tudorprincess

flanneruk- Thank you for putting into words how I feel about Warwick Castle. I couldn't quite articulate my feelings about this castle. I've always said it felt "fake" but knowing this wasn't the right word. You've perfectly described it for me. I hope you don't mind my stealing your quote from now on.

flanneruk

TP:

You can steal my quotes whenever you want. Just promise me you'll visit the amazing Beauchamp Chantry in Warwick parish church next time you're in the Midlands.

Almost compensates for the stuff up the road.

flygirl

this is VERY touristy, but, I saw some beautifully stunning (or stunningly beautiful, take your pick) countryside this way: get yourself a self guided tour map of "James Herriott's Yorkshire" and drive it. you will not be let down.

jsmith

I remember a very nice visit to the town of Wimborne Minster. The website is:

http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/WimborneMinster.asp

The chained library was particularly interesting and the parishioners, I think, who acted as guides were delightfully proud of their church.

BTW, it is in Devon, directly north of Poole and NW of Bournemouth.

I can't believe the advice given by alice13 to "never, ever, venture on a B road". Some of the best places to visit are on the B roads as are some of the more interesting drives. Try the B3081 from Shaftesbury to the A354: twisty roads, deep valleys, farmland, golf course. Slow driving but so what.

stevelyon

In my opinion, some of the prettiest villages can be found in Yorkshire. There are some fairly obscure (not to people up North) villages that are really delightful and a stone throw away from the Lake District. Just a few that have 'oldy worldy' B&B pubs attached are Burnsall (try the Red Lion), Grassington, Whitewell (the Inn at Whitewell is a very well known Pub B&B), Kirkby Lonsdale,and Malham.
If you want real obscure then try Luddendenfoot, in Yorkshire, not far from the pretty town of Hebden Bridge. I fell in love with the place when I first saw it. Robin Hoods Bay (not far from Whitby) is another gem; it is a village of narrow alleys and fishermen's cottages. Great Budsworth in Cheshire has already been mentioned.
Northamptonshire has numerous villages with the black and white gabling, fairly common to the area.

cd

The medieval town of Lavenham. And the historical link between the Magna Carta and Bury St Edmonds.

Eloise

Bowen: I think Alice13 was being sarcastic when she said "never, ever take B roads." Someone else mentioned an interesting itinerary that involved a B road.

So, in your quest for interesting villages, DON'T stay away from B roads!

Underhill

Try Malvern Wells.