Bedfordshire

It's known as more of a place to pass through than stay, which is unfair, because although it has more through-traffic than just about any other county (most of the north-south rail lines and a lot of arterial roads cross its borders at some point), it actually has more to offer than you might think. Its county town – Bedford – is a surprisingly pretty place that makes for an easy break-out destination from London, and the southern fringes of the county merge seamlessly into the Chiltern Hills around and about Dunstable Downs. The county is certainly a good place to spot exotic animals. The unofficial outpost of London Zoo, Whipsnade is the largest zoo in the country, while further north Woburn is home to a famous safari park as well as the palatial stately home of Woburn Abbey, with its sumptuous grounds and deer park. It's still home to the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, and boasts a set of 18th century gardens famously crafted by Humphrey Repton and a superb art collection featuring works by Canaletto, Holbein and Rembrandt. To see all this, base yourself at one of a number of country house hotels, B&Bs, pubs or self-catering cottages, some of which make good weekend escape destinations from London.