Walking has benefits for both your physical and mental health and there are lots of ways to make walking fun. Read on for some fabulous routes across the beautiful British landscape, with nature hike activities, walks for children and things to do while walking.
Lancashire: Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail
Close to our Oak Leigh Gardens development, nestled in the Ribble Valley, is a fabulous walk that has been created to provide inspiration through art. The first of its kind to be established in Lancashire, the route takes in over 20 permanent works of art which have been created by artists working with the local community to reflect the local environment and heritage of the area.
The trail travels through Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Quarry, a local nature reserve managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, only a mile from Clitheroe town centre. There is plenty of natural beauty along the way, from dramatic views over the Forest of Bowland and the plentiful wildlife along the River Ribble, which includes kingfishers, heron, salmon and sandpipers.
For Yorkshire folk looking to combine some gentle exercise with art spotting there are also walk options at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, in Wakefield, not far from our St John’s Mews and City Fields development. You can even have your name included in their second Walk of Art.
Monmouthshire: The Wales Coast Path at the Severn Estuary
Our Mill Meadows development in Sudbrook, Monmouthshire, on the Severn estuary is hugged by the Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile path that allows you to walk the entire Welsh coastline or just take a short stroll in either direction.
The historic village of Sudbrook was largely built in Victorian times to house the workers creating the Severn rail tunnel, connecting Wales and England. From Sudbrook itself you can enjoy great views of the River Severn and Prince of Wales bridges and can even discover a hidden tunnel.
From Sudbrook you can choose to go north towards Chepstow with its famous castle, passing Black Rock with its lave net fishing. Or head south towards Caldicot where you can discover another castle as well as the Gwent levels and Newport wetlands, where keen bird watchers and wildlife spotters will be in their element. The choice is yours and however far you choose to walk, you’ll take in some wonderful scenery and some fabulous estuary views.
Derbyshire: The Thorpe Walk
Take a trip to the Peak District to enjoy one of the UK’s best-known valleys, complete with breath-taking views, water meadows and the famous Dovedale stepping stones.
Taking you through the pretty village of Thorpe, just a 15-minute drive from our Henmore Gardens development in Ashbourne, this trail shows off the true beauty of the area.
The 3.75-mile route begins at the Dovedale Car Park, off the A515, and is mostly easy walking with a steady climb.
Stroll through the water meadows of the River Dove, before reaching the 18th century Coldwall Bridge. You’ll come to the tiny limestone village of Thorpe, walking though the heart of the ancient village past the church, before descending into Lin Dale towards the Dovedale stepping stones and completing the full loop back to the car park.
Berkshire: Warfield Northern Lanes Circular Walk
The Warfield Northern Lanes Circular Walk is an almost 11km loop around the village, featuring beautiful fields of wildflowers and stunning views over the Berkshire countryside.
It’s close to our Orchids Place development, located in the centre of Warfield, an attractive Berkshire village, which borders Ascot, Windsor and Bracknell.
The walk starts and ends in Frost Folly Country Car Park, Wellers Lane and takes approximately three hours. It’s a gentle walk through fields and country paths and includes strolling down Ashmore Lane, reputed to be one of the prettiest lanes in the borough, especially in the Spring as the bluebells dotted along the road are in full bloom.
Devon: Pinhoe circular walks
There are picturesque walks aplenty local to our Saxon Brook development in Pinhoe, on the outskirts of Exeter, in Devon.
You can take a number of circular walks, which can be completed by people of varied abilities, but we’ve chosen a short walk that’s only a mile and a half long and a longer walk at just over four miles, which are both perfect for dog walks and families looking to explore.
Walk one is just one and a half miles across tracks, bridle paths and lanes and will take you around 30 minutes to complete. The walk takes you along the Pin Brook, past the old Brick Factory, climbing steadily to Pinhoe Church. From there you can enjoy stunning views of the Exe Estuary.
Walks two is just over four miles long and will take around one hour thirty minutes to complete. It starts at Pinhoe train station, and continues along the stunning river Clyst, past a traditional old mill and following the river into Clyst Honiton before returning to Pinhoe.
Cheshire: Delamere Forest The Gruffalo Trail
A great walk to do with children, the Gruffalo trail at Delamere Forest is one not to be missed. Close to several of our Cheshire developments, including Weaver Park and Water’s Reach in Hartford, Delamere Forest is a haven for walkers with several designated trails and lots of meandering trails to discover off the beaten track.
The Gruffalo trail follows one of the main tracks through the forest and starts at the large car park by Delamere Forest Café. Children will love spotting the characters from the Julia Donaldson book The Gruffalo along this 1.5 mile walk, before finding the Gruffalo himself in the middle of the forest.
For more information on how to get involved with National Walking Month for May click here
If you’ve enjoyed any of these walks we’d love to see your photos so tag us on social media and don’t forget to use the National Walking Month hashtag #WalkThisMay
