WINDERMERE & BOWNESS-ON-WINDERMERE IN SOUTH LAKELAND...

We are so lucky in the UK to have so many beautiful towns and cities which many have stunning scenery but my favourite of all time is Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere in the breathtaking South Lakeland.

Some fascinating facts about Bowness and Windermere - did you know that Charles Dickens is said to have frequented the New Hall Inn in Bowness.

In 1895, Windermere became ice bound for six weeks, making it possible to walk across from one side to the other.

The two towns of Windermere and Bowness were the second area in England to have electric street lighting.

Apart from the obvious scenery and rides on the lake there is still plenty to do in Bowness and Windermere with the famous World of Beatrix Potter and Blakewell overlooking the lake, one of the finest arts and crafts houses in the country.

With immediate access to the waters Windermere and Bowness attract many holiday makers but for me personally it's the views along the lake where you can stop and picnic or walk along the pathways which excite me most.

Year after year in all weathers from snow, rain, fog and deep sunshine it never fails to impress me and I have always said that if I ever won the pools I would immediately try and buy a holiday home in the Lake District.

ANOTHER 10 OF #BRITAIN'S CLASSIEST COUNTIES...

According to the very British paper 'The Telegraph' Britain has 20 classiest Counties, and the second ten are-

11. County Down which starts at East Belfast and meanders south to the point where " the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea".The Royal County Down Golf Club, founded in 1889, is described by Golf Digest as the best anywhere outside the US. It is also one of the most sought after towns, glamorous-sounding Holywood, is proud to have spawned golfing superstar Roy Mcilroy.

12. East Sussex ( love it) They say there is no cooler place outside London than Brighton ( couldn't agree more on that one). The white stucco properties in Sussex Square must be some of the most attractive properties in the county. They also come with access to an enormous communual garden. Glyndebourne (pictures) is a place of pilgrimage for well-dressed opera-lovers and the market for houses in growing daily.

13. Cornwall ( thought this would have been higher up the list). This is Britain's southernmost county and is a place of timeless enchantment. It is beloved of artists and holidaymakers alike. Always a popular spot for holiday makers.

14. Oxfordshire which attracts more than its fair share of movers and shakers, many living in David Cameron's Witney constituency. The county is hardly unspoilt and has pockets of real beauty and tranquility. Some may say Bicester Village lowers the tone ( no idea why) but Blenheim Palace is one of the grandest stately homes in the country. 

15. Ross-shire, which is a tiny county that for years it was subsumed into Ross and Cromarty for admin purposes. The biggest town, Dingwall, barely has 5,000 inhabitants. Tain, Scotland's oldest Royal Burgh, is even smaller. But you only have to visit the remote villages of Wester Ross, or play golf at Royal Dornock to fall under the spell of this delightful corner of Scotland. 

16. Cumbria ( my favourite place in the whole world) feels like a breath of fresh air after the cities of the south. The scenery has a class of it's own. Wordsworth's Lake District is as glorious now as 200 years ago, and if you are looking for a classy property (that's if you can find one for sale), the landscape of timeless beauty is in abundance. 

17. Pembrokeshire which is the county well known as Little England Beyond Wales. It has some of the best beaches in Britain, as well as its smallest city, St. David's.

18. Cheshire ( my home town) which has plenty of Premier League footballer's in situ. It is said to have the most outstanding schools and amenities as well as the very popular villages of Hale, Alderley Edge and Prestbury.

19. Gwynedd which has the natural splendour of Snowdonia National Park which is a beautiful as Conwy, Caenarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris castles. Abersoch used to be a small fishing village but now attracts the yacht set. Further down the coast is one of the hot spots called Aberdovey, which attracts more out-of-county house buyers than ever before. 

20. Last but not least is Leicestershire, which is situated right in the centre of England. This classy county is the seat of the Dukes of Rutland in Belvoir Castle. It's world-class riding country is a lure to sportsmen everywhere.