The South Dorset Ridgeway, 27km/17 miles long, is the new name for what used to be known as the Inland Coast Path. It’s an alternative to a stretch of the South West Coast Path between West Bexington and Osmington Mills, taking an inland route and avoiding the built-up area around Wey- mouth.

The New Forest is one of the largest-surviving swathes of ancient forest in South East England. For centuries it was a royal hunting ground, and then a major source of ship-building timber for the Royal Navy.

Perhaps it is precisely because the Chilterns are close to London and surrounded by dormitory towns that they are cherished by so many people.

Lewes is situated in a gap in the South Downs by the River Ouse.

Taking in the first section of the Great Stones Way, this ‘taster’ route starts and ends inside the prehistoric stone circle at Avebury and follows the proposed trail as far south as the Neolithic long barrow known as Adam’s Grave.

Of all Cornwall’s wonderful coastline, stretches of the north coast and the Land’s End Peninsula must share first prize for the most dramatic cliff scenery on the South West Coast Path

he village of Parracombe lies tucked away in the Heddon valley in the north-west corner of the Exmoor National Park, a few miles inland from the coast.

As the new Olympic stadium and park rise dramatically from largely derelict land in Stratford, east London, the old stadium in the west of the city – used for the 1908 Games – has long been replaced by the BBC’s White City building.

The finest coastline of south Devon is to be found in the South Hams, an area of land that extends southwards from Dartmoor, stretching from the Tamar in the west to the Dart in the east.

Situated in the Cuckmere Valley at the eastern end of the South Downs is the picturesque old village of Alfriston. Despite its popularity, the village has lost none of its charm, and remains thankfully unspoilt.