Most of the British live in towns and cities. But they have an idealized vision of the countryside. To the British, the countryside has almost none of the negative associations, which it has in some countries, such as poor facilities, lack of educational opportunities, unemployment and poverty. To them, the countryside means peace and quiet, beauty, good health and no crime. Most of them would live in a country village if they thought that they could find a way of earning a living there.
Perhaps this love of the countryside is another aspect of British conservatism. The countryside represents stability. There is an organization to which thousands of enthusiastic country walkers belong, the Rambler’s Association. It is in constant battle with landowners to keep open the public ‘the right of way’ across their lands.
Even if they cannot get into the countryside, many British people still spend a lot of their time with ‘nature’. They grow plants. Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the country.