Top Walks

Walks that we recommend, and they are mostly free.

 

Northern England

Central England

Eastern England

Southern England

Northern England

Lancashire

Witton Country Park & Visitors Centre, Blackburn Plenty on offer whatever the weather, roam in parkland, play chase in the woodland, enjoy riverside walks or open fields and then take advantage of the visitor centre and new play area.

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Northumberland

Plessey Woods Country Park, Bedlington The 100 acres of woodland, meadow and riverside are an ideal place for a family day out and getting closer to nature. Explore on foot or cycle from the visitors centre on easy paths for pushchairs, choose a self guided trail or venture further into the countryside.

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Yorkshire

Dalby Forest, Pickering Enjoy the landscape of the forest, the lakeside or upland walks following the trails or try out the adventure play area. The visitor centre provides a welcome hot drink on a winters day.

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Central England

Leicestershire

Conkers Discovery Centre, Moira The Conkers Circuit is perfect for a family walk, wildlife ramble or cycle ride. Get outdoors on the way marked woodland trails, taking in the Albert Village Lake and woodland.

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Northamptonshire

East Carlton Country Park, Corby  One hundred acres of woodland and ponds. Walk through the woods and grassland and see if you can spot any of the wildlife.

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Nottinghamshire

Rufford Country Park, Ollerton Take a relaxing stroll around 150 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens in the setting of what remains of a 12th century abbey. There are picturesque lakeside walks, a sculpture trail and the added bonus of a children’s play village and craft centre.

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Shropshire

Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton Stunning views whether you take a long or short walk from the National Trust visitor centre, take the path to New Pool Reservoir or up to Light Spout Hollow to keep little ones interested or stride out further afield with the energetic ones!

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Staffordshire

Biddulph Grange Country Park, Stoke on Trent Follow the brook up the hill in the direction of the ‘Hydroelectric Walk’ taking you to the lake and ponds at the top. On your return pop into the reopened visitors centre run by volunteers to find out more about the park’s Victorians history and why the lakes are there.

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West Midlands

Lickey Hills Country Park, Birmingham Listen out for the musical sculptures if you take the sculpture trail or choose the circular walk and head up to the toposcope on Beacon View.

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Southern England

Bristol

Leigh Woods, Bristol Woodland on the very edge of the city. Choose from three waymarked trails starting from Coronation Avenue car park (off A369 to Portishead). Find a hill fort, sculptures and views over the River Avon.

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Cornwall

China Clay Country Park The park is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and there are nature trails with a children’s woodland play area and adventure course. Mount Edgcumbe Country Park Over 800 acres of parkland that is a combination of formal gardens, temples, follies and woodlands around the Tudor House and the estate includes a ten-mile stretch of Cornish coastline.

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Devon

Dartmoor National Park Over 350 square miles of open moorland and wooded gorges and rocky rivers, Dartmoor is the wildest area of open country in the South West. The Park Authority runs a programme of guided walks. Grand Western Canal Country Park and Nature Reserve The Country Park is a great place to walk or cycle as it is a flat and easy walk, with the Canal towpath running beside the canal for the full 11.25 miles. The canal itself hosts many species of birds and the country park has an abundance of wildlife.

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Dorset

Durlston Country Park, Swanage Near Swanage, this park is the gateway to the Jurassic coastline and a World Heritage Site with woodland and wildlife trails Upton Country Park, Poole The estate includes farmland, woodland, saltmarsh trails and a replica Roman Farm.  There is a 16-mile trailway suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Radipole Lake RSPB Nature Reserve, Weymouth A nature reserve in central Weymouth sounds unlikely, but once you are on the footpath spotting the different birds amongst the reed beds around the freshwater lake, you could be far away in the countryside.  Visitor centre open daily.

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Gloucestershire

May Hill, Newent Pick a clear day to climb this landmark hill with the clump of trees on top. Even reluctant walkers will be impressed by the views. Several routes lead to the top so a good chance to practise map reading. Sherborne Estate, Northleach A 2.5-mile family fun walk starts from the Ewe Pen Barn car park (turn off A40 opposite Lodge Park). Look out for sculptures and the Ice House. Go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk to download a guide.

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Hampshire

New Forest National Park, New Forest The forest is a living and working place, much of which is made up of woodland and open heathland, where ponies and cattle freely graze the land and there is also an abundance of wildlife such as snakes, frogs and lizards. The New Forest is a haven for the cyclist, horse riders and walkers and all year round there are guided walks where local experts will tell you about the history, geology and wildlife of the park

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Isle of Wight

Fort Victoria Country Park, Yarmouth At Hampshire’s biggest country park, there are extensive trails for walking, and off-road cycling and a children’s adventure play trail. The park has a range of habitats including grassland and woodland and there are four water features.  The surrounding Country Park offers seashore and woodland walks and the site is one of the best vantage points for watching the Solent’s boats and shipping.

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Kent

Bedgebury Forest and National Pinetum, Goudhurst Collect a Winter Trail leaflet and look out for the variety of wildlife. There are so many species of trees, all very pretty with a wintry dusting. Car park charges are applicable. The White Cliffs of Dover (National Trust Property, no entrance charge) Public footpaths towards St Margaret's and Deal, with lovely views across the Channel. There are seabirds and wild ponies to look out for and the Visitor Centre is open daily, except 24-26 December.

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London

Lee Valley Regional Park The award-winning park stretches 26 miles along the leafy banks of the River Lee, from Ware in Hertfordshire, through Essex, to the Thames at East India Dock Basin. The Lea Valley Walk is one of the jewels in the park's crown; follow the swan symbol, which marks the route.

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Somerset

Somerset Space Walk, Bridgwater to Taunton Walk along the towpath of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal to discover a true scale model of the sun and planets in their orbits. Start at the sun at Higher Maunsel Lock and walk in either direction – Pluto is nearly seven miles away! Strawberry Line, Yatton Walk a stretch of this disused railway line, now an 11-mile walking and cycling route from Yatton to Cheddar. The route runs through the North Somerset Levels and Mendip Hills AONB. Ham Hill Country Park, near Yeovil  Centred on an Iron Age hill fort, this 390-acre country park has hilly landscape, woodlands and quarry areas to explore. There are compass trails and an orienteering course for older children.

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Surrey

Horton Country Park and Nature Reserve, Epsom  The Country Park is a large area of fields, hedgerows, woods and ponds, holding treasures such as bluebell woods and the Green Woodpecker.  Visitors to the reserve can enjoy a range of activities including walking, cycling, running, dog walking, nature watching, kite flying, orienteering, fruit picking, golf and many more. Leith Hill, Dorking (National Trust property, no entrance charge) Climb up the highest summit in south east England and pick up a leaflet to go on the nature trails. The tower is open on weekends only.

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Sussex

Forest Way Country Park, East Grinstead to Groomsbridge There are four circular walks to be enjoyed. The trail starts at Forest Row and ends at Groombridge, running along a disused railway line, forming a green corridor. Look out for badger tracks, deer and foxes. Camber Castle Walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Rye This circular seaside walk is 3.5 miles long and passes Camber Castle. The Castle is closed in Winter, but there are bird watching hides and a lots of interesting seashore fauna and flora to explore.

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Wiltshire

Stanton Park, near Swindon Woodland, parkland, meadows and lakes make this a perfect setting for nature rambles. Surfaced paths provide easy access. Langford Lakes Nature Reserve, Steeple Langford A nature reserve consisting of three lakes and a short stretch of the River Wylye. There are level paths, bird hides and a visitor centre. Remember binoculars for bird spotting.

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Eastern England

Bedfordshire

Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Bedford For walkers and cyclists, there are eight kilometers of traffic-free, surfaced footpaths and cycle paths. Explore the beautiful wetland nature reserve on the wetland trail.

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Cambridgeshire

The Backs, Cambridge A lovely walk for all ages to enjoy the ambience of the city with views of the colleges across the river.  Beautiful in winter.

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Essex

Thorndon Country Park, Brentwood A beautiful country park containing a diverse range of habitats.  Choose from a walk in precious woods, historic parkland or the timeless commons.

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Hertfordshire

Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City A beautiful countryside park, covering an area of 126 acres, on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City.  Explore the 2 lakes and nature trail.

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Norfolk

Thetford Forest Park, Thetford Set in the middle of the forest is High Lodge where families can explore the walkways and adventure playgrounds.

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Suffolk

West Stow Country Park, West Stow A 52 hectare country park bursting with life. There are plenty of opportunities for picnics, walks and trails in woodland and heathland, along the river Lark and around the lake.

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