As the days grow longer, the countryside bursts into life and all those romantic images of rural England start to make sense. With the winter behind us, it’s the perfect time to lace up your walking boots and explore some of the country’s most scenic trails.
Here’s a selection of five of our favourite English springtime walking routes. Some of them are relatively flat and undemanding, others are better suited for walkers with some stamina, but they’ll lead you through some of the country’s most spectacular, and uniquely English landscapes.
The South Downs (Sussex and Hampshire)
Stretching 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne, the South Downs Way offers panoramic views of rolling chalk hills, lush valleys, and the dramatic Seven Sisters cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Springtime is one of the best times to explore this route, as the landscape comes alive with wildflowers such as cowslips and orchids.
For a manageable spring walk, try the section between Alfriston and Eastbourne (roughly 11 miles). This stretch takes you across the stunning Cuckmere Haven before reaching the Seven Sisters. Finish at Beachy Head, where you might be able to see across the Channel to France on a clear day.
Bluebell Woods, Ashridge Estate (Hertfordshire)
Few sights evoke springtime more than a carpet of bluebells in full bloom, and the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire is one of the best places in England to experience this spectacle. Managed by the National Trust, this vast estate offers miles of woodland trails, but the most famous route is the Bluebell Walk, which takes you through a sea of violet-blue flowers.
A gentle 4.5-mile circular walk from the visitor centre will lead you through ancient beech and oak woodland, where dappled sunlight filters through the leaves. Visit in late April to early May, to catch the bluebells at their best.
Pennine Way (Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale)
For a slight more challenging spring walk, tackle a section of the legendary Pennine Way. The 14-mile stretch from Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale has some of the best scenery in the Yorkshire Dales, including limestone pavements, rolling moorlands, and spectacular views from Pen-y-Ghent, one of Yorkshire’s famous Three Peaks.
In Spring the meadows are alive with wildflowers, while lambs graze the surrounding fields. The route takes in classic Pennine landscapes, including Malham Tarn and rugged uplands, making it a rewarding day out for experienced walkers.
Buttermere Circular (Lake District)
Spring is one of the best times to see the Lake District before the summer crowds arrive, and Buttermere is a particularly idyllic spot. This relatively easy 4.5-mile circuit around the lake is perfect for soaking up the fresh spring air while absorbing the mountain views reflected in the still waters.
You’ll pass through ancient woodlands, across footbridges, and past waterfalls, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, including red squirrels and ospreys.
Wye Valley Walk (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire)
The Wye Valley, on the border between England and Wales, is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and in spring, with its wooded slopes, riverbanks, and wildflower meadows it’s easy to see why.
The Wye Valley Walk stretches for 136 miles, but a particularly beautiful section leads from Symonds Yat to Monmouth, offering a good day’s walking. “” This 7-mile route follows the River Wye, below dramatic cliffs and winding through ancient forests filled with the scent of wild garlic in the spring.
Symonds Yat Rock, a highlight of the walk, provides far-ranging views over the valley and it’s a prime spot to see peregrine falcons soaring and, if you’re lucky, diving for their prey. With charming villages and cosy pubs along the way, this is a real favourite of ours.