The village of Bunbury, on the Shropshire Union Canal, will have you dreaming of a life in a cosy cottage surrounded by meadows and postcard-perfect country lanes. We visited last May when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the fields were dotted with buttercups and mayflowers.

Bunbury is actually made up of two parts: Upper and Lower (separated by the River Gowy), and it’s the quiet Upper Bunbury we tend to frequent. The village has a huge church which dates back over 1000 years. The churchyard is lovely to wander around on a sunny day. You can admire the quaint houses from an elevated spot and find somewhere quiet to sit and lose yourself for a little while. The area is criss-crossed with footpaths too; perfect for an amble by the river and woods.

But the real draw for us is the pub, the Dysart Arms. It has a pretty beer garden and a delicious menu (winning the Cheshire Dining Pub of the Year in 2009) with locally-sourced, seasonal produce. Indoors is nice and relaxed too; we love the book-lined dining room at the back. I’d recommend the ploughman’s lunch: perfect for a quintessential English afternoon in the countryside.

Images by Sarah Hardman