1. Pennine Way

The first National Trail, the Pennine Way was opened in 1965, and covers 430km between Derbyshire and the border with Scotland. The walk starts in the Pennines, and continues up through the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park to reach Kirk Yetholm on the edge of Scotland. The walk features 535 access points, and a number of hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts along the way. Key sites to explore on the route include the Calder Valley, Thirlwall Castle, Hadrian’s Wall, and Cairn Hill.

Photo of Typical Pennine scenery, UK by Voyager

2. Tennyson Trail

The Tennyson Trail, named for Alfred Tennyson the poet, is only 15 minutes long, but showcases the natural beauty of the Isle of Wight. The route starts at Carisbrooke Castle to the North of the island, and winds its way down to the West and the Needles rock formations. Moving through Bowcombe Down and into Brighstone Forest, the route continues through Mottistone Down, Afton Down and Freshwater Bay. Much of the walk is characterised by steep South Westerly hills, and comes out on the coast.

Photo of Tennyson Trail, UK by R MORGAN

3. South West Coast Path

The longest National Trail in England, the South West Coast Path covers 630 miles, and links up Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. The route starts in Minehead, Somerset, and continues along the North Coast of Devon via the Exmoor National Park, before making its way through North Cornwall. Notable landmarks along the way include Tintagel Castle and Newquay. The route then loops back around through South Cornwall and South Devon, before coming to an end in Poole, Dorset. Typically takes around eight weeks to complete.

Photo of South West Coast Path, UK by Adrian Pingstone

4. Yorkshire Wolds Way

127km long, the Yorkshire Wolds Way starts at the Humber Estuary, and climbs through deep woodland and valleys to Filey Brigg. The route also overlaps with the Cleveland Way if walkers want to go further. Sloping hills and red poppies make up the majority of the route, as do small villages and headland at Filey Brigg. Other attractions include Londesborough Park and Stocking Dale, as well as the Humber Bridge.

Photo of Yorkshire Wolds Way, UK by Eamon Curry

5. The Thames Path

Running the length of the River Thames, the Thames Path starts near Kemble, Gloucestershire, and continues until it reaches the Thames Barrier. Covering 1984 miles, the walk is mostly made up of tow and cycle paths, and moves down through Oxford via Henley-on-Thames and Teddington Lock, taking in Windsor, Richmond, Hampton Court, and Battersea. Some parts of the route can flood at high tide, meaning that walkers should plan ahead to avoid being caught out.

Photo of Temple Footbridge Thames Path, UK by Motmit

Sebastian is a globetrotter who is currently working alongside a Bike GPS shop in the UK. Some hiking trails are suitable for the more rugged mountain bikes, so make sure you don’t leave without a GPS!

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Sandy beaches, sea birds, dramatic coastlines and scattered wild flowers bobbing in the wind form the scenery of the Lizard peninsula. This peninsula is home to peaceful coves and is an excellent spot for surfing and kayaking.

The recent popularity of the Harry Potter books has revived interest in all things wizardry, making The Museum of Witchcraft a fun way to spend a damp afternoon. Explore unusual artifacts related to witchcraft, from scrying mirrors to talismans or dried toads.

St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, UK by Alex Healing

On the summit of a rocky, windswept island perches St. Michael’s Mount a medieval church and castle. Reachable only by boat at high tide or along a winding causeway at low tide, St. Michael’s Mount features sweeping architecture complete with turrets and gun batteries. Clinging to the steep cliffs is a terraced garden overflowing with sub-tropical flowers.

For a fun day of rides for people of all ages, try Flambards theme park. Don’t miss the Victorian Village, where the Victorian era has been re-created complete with cottages and shops, such as the butcher’s shop and the apothecary.

Rumored to be the birthplace of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle is a magical site full of ancient, crumbling ruins. Waterfalls plummet down the cliff sides into the Atlantic below. Meanwhile, hidden underneath the castle is Merlin’s Cave, which is flooded with water during high tide.

Take a train ride through a secret garden with miniature trees, wind you way through a maze and follow a trail to a hobbit house at the Hidden Valley Discovery Park. Armed only with a map and your powers of observation, try going on a treasure hunt for lost crystals hidden throughout the park.

Spend a romantic evening at an inn famous for its exciting history of contraband smuggling, the Jamaica Inn. This inn is the inspiration for the book of the same name by Daphne du Maurier, who chanced upon the inn after getting lost in a storm. The inn has a large collection of smuggling artifacts and is located on the Bodmin Moor, where you can wander and get lost in its natural beauty.

Lost Garden of Heligan, Cornwall, UK by joannevc

“Don’t come here to sleep or slumber,” reads the inscription uncovered in a tiny room buried under collapsed stonework in the Lost Garden of Heligan. Overgrown and neglected for the better part of a century, the garden has been gloriously restored with a lovely Victorian garden, woodlands and a lush sub-tropical garden.

On a chilly, rainy day, nothing is more pleasant than a visit to a traditional Cornish pub, such as the Famous Barrel. Bask in the glow of the fireplace while enjoying cask ale in this 100-year-old pub that features a front door made from a section of a brewer’s barrel.

If you’re an adventure seeker, head to the Adrenalin Quarry, home of the longest zip line in the UK. Booking isn’t necessary; just show up and jump. Or try The Giant Swing, which hangs 150 over the water-filled quarry.

Cornwall has an abundance of activities from the cozy to the invigorating. It is a place of enchantment, bursting with history against a backdrop of stunning landscapes.

Sarah writes for Highcliffe Holidays, who have a great selection of Polzeath Cottages self-catering accommodation. They love pets and are proud to be amongst the top providers of dog friendly cottages in North Cornwall.

The post 10 exciting things to do in Cornwall come rain or shine! | UK appeared first on Best of European Union.

Ruins of Tintagel Castle – the birthplace of King Arthur / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by IDS.photos

It’s a great spot for both families and the solo traveler; you just have to know what you’re doing in order to make the most of your trip. If you’re planning a Cornish holiday, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Plan for the Weather

Naturally temperate, Cornwall enjoys around 1500 hours of sunshine per year – much more than the average UK country. However, it is on the coast, so be prepared for storms and a few wet weekends. The rainy season generally runs from October to January, peaking in November.

As for temperatures, you can expect them to stay relatively stable at around 10-20C (40-50F).

Find The Right Accommodation

Where to stay in Cornwall depends on your location, budget, and what kind of trip you’re planning to have. Are you looking for high-class hotels or would you rather get your hands a little dirty with an authentic camping experience? Do you prefer luxury or locality?

While there are plenty of places to stay in Cornwall, they generally fall into these types:

• Modern living
• Hotels and b&bs
• Self Catering
• Camping

Beach accommodations

As mentioned, Cornwall is a peninsula, meaning there are three coastlines to explore! You can go for either luxury hotels overlooking the water or inexpensive camps and beach bungalows to sleep right on the shore.

Storybook stay

This is where Cornwall gets creative, offering everything from farmhouses to holiday cottages and even treehouses to experience the real heart of the country. Research the area you’ll be traveling and you’re sure to find your fairytale experience.

Truro Cathedral / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Brian Snelson

Know The Sights

With one of the most fascinating histories in the UK, Cornwall is a great place soak up some culture without sacrificing the fun and adventure of a holiday abroad. Kids will love places like the Witchcraft Museum and the Eden Project. You can also visit Truro Cathedral, one of the most unique architectural designs in Europe, or Tintagel Castle, the birthplace of King Arthur.

Looking to relax?

Laze the day away at one of Cornwall’s many beaches, or take a stroll around the famed Trebah Gardens for a kind of nature you’ve never seen before. Make a trek to the Mên-an-Tol (literally “the hole stone”) for good luck and local blessings.

Or maybe you’re looking for something a little more exciting? Try any of Cornwall’s adventure tours or music festivals. Catch a show at the Minack Theatre, an open-air theatre that performs right on the cliffs of Land’s End. If you’re into outdoor adventures, Cornwall also has bungee jumping, horseback riding, and a surprising number of surf schools. Whether you’re looking for unique thrills or just a tranquil getaway, Cornwall can offer a great trip and an unforgettable family holiday. Keep these tips in mind and you’re sure to make memories with your loved ones that will never fade… much like Cornwall and its castles.

Sarah is a travel author who has a particular love of finding unique and beautiful places to stay! Whilst exploring the highs and lows of the UK she is looking into high quality Cornish cottage holidays as somewhere to stay when exploring the coastline of Cornwall.

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