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Where can you find four countries in one, each with its own defining characteristics, but with at least one big thing in common?

The United Kingdom is that rare beast. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the four separate entities: Four capital cities, four unique histories, four national football teams, four ways (at least) of looking at the world… all rolled into one haphazard, at times strained, but unquestionably fascinating union.

With its self-contradictory national myths, the UK can be hard to pin down for locals and visitors alike. Brits are oddly proud of their reputation for mind-your-own-business reserve, while simultaneously fond of tipsy banter with strangers in friendly pubs. They cultivate the so-called “stiff upper lip” and a supposed penchant for good manners, while roaring for their local football team with a rowdy, delirious tribalism. The UK has global, culture-defining cities among its fair share of small-town parochialism. It celebrates its history, monuments and Monarchic rituals alongside an ever more diverse and progressive urban society which borrows (admittedly, often without asking) from cultures in every corner of the world.

It’s an onion of a national identity. All the visitor can do is keep peeling back the layers to see what lies beneath.

Where to go? What to do? It’s all a matter of taste. You’ll find towns and cities with world beating museums, music and cultural festivals; Edinburgh, Hay, Glastonbury, among a panoply of others. You’ll find a country that’s working hard to shake off its reputation for stodgy cuisine (yes, really!) You’ll find castles, estates and ruins that are older than many countries all set in timeless, rolling (and occasionally dramatic) countryside that is tailor-made for walking and hiking trips.

From country pubs to the Notting Hill Carnival; Sunday afternoons on village greens to the world’s largest Diwali festival outside India. The ball’s in your court. With four countries in one calling you, and countless good reasons persuading you, all you have to do is…go.

Hidden gems in The United Kingdom

Herefordshire

Walk the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way

Sarah Baxter
Sarah Baxter
Experience

Pilgrimages are booming in popularity, for those with faith and without. While you don’t need to be a Christian to walk Herefordshire’s Golden Valley Pilgrim Way, it does have the church at its heart. On this 60-mile (98km) circuit, you stay in a different one each night. At the end of each green-hilled hiking day, I placed my boots on centuries-old flagstones, dumped my rucksack onto time-smoothed pews, and hung my waterproof off the poppyheads at the end of choir stalls. I’ve been walking in the UK for years as a travel journalist and book author. And I can safely say this is one of the country's quirkiest long-distance walks, complete with a touch of the divine. The route Herefordshire gets overlooked. Lodged against Wales, merged into the Midlands, with no coast to define its edges, few walkers wander here. But it’s excellent hiking country, especially the Golden Valley, where the Black Mountains loom above a rural borderland, once fought over by the Welsh and English, now peaceful, serene. The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way is unusual for a pilgrimage. Most lead you somewhere; on this, you finish back where you started. But the idea, says the priest behind it, is that you return a little changed. Maybe, maybe not. But spending in pubs and farm shops, and paying into church coffers, certainly feels like a positive for the countryside economy. The start and finish is Hereford Cathedral, once a major pilgrimage site itself. Arrive early to look around – it’s home to the Mappa Mundi, the biggest surviving medieval world map. Walkers can stay in the cathedral’s 15th-century cloisters – the first cathedral in Britain to accommodate pilgrims since medieval times. The designated sleeping room is fairly plain. But following the choir into the main nave, and listening to them erupt into evensong, is spine-tingling stuff. From Hereford the route heads west towards Wales, a moderate loop around the Abbeydore Deanery – it isn’t waymarked but you can download GPX files. This is a landscape of apple orchards, woody vales, castle ruins, grazing sheep; of timelessness and stories. There’s the gnarled ancient oaks of Moccas Park, the gurgle of St Peter’s sacred spring, the views from ridge-top Arthur’s Stone, a Neolithic dolmen where King Arthur allegedly slayed a dragon. The route also visits many medieval churches, nine of which offer ‘night sanctuary’ for pilgrims. They are simultaneously basic and atmospheric, all soaring ceilings and tombstones. At Dorstone I slept behind the choir and was woken by sun streaming through the stained glass. The churches are also frequently next to excellent village pubs, like Dorstone’s low-beamed Pandy Inn. Best was Cloddock, where the Cornewall Arms is more like your gran’s front room, where locals gather to drink, eat crisps and play table skittles. Need to know Hereford has a train station, with direct services from cities such as Cardiff (1hr), London (3hrs) and Birmingham (85mins). The trail must be booked via Abbeydore Deanery (abbeydoredeanery.org/gvpw). You’ll be sent a pilgrim passport to stamp en route. A donation of £20pp per night is requested. You have exclusive access to the church; if someone else wants to stay the same night, you’ll be asked if you’re happy to share. It’s OK to say no. At the night sanctuaries you get access to a sink and toilet (which might be outside) but no shower. Kitchen facilities range from full set-up to just a kettle. Simple camp beds are provided – they’re not especially comfy. Bring a warm sleeping bag and pillow; consider a sleeping mat for extra padding. At Kingstone there were pieces of carpet on the pews, which I borrowed, for extra insulation. At Dorstone bigger camp beds came with mattresses, blankets and hot water bottles – luxury indeed! The route is open year-round – visitor books evidenced pilgrims who’d walked over Christmas. Be aware the churches are chilly, even in summer. Also, this is farming country, prone to muddiness. I walked in March, after an especially wet winter – it was a quagmire. The pay-offs were newborn lambs, daffodils and no other tourists.

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The Peak District

Limestone Way

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

The southern half of the Peak District, called the white peak for its limestone geology, is the gentler and more 'traditionally' picturesque stretch of the national park. You'll find no brooding crags and desolate moors here, it's more about gentle dales, meandering brooks and quant – sometimes twee – villages. That's not to say the scenery isn't impressive; around Monyash and Lathkill Dale it's often breathtaking. The Limestone Way weaves through the white peak, skirting historical Illam, crossing famous (and busy) Dovedale, before meandering north towards Matlock and, eventually, Castleton on the border of the much sterner dark peak. Broken up into eight casually-paced days this is a gloriously gentle walk through some of the most easy-going but immensely rewarding countryside in the UK.

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Wales

Gower Coast Path

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

This section of the Wales Coast Path packs a spectacular series of coastal landscapes into a short and, apart from a couple of steep cliffs, mostly easy walk. The route passes some of Britain’s best beaches, swaying marshes, caves, castles and churches. Landscape highlights include Worm’s Head and Three Cliffs Bay. It’s impossible to get lost and walkers find plenty of accommodation and luggage transfers available.

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Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

One of the UK’s quietest, least known canals isn’t even connected to the rest of the network but offers a leafy, flat, easy walking adventure through the Usk Valley. Historic towns like Crickhowell and Abergavenny provide en-route facilities while walking highlights will include an aqueduct, tunnel, locks, lifting bridges… and fine Brecon Beacons views.

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Snowdonia National Park

Betws-y-Coed

Kerry Walker
Kerry Walker

Snowdonia’s answer to Ambleside is another outdoor centre nestling among trees amid an inspiring mountainous landscape. The picturesque riverside town is a tourist honeypot but walkers can avoid day-tripper crowds by setting off on a wide choice of routes in all directions, then return for quieter evenings among a wide choice of restaurants and accommodation. Highlights could be easy but impressive waterfall walks or tackling one of many routes up Snowdon.

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Lake District

Ambleside

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

Basing a walking holiday in a popular Lake District centre like Ambleside means you have a vast choice of accommodation, outdoor shops and walking routes. It can be crowded and won’t feel like ‘getting away from it all’ but with all those resources on hand it can be perfect for beginners. Walkers can find paths ranging from tricky fell ascents to gentle hikes around lakes, right from their doorstep.

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Northumberland

Northumberland Coastpath

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

Generally flat, although with more ascents than the Norfolk Coastpath, this way-marked coastal walk offers a pleasant and easy-going route through nature reserves, broad sandy beaches and dunes, and across low rocky headlands. Landmarks like Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle are highlights but walkers will also appreciate a series of unspoilt coastal villages and towns, all with friendly pubs and B&Bs to eat and stay.

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Norfolk

Norfolk Coastpath

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

The Norfolk Coastpath is 84 miles in full and can be completed in six to eight days, or in shorter segments. Norfolk is famously flat and perfect for a beginner's walking holiday. But this coastal path proves that flat doesn’t have to mean boring. The route from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea explores misty marshes, pine woods, sandy beaches, grassy dunes and atmospheric coastal villages. En-route facilities are good and the walk’s highlights may include the grey seals at Blakeney Point, Hunstanton’s red-and-white striped cliffs and Holkham’s sandy shores, sometimes voted Britain’s best beach.

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The Highlands

The Cape Wrath Trail

David Battle
David Battle

If you want something truly different, I can highly recommend the Cape Wrath Trail: the UK's most challenging long-distance trekking route and probably my favourite place to trek in Scotland. With many pathless sections through rough terrain, across rivers and mountain passes, it really lives up to its reputation. The route starts in Fort William, finishes at the Cape Wrath lighthouse, and takes in many of northwest Scotland's best mountain landscapes. There are a number of variations on this route. For our guests we break the route into three stages, the Knoydart Expedition (57 miles), Cape Wrath Trail South (81 miles), and Cape Wrath Trail North (101 miles). Each section is between six and eight nights, including several nights wild camping, or they can be combined into one single mega expedition!

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The Highlands

The East Highland Way

David Battle
David Battle

I love the East Highland Way as a much quieter alternative to the famous (and heavily marketed) West Highland Way. This trail follows the valleys eastwards through forests and loch side tracks, and into some remote mountain glens. It's not waymarked and is much less well known, so I recommend it for visitors looking for something a little different but not too difficult in the Highlands.

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The Northern Isles

The Northern Isles

Taylor St. John
Taylor St. John

The Northern Isles feel a world away from the mainland UK—both Orkney and Shetland are closer to the Arctic circle than to London—yet these rugged archipelagos at the collision of North Sea and Atlantic Ocean are surprisingly accessible. Most walkers here come for centre-based holidays, although there are some 'official' long distance footpaths even up here, such as St Magnus Way and the island-hopping Shetland Walks. There are a handful of walking companies that offer both guided and self-guided holidays on Orkney and Shetland. Keep in mind that longer walks from most rural locations will require a car. On Hoy, the ‘High Isle’, walk from Moaness to Rackwick Bay through Orcadian novelist George Mackay Browne’s “hidden valley of light.” Continue along a cliff path toward the towering sandstone sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy. The newly developed St Magnus Way pilgrimage route follows the 55-mile journey of the martyred Earl of Orkney as it crosses Egilsay, then zig-zags across the Orkney mainland. On Shetland, ferry to the Island of Noss National Nature Reserve for a challenging 5-mile coastal loop and some of the best birdwatching in the Northern Isles.

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The Highlands

Knoydart Peninsula

Taylor St. John
Taylor St. John

Towards the west coast, the wild Knoydart Peninsula is for true backpacking expeditions, largely accessible only by foot or by boat to the village of Inverie. Guided hiking is advisable for all but the most competent navigators. A good challenge for experienced hillwalkers is climbing the three munros of Luinne Bheinn, Meall Buidhe and Ladhar Bheinn.

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The United Kingdom travel guides

Best Cycling Holidays In Scotland
Guide

Best Cycling Holidays In Scotland

Colin Baird
Colin Baird

Ancient, often mist-wreathed and mysterious, Scotland has a pull for those seeking solace. From dark, craggy, mountain ridges to exquisite, empty, beaches this is a country as diverse as its myriad islands, dramatic Highlands and rolling Lowlands.

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path
Guide

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

Considered by some to be the best long-distance walk in the UK, Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path has many remarkable qualities, but it’s the walker camaraderie that is my stand-out highlight of this hugely popular cross-country hike.

Hadrian's Wall Path
Guide

Hadrian's Wall Path

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

Hadrian's Wall path is a unique walking trail that not only crosses the width of England, but also follows the course of Britain’s largest Roman monument – a 1,900-year-old, 73-mile long fortification that once marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire. I can't think of many

Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Guide

Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

Whisper it quietly; this might just be the best coastal path in Britain, and one of the UK's best walks overall.

The Pennine Way
Guide

The Pennine Way

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

The Pennine Way, the oldest and one of the toughest of the waymarked UK walking trails, follows the rugged ridge of uplands that form the backbone of northern England.

The South West Coast Path
Guide

The South West Coast Path

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

The South West Coast Path is the longest walking trail in the UK, and also one of its most famous and highly rated.

The South Downs Way
Guide

The South Downs Way

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

If you're looking for an easy-going UK walking holiday, I think the South Downs Way might be the one for you.

Isle of Wight coastal path
Guide

Isle of Wight coastal path

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

As a long distance walk, the Isle of Wight coastal path is quite short but it provides an opportunity to walk right round the shoreline of England’s largest island. You might find that on return to the start point there’s great satisfaction in completing an island’s circumference, regardless of the length!

The Yorkshire Wolds Way
Guide

The Yorkshire Wolds Way

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

One of the quieter and lesser-known of the UK's walks, the Yorkshire Wolds Way leads across the glorious rolling farmland and chalk landscapes of East Yorkshire, an unspoilt corner of England largely neglected by popular tourism.

The Monarch’s Way
Guide

The Monarch’s Way

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

Easily one of the lesser-known of all the long-distance walking holidays in the UK, walking the Monarch’s Way offers some historical interest without the blockbuster fame of

The White Horse Trail
Guide

The White Horse Trail

Daniel McCrohan
Daniel McCrohan

The White Horse Trail is a circular long distance walking route through the Wiltshire countryside linking eight white horse chalk figures and visiting historic sites like Avebury, Silbury Hill and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Family Adventure Holidays In Wales
Guide

Family Adventure Holidays In Wales

Jeremy Head
Jeremy Head

Wales is without question one of the world's best places for family activity breaks. What's particularly handy is there's something for literally everyone.

The West Highland Way
Guide

The West Highland Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

The West Highland Way, the oldest and most popular long-distance walk in Scotland, appeals to serious walkers, strolling day trippers and even runners who race the 96 miles in under 35 hours! I would advise a more leisurely pace, around a week to complete the full walk.

The Great Glen Way
Guide

The Great Glen Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

The Great Glen fault line bisects the Scottish highlands to create an epic backdrop for this spectacular hike, one of the best walks in Scotland.

The Rob Roy Way
Guide

The Rob Roy Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

One of the more historical of Scotland's best walks, the Rob Roy Way is named in honour of the 17th-century folk hero who captures the popular imagination to this day.

The Speyside Way
Guide

The Speyside Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

The Speyside Way is one of four officially designated long distance walks in Scotland (the others are the West Highland Way, the Southern Upland Way and the Great Glen Way).

The Fife Coastal Path
Guide

The Fife Coastal Path

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

Tamer than most of Scotland's walking trails, the Fife Coastal Path passes through picturesque seaside villages, old smuggling caves, and fabulous beaches.

St Ninian's Way (Carlisle to Whithorn)
Guide

St Ninian's Way (Carlisle to Whithorn)

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

Much lesser-known than other Scottish walks, the 250 mile St.

The Arran Coastal Way
Guide

The Arran Coastal Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

One of the shorter, but still pretty challenging, of Scotland's walks, the Arran Coastal Trail gives a rewarding circuit around the beautiful, accessible, Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, west of Glasgow. The route leads around the coastal fringe of Arran’s mountainous north down its west coast to the sandy beaches, rocky shores and gentler landscapes of the south.

West Island Way
Guide

West Island Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

Another lesser-known Scottish walking trail, the West Island Way around the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde boasts secluded beaches, a range of wildlife, and a generally flat profile.

The Kintyre Way
Guide

The Kintyre Way

Fergal MacErlean
Fergal MacErlean

Less well known than the West Highland Way, this 100-mile (161km) trail zig-zags down through the peaceful and energising Kintyre Peninsula.

Slow Scotland by campervan
Article

Slow Scotland by campervan

Steven Hunt
Steven Hunt

It’s midsummer in the time of Covid quarantines and it feels like everyone is missing out on cancelled holidays to distant beaches. But for us the summer holiday is the year's first shot at normalcy; packing the boys into our trusty 1986 Volkswagen T3 for an adventure closer to home, returning to my homeland to explore the highlands and islands of west Scotland.

The best walking holidays in Europe
Guide

The best walking holidays in Europe

Paul Bloomfield
Paul Bloomfield

Europe is a famously popular and, in places, crowded travel destination. Escaping the bustle on a walking holiday in Europe's more-remote corners is a good way to escape the day trippers, tour buses and cruise ships that plague the continent’s busier hotspots.

The best walking holidays in the UK
Guide

The best walking holidays in the UK

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

The United Kingdom is a walking holiday paradise: Hundreds of thousands of miles of well-mapped public footpaths, beautifully varied landscapes, excellent hospitality, and easily accessible. It’s no wonder this is a nation of walkers.

The best walking holidays in Scotland
Guide

The best walking holidays in Scotland

Taylor St. John
Taylor St. John

If you started with a blank sheet and listed all the things you’d want in an ideal walking holiday destination, you’d end up with a list that sounds very much like Scotland. Varied scenery? Check.

The Best Coastal Walks In The UK
Guide

The Best Coastal Walks In The UK

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

With over 11,000 miles of coastline on the main island of Great Britain alone (nearly 20,000 miles when you include the entire archipelago), coastal paths feature highly on many walking holidays and long-distance ways. Aside from fresh sea air and varied, frequently impressive, seascapes, the main advantage to a coastal walking holiday is the relative ease of navigation.

Family walking holidays in the UK
Guide

Family walking holidays in the UK

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

There are some great family-friendly walks in the UK.

Short Walking Breaks In The UK
Guide

Short Walking Breaks In The UK

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

The UK’s long-distance paths might hog all the limelight but not everyone has two weeks spare (or the legs, for that matter!) Fortunately there’s a near inexhaustible number of locations and routes for shorter walking breaks, ideally suited for a more relaxed two- or three-day walking holiday. Most

UK walking holidays for beginners
Guide

UK walking holidays for beginners

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

If you think walking in the UK is all about interminable days on long-distance paths, or scaling Ben Nevis in the driving rain, it’s time to reassess your idea of what a walking holiday can entail.

Budget walking holidays in the UK
Guide

Budget walking holidays in the UK

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

The UK’s tourist hotspots get very pricey very quickly, but venture away from the crowds and you’ll soon find plenty of spectacular spots for a cheaper walking holiday.And, thankfully, cost-conscious walkers don’t need to lose out on the glorious British scenery: there are plenty of superb trails and walking locations slightly outside of the main regions that offer very affordable holidays in incredible landscapes.

Best Walking Holidays In Wales
Guide

Best Walking Holidays In Wales

Kerry Walker
Kerry Walker

Sandwiched between England to the east, the Republic of Ireland across the Irish Sea, and with Scotland looming to the north, Wales can appear somewhat diminutive on a large scale atlas. But zoom in with a smaller-scale OS map and the packed contours and looping footpaths reveal a country that is vast, wild, and eminently explorable by foot.

Northern Ireland's Best Walks
Guide

Northern Ireland's Best Walks

Belinda Dixon
Belinda Dixon

Northern Ireland’s walking trails crest mountain peaks, wind through remote moorland and cross empty beaches. They take in picturesque ruined castles, thundering waterfalls and a coast so spectacular it features in the Game of Thrones.

Pagan Britain: The UK's Ancient Sacred Sites
Article

Pagan Britain: The UK's Ancient Sacred Sites

Lucie Grace
Lucie Grace

The term Pagan comes from the Latin paganus—literally ‘rustic’ or ‘yokel’—used by invading Romans to denigrate pre-Christian faiths considered backwards and inferior to their own. Little is known of these prehistoric Pagan religions, other than what can be interpreted from their mysterious monuments and relics found in all corners of the British Isles.

Where To Walk In Wales
Guide

Where To Walk In Wales

Kerry Walker
Kerry Walker

It may be the smallest nation on the mainland of Great Britain but don’t let its compact size deceive you: Wales is wild, remote and exceptionally well suited to walking holidays. Here’s a handful of Wales’ best walking areas.

A Summer Staycation: UK Holiday Ideas
Guide

A Summer Staycation: UK Holiday Ideas

Lottie Gross
Lottie Gross

The prospect of a summer holiday closer to home might not appeal to all, but don't panic! There's so much more to the UK than faded beach resorts and jam-packed tea rooms. Treat this as an opportunity to eschew the long haul flights and reacquaint yourself with the underrated joys of your own backyard.

Scotland's Top Long Distance Cycle Routes
Guide

Scotland's Top Long Distance Cycle Routes

Colin Baird
Colin Baird

From road trips to mountain biking, single-day trips to epic week-long adventures; here are six of the best long-distance cycling routes in Scotland.

Family Biking Holidays In Scotland
Guide

Family Biking Holidays In Scotland

Colin Baird
Colin Baird

Scotland is a great place to bring your kids on a cycling trip. The National Cycle Network has miles of traffic-free paths and there are even more miles of country roads where vehicles are rare.

Top places for yoga breaks in the UK
Guide

Top places for yoga breaks in the UK

Ellie Ross
Ellie Ross

Yoga may have its roots in ancient India, but it’s spread around the world – and the UK is no exception. Since first landing on the scene here in the early twentieth century, its popularity has soared.

Where To Go For A (Crowd-Free) Short Break In The UK
Guide

Where To Go For A (Crowd-Free) Short Break In The UK

Lottie Gross
Lottie Gross

As UK holidaymakers mentally prepare for a summer holiday closer to home, thoughts may be drawn to tacky amusement arcades in faded seaside towns, or packed village tearooms and traffic-clogged country lanes. But look beyond the over-popular tourist hotspots and you’ll find plenty of hidden and underrated corners of the UK that are perfect for a peaceful short break, but still with plenty to see and do.

Family-Friendly Walking Holidays In Wales
Guide

Family-Friendly Walking Holidays In Wales

Jeremy Head
Jeremy Head

Wales offers hundreds of marked trails from hardcore mountain hikes to placid beachside strolls. Here are three walks that are particularly suited for younger walkers.

Family-Friendly Activities In The Peak District
Guide

Family-Friendly Activities In The Peak District

Helen Moat
Helen Moat

Spanning five counties, the Peak District National Park’s varied landscapes, brimming with hills, valleys, rivers and reservoirs, provide an ideal backdrop for family-friendly adventures.A visit to the Peak District can be as exhilarating or as relaxing as you like, with activities ranging from the gentle – walking with alpacas and riding the monthly musical folk train – to the thrilling – hang gliding, rock climbing and caving.

Climbing Courses In The Peak District
Guide

Climbing Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood
Rosie Bellwood

The Peak District’s exposed geology and ease of access have made it one of the most popular climbing spots in the country.The gritstone edges of the ‘Dark Peak’ are ideally suited to bouldering and trad climbing, while the limestone crags and quarries in the ‘White Peak’ are renowned for both trad and sport climbing.

Caving & Potholing Courses In The Peak District
Guide

Caving & Potholing Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood
Rosie Bellwood

The Peak District boasts some incredible caving and potholing opportunities, with tourists and school groups trailing through large caverns daily. The area is littered with caves and old mines ripe for exploring.

Paddleboarding, Canoeing, Kayaking & Wild Swimming In The Peak District
Guide

Paddleboarding, Canoeing, Kayaking & Wild Swimming In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood
Rosie Bellwood

With abundant rivers, canals and reservoirs, the Peak District is a playground for watersports and the hardy people of the area are happy to venture out whatever the weather. There are courses and experience days across the Peak District with key locations being Combs Reservoir, Carsington Water, Tittsworth and Derwent River.

Landscape Photography Courses In The Peak District
Guide

Landscape Photography Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood
Rosie Bellwood

With a variety of landscapes that shift dramatically with the seasons, the Peak District is a great place to hone your photography skills.Many beauty spots can be accessed by bike, hike or car and cafes are scattered across the district to pause and refresh your creativity.

Gorge Walking In The Peak District
Guide

Gorge Walking In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood
Rosie Bellwood

Gorge walking, also known as river scrambling or Ghyll scrambling, is a fun group activity for children and adults alike (depending on the location) that sees you scrambling up waterfalls, swimming through rivers and jumping off rocks into pools. It has similarities with caving, but above ground.

Navigating & Orienteering Courses In The Peak District
Guide

Navigating & Orienteering Courses In The Peak District

Rosie Bellwood
Rosie Bellwood

One of the main draws of the Peak District is its hiking and walking. From multi-day hiking holidays across rough terrain to afternoons walking the copious well trodden paths, there is something for all abilities and fitness levels.

Walking holidays in England
Guide

Walking holidays in England

Simon Heptinstall
Simon Heptinstall

There are two broad categories of walking holidays in England: single location (‘centre based’) or long distance (‘inn-to-inn’) walks. When I've been walking with a big group or with kids in tow, it can work better being based in one location and heading out on day hikes as the group (and weather) sees fit.

The United Kingdom tours

Pembrokeshire Coastal Path South
Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Coastal Path South

Self-guided walking holiday
5 days From £400 pp
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path North
Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Coastal Path North

Self-guided walking holiday
4 days From £320 pp
The South West Coast Path (all sections)
South West

The South West Coast Path (all sections)

Self-guided walking holidays on the SWCP
4 – 7 days £340£595 pp
Classic Cornwall Short Break
South West

Classic Cornwall Short Break

Self-guided walking holiday
2 – 3 days £170£255 pp
The Smugglers Way
South West

The Smugglers Way

Self-guided walking holiday
2 – 3 days £170£255 pp
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Coastal Path

Self-guided walking holiday
12 – 18 days £1,020£1,530 pp

The United Kingdom travel companies

Scotland

EasyWays

Specialists in Scotland walking holidays
The United Kingdom

Macs Adventure

Active adventures at home and abroad
The United Kingdom

Encounter Walking Holidays

Self-guided walks in South West England & Wales
South Downs

South Downs Discovery

South Downs Way walking holidays
The United Kingdom

Open Road Open Skies

Cycling and walking adventures
Europe

Walkers' Britain

Explore the UK & Europe with Walkers' Britain
The Highlands

Scot Mountain Holidays

Self-guided & guided activity holidays in Scotland
Scotland

Ticket To Ride

Bike rental & transport in the Highlands

Places to go in The United Kingdom

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