Take a chance...
Ellie Harrison, as usual, makes an excellent point this month (page 114). With holidays and hard-earned cash so precious to most of us, she says it’s understandable that many people are risk-averse in their choice of destination.
So Cornwall, the Lake District, Peak District, Snowdonia and Dorset proved once again the most searched-for breaks in the countryside on Countryfile.com as lockdown measures were eased last summer. It’s also why we often choose images of these places on our covers – they’re perennially popular. The problem was, as I found out myself in Snowdonia, these hotspots were busier than ever in 2020. And sometimes a heaving throng of walkers can take the edge off the enjoyment.
So this issue we’re making a case for trying something new. Phoebe Smith leads the charge with walking with ponies (who carry your pack!) across Wales (page 32) and we have many ideas throughout the magazine for finding tranquil holidays away from the crowds. And why not tackle a long-distance trail this year? See page 75 for some brilliant starter walks.
My own suggestion would be my beloved Brecon Beacons, but don’t go near Pen y Fan or Sugar Loaf; they’re stunning, but who wants to queue to climb a summit? There are dozens of other equally intriguing peaks. Anywhere in the Black Mountains north of Abergavenny and Crickhowell will give you a sense of freedom and beauty without seeing another soul. Except me, perhaps.