A COLLECTION of "secret places" in England has been revealed in a new book, which you can now visit since the lowering of blocking restrictions.
After almost two months of strict confinement, people are allowed to go to places of beauty, as long as they keep a social distance.
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
They married professors Nikki Squires and Richard Clifford, and their friend John Webster spent almost every weekend for two years before the coronavirus pandemic in 1600 little-known locations in central England and the Midlands. .
Its final list, which includes idyllic swimming, ancient forests, lush valleys and sacred ruins, is published in Wild Guide Central England, which promotes tourism in an unknown region of the country.
Highlights include the Greenfield Waterfall in the North Peak district, which has an infinity pool with views of the valley.
They also document the secluded beauty of Badger Dingle in South Staffordshire and the flower meadows of South Warwickshire.
One of the most remarkable places in the book is the Tufa waterfall in Chedworth, in the Cotswolds, as Richard, 44, assistant director, proposed to English teacher Nikki, 44, at the Bank May in 2019.
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
It is so distant that the people who work in a cafe a mile from the place of beauty did not know it existed.
Some of the lesser-known scenic spots for swimming include Wessenden Falls on High Peak and the Severn / Vyrnwy confluence in north Shropshire.
The enchanting lost ruins include Trinity Church in Brackenfield and the forgotten Roman villa of Spoonley Wood in the Northern Cotswolds.
The secret valleys of Downton Gorge in North Herefordshire and the Wyming Brook Nature Reserve in Dark Peak are also highlighted, as are the ancient Siccaridge Woods and Wortley Hill Ancient Holloway in the south west of the Cotswolds.
The trio, which lives in and around Leicester, have also listed many craft hotels, pubs and restaurants where they stopped on their travels, as well as farm shops selling local produce.
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
The book is dedicated to his friend Lee Fairclough, another camp fanatic, who died suddenly about 15 years ago.
John, 45, an IT entrepreneur, said: "We had the idea to make a book in 2017 because we saw that nobody had written one on the Midlands."
"For some reason, it had been overlooked, so we wanted it to change."
"Sure, people know the Cotswolds and the Peak District, but when they think of the Midlands, they think of the industry."
"In fact, there are wonderful places to explore."
"For example, the Tufa waterfall is beautiful, but city dwellers didn't even know it existed.
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
"For two years, we explored the area almost every weekend, which was wonderful.
"We actually visited 1,600 places, but we reduced them to 1,050 for the book.
"With what is happening in the country, these places are so far apart that they are ideal for self-isolation!"
Richard and Nikki added: "While we were both working at a Leicester high school, we discovered a shared love for camping and adventure.
"In the early days of our court, we fled the weekend in search of lost ruins, Iron Age fortresses, and great pubs.
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
twenty one
"The only downside to our continued adventures was the lack of a wild guide to the local Midlands region where we lived, so we thought" why don't we do it? "
"We feel very fortunate to have been in incredibly beautiful places. Standing at the top of Greenfield Waterfall in the North Peak District and looking out over the infinity pool in the valley beyond was a fantastic thrill for we."
"Discovering the isolated beauty of Badger Dingle in southern Staffordshire was another highlight.
"The other great advantage for us was meeting incredible people along the way: real smallholders, hardworking and passionate, local producers and bar owners who work very hard and tirelessly to keep their businesses. "
Dine and fly
TUI to reduce hotel buffets, limit restaurant capacity and cancel events
GO EAST
Pub gardens could open next month, followed by camps, says tourism chief
TUIT-WOO!
TUI says you can start your vacation in Mallorca right away, with Greece and Cyprus below.
PARKING
The UK's most beautiful caravan spots for post-closing vacations
"The communities they serve greeted us with pride when they told us about their special places."
Wild Guide, Central England, by Nikki Squires, Richard Clifford and John Webster, costs £ 16.99 and is published by Wild Things Publishing.
We have also put together the best UK caravan sites to stay when the blockade is lifted.
Nidd Hall Hotel: Grade II listed mansion in beautiful Yorkshire countryside
twenty one
Table of Contents Download