Picturesque Britain

So I was having a conversation today about places I'd choose to live within the UK, and realised it'd be the perfect subject for a quick blog post, complete with pictures.

Having grown up in the West Midlands I've pretty much been surrounded by suburbia since birth. This is not something I wish to continue into later life. I've always felt that I was born to be a country dweller. Trips out into rural Britain always help the little green monster surface as I become envious of those that live in the surrounding areas. When doing so straddling a motorbike, the feeling is multiplied tenfold. There's no feeling in the world akin to blasting your way along country roads, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Complete and utter freedom.

I'm only going to include a few places I've ventured to, since I have no basis for comparison if I've never actually been there.

Clovelly - North Devon

Clovelly is undoubtedly one of the most unique places I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. Well off the beaten track, the village itself is set among steep cobbled streets, running down a winding slope to the bay at the bottom where small fishing boats bob serenely at their moorings. The pace of life just seems to have slowed right down here, everyone is so laid back and relaxed it's as if the ethos is 'why do it today when you can do it tomorrow?'. It really is a marvellous part of the country, a hidden gem and a truly awe inspiring place to visit.

The Lake District - Cumbria

A place I visited regularly on family holidays as a child, the Lake District will always hold a dear place in my heart. It wasn't often my family could afford to go abroad when I was younger, but who cares when you have scenery as stunning as this just a couple of hours from home? Some of the most spectacular sights to be seen anywhere in the world are found in the Lake District. Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston, and a plethora of other smaller (but no less picturesque) bodies of water call Cumbria their home. Whether it be slow walks around the shores of the lapping lakes, hilltop hikes, or treks through steep valleys, this place has everything that a lover of scenery could ever want and more. I could most certainly see myself living out my days here.

Padstow - Cornwall

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Cornwall, Padstow genuinely seems to be out of place, a fact you'll realise as soon as you arrive there. On a sunny day, standing atop a vantage point looking out over the bay, you could easily mistake your surroundings for the Mediterranean. Crystal clear waters give way to green beds of coral. Golden sandy beaches are met by rolling green hills. And the town itself is medieval fishing port. Everything about this place leads you to believe you're no longer on UK shores, and is the closest thing to a beach side paradise that Britain has to offer. On a warm, sunny day, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Add to this the fact that famous chef Rick Stein owns and operates a seafood restaurant on the beach front, serving up some of the most delicious dishes you'll ever have the pleasure of tasting, and Padstow really becomes a place with a special appeal.

One day I hope to up and move my life to a rural setting. I don't wish to spend my life restrained by the shackles of an urban lifestyle. Hopefully I can one day find a like-minded person to settle down and share it with. Until then, I'll have to settle for the monotonous regime that is the rat race.