Cumbria, England
Almost exactly one third of Cumbria’s 2636 square miles lies within the boundaries of the Lake District National Park, England’s largest National Park. It was created in 1951 to protect the area from “inappropriate development and to provide access to the land for public enjoyment”. Within its boundaries can be found some of the most dramatic scenery in England.
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Cornwall, England
One simple fact about the county helps to explain its distinct character. Wherever you are in Cornwall, you are never more than 20 miles from the sea. Maritime trade started early here– in the days of King Solomon, the Cornish people were already trading tin with the Phoenicians. Cornish eyes, it seems, were always turned seawards.
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Cheshire, England
Cheshire has received a bad press from writers such as Jeremy Clarkson and AA Gill who have portrayed the county as a kind of Footballer’s Wives territory, packed with Porsches, bloated with bling and mindlessly devoted to conspicuous consumption. It’s certainly true that more millionaires live in this captivating corner of the country than anywhere else in England.
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Cambridgeshire, England
Extending over much of the county from the Wash, the flat fields of the Fens are like a breath of fresh air, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life. These fields contain some of the richest soil in England, and villages such as Fordham and small towns like Ely rise out of the landscape on low hills.
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Buckinghamshire, England
Devotees of the ITV drama series Midsomer Murders will already have a good idea of what Buckinghamshire looks like – all the major outdoor locations lie within the county with the impossibly picturesque villages of Quainton, Waddesdon and Long Crendon featuring frequently.
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Berkshire, England
Berkshire extends over some485 square miles in the valley of the middle Thames and is divided into six main districts.The western area of the county is important for racing and the training of racehorses, with a top-class course at Newbury, and the training centres of Lambourn and East Ilsley.
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Bedfordshire, England
It may be the third smallest county in England, after Rutland and the Isle of Wight, but Bedfordshire offers multifarious delights. It’s a county of picturesque villages and historic houses, mills and farms, woodland and nature reserves, great views from the Chilterns escarpment and with well-established walking and cycle routes.
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South Powys, Wales
At one time the southern part of the county of Powys was best known for its four spa towns, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells, Llangammarch Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells. Today, the lure of sulphurous waters has lost much of its appeal but all four of them retain a charm and elegance that seems to bean intrinsic characteristic of spa towns everywhere. Surrounding these elegant towns is a varied countryside ranging from the bulky Cambrian Mountains.
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