The 20 loveliest walks in Britain (with a pub waiting at the end)
There are gorgeous hiking trails throughout the UK – but which are the best? Lace up your boots and follow our definitive guide
Spring is in the air — and there’s no better time to stretch your legs and catch a breath of fresh air. So, here are 20 of Britain’s very best walks, ranging from a couple of miles to a dozen, featuring spectacular scenery, peaceful settings and all easily done in a day.
CORNISH CLIFFWALK
BEGINNING and ending in Kynance Cove, hike along the South West Coast path following clifftops with splendid sea views and taking in the craggy outcrop of Lizard point, mainland Britain’s southernmost point.
Expect to spot choughs (an endangered member of the crow family with a bright orange-red beak), and you can stop off at the pleasant vllage of Lizard on the loop back.
LENGTH: 5.9 miles, 3 hours.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate.
REFRESHMENTS: The 200-year-old Top House inn at Lizard is mainland Britain’s southernmost inn ( thetophouseinn.co.uk).
WONDER OF WILTSHIRE
EVERYONE’S heard of Stonehenge, but perhaps not Avebury, though it’s Britain’s largest stone circle — about ten times bigger. The stones are half-hidden among the buildings of its namesake village.
One of the highlights of a walk around is seeing the striking conical shape of Silbury Hill, which pokes up 40 metres and is the largest artificial earthwork in Europe — it’s a mystical place.
LENGTH: 4 miles, 2 to 2½ hours.
DIFFICULTY: Easy.
REFRESHMENTS: Enjoy a tipple at the thatched red Lion ( chefandbrewer.com).
DERBYSHIRE DREAM
STANAGE Edge is one of the peak District’s best-known gritstone edges — and a circular walk from Hathersage village is a great way to explore.
The highest point, High neb, is at 1,502ft. This was where the 2005 film version of pride And prejudice was shot, when Elizabeth Bennet (played by Keira Knightley) stood with her coat billowing behind her.
You also pass Moorseats Hall, inspiration