Now that the clocks have gone forward, and now that we have enjoyed our long Easter breaks with our friends and family, it is perhaps time to strap on our walking shoes and boots, base layers and thermals, and discover some of the best countryside walks that the UK has to offer.
We’ve scoured some of the best walks in the country and chosen a small sample for you to enjoy, so take a look below at some of the most wonderful walks recommended by the Damart team.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Yorkshire
Start: Skipton
Finish: Saltaire
Just a few peaceful miles from the Damart HQ itself is the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which throughout its 127 miles, encompasses some of the most beautiful views that the North of England has to offer.
Stretching 16.5 miles, this walk makes most of Salts Mill (now a designated UNESCO world heritage site), the Bingley Five-Rise and Three-Rise Locks, and if you’re lucky, you could catch a glimpse of East Riddlesden Hall, which is preserved by the National Trust.
Once you get to Saltaire, there is a splendid choice of eateries and cafes to refresh yourself with fine food and drink, including The Boathouse Inn, which is situated just on the side of the canal, on Victoria Road.
Low Newton & Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
Start & Finish: Low Newton car park
One of the smallest walks in this guide at five miles, there’s no doubt the coast in Northumberland is one of the finest that England has to offer.
Natural beauty aside, this wonderful walk also provides the opportunity for you to discover the wonderous ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, built in 1313, which is a magnificent bonus for those who love medieval history.
A walk that enjoys a mix of sand, grassland, and the beautiful village of Craster, alongside limestone escarpments, the area is also home to a great variety of sea and land birds and should serve as a treat for any birdwatcher.
The walk is featured on OS Explore Map 332.
Coln St Aldwyns to Cirencester
Start: Coln St Aldwyns
Finish: Cirencester
Another walk for history lovers, this journey features an early section of the little known Roman Way walk as it ambles through the Cotswold hills at 11 miles.
Starting at Akemen Street, itself a major Roman road that runs west rom St Albans to Cirencester (once known as Corinium), the gentle path takes walkers along a series of ancient villages near both Ampney brook and the river Churn.
Once that you reach the end, a treasure trove of archaeological treasures await, including the remains of an old Roman amphitheatre and the world famous Corinium Museum.
Kerry Ridgeway, Welsh Borders
Start: Cider House Farm
Finish: Bishop’s Castle
A journey that weaves through the Welsh borders, this adorable walk takes you deep through the British countryside and offers views that spread out for about 70 miles on the clearest of days.
A popular bridle track, this splendid ridgeway path leads from Powys in Wales, to Shropshire, and offers a varied path of moorland, woodland, and heath.
Like the Northumberland walk, this beautiful path is also home to a range of wildlife and is home to a successful red-kite breeding and protection programme.
At the end make sure to catch the 775-bus running from Bishop’s Castle to Newtown, that will run you back very close to the start.
Find more about the walk on Shropshire’s Great Outdoors.
Getting started
For those wanting to get out into the great British countryside this spring and summer, take a look through our walking department where you’ll find a fantastic range of clothing deals for walking, hiking, and outdoor activities.