Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire's market towns and grand sweeping countryside feel a world away from the Big Smoke (although the commuting times and house prices are both shockingly reasonable). From lively Bedford and independent obsessed Ampthill, to insanely pretty villages and just miles and miles of beautiful countryside to get lost in (and plenty of pubs to stop off at on the way), this county is well worth checking out. Part of our Top 260 Best Places to Live series.