This year is the 70th anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, achieved thanks to tireless campaigning from the Ramblers and other organisations, who passionately believe that access to the countryside benefits us all. The act led to the creation of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Nature Reserves in Scotland, giving people across Great Britain the right to walk and explore our incredible landscapes.
Our ability to access nature is more important than ever, with growing issues around mental health, wellbeing and obesity and the Ramblers continue to campaign to ensure the next generation continues to enjoy access to the countryside.
England
Hadrian’s Wall — Northumberland
The 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail crosses the north of England coast to coast. Starting from Steel Rigg, this walk takes you along one of the most spectacular sections, through wild scenery, panoramic views and past two of its best-preserved sites, the impressive Roman forts of Housesteads and Vindolanda. ramblers.org.uk/HadriansWall.
Painswick & Haresfield Beacon — Cotswolds
A delightful walk visiting unspoilt villages and passing through some of the best Cotswolds scenery, weaving on and off the Cotswold Way National Trail, with spectacular views over the Severn Vale from Haresfield Beacon and an Iron Age site 700ft above sea level. You’ll also pass a memorial to Tony Drake, a long-standing Ramblers volunteer who helped create the Cotswold Way (which offers more than 100 miles of walking) in the 1960s – without his efforts we would not being enjoying walks like this today. ramblers.org.uk/Painswick.
Lewes — East Sussex
A hearty day’s walk from the history packed Sussex county town of Lewes and it’s Norman castle, to the village of Southease via Blackcap and the South Downs Way. You’ll be rewarded with fine vistas before returning along the Sussex Ouse Valley Way past Monk’s House. ramblers.org.uk/Lewes.
Heyshott Circular — Chichester
Starting off with a steep climb to get the blood pumping, this walk then levels off to follow part of the South Downs Way – 100 miles of some of the finest English countryside between Winchester and Eastbourne. Pass by Bronze Age burial mounds and take in the expansive views before making your way down a sunken lane to pretty Sussex villages. ramblers.org.uk/Heyshott.
The Ridgeway Lambourn and the Downs — Oxfordshire
A classic downland walk, linking the Ridgeway to the village of Lambourn on the beautiful chalk downs of England. The Ridgeway is possibly the oldest highway in the country – used by travellers since historic times and a much-loved National Trail since 1972. Look out for the famous Uffington White Horse, carved into the hillside 3,000 years ago. ramblers.org.uk/TheRidgeway.
Streatley, along the Ridgeway and the Thames Path — Berkshire
Streatley sits at the junction of two National Trails, the Ridgeway and the Thames Path. This walk takes in stretches of both, going up into the Downs and finishing alongside a lovely stretch of the Thames, with good views up and down stream and lots of beautiful trees and quaint boat houses on the opposite bank. Follow in the footsteps of Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat, with a visit to the Bull pub in Streatley at the end. ramblers.org.uk/Streatley.
Read More:
St Ives — Cornwall
This exhilarating circuit heads out of the artists’ haven of St Ives, picking up a scenic stretch of the South West Coast Path and following it along the rugged Atlantic shore. The route then heads inland, returning along an old “coffin trail”. The South West Coast Path follows 630 miles of coastline packed with inspirational heritage, scenery and wildlife. ramblers.org.uk/StIves.
Bantham — Devon
A there-and-back walk along the highly scenic coast from Bantham to Bolt Tail via Hope Cove, along the Devon stretch of the South West Coast Path. This leisurely sandy walk takes in Bantham Beach and Burgh Island with its famous Art Deco hotel once frequented by Agatha Christie and Noël Coward. ramblers.org.uk/Bantham.
Clun — Shropshire
Much of this walk follows stretches of the Shropshire way and the well-marked Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, including its highest point (and also arguably it’s finest section) over Llanfair Hill. There’s the option of shortening this walk, if you prefer to spend some time exploring the tranquil, charming town of Clun, described by poet A.E. Houseman as one of the “quietest places under the sun” in his book The Shropshire Lad. ramblers.org.uk/Clun.
Harpley Common Barrows — Norfolk
A wander through woodland and fields discovering some of Norfolk’s archaeological gems, the Bronze Age barrows of Harpley Common. The walk passes along part of the Peddars Way, a 129.5-mile National Trail, following an ancient Roman road, its name derived from Pedester, meaning “on foot”. ramblers.org.uk/HarpleyCommon.
Alston waterfalls and moors — Cumbria
A lovely walk with dramatic views of the Pennines passing several waterfalls on the way to the pretty village of Garrigill, sitting deep in a gorge. Rest a while at the George and Dragon pub before heading back to Alston along the Pennine Way. ramblers.org.uk/Alston.
Views over Wensleydale — North Yorkshire
A scenic circular route from Hawes along part of the Pennine Way, via the beautiful upper Dales village of Hardraw. Visit the famous Hardraw Force waterfall – said to be England’s largest single drop waterfall – before climbing to a limestone ridge to enjoy spectacular views over Wensleydale. ramblers.org.uk/Hawes.
The Pennine Moors and the Rochdale Canal — West Yorkshire
A fantastic moorland walk, following an ancient packhorse route and a stretch of the Rochdale canal before climbing up onto the Pennine Way for a fine high-level stretch. The 270-mile Pennine Way, opened in 1965, was the country’s first official long-distance path. It traverses the high ground of the Pennine ridge along the “spine” of England. ramblers.org.uk/PennineMoors.
Crimdon Dene & the Durham Coastal path — County Durham
A short stroll along the Durham coast and its hinterland to enjoy the wide expanses of Crimdon Dene beach. The route follows a section of the England Coast Path which, once complete, will be our longest National Trail and the longest managed and waymarked coastal path in the world. ramblers.org.uk/Crimdon.
Osmotherley and up onto the Moors — North Yorkshire
A lovely hilly walk up onto the moors, along sections of the Cleveland Way, with sweeping views in all directions. Stop off to visit Osmotherley near the end, a beautiful stone village and one of the gateways to the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. ramblers.org.uk/Osmotherley.
Scarborough — Cloughton and the Coast Path, North Yorkshire
Heading out along the trackbed of the old Scarborough to Whitby railway, this route visits the village of Cloughton and then follows a glorious coastal stretch of the Cleveland Way, with wonderful views along the cliffs. The second National Trail, the 110-mile Cleveland Way, offers views of heather moorland and coastal scenery. ramblers.org.uk/Scarborough.
Fridaythorpe — East Yorkshire
Head out from the village of Fridaythorpe, the highest village on the Yorkshire Wolds, and the half-way point of the 79-mile Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail. This walk takes you through the distinctive, steep-sided “dry valleys” criss-crossing the landscape, formed 18,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. ramblers.org.uk/Fridaythorpe.
Kentish Thames — Gravesend to Cliffe, Kent
Beginning in the ancient town of Gravesend, this walk explores the wild and strange shoreline along the Thames Path National Trail, tracking the river as it grows in majesty. Nature lovers will enjoy ending up in Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve, one of the most wonderful bird reserves near to London. Stop off at the Ship and Lobster pub, supposedly the pub known as the Ship in Dickens’ Great Expectations. The Thames Path was opened in 1996 following the length of the river, from its source near Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Greenwich, some 184 miles. ramblers.org.uk/Gravesend.
The Thames from Shiplake to Mill End — Oxfordshire
Between the lovely village of Shiplake – where the river forms the border between Oxfordshire and Berkshire – and Henley-on-Thames, the Thames Path becomes very rural for a stretch. If you have time, picturesque Henley is well worth exploring before heading on to Hambledon Lock and its impressive weir and beautiful former mill building. ramblers.org.uk/Shiplake.
Reigate Heath — Surrey
An attractive walk partly on the North Downs Way National Trail. Much of the 153-mile North Downs Way follows the legendary Pilgrims Way, walked since medieval times. After the climb to Box Hill, the highest point on the route, stop and rest awhile to enjoy views across the rolling hills of the High Weald AONB. ramblers.org.uk/Reigate.
Guildford — North Downs, Loseley Park and the River Wey, Surrey
A pretty circular walk from Guildford, taking in part of the North Downs Way and River Wey, across varied terrain with beautiful views throughout. The route passes Mount Cemetery, final resting place of Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll and home to a lovely listed chapel. A detour of about a mile will also take you to the Watt’s Gallery, a unique arts and crafts gem nestled in the Surrey Hills. ramblers.org.uk/Guildford.
Wales
Felindre — Powys
A incredibly rural walk from Felindre along part of Glyndwr’s Way, through a number of old battlefields where Owain Glyndwr fought battles against the English in the 15th century. The route leads you south over moorland grazed by wild ponies, and over the side of Black Mountain, also taking in the Beacon Hill reserve, with far-reaching views across the heart of mid-Wales. ramblers.org.uk/Felindre.
Tintern & Offa’s Dyke — Gwent
This walk gives you a taste of the beauty to be found in the Wye Valley. Following woodland tracks, you’ll pass the striking ruins of 12th century Tintern Abbey and an extraordinary ancient yew tree nearby, growing around a large rock. The Offa’s Dyke Path is the only National Trail to follow a man-made feature. Built by Offa, King of Mercia between 757 and 796 AD, the dyke formed a rough boundary between the Anglian kingdom of Mercia and the Welsh kingdom of Powys. ramblers.org.uk/Tintern.
Morda Valley — Welsh Borders
The far eastern fringes of the Berwyn Mountains lurch across the landscape as a series of ridges, deep valleys and moorland domes. This walk threads through rippling countryside, intermingling the Offa’s Dyke Path and the Ceiriog Trail. ramblers.org.uk/Morda
Newgale to St David’s — Pembrokeshire
Walk from Newgale to St David’s along Pembrokeshire’s glorious Coast Path, via the village of Solva, touted as the most attractive village on the path and a very agreeable place to while away a little time. Don’t miss out on the impressive views over Solva’s splendid harbour and the cathedral of St David’s. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path National Trail takes in 186 miles of some of the most striking coastal scenery in Britain. ramblers.org.uk/Newgale.
Scotland
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve — Scottish Highlands
A woodland and hill walk through Craigellachie National Nature Reserve in Aviemore, with awe-inspiring views across crags of lochans, the Cairngorms and beautiful birchwoods. The reserve is one of the largest semi-natural pockets of woodland in Strathspey and its century-old birch trees turn an extraordinary shade of gold in autumn. Aspen, rowan, hazel, Scots pine and juniper can also be found in the reserve, together with more than 50 bird species. ramblers.org.uk/Craigellachie.
St Abb’s — Berwickshire
St Abb’s Head, on the magnificent Berwickshire Coast, is justifiably renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery. The sheer cliffs, offshore stacks and narrow gullies here are home to the largest colony of cliff-nesting seabirds on the south-east coast of Scotland, including kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, shags, herring gulls, fulmars and puffins. This linear walk passes many fine view points, including from the 19th century St Abb’s Head Lighthouse. ramblers.org.uk/StAbbs.
Loch Leven Heritage Trail — Kinross, Loch Leven NNR, Kinross
Circumnavigate the shores of Loch Leven on this accessible and largely flat walk along the Heritage Trail. Enjoy moody, wintry views across the water to the 14th century ruins on castle Island and Bishop Hill. A haven for wildlife, many thousands of migratory birds arriving at the loch for the winter. Loch Leven is a National Nature Reserve managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. ramblers.org.uk/LochLeven.
