When I was in England, I did like the north better - less crowded, friendlier, more nature, it seemed.
Looks like whenever they need a 'manly man' or 'down to earth' type character on British TV shows/movies, he or she is from Yorkshire or thereabouts.
Just for purposes of clarification:
'Traditional' and 'Backwards' aren't the same thing.
Traditional is voluntary, backwards is not.