At the peak? Monsel Dale failed to gain celebrity backing
Photograph: Guardian/Don McPhee
Visit Britain has announced the nation's favourite views, but on who's say so? A nationwide poll? Relentless research? Has one of their reps trawled every inch of the country, with camera in hand, weighing up the pros and cons?
Of course not. The authorities are, unsurprisingly, celebrities.
It seems Jimmy Carr was unavailable for this one. (He's hanging out for the three-hour special, Top 100 British Views.) So, instead, they've got everyone from Rolf Harris to Charles Kennedy to air their own, favourite views. From Sunday, they'll be making their cases in an accompanying ITV series. This week: David Dickinson on Blackpool. (Yes, folks, I'm afraid so.)
Naturally, within minutes of launching our gallery of the images, there were rumbles of discontent in Guardian Unlimited's offices. The selection may be diverse (encompassing cities and villages, coast and country), but there were still notable absences.
News editor Steve Busfield was the first to voice his dismay ("What, no Yorkshire?). The front at Filey got his vote, along with just about everywhere in the Dales. Our own travel editor, Andy Pietrasik, was also quick to jump in to make a case for his homeland, the Peak District (Monsal Dale), and Bealach-na-Ba (Pass of the Cattle) on the west coast of Scotland. "It's the most spectacular drive with glorious views over the Highlands to Skye. Heaven on the rocks."
But, you can't have it all. If making additions, something has to go. So what would you replace?
The inclusion that left people here most baffled was Bath Crescent (undeniably beautiful buildings, but would you really want to gaze upon them for hours?) And this was the recommendation of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, a man who surely knows his views.
"To me, Bath encapsulates all that is best about Britain," he explains. "The views, the architecture, the ancient history, tasteful, modernising, vibrant culture, plenty of sport interest, it's all there." Surely he's failed to grasp the brief here. Aren't we looking for best view, not best city? I can't see many signs of sport in Bath Crescent itself. Is he counting the air balloon? (Somehow I can't imagine action-man Sir Ranulph championing that for the 2012 Olympics.)
This makes you wonder what should be the criteria for a "favourite view"? Something that encapsulates Britain today or Britain through the ages? Something influenced by man, or something that has barely changed through the centuries?
What would you pick as Britain's best view? And which of the current nominations would you replace?
