Every one who has read the late Mr. R.D. Blackmore's _Lorna Doone_ has a keen interest in what is frequently called the Doone Country. This comprises the north-west corner of Exmoor, bordering on the boundaries of Devonshire. But those who visit the little village of Oare and Badgworthy Water must not expect to see all that the novelist's imagination conjured up. Nevertheless, though some have been disappointed, there is much to be seen which is of interest. The church at Oare, for instance, is closely associated with John Ridd and Lorna, and the Snowe family, mentioned by the novelist, are commemorated in the church. Then, too, the feats of a "Great John Ridd" are obscurely traditional in the district. The Doone valley, with Badgworthy (pronounced _Badgery_) Water running through it, is about half-an-hour's walk from Malmsmead Bridge, which is close to the village of Oare. Keeping up the course of the stream one reaches a wood of oaks, and near it one finds a tributary of the brook falling down a series of miniature cascades. This is the "water slide" up which Blackmore took his hero on the occasion of his first meeting with Lorna Doone. If one crosses a bridge near this the path will be found to continue for about a mile. At this distance one turns to the right by another stream, and enters a combe containing the ruins of the Doone Houses as they are called. A lonely cottage looks down upon all that is to be seen of the famous stronghold of the Doones. The narrow approach to the place never existed outside the pages of the romance. The scenery of this portion of Exmoor is exceedingly wild. [Illustration: _Photochrom Co., Ltd._ THE DOONE VALLEY, EXMOOR. Associated with Blackmore's _Lorna Doone_.] LLANDOVERY, SOUTH WALES A CENTRE FOR THE FINE SCENERY OF THE DISTRICT =How to get there.=--Train from Euston. L. and N.W. Railway. =Nearest Station.=--Llandovery. =Distance from London.=--228 miles. =Average Time.=--Varies between 6-3/4 to 8-1/2 hours. 1st 2nd 3rd =Fares.=--Single 33s. 11d. 21s. 1d. 16s. 10d. Return 58s. 9d. 37s. 0d. 33s. 8d. =Accommodation Obtainable.=--"Castle Hotel," etc. =Alternative Route.=--Train from Paddington. Great Western Rly. The town of Llandovery, chiefly interesting by reason of the interesting and picturesque excursions in its vicinity, is situate in the county of Carmarthenshire, 24 miles north-east of Carmarthen. The town stands on the river Bran, near its junction with the Towy, in a beautiful valley, surrounded by wooded hills. Besides these two rivers, some smaller streams join in the neighbourhood, and from this fact comes the name of the place, a corruption of the Welsh _Llan ym Ddy fri_, or Church among the Waters.