Country cottage breaks

The summer is a delightful time in England because the weather is at its best, the countryside is dressed in its most beautiful colours and hopefully the skies are blue.

People like to be out and about in the countryside when the sun is shining. And it's not just walkers who head for British hills on nice days, a whole army of people with differing plans follow them; there are the artists and photographers in search of perfect scenery, the birdwatchers armed with binoculars, families out for picnics, sporting enthusiasts indulging in their favourite pasttimes, be it canoeing or jumping off of an escarpment in the Peak District or South Downs to hang glide. There is a lot of activity in the British countryside.

As a rule, the further south in the British Isles, the more densely populated and the more tourists in the countryside. Going further north, past the big cities and the number of people per acre begins to fall. Try the Northumberland National Park or head northwards for Scotland for true tranquillity. The density of wildlife is inversely proportional to human population so the further north you venture, the more animals and birds you'll be able to spot.

The coastline of northern Scotland and the Western Isles absolutely teem with sea birds. Lazy seals sunbathe on beaches. Puffins pop out of their burrows along the cliffs. Coastal images are just as appealing to photographers and artists as mountain scenery. Take that country break and enjoy participating with the countryside.