[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”none” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
In January, there is usually a focus on being healthy and getting active. However, with the country being in lockdown, this year there is less focus on keeping fit and more on just keeping ourselves sane! Being active is so important for many people’s mental health and with gyms and sports facilities being closed, many of us are heading to the great outdoors for exercise (despite the colder weather!).
Our Great Inns of Britain are mostly situated in the stunning British countryside and have a plethora of fantastic walks right on their doorstep. For those living nearby, we’ve put together a list of our favourite walks to help you plan a route for your next dose of daily exercise. For those further afield, this is a guide to help you plan your next walking holiday (whenever that may be) or inspire you to uncover the walking routes in your local area.
The Castle Hotel is situated in the South Shropshire Hills making it the perfect base to explore the wonderful walking routes on their doorstep. If you’re lucky enough to live close, or planning a short break once restrictions ease, Shropshire offers something for every type of walker, from relaxing Sunday strolls, right up to some of the finest hill-walking and dramatic views that you’ll find anywhere in England.
The most trodden path in the area is Offa’s Dyke Path, which is a 177 mile (285 Km) long walking trail. For those looking to challenge themselves, one of the steepest and most dramatic sections of this route is the “switchback”, crossing the Shropshire Hills from Knighton to Montgomery. For those looking to take things at a slightly slower pace, there are clearly marked paths throughout Bishop’s Castle which go through many of the hillside and valley villages of the Rivers Clun and Upper Onny, making walking between the towns and villages a real pleasure.
Renowned for its natural beauty, The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the most breath-taking areas of Northern England. With its rolling hills, iconic stone walls and historic market towns, there is plenty to be explored by foot. There are miles of short walks, long distant footpaths and an abundance hidden gems!
Just a stone’s throw away from The Blue Lion is the Witton Fell, which has numerous routes of varying distances. Or, if you’d like to explore the peaks but stay off the Three Peaks ‘super-highway’ then consider Buckden Pike or one of the Dales 30, that’s 30 peaks over 2000 feet (610m) high across Yorkshire and the Cumbrian Dales.
Positioned in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, Rowsley has some stunning walks on offer. Wander through the village of Rowsley to the top of Coombs Valley with fabulous views towards Bakewell to the north and Matlock to the south. Alternatively, meander along the Derwent river valley and take in an array of charming wildlife scenery.
If you’re planning a break at The Peacock in the future, you can embark on a delightful walk without even leaving the Haddon Estate! This very pretty off-road route from The Peacock to Haddon Hall takes you to the top of Coombs Valley, past Bowling Green farm then down to the river Wye and on to Haddon Hall.
The coastal town of Whitby offers an array of walking and hiking trails with varying types of scenery to be absorbed. If you head north, you’ll find the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast, to the south you have Robin Hood’s Bay and Ravenscar and inland there’s the spectacular North York Moors National Park.
Whichever direction you travel, you’ll find a selection of lovely hikes and walks around Whitby. All you have to decide is whether you embark on a coastal walk with stunning sea views or a moors walk with an abundance of nature trails.
If you live near Holkham, or you’re staying there in the future, the Holkham to Wells beach walk is a ‘must-do’ route! From the Lady Anne’s Drive Car Park at Holkham Beach, start along the raised walkway to the beach and then bear right. Walk along the sand for roughly two-miles until you reach the lifeboat station at Wells-next-the—sea. The view of Wells Harbour and the salt marshes to the right from the sea wall is quite spectacular.
If you want to take an alternative route home, the Peddar’s Way and Norfolk Coast Path will offer contrasting scenery. Keep the pinewoods on the right and the boating lake and marshes to the left and continue the surfaced path back to the car park at Lady Anne’s Drive.
There are a magnitude of walks near the Inn at Whitewell to suit all abilities, from full scale yomps across the moors to a relaxed meander through the valley. The Hodder Valley offers a range of walking routes which cross quaint bridges, field paths, farmlands and even steppingstones across the river.
For a shorter walk which takes about an hour, take a pleasant stroll across the River Hodder via the steppingstones, returning via Burholme Bridge. For those looking for a longer route, the Birkett Fell offers a slightly wilder walk which is rewarded with wide views over the Hodder Valley and encounters with some intriguing limestone features.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
