We love countryside walks and this is probably the activity we do the most of. We are slow walkers, appreciating what is around us in terms of landscape, nature and history. The walks that we share here are mostly fairly straight forward and under 10 miles long, so no massive challenges, just regular countryside walks that we recommend to our friends.
To help your enjoyment we have included a route map, stats of the route and highlighted things to look out for on the walk at different times of the year. Where we can, we will recommend where to have your picnic/brew-up and where to stop for coffee and cake.
We frequently look up walks in local information booklets, websites or books and these will be referred to in each description - what we have done is enhance the walk description with our personal experience.
We have a joke that when Sam chooses the route we go down dead-ends and when Peter chooses the route they are always much longer than anticipated. To allow for these foibles we always carry plenty of drinks and a map. Unless it is a short walk and the weather is settles we also take layers of clothing including waterproofs and wear stout walking boots.
Walk in the Trossachs
So Good We Went There Twice. Back in March this year we decided to have a week off work and spend some time exploring the wonderful area we had moved to. One of the first walks we did was up from Lendrick Hill, close to Brig O’ Turk. We loved the route so much, that…
Walking and Swimming in Swaledale
Wildflowers and Swim Spots Galore When we go on a holiday we enjoy going somewhere and being able to explore from our base. Upper Swaledale is perhaps one of the best places in the country to do this – stunning walks, either in the valley bottom or across heather-clad tops. A beautiful river, full of…
Circular Route near Stirling
Sauchie Crags and North Third Reservoir. This is a short but spectacular circular route close to Stirling which has a variety of habitat, including spectacular cliffs, mixed woodland and banks of North Third Reservoir. It is one of the routes recommended in the book Scottish Trail Running, which I have previously reviewed. As it was…
Strathblane Circular Walk, Stirlingshire
Views, new plants and a lunchtime dip We have a bit of an ongoing joke between us that when I choose the route we end up without a footpath and when Peter chooses the route it is much longer than intended. As it was a hot day in July Peter chose this Strathblane Circular route…
Walk at Lochmaben, Dumfries & Galloway
A Walk that Packs a Punch We discovered this walk from Lochmaben by pure accident – and what a happy accident. This walk has it all: a variety of ecosystems, local history, sculptures, excellent interpretation boards, easy navigation and good access – oh yes and willow tits. This 4 mile flat circuit around Castle Loch…
Beningbrough Hall Walk
In Search of the Jewel of York A favourite walk in the York area is around the perimeter of Beningbrough Hall. This is a lovely route for either a summer evening stroll or a winter trail run, not too long (approx 5km) and finishing at a lovely pub. We most recently ran the route on…
Howsham Bluebell Woods and a Favourite Walk
May is the time for walks in bluebell woods. Around York there are a number of beautiful bluebell woods to enjoy as the weather gets warmer. We made the most of a warm mid-week day by leaving work slightly early and heading to a favourite walk round Howsham Woods. You can start this walk either…
Bishop Wilton Re-visited
This is a lovely 5km walk from the pretty village of Bishop Wilton, 15 miles to the East of York. As the start is from the village pub, this is a perfect way to walk off the calories after a pub lunch or to build up a thirst on a summer’s evening. With your back…
A Mausoleum and Many Monuments
Yesterday we returned to Castle Howard parkrun for the second time. This is one of the toughest courses I know, with the last kilometre or so uphill. Yesterday it was also into a biting wind. The course designers have done a really good job in showing off all that Castle Howard has to show, with…
Dollar Glen in Winter
We were visiting family up in the central belt of Scotland last week. The area doesn’t look very promising to outdoor enthusiasts, particularly on a wet and windy winter weekend. Naturally we did our weekly parkrun, on this occasion a return to Callendar Park in Falkirk. It was our second time at this run and we both…
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