England's southern reaches are dominated by the chalk-lands of Salisbury Plain.
However, there are also regions, very different from these vast plains and downs.
For instance, the countryside that surrounds London resembles the heath and scrub of Surrey.
The centre features water meadows and in the south, the New Forest is a blend of pastures and wooded country.
The entire southern region is divided up by the valleys of countless rivers and streams that form a twisted network stretching to the sea.
The coast which is mostly flat in the east, rises slowly to Eastern Dorset's Hengistbury Head, then forms into dramatic cliffs to the edge of Devon.
Much of the region is farming country, just as it was in Saxon Wessex.
Sheep and wheat can be found scattered on the gentle undulating hills and in all the Southern counties, beef cattle graze.
Daisy meadows can be found in central Dorset which stretch along the Hampshire river valleys.
Bournemouth is, perhaps, Southern England's most popular holiday resort, brimming during the summer months with holiday makers and tourists.
The New Forest provides a stark contrast with its vast tracts of unspoilt woodland although it too is a major visitor attraction.
South England also boasts a large collection of stately homes and in particular manor houses with almost one in every village.
Thankfully, most villages retain their medieval heritage, with a church, a village green, a pond, a manor house and cottages, lime-washed and in many cases thatched.
Hampshire is the most diverse of the region's counties, with distinct town and country divisions.
Like most of the south the landscape consists largely of chalk countryside.
However, it is also rich in trees which is particularly in evidence on the South Downs, with its hillside copses.
This is vividly exemplified by the village of Selborne and was documented by the 18th century naturalist Gilbert White.
The Isle of Wight's seaside resorts are situated on a coastline of chalk down-lands but the villages found further inland, including Bonchurch, Godshill and Mottistone offer a character and charm that is often overlooked by visitors to the island.
Wiltshire boasts some famous historical attractions including Stonehenge and the lesser-known Woodhenge.
These, together with grave-mounds located all over the region as well as Averbury on the Marlborough Downs, are the most important examples of life in prehistoric Britain that we have.
This was, after all, the most inhabited region in the South of England.
In contrast to these bare uplands, is the county town of Salisbury, situated among fertile water meadows.
Its cathedral spire, which rises above the town's skyline, was an inspiration for the landscape painter John Constable.
Dorset remains a quiet and rural county due largely to the fact that it has managed to escape the incursions of roads and building work.
Its seaside resorts, Swanage, Weymouth and Lyme Regis even manage to maintain their character.
Its inland towns remain unspoilt, tucked away in remote lanes.
Dorchester is a fine example and is a town that has managed to keep its traditions and remain true to the character of place and people.
This was beautifully portrayed in the novels and works of Thomas Hardy - many of his characters were drawn from real life.
Southern England also enjoys the best temperatures in the country with over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.
However, there are also regions, very different from these vast plains and downs.
For instance, the countryside that surrounds London resembles the heath and scrub of Surrey.
The centre features water meadows and in the south, the New Forest is a blend of pastures and wooded country.
The entire southern region is divided up by the valleys of countless rivers and streams that form a twisted network stretching to the sea.
The coast which is mostly flat in the east, rises slowly to Eastern Dorset's Hengistbury Head, then forms into dramatic cliffs to the edge of Devon.
Much of the region is farming country, just as it was in Saxon Wessex.
Sheep and wheat can be found scattered on the gentle undulating hills and in all the Southern counties, beef cattle graze.
Daisy meadows can be found in central Dorset which stretch along the Hampshire river valleys.
Bournemouth is, perhaps, Southern England's most popular holiday resort, brimming during the summer months with holiday makers and tourists.
The New Forest provides a stark contrast with its vast tracts of unspoilt woodland although it too is a major visitor attraction.
South England also boasts a large collection of stately homes and in particular manor houses with almost one in every village.
Thankfully, most villages retain their medieval heritage, with a church, a village green, a pond, a manor house and cottages, lime-washed and in many cases thatched.
Hampshire is the most diverse of the region's counties, with distinct town and country divisions.
Like most of the south the landscape consists largely of chalk countryside.
However, it is also rich in trees which is particularly in evidence on the South Downs, with its hillside copses.
This is vividly exemplified by the village of Selborne and was documented by the 18th century naturalist Gilbert White.
The Isle of Wight's seaside resorts are situated on a coastline of chalk down-lands but the villages found further inland, including Bonchurch, Godshill and Mottistone offer a character and charm that is often overlooked by visitors to the island.
Wiltshire boasts some famous historical attractions including Stonehenge and the lesser-known Woodhenge.
These, together with grave-mounds located all over the region as well as Averbury on the Marlborough Downs, are the most important examples of life in prehistoric Britain that we have.
This was, after all, the most inhabited region in the South of England.
In contrast to these bare uplands, is the county town of Salisbury, situated among fertile water meadows.
Its cathedral spire, which rises above the town's skyline, was an inspiration for the landscape painter John Constable.
Dorset remains a quiet and rural county due largely to the fact that it has managed to escape the incursions of roads and building work.
Its seaside resorts, Swanage, Weymouth and Lyme Regis even manage to maintain their character.
Its inland towns remain unspoilt, tucked away in remote lanes.
Dorchester is a fine example and is a town that has managed to keep its traditions and remain true to the character of place and people.
This was beautifully portrayed in the novels and works of Thomas Hardy - many of his characters were drawn from real life.
Southern England also enjoys the best temperatures in the country with over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.
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