Brilliant basecamps

Six quirkily beautiful bases with the warmest welcome for walkers.

NORTH BERWICK, East Lothian

Perched fabulously on the rugged North Sea coast, with Edinburgh a shortish train ride away, North Berwick is also blessed with its own mini-mountain, the volcanic plug of North Berwick Law. It topped the Scotland section in the Sunday

Times’ Best Places to Live 2021 for its beauty and wellness vibe, but it’s the walking you’ll really love it for.

HEBDEN BRIDGE, West Yorkshire

Pulsing with literary and artistic creativity and renowned for its thriving LGTBQ+ community, Hebden Bridge is very special. Nestled in the twisting depths of Calderdale, and flanked by its neighbours Mytholmroyd and Heptonstall, there are enough great walks here to fill a no-repeat fortnight, never mind a week. W

DUNSTER, Somerset

Nestled at the interlock of Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, with the South West Coast Path starting close by in Minehead, Dunster is an under-rated gem. A fairytale castle, a rich cultural scene, a thriving community orchard, a great beach and lovely walks on Grabbist Hill and Gallox Hill will easily keep you happy for a week or more. W

GRANGE-OVER-SANDS, Cumbria

Grange was a Victorian seaside resort until silting caused the sea to recede. The sea maybe gone but Grange retains its glamour, with a fraction of the crowds elsewhere in Cumbria. From the top of Hampsfell you get astonishing views of the Lake District, and when the tide’s in at Humphrey Head (above), you can still touch base with seawater.

CHURCH STRETTON, Shropshire

In 2018 we opined that our 19-mile Stretton Skyline walk was the best possible use for midsummer daylight. That’s still true, but why not stay longer and break that epic walk down into its stunning components, including Caer Caradoc, the Long Mynd and Ragleth? And there’s a warm welcome in thriving Church Stretton at the heart of it all. W

DEVIL’S BRIDGE, Ceredigion

Famed for its triple bridge and legend of an old woman, a dog and Satan (worth Googling), and turned into TV gold by Y Gwyll/Hinterland,

Devil’s Bridge is also a basecamp for countless walks around the gorges of the rivers Mynach and Rheidol. The Vale of Rheidol railway means the possibilities for circular and linear walks are almost limitless. W