK

I agree that the view of Durham Cathedral is pretty special. Viewed when rowing on the river, you start off in a wooded gorge with no sign of the town above you - turn a corner and the Norman cathedral appears imposingly above you. Very impressive.
Richard, UK

The best view in England? Well there are hundreds of them in hundreds of high streets throughout the British Isles. Just look in any butchers shop window and you will see them. Mounds of English pork sausages, plump and glistening, just crying out to sizzle in a frying pan. Then there are the sausage rolls, pork pies on offer, all displayed in those windows, and none of them available to me here in the land where people think that a tasty meal is a cheeseburger!
John from Kent, United States of George Bush

Edinburgh from Arthur's seat
Steve, Scotland

It's like going back in time.

Rich, Bristol

The view as you walk into Charmouth, Dorset from the top of the village just as you round the bend is a thatched roof hotel and beyond that the cliffs and the sea. Because of the ringroad Charmouth High Street is almost completely free of traffic, it's like going back in time. You can almost see Captain Mainwaring and his men guarding the cliff tops. There are even some small tea rooms but sadly none of them called the Marigold Tea Rooms.
Rich, Bristol, UK

The most beautiful view in Britain has to be Senate House in London where I work. When leaving this place on Friday evening I can't help getting a thrill at seeing it recede behind me.
P Law, England

I'd just like to say - as it hasnt been mentioned - that the view of the glens and valleys of NI from a plane on a rare sunny day is one of the most picturesque sights. The country's problems seem to fade into insignificance from such a great height - making one realise that there's more to life than disputes over 300 years of history
Chris, Northern Ireland

The backs behind the Cambridge colleges; particularly behind St. John's are gorgeous...either there or Whitsand Bay near Plymouth.
Mike, UK

Surely the best view in Britain can't be of a building

Tim Guymer, Southampton

Surely the best view in Britain can't be of a building can it? And there we all are wanting to protect our greenfield land for the views rather than concreting it over with all these ugly monstrosities such as Durham & Salisbury etc etc! What is the world coming to?!!
Tim Guymer, Southampton UK

The best view of the UK to me is from a plane flying into the UK and looking down and seeing that beautiful patchwork of green fields and knowing I am really coming home, to what is still the best country in the world.
Marilyn Brady, U.S.A.

Wherever you are in the UK, the best view must surely be found through a camcorder. Why else would so many tourists wander round with one clamped to their faces?
Peter, UK

On the climb up Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains (highest in N. Ireland) you walk into a spectacular corrie rising up to the summit ridge. Behind you is Newcastle, Co. Down and an endless sandy strand. Pity its a view that a lot of mainland UK people have not seen given recent history.
Paul Moore, USA

Ripon Cathedral as seen from the Studley Royal Estate (Fountains Abbey). When you are in the Deer Park on the way to St. Mary's Church and you turn around and look back towards Ripon you can see the Cathedral right through the entrance gates. Magnificent.
Yvonne, The Netherlands

No-one has mentioned the wilderness of Dartmoor

Helen, UK

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the wilderness of Dartmoor (or any of our other moors) - a raw beauty which is almost the antithesis of the cultivated chocolate box picture of Salisbury Cathedral. I know which I prefer.
Helen, UK

When I saw the caption on the homepage I decided to submit my suggestion that the view from the Town Path across the Watermeadows at Salisbury Cathedral only to find that this was the Country Life Magazine result! I will never forget the beautiful morning of the 28th December 2001, walking across the town path towards Salibury, with the watermeadows covered by a fresh blanket of snow and the cathedral gleaming in the distance. I was so distracted by the beauty of it all that I almost didn't hear my wife announcing her intention to leave me...
Stephen, Ireland

For me the best view is from the top of the Wallace Monument (246 stairs high)when you can see so much of Scotland
Grace Binsley, Canada

The best view in Britain is seeing my missus happy.
Neil Payne, UK

Snowdon on a crisp spring day

Ed Vista, UK

Standing on top of Snowdon on a crisp spring day with your girlfriend. Unforgettable.
Ed Vista, UK

What is Ed Vista doing on top of Snowdon with my girlfriend?
Malcolm Roxburgh, UK

The view across the Mersey from Birkenhead. Enjoy it now before it's destroyed by Everton's new stadium.
Matthew Griffiths, UK

Hard to believe Milton Keynes shopping centre didn't make the shortlist. Who comes up with these suggestions?
Andy Martin, UK

There is a wonderful view of Thaxted church in Essex, where Gustave Holst composed The Planets, across the fields of my cousins' farm. Soon to disappear under Prescott's lunatic 'fill the countryside with houses' scheme. If not, it will be swallowed by Stansted's second and third runways.
Robert Sunderland, England

Peterborough in my rear view mirror.
Don, UK

The cranes add to the view

Caroline, UK

London, as seen from the Millennium Bridge. It's the best city on the planet! I love the clutter of old and new buildings, even those quite hideous when isolated. And the cranes add to the view - they make you realise how dynamic the city is.
Caroline, UK

Typical southern-biased, elitist, Country Life with comments from rich middle Englanders who do not realise there is more to the UK north of Stratford. I would certainly not choose the heavily restored, tourist ghetto at Salisbury.
Hans, England

Apparently to many, the best view of Britain is the view from a distance. A great distance. From America. That's why so many Brits come over here.
Mark, USA

The best view in Britain is watching a rugby game at Bath's recreation ground with the abbey and the Georgian buildings in the background.
Ben, UK

The window display at any LK Bennett store.
AC, UK

You can't choose just one. Britain is huge and there so many beautiful sights as proven here. Just accept it... Britain is gorgeous.
Momin Soliman, UK

The top of the London Eye

Sally, UK

The view from the top of the London Eye. Nowhere in the world do you get a glimpse of such fantastic architecture.
Sally, UK

The first time I saw Ely cathedral from the Great Ouse I was pretty impressed, I almost forgot to steer the boat!
Anne, UK

The view of Parliament and the Thames that you used to get from an airplane coming in from the continent to Heathrow on a sunny day.
S, UK

The Admiral Codrington pub any Friday evening in summer.
Arthur, UK

I'm not saying where this mountain is

Chris Boughay, UK

There's a mountain in mid-Wales from which the whole of Wales can be seen, from the tip of Anglesey across to the mountains of Snowdonia. I'm not saying where this mountain is though otherwise you'll all be up there too.
Chris Boughay, UK

Have I read somewhere that they are going to build a motorway through the watermeadows?
Mike, UK

The white cliffs of Dover as they recede into the distance when one leaves the country, and as they swim back into sight when one returns.
Stephen, UK

My favourite view at the minute is from the kitchen door looking out into the wilderness that is the back garden watching our puppy jumping in and out of the paddling pool and racing round and round the garden in sheer bliss.
Hannah, UK

...as seen from a capsized sailing boat

Charlie, UK

Dinas Head, Pembrokeshire as seen from a capsized sailing boat in the middle of Newport Bay - awesome.
Charlie, UK

Without question, the best view in the UK is looking at the Clifton suspension bridge from the Avon Gorge Hotel. With a beer.
Tom, UK

While they might not be the 'loveliest', for me the peaks surrounding Langdale Valley in the Lake District are special. Their scale and ruggedness make you feel very small and humble indeed.
Peter, UK

Watching my girlfriend doing yoga stretches in the front room is quite a view...
Gordon, UK

A red sunset, late on a winter afternoon

Sarah Francis, UK

A red sunset over the sea, late on a winter afternoon from the cliff tops at Charmouth, Dorset.
Sarah Francis, UK

The most awe-inspiring view in the UK is Glencoe; it lets you know how important you are in the overall picture of things.
Martin Collingwood, UK

I agree with Salisbury Cathedral but that's probably because I live in Salisbury!
Jake, Salisbury, UK

The watermeadow view is serene, but I think the walk from Harnham, (south of the city) into Cathedral Close is by far more picturesque and interesting. Anyone visiting Salisbury should do this walk to get the flavour of the city.
Nigel Smith, , Carshalton, England

Don't the readers of Country Life ever visit Scotland?

Jonathan Kelk, UK

Don't the readers of Country Life ever visit Scotland? Just about any view in the Highlands/Islands puts the chosen view to shame. To see forest-clad hills rising from the calm lochs is much more to my taste.
Jonathan Kelk, UK

Bracknell town centre on a rainy Sunday - bliss....
Craig, England

One of the nicest views would have to be Largo Bay, as seen from the St Andrews road. On clear days it is possible to see right across to Edinburgh and round the coast line from Elie to Lundin Links.
CKC, France

My nomination goes for the view from the top of Sgurr nan Gillean on the Isle of Skye. The Scottish Mountaineering Club guide suggests this is one of the finest views in the world.
Paul Webster, UK

The sunset at Lands End, Cornwall.
G, UK

The best view in the world is the view of the Cairngorms from the 13th tee at Brechin golf course.
Neil Brown, Scotland

The holiday and calm sea stretched out before us

Andy Larkin, Oxon

Warbarrow Bay, Dorset is the finest beach in the world. Each August bank holiday my family and friends descend onto this spot, with the holiday and calm sea stretched out before us. This is the only time I visit so it attains a mythical quality during those long winter months.
Andy Larkin, Oxon

The loveliest view in Britain is watching the Labour government squirm under the press scrutiny of their lacklustre leaderless government.

Or Dedham watermill as painted by Constable.
Lance, England

The 360 degree panorama of mountains, islands and sea from the road above Elgol on the Isle of Skye.
Annie, UK

Somewhere near the ring of Kerry in Ireland is a view from a mountain road down onto a lake with a mountain behind. Went there as a child and it is still the most beautiful view I have ever seen.
Tim, UK

Dartmouth Harbour with the ferryboat crossing and the steam train in the background.
John, UK

Any view which didn't have a man-made structure in sight

Neil, UK

I would vote for any view which didn't have a man-made structure in sight. No matter how wonderful architecture can be, it's nothing compared to the natural beauty of the land.
Neil, UK

Neil will have to look hard for a view that has nothing man-made in it. All our landscape, no matter how natural it looks, has been shaped by millennia of human occupation. Forests have been removed or planted, plants and animals that aren't native have been introduced, and not to mention the hedgerows that have been planted by people.
Roy, UK

I don't agree with Neil at all - I think some man-made structures can be very attractive to the eye. The view from Waterloo bridge on a summer's evening, for instance, always impresses me and makes me realise how lucky I am to live in London. The Houses of Parliament and St Paul's Cathedral are both wonderful buildings to look at.
Richard, London, UK

My favourite view in Britain is what you see from the train as you pull into Durham station across the viaduct - the cathedral, castle and ancient streets, the river and the fields beyond. The structures may be man-made but the view is beautiful.
Katy, UK

Agreeing with Katy, UK, I have never found a more beautiful city in the UK than Durham, especially the cathedral imposing on the wooden riverbanks and surrounding countryside. And to think, as a child, I had a full panoramic view of Durham city from my bedroom window and never appreciated it.
PG, UK

Horse Cove, between Dawlish and Teignmouth in Devon, especially if you're a railway enthusiast. It's no surprise the Great Western Railway used this view in travel posters, as do some present-day rail operators on that route.
Tim Hall, UK

Click here to see pictures sent in and nominated by readers of BBC News Online as the best view in Britain.