Summer is an great time for exploring the English countryside via the many public footpaths and rights of way that, for historical reasons, criss- cross the country.

Here then are some fantastic walks to enjoy from around England showcasing the different toes of countryside the country has to offer.

Each walk has an outline and highlights, followed by a link to more detailed directions and we’ve tried to choose walks covering the whole country and different types of terrain.

We’ve everything from an upland Dales walk in Yorkshire, a stroll through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to a walk through the flat fenland of the Norfolk Broads (and more).

And so, whatever type of scenery you like, and wherever in the country you happen to be, there’s a walk for you.

KETTLEWELL TO BUCKDEN AND BACK (YORKSHIRE DALES)

Upper Wharfedale is one of the most popular parts of the Yorkshire dales, the national park in northern England.

(The dales, or valleys, are named after the river flowing through them – in this case the Wharfe).

This walk starts and finished in the quintessential dales village of Kettlewell. Surround by rolling hills and sheep farms, The village boasts 3 fantastic pubs, ancient church and lots of slate grey cottages coming in the area.

Following a path uphill to the top off of one of the hills forming the valley, you’ll make your way upstream across the top of the ridge to the village of Starbotton and then further on Buckden.

Both villages are smaller versions of kettlewell with the latter popular as the starting point for more adventurous walkers wanting to scale the nearby Buckden Pike.

Following the head of the valley round, you’ll eventually drop back into the valley to the river.

There’s another path by the side of the Wharfe which you’ll take downstream back to Kettlewell.

For more detailed directions go to here: https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/ daleslife/walking/19878919.countrywalk-kettlewell-walk-views-no-stiles/

HOW HILL TO ST BENET’S ABBEY (NORFOLK BROADS)

The Norfolk Broads in East Anglia are a popular holiday destinations.

The Broads are lakes formed from the gravel pits flooded by the local rivers such as the Ant, and the Waveney.

Boating is particularly popular as, unlike canals, there are no locks due to the very flat nature of the Norfolk fenland countryside.

Whilst boating is popular, the flat Norfolk terrain and wetlands are also a great place for a walk. This hike is a great example.

It starts at the How Hill nature reserve and follows the River Ant south for 5km, past Ludham Bridge, until it meets the river Bure.

Along the way it passes old windmills, giving the flat terrain a Holland-ish look (Holland is actually not all that far east over the North Sea from Norfolk).

Close to the meeting of the two rivers you’ll pass the ruined St Benet’s Abbey. There’s been a monastery on the site since the 9th century. The abbey also has the distinction of being of the few to have survived Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Once you’ve passed St Benets you’ll head inland, north, towards the village of Ludham. This sits on an offshoot of yet another river, the river Thurne, and is one of the many pretty riverside villages in this part of the Broads.

It’s also a good place for refreshment: there’s a good pub, the King’s Head, in the centre.

After Ludham you’ll head West out of the village and back to the start at How Hill.

The walk’s pretty easy (it’s level) but can get muddy after wet weather and so take good boots.

For details on the walk, including directions, go to: https://www. visitthebroads.co.uk/__data/assets/ pdf_file/0021/238152/How-Hill-to-StBenets.pdf

COLN ST.ALDWYNS AND BIBURY (COTSWOLDS)

The Cotswolds are hills in the centre of England popular with the English and overseas visitors alike.

The gentle rolling hills and villages of honey colour stone built cottages make this one of the most popular places for tourists in England.

It’s also a great place to go for a hike.

This walk takes in two of the prettiest villages in the area. Starting from one of them, Coln Saint Aldwyns, it follows the river Coln to the second, Bibury.

Bibury is home to Arlington Row, a series of pretty stone cottages used in many movies (and even appears on the new UK passport).

The return walk through farmland provides lots of lovely views of the local countryside.

The walk is an easy going 10km and can be rounded off with a drink or something to eat at the excellent New Inn pub in Coln Saint Aldwyns.

More details here: https://www. alltrails.com/trail/england/ gloucestershire/coln-saint-aldwynsand-bibury-circular

YES TOR AND HIGH WILLHAYS (DARTMOOR)

The beautiful and wild Dartmoor in Devon has been enchanting visitors for centuries. Its bleak misty moors were the star of the best known Sherlock Holmes mystery, the Hound of the Baskervilles, and its this bleakness that attracts walkers to this part of central Devon (in the South West of England).

Our chosen walk starts at one of the several dams in Dartmoor, Meldon Dam, and follows a track to Yes Tor (a ‘Tor’ is the local name for a hill) one of the highest parts of Dartmoor and then onto the highest part: High Willhays.

The track takes you via another Tor, Black Tor (a good lunch spot) and the via the Meldon viaduct back to the Dam.

Detailed directions are available here: https://visitdartmoor.co.uk/get-active/the-best-dartmoor-walks/yes-tor-andhigh-willhays-dartmoor-high-walks.

Beware – this part of Dartmoor is often used by the British Army for firing practice. Check online for firing days (which should also be displayed at the Dam).

HAMBLEDEN & MEDMENHAM CIRCULAR WALK (THAMES VALLEY)

The river Thames not only flows through London – its valley is home to wonderful towns and villages such as Windsor, Marlow and Oxford.

It’s also a great place for a walk, especially due to the Thames Path, which runs along 185 miles of the river’s course making it a wonderful way of seeing the river and the surrounding countryside up close.

We’ve chosen a walk which incorporates one section of this Path.

It starts at Mill End, near the pretty village of Hambleden in Buckinghamshire and, after walking into the village, follows a series of lanes and public footpaths to Medmenham on the Thames.

From there it follows the Thames Path upstream back to Mill End.

Top Tip: Combine the walk with a trip to the Stag and Huntsman pub in Hambleden – another great place to eat or drink (or even stay).

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