Britain’s finest winter walks with a cosy pub at the end

There’s no need to banish your walking boots as the nights close in. Sarah Baxter recommends country hikes culminating in a memorable meal, drink or stay

With increasing numbers of Britons embracing hill walking, winter is definitely the time to hike. You are more likely to have footpaths to yourself, for a start; and while lacking the lushness of other seasons, winter has a special beauty: skeleton trees, exposed landforms, murmuring birds, shimmering frost, woodsmoke, and a calming sense of nature at rest. It is rarely that you don’t feel better, in both body and mind, after a brisk, cheek-rosying yomp – especially if there happens to be a good pub at the end… age Coast, followed by good homecooked dishes afterwards. The four mile Monknash, Lighthouse and Marcross Walk loops via the last manned lighthouse in Wales and golden Cwm Nash beach, where waterfalls splish; it is also excellent for wild, cold swimming, if that’s your thing. Extend the walk (to around 7.5 miles, using the Atlantic College loop) for the dramatic Jurassic coast and St Donat’s Castle.

The Plough and Harrow (01656 890209; ploughandharrowmonknash.co.uk) has self-catering cottages from £400 for two nights.

Inspired by Ridley Scott’s Napoleon? Then take a walk along the Royal Military Canal, built 1804-1809 as a defence against invasion by the Little Corporal; a kink was made every 500m so cannons could cover each section. Fairly flat and easily navigable, it is accessible from Warehorne’s 16th-century Woolpack Inn. Walk from there to the old village of Appledore via the Saxon Shore Way, past Kenardington’s St Mary’s Church, built on the site of a Saxon fort. Return along the canal’s grassy banks, looking out for kingfishers, herons and Second World War pillboxes. Back at the Woolpack, you will find five characterful bedrooms plus inglenook fireplaces, low beams, welly racks and seasonal menus.

The Woolpack (01233 732900; woolpackwarehorne.co.uk) has double rooms from £85, including breakfast.

The North Coast 500 heaves in summer. So, for a quieter and quite extraordinary take on the Northwest Highlands, brave this elemental landscape in wintertime. Head for the hamlet of Kylesku to walk along Loch Glendhu. A good, low-level track of around five miles leads to a bothy at the end of its northern shore, skirting below the cliffs of Creag Ruadh; walk all the way, or turn back when you tire. It is eye-popping both ways, especially when frosty, with views across the water to the Quinag and the Stack of Glencoul.

Smart Kylesku Hotel sits right on the loch; its bar-restaurant serves mussels and langoustines landed yards away, and has enormous windows – you might see the northern lights. There are good winter-saver rates on stays, too.

Kylesku Hotel (01971 910047; kyleskuhotel.co.uk) has double rooms from £99, including breakfast.

iTime travel: visit Bury Ditches, an Iron Age hill fort, on a walk through the rolling Shropshire countryside hWiltshire fare: enjoy unreal food and real ales at the Queen’s Head in Broad Chalke

iShore bet: the smart Kylesku Hotel in Sutherland sits right on Loch Glendhu