I love the UK.

I have been to Scotland a couple of times but not to the Highlands. I have been reading a series of books set all over the Highlands , from Fort William to Isle of Skye to Inverness and everywhere in between . I don’t want to do such a long drive on my own and I told my family that I’d love to go .
As a surprise for my birthday in May , my DD and SIL have booked a cottage near Fort William for a week . The holiday is for a week at the beginning of October and is for the four of us ( including DGD 19) plus the 2 dogs . I don’t have to do any driving and they want us to go on trips every day . I am really spoilt .

Totally agree, I live in Northumberland and really appreciate living here as there is everything from rolling countryside to gorgeous quiet beaches. Its often colder than other parts of the UK but born and bred here we're used to it ! I worked in travel for over 30 years and was lucky enough to travel lots overseas - happy now to enjoy my county and other parts of the UK.

an official guide said that even in the centre of London, you are never more than 10 minutes walk away from green space, and that is rare among big cities.

Such a lovely thread Ann, thank you.
I’ve moved around the UK latterly in my life and have finally put down roots in beautiful Cumbria. There’s some breathtaking scenery where I live, with the Lakes only a short drive away, plus I’m looking forward to visiting Scotland this autumn.
I’ve done my share of flying off to sunny resorts, but this is where my heart is.

I’ll never see the UK again now but this thread brings back lovely memories. How green it all is, that is what hits you most when you visit from a dry country like Australia. I love Australia,too but it is very different and every state is a long way apart!

The UK truly offers breathtaking landscapes, from the serene Lake District to the rugged beauty of Wales, the charming Cotswolds and the scenic Yorkshire Dales.
Your touring caravan adventures sound idyllic, filled with memorable walks and cherished moments. Even after transitioning to a static caravan in North Wales, your appreciation for nature and travel remained strong.
Your brief visits to Scotland and Ireland further highlight the stunning beauty our islands offer.
Indeed, we're fortunate to live in such a beautiful country, and it's heartwarming to hear how much you appreciate it.

One of the reasons I enjoy volunteering at our local museum, is the chance to meet people visiting from abroad.
I recently met a woman from Mongolia who was stunned by the beauty of the countryside around us and just how green it was.
It made me appreciate my home turf a bit more, seeing it through the eyes of someone looking at it for the first time.

I met a girl from Canada who said she loved our beautiful country and was surprised as, she said, “the trees are in the road”. She also loved the houses with “hay” on the roofs (thatch).

We have everything in the UK, lots of beautiful areas. Would hate to live in America with all the citizens carrying guns and their huge number of killings. People go abroad for cheap booze and virtually guaranteed sunshine

nanna8

I’ll never see the UK again now but this thread brings back lovely memories. How green it all is, that is what hits you most when you visit from a dry country like Australia. I love Australia,too but it is very different and every state is a long way apart!

nanna8 Have you thought of joining a couple of online FB groups such as Cornwall on Camera or The Great British Countryside?

Even though I live in the UK, I belong to both of these groups and love to see the stunning photos posted up.

Good idea Sparklefizz I sometimes watch YouTube tours but mostly they are towns and villages more than the countryside.

I’ve visited most parts of the UK from Shetland to Cornwall, and what people say is true, but is it a case as we all love the familiar - we like what we know. East, West , homes best and all that. I’ve lived briefly in Ireland, France and Italy and the same could be said about those countries- lovely scenery, beaches, ancient towns etc maybe France wins on better roads, Italy has more historic buildings than anywhere in the world and the west coast of Ireland is fantastic . Lovely to experience so much - now if our rivers and seashores could be cleaned up….

I’ve always maintained our county and countryside is beautiful, it’s just the weather that lets it down.

I volunteer at our local NT estate and so many visitors comment on my Canadian accent and want to know ‘why on earth do you want to live here?’ This makes me very sad and I always respond ‘ why wouldn’t I want to live in this beautiful and safe country?’. I also then ask why the majority of the UK visitors are so unpatriotic and down on their own country. Most respond that actually they do love their country.
I’ve lived in the UK for many years and love the diversity of its cities and the wonderful range of landscapes we can enjoy. It’s been lovely to read all the comments about favourite places.