This vision of yours is not so far from the truth Bob - at least in rural England. Certainly down here in the west country you will find perfect old style riding conditions - miles and miles of winding A and B roads, often all but unused as most traffic is on the big through route. What used to be the main trunk road from London to Cornwall is still mostly in place, one lane each way, intact, well patched, and largely forgotten except by locals, cyclists, and old motorbikers. And if you like the curves, any ordinary two-lane will give you your fill. Get out early or late and you'll likely have it all to yourself. Devon also has
thousands of miles of ancient narrow lanes, high sided and often sunken, and if you've got a good nose for general direction and nerves of steel (these aint one-way only!) you can get pretty much anywhere without touching a two lane road. It's like driving through a maze in a leafy trench.
The whole tea and a decent pub later thing - yep, fear not. Although, alas, pubs are closing at a frightening rate and many that thrive do so by becoming more foody than beery. But - if you know where to look, that pint awaits. I do mean beer - not that fizzy frozen maidens water.....
And here too thrives a low level economy of craftspeople, makers and assorted tinkers, working up quiet lanes in sheds, barns and kitchens - out of the rat race, getting away with it. I know, I'm one of them (wood, not metal).
I see the news from time to time, I know the planet's an asylum without walls. But there's these secret backwaters where the MAN can't get a grip.......