In 1887, and now a doctor in practice, Conan Doyle published A Study in Scarlet. It was to be the start of 60 adventures for Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr Watson, which would involve three other novels, and five volumes of short stories.

After a long stay in Dartmoor, Devon in 1900, Conan Doyle wrote the novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles. It was heavily influenced by local folklore about an escaped convict, an inhospitable manor and huge hound. Today, Dartmoor is still one of Britain's most dramatic landscapes, which is popular for cycling, walking, horseriding and other outdoor pursuits.

Many other places in Britain were mentioned in his stories. Watson described the Stroud Valley in Herefordshire as 'beautiful' and Ross as 'pretty little country-town' in The Boscombe Valley Mystery. The Wye Valley Walk passes through Ross as it winds through the border into Wales, and it is a crossroads for a number of cycling routes including From West to East, Land's End to John O'Groats and the Castle Tour of the Welsh Borders.

Sussex also has a number of Conan Doyle connections. St Mary's House in Bramber, a beautiful timber-framed house was said to be an influence on the story of The Musgrave Ritual and is open to the public. Sussex also featured in The Lion's Mane, where Holmes describes his house as, 'situated upon the southern slope of the Downs, commanding a great view of the Channel'.

In reality, Conan Doyle had moved to Windlesham near Crowborough in Sussex in 1908 and lived there until his death. Today, the South Downs Way, gives a great opportunity to enjoy the whole of the Downs area and is perfect for cycling and walking.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's grave can be found at All Saints Church in Minstead in the heart of the beautiful New Forest.