London is a pretty hectic town like so many in the developed world. But there are quaint spots where the rush and pace of modern living seem to pass by unnoticed. One such spot is Little Venice, a romantic name coined by Robert Browning.

It is situated a busy area of west London, very near Paddingon. Overhead and nearby there are the busy noises of motorways, but this spot is a quiet oasis by the side of the Grand Union Canal, a waterway that runs from Birmingham to the Thames in London. Before the age of the train most heavy goods were transported throughout Britain by horse-drawn barges. All that traffic has long gone and today the many craft that quietly cruise these canals are for recreation only.

Last year I went with a few friends to spend a week in the tiny sea-side village of Craster in Northumberland. It is a beautiful part of England just south of the Scottish border. The town is famous for two things; the picturesque harbour, constructed by the Craster family after the death of a young soldier, John Craster, and the celebrated kippers that are smoked in the village. Kippers are smoked herrings that are popular with certain people, including the late Princess Margaret and the evangelist Billy Graham. Near by is the ancient ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle, a ruin that can be dated back to 1313.

Near the town is the important town of Alnwick, which has an extensive estate open to the public. It is famous for its hornbeam hedges and its water cascade.

Romford is famous for its open-air market that takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The market is a well-known and popular feature of the town and it attracts visitors from east London and from the more rural towns in Essex. It has a history that goes back over 700 years. I include a few photos of the stalls, some taken just as the light was fading.

Although Britain is a pretty overcrowded country there are still a lot of areas where you are surrounded by the greenery of nature and the open spaces of moor, mountain and upland. If you join the National Trust you can visit free of charge a multitude of fine gardens and stately homes, of ten set in the most picturesque areas. Most cities, even the most industrialised, have public gardens which are carefully tended and planted with colourful blooms when the season is right.

I live in the town of Romford, which is about 15 miles due east of London. It is right on the edge of the London conurbation, and to the east there are miles of gently rolling countryside containing attractive villages that can be accessed by winding lanes. During the Middle Ages many kings and other royal figures lived in the area.

The main park in town is called Raphael's. It has a large lake where anglers can be seen throughout the year.