F

rom golden stretches of sand to wild, unkempt heath, the English countryside is awash with beautiful landscapes – but only 35 have earned that special status that preserves them for future generations.

Dotted around all four corners of England’s green and oh-so-pleasant land, each Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty has its own character, scenery and outdoor attractions.

A classic example are the Malvern Hills where, at the summit of Worcestershire Beacon, you can look out over 13 counties (try counting them), from 425m up.

This 13 km ridge is a mountain range in miniature, made for quiet rambles and leisurely strolls. There’s even a walk called “Miles Without Stiles” for those of us who prefer our ‘constitutionals’ not to involve clambering over muddy field entrances every five minutes.

Surprisingly, human influence on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Head to Chichester Harbour , a stretch of tidal flats and saltings on the south coast, and part of its appeal is the church spires, red-roofed villages and old mills surrounding it.

This is also one of the busiest waterways in Britain, with 12,500 boats of all shapes and sizes coming here to dock. So why not make the most of it and hop on board one of them, to spot the Brent geese and 50,000 other birds that live in the nearby coastal mudflats throughout the year.

Or, if you’re looking to experience rural England with a dose of adrenaline, how about heading to North Devon ? Try some surfing at Westward Ho! or rock-climb the steep cliff-face at Hartland Point .

These beautiful landscapes may be protected but they’re also there to be enjoyed…