White Cliffs of Dover, Kent, England, UK by Harvey Barrison

England’s southern coast is home to a number of important cities, fascinating towns and quaint villages, which is why it’s a good idea to set aside a few days to tour the area. For the best experience of all, you should hire a car in Kent and travel west all the way to Cornwall. Over the course of a week, you can take in some breathtaking scenery as well as some truly unforgettable buildings and landmarks.

Kent is known as the Garden of England, and is one of the most beautiful counties in the whole of the UK. The famous white cliffs of Dover are an iconic symbol of the country, and provide a welcoming vista for ferry passengers who come to Britain from continental Europe. Further along the coast, traditional seaside resorts such as Folkestone and Hastings (which is in Sussex) are lying in wait.

Folkestone, Dover, England, UK by Pierre Metivier

The beauty of Brighton

To the immediate south of London lies the city of Brighton & Hove. It’s an exciting, funky place with a thriving entertainment quarter. Once an exclusive haunt of the rich and famous, nowadays it offers something for everyone. Continuing west, the cathedral city of Chichester is a favourite with history lovers, as well as those people who like to enjoy a little retail therapy from time to time.

Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth are all relatively close together, yet each of them has its own unique character. The latter has been a popular family holiday resort for many decades, and continues to attract plenty of tourists to this day. Continuing through Dorset, the town of Weymouth is worth a little exploration, if only because it hosted the yachting competitions at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Southampton’s Town Walls, England, UK by Christophe.Finot

Devon and Cornwall complete the westerly journey, and in these counties you’ll find a wonderful array of picturesque fishing villages, many of which have changed little over the centuries. The rugged coastline is also home to many secluded coves that offer visitors a golden opportunity to enjoy some much-needed peace and tranquillity. Be sure to bring a camera with you, because the landscapes and seascapes really need to be immortalised on film.

David Showell lives in southern England and works for 121carhire.

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The Ridgeway Path

The journey begins in Wiltshire and ends in Buckinghamshire, spanning a total of 85.5 miles. it is rated as an easy hike, the average completion time between five and seven days. Along the trail can be found a neolithic tomb built sometime around 2800 BCE. If this may feel a bit too ancient for some, one may also choose to experience the Red Lion, located in Wandover where Oliver Cromwell frequented in the 17th century.

Historic monuments are not all this trail has to offer. The path winds through some of the most idyllic scenery imaginable; verdant green hills rolling gently, every so often punctuated by quaint country houses. When passing through the Chiltern Hills, vast varieties of trees and plants can be found along with a striking plethora of orchids.

Photo by djim

The Thames Path

As the name implies, this walk begins at the source of the river and ends at its estuary. It stretches approximately 180 miles and takes between twelve to fourteen days to complete depending on one´s desire. Some of the main attractions include the Hampton Court Palace and Sutton Courtenay, the site where George Orwell is interred.

In addition to awe-inspiring views of the natural landscape, one also has the privilege to stroll through the heart of Britain´s fascinating capital city. Also keep in mind that the rather dubious reputation of the Thames as being one of the most polluted rivers in the United Kindgom no longer implies. Rather, many species of fish and waterfowl can be seen, including salmon. With finding local accommodations never a problem, this route proves to be one of the most popular for tourists and natives alike.

Hadrian´s Wall

This path is likely one of the most famous due to its historic nature. Built during the times of Roman Occupation, to follow the entire course of this ancient monument takes approximately one week. Numerous forts still stand, including one at Chesters and another at Segendunum which has now been converted into a museum.

Notwithstanding the unforgettable panoramic views of this fortification, this track effectively represents a true journey from east to west across England. Large sections of this wall still exist quite intact though it must be noted that some of the journey can require proper map reading skills and the correct type of walking shoes.

Photo by quisnovus

The Pennine Way

If a separation from civilisation is what one desires, this path is certain to satisfy. The entire length is nearly 300 miles and can prove to be one of the most challenging journeys in all of the United Kingdom.

As this trek is considered to be one of the most technically demanding, its achievement is as equally rewarding to the hearty outdoorsman or woman. Camping equipment is considered mandatory along with a compass and experience in dealing with terrain in which the path may occasionally disappear. Although there are numerous accommodations along the route, there are other stretches at the very beginning and end where none exist, therefore leaving the traveler to rely on wits and experience alone.

These are but a handful examples of the diverse terrain and cultural experiences which the United Kingdom has to offer. Both novice and experienced trekkers can enjoy these options and countless others. With a simple online search and planning, these excursions can be an unforgettable experience.

Whether your a professional ambler or just enjoy a brisk walk in the english country air, you can’t really go wrong with a pair of decent thermal walking socks from Sealskinz, who specialise in waterproof clothing.

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Teggs Nose is on the western edge of the Peak District. There are so many stunning views along this walk, including views of the park and across the beautiful Cheshire plains.  On clear days you can sometimes see as far out as the Welsh hills and Liverpool. The walk on average should take a round 1 – 2 hours, so if you’re looking for a great walk but not a long distance one, then Teggs Nose is perfect.

2. Hadrian’s Wall Walk (Northumberland)

This is an extremely long trek, it is 84 miles long. However if this sounds all a bit too much for you, there are many shorter and circular walks and routes available, so you can still take in the breathtaking scenery and culture, without the week long hike.

Hadrian’s Wall, England / quisnovus

3. Ilkley Moor (West Yorkshire)

Ilkley is a former spa town, but it is also known as ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town, due to their stunning walks and their commitment in welcoming walkers. You’ll find not only breathtaking views, but many carved pre-historic rocks found on the moor. The walk will take approximately 4-5 hours dependant on walking speed.

4. The Roaches (Peak District)

The name Roaches means rocks, as this walk is a bit of a rocky one, but the views are truly memorable. For example, tucked away under one of the overhanging rocks is a former game keeper’s cottage, which is partly built in the cliff face, this is now a drinking spot for climbers.  The walk will take on average around 4 hours, so you will be able to squeeze it in on a Sunday afternoon.

5. Powis Castle (Wales)

A truly magnificent castle built around 8oo years ago. It is surrounded by 26 acres of gardens and that is why this castle is on our list. It was recently voted the best place to walk in an online national trust poll. The gardens are breathtaking and truly magical.  This walk will only take approximately 2 hours, so more like a leisurely stroll than a long distance hike.

6. The Three Peaks (Yorkshire)

The Three Peaks is the classic walk of the Yorkshire Dales, and it is a classic for a reason. It dominates the skyline of the western side of the Yorkshire dales, and hosts a splendid array of views, nature and complete serenity. This walk will take you anything between 8-14 hours as it is around 23 miles in length, so you may want to take advantage of the B&B’s nearby for a quick snack and a snooze.

Yorkshire Three Peaks / Peter Burgess

7. Ingleton Falls (Yorkshire)

The Ingleton Falls offer some of the most spectacular waterfall and woodland scenery in the country. This walk is approximately 4.5 miles long and will take on average around 2-4 hours to complete it. This walk will lead you through ancient oak woodland via stunning views and geological features.

8. The New Forest (Hampshire)

Exploring the New Forest means exploring wetlands, grassy plains and woodland. There are a wide range and variety of walks and routes available, so you can make them as short or as long as you like and if you prefer a guided walk, this is an available option to you or even a small group of you.

9. The Ridgeway Path (Avebury)

The Ridgeway Path is Britain’s oldest road. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the Ridgeway path is perfect, as it’s peaceful and serene. Even though the Ridgeway Path is 87 miles long and can take up to 2 weeks to complete, there are day trips and shorter routes available, catered around different people’s ability.

Cotswold Way / Joe Calhoun

10. The Cotswold Way (The Cotswolds)

This specific walk has existed for over 30 years and is extremely popular. It is a long distance walk, stretching a whopping 102 miles long. Although this may be off putting if you don’t like long distance walking, there are a lot of different walks available, so you can break the walk up into a collection of different days to suit your capability and your commitments.  It passes through many picturesque villages and leads you to many stunning historical sites.

So there you have my list of the top ten walks in England, can you think of any I’ve missed? Or have you been on adventurous treks around the world and you’d love to share – please feel free to comment!

Kate Dawson is a keen writer who blogs for Optegra on a regular basis. Optegra are specialist eye care providers who provide many treatments such as cataracts treatment for a number of eye conditions, such as glaucoma.

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Vikos Gorge is 20 km long and 400 m wide but at some places it is only a few meters wide. Its walls are high in some places over 1000 meters. Due to its size, the Vikos Gorge ranked the world’s deepest canyons and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Onno Zweers

Part of the Vikos Gorge is covered by the National Park Vikos-Aoos, which was founded in 1973. Except of canyon, there is also Tymfi mountain, river Aoos and several villages. The main part of the gorge stretches from village of Vikos to the village of Monodendri. The river Voidomatis flows through the canyon which constitutes the breathtaking scenery. Along the gap there are several view-points, offering breathtaking views. In the local unspoilt countryside there are many species of plants and animals such as bears, deer and foxes, which are protected by park.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Onno Zweers

The area around the Vikos Gorge is ideal for many sports. Among others, climbing, mountain biking and of course hiking, which is the most popular. It is better to hike with a guide as it is very easy to get lost here. There are ongoing organized excursions, including a tour through the Zagori picturesque villages and famous stone bridge.

You can get to the Vikos Gorge e.g. by public bus transportation service. The journey from Athens to Zagori takes about 7 hours.

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