Dear Reader

THE embarrassment of riches that we have in Britain became ever clearer as the pandemic progressed. The problem was that with travel virtually banned to traditional hotspots overseas, it was tricky to find anywhere to stay in the UK.

No room at the inn was the prevailing message up and down the country. But now, hopefully, this will no longer be the case as the world opens up.

Many of us have discovered the joys of walking in the past 18 months. It might not always be true that, as Nietzsche put it, ‘all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking,’ but it’s undeniable that our mood lightens as we put one foot in front of the other in glorious British countryside — whatever the weather.

Some people, including actress Maureen Lipman, have vowed never to go abroad again. So they might find our feature on page 6 useful, where we show how you can have world-beating breaks without leaving these shores.

And don’t forget to enter our competition on page 8. We’ve joined forces with Coast and Country Hotel Collection to give away ten fabulous UK walking breaks. The prize includes a two-night break at one of its 37 locations. Give it a go!