My Britain: CHILTERN HILLS

Stretching for 45 miles across North London, from Goring on-Thames to Hitchin, taking in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, the Chiltern Hills are home to a vast diversity of residents, countryside and businesses. In 1965, almost half of the area was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—not surprising when you consider the stunning stretches of the Thames, the rolling hills and boundless greenery that make up its landscape. We spoke to two local businessmen about their lives and livelihoods in the Chiltern Hills, to get a sense for what makes this corner of Britain so special.

- Anna Walker

DAVID HOLLIDAY

David Holliday, 41, is the chef and co-owner at The Bottle & Glass Inn (bottleandglassinn.com) in Binfield Heath and The Hart Street Tavern (hartstreettavern.com) in Henley-on-Thames

I HAVE LIVED IN the Chiltern Hills for 12 years. After a stint in London running the Harwood Arms with Bret Graham and Mike. Robinson, we always knew we Robinson, we always knew we wanted to come back to the area that my wife grew up in. During my time working at the Pot Kiln, we would host cooking demos at the Henley Food Festival, and I fell in love with the natural beauty of the area. It brought me back to my childhood spent living on a farm.

I love the community around me here in the Chiltern Hills. We've made great relationships, particularly through hosting events in the village of Binfield Heath, where the Bottle & Glass Inn is located, and also within my daughter's school. Just last week I cooked pizza at the local nursery.