LIZARD PENINSULA // Cornwall
We mainly remember our trip to Cornwall last year for two things – the atrocious weather and our walk around the Lizard Peninsula. Thankfully, the one dry day that we did have was the day we had planned to visit the Lizard.
With its rugged coastline, dramatic scenery and array of interesting and rare wildflowers, the Peninsula is, unsurprisingly, a very popular destination.
However, for those willing to explore further than Lizard Point and Kynance Cove, there’s walking gold to be found. The path snakes over craggy headlands, down into hidden coves and along clifftops, taking you away from the crowds and into the coastal wilderness with every enjoyable step.
ST DAVID’S HEAD // Pembrokeshire
Yes, I might be a little bit biased, given that my own family has been going on holidays in the beautiful landscapes of Pembrokeshire for four generations; but personally, I think there is no better place in the UK to walk than St David’s Head, which is part of the Wales Coast Path.
The walk itself is fairly easy-going, but it can be increased in difficulty for those wishing to reach the top of Carn Llidi, and takes around three hours with a few pleasant stops made along the way.
On a good day, you can see dolphins and seals, as well as the omnipresent wild Welsh mountain ponies that graze here. Great swathes of purple heather bring a blaze of colour to the headland in the summer, fading to autumn gold later in the year.
As if that weren’t enough, it starts and finishes by the glorious Whitesands Bay, one of Britain’s most picturesque beaches and a fitting end to the walk.
PLUCKLEY CIRCULAR WALK // Kent
This is one of the most quintessentially English walks that you could imagine. The meandering, very easy-going, loop showcases the best of Kent as it passes small farms and the ubiquitous oast houses, winding through apple orchards and idyllic hamlets, such as Little Chart Forstal.
It was here that author HE Bates had the inspiration for Pop Larkin and The Darling Buds of May. For those who remember the TV dramatisation, the walk takes you through the heart of where the show was filmed. With several great pubs en route, there are plenty of places to sample local cider and enjoy a hearty lunch, while enjoying a feeling of being away from the world.