In reply to Tim Chappell:
> (In reply to BigHairyIan)
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Or along a canal, such as the Grand Union in Leicestershire, which outside the towns is very pretty and very peaceful.
It's really interesting round Foxton Locks and there are a couple of nice round walks (& pubs!) the GU canal through Leicester is considered "Bandit Country" by a lot of boaters - don't stop, don't stay overnight, keep a mooring pin to hand to repel boarders... Not something I recognise and I lived there!
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> The Chilterns and the Cotswolds are good too, in a very gentle way. Above Marlow is good in the Chilterns.
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I like the Wiltshire downs - there's something about the big skies you see from the top of the ridges, and in the right season the wheat and barley blowing in the wind - and then there are the crop circles....