Boating in the Norfolk Broads

Visit one of the most peaceful, beautiful and natural places in the country; the Norfolk Broads offer a unique range of activities for all ages from boating to bird-watching. With plenty of customer amenities along the way, the Broads cater well to its paying visitors and is a tremendous place to be at one with nature, whilst enjoying the serene experience with your loved ones. A variety of quaint country homes and cottages are available to rent in the area and it’s no wonder the Broads are such a popular tourist location.

Norfolk Broads, UK by Martin Pettitt

Longleat Safari in Wiltshire

Renowned as the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa, Longleat was opened in the mid-1960s and visitors can witness first-hand the wildlife roaming freely through the park’s grounds whilst enjoying a day out with friends and family. Vast arrays of animals are showcased on the grounds including Gorillas, Zebras and Lions. Prices are affordable and there are many services available for those in need of them.

Photo of Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire, UK by fribbleblib

Leeds Castle in Kent

Kent isn’t known as the ‘Garden of England’ for no reason; its reliance on regions of natural beauty and preservation areas means it boasts a great number of outdoor activities for visitors. Leeds Castle not only features stunning archaic architecture and history, but a selection of activities such as mini-golf, mazes and museums. The castle’s grounds are laced with natural beauty and wildlife that are very easy on the eye and the regular exhibitions thrown at the castle are always worth a visit.

Photo of Leeds Castle in Kent, UK by Jim Bowen

Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

After being labelled as a World Heritage Site in the 1980s, Hadrian’s Wall has seen a flurry of tourists and visitors. The site features a large number of walking trails and a range of cafes along the way. Visitors are able to snap a photo of themselves standing on one of the most significant emblems of the nation’s history as well as taking in the overwhelming beauty of the nearby lakes and natural trails.

Photo of Hadrian’s Wall, UK by quisnovus

Hiking in the Moors

Following on from Hadrian’s Wall, the Yorkshire Moors are some of the most idyllic places in the UK for hikers. Steeped in a deep, rich history, the hills and woodlands are massively challenging as well as beautiful and can certainly keep visitors busy all day long. There are inns and cottages to rent around the areas for those wishing to make the most of their time and a mass of pubs, restaurants and cafes as well as ancient sites to visit such as Top Withens, an obsolete farmhouse that was supposedly the inspiration for the farmhouse featured in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

Photo of Yorkshire Moors, UK by chantrybee

Colin is writing on behalf of Boating Holiday & Norfolk Broads Holidays Operator – Horning Ferry Marina

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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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There is still a large area awaiting excavation and this is forested with mimosa, pine and eucalyptus trees.

The archeological site is the most spectacular in the island because the ruins are very extensive and are in a wonderful state of preservation. For more than a 1000 years, the Ancient Salamis lay buried in sands which saved the site from wanton destruction in the Middle Ages. It must be remembered that all the ancient ruins in Europe were -free for all- quarries for the builders of the medieval castles. It was not until the late 19th century that various governments formed departments of antiquities which began keeping a watchful eye on ruins. In a similar way, Pompeii lay buried in volcanic ash, and was also saved from vandalism. As Pompeii is to Italy, so is Salamis to Cyprus.

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