Vizzavona - I have heard wonderful things about the Cairngorms, but haven't had a chance to visit. In fact I don't feel I have really explored Scotland yet, I have been to Edinburgh and a little of the surrounding countryside, Drumnadrochit twice (a friend had a holiday house there) and had a fantastic holiday on Mull as a child. Definitely would like to see more of it, and the slightly lower house prices are definitely very tempting...
Ridge - Well this is an ongoing debate between me and my other half. He is very sociable, so I think we'd want to be no more than around 20-30 minutes from a decent size town, Keswick size would be absolutely. I on the other hand can loose myself in my work for a couple of weeks at a time when I have something on and not notice I haven't seen anoyone expect husband for days on end, so would be very happy with my own company somewhere remote. I did suggest a house in the highlands a while back and got a raised eyebrow in reply, so I think it's something I will have to compromise on
harland - Darn walkers...
phil1960 - I absolutely love the Brecon Beacons. Along with Snowdonia its definitely the place I have visited most. My grandfathers family hail from wales and shropshire (have no idea how they ended up in the fen
) so we have been going there since I was really small. It's definitely very high on my list, how lovely to have lived there all your life. I often wondered if there is some kind of ancestral memory with landscape, because honestly I feel so elated when I see hills and mountains, that I can't believe I was born and bred in the fens!
Dovegirl/Ratherbewalking - Thank you, the South Downs is one of the places I don't know at all. I spent some time in Brighton during my uni years, but never had time to explore the countryside. I don't necessarily need wild, although I do love a dose of it now and again, but one of the places I love and keep returning to is Wiltshire and the North Wessex Downs. I think they are somewhat similar countryside?