The Quantocks, which run from Taunton in the south to the Bristol Channel in the north, were the first part of the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The countryside here is peaceful and unspoilt, with an extensive network of footpaths crossing heathland, forest and picturesque valleys. It is said that on a clear day the view from the top of the hills takes in nine counties, including nearby Exmoor, Wales and the Gower Peninsula. Like Exmoor, the Quantocks are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including a large number of red deer. The Quantocks also boast Britain’s longest working steam railway, running from Bishop’s Lydeard to Minehead – a great way to relive the golden age of steam in beautiful surroundings.