The grand tour

We’ve just returned from a four-week UK tour in our campervan, Mum, Dad, two children (aged 10 & 6) and our 17-month-old Labrador. As well as sights from the glorious golden sands and soft seas of the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts, Hadrian’s Wall and numerous Roman forts, the Gordale Scar at the top of the North Yorkshire Dales to the deep mines of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, we also tackled three walks from your wonderful magazine.

Pin Mill, Suffolk: a delightful walk to take in a heat wave, from the shady Pin Mill woods to the brindle next to the pub to paddle in, there was something for everyone. Next, Cheddar Gorge, in the Mendip Hills – despite another blisteringly hot day, the climb up through the woods was shady enough to save us from the unforgiving sun and once we arrived, the magnificent and dramatic panorama and breezes at the top immediately removed all memory of our slog during a heat wave! And finally Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Having travelled (via Cheddar Gorge) from Pembrokeshire, where the stones originated, it made a perfect end to our grand tour! As we had the dog along, we weren’t permitted into the English Heritage area of the henge, but, much to our delight, the public footpath runs only a few feet behind this area, so the children enjoyed as good a view of the henge as we would have done without the dog.

We cannot thank you enough for these fantastic routes, and look forward to tackling more, although please may I be forgiven for hoping for a slightly cooler summer next time!

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