Over a quarter of the Lake District is common land – steeped in history and crowned with views fit for a king.

From croquet lawns to ancient forest and medieval castles: parks take on many forms, but they all have one thing in common – freedom for all.

Bob Cooper of Macclesfield, Cheshire remembers: From an early age, I have always loved reading and writing. My best subject at school was English to the detriment of maths, and I managed to become top

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Free-range history

Middleland: Dispatches from the Borders Rory Stewart (Jonathan ...