Hike in Exmoor National Park
Walking nourishes body and mind. Whether alone or in a group, setting a steady pace gets the blood pumping and the thoughts flowing. It’s rare to find a hobby that can be simultaneously sociable or solitary, and is just as enjoyable either way. Best of all walking is free, accessible to every budget and an effective form of exercise.
Visitors to the UK will find this list of walking tours a wonderful way to explore this fair island without having to their empty out their wallet. You won’t need a lot of money to get the most out of your next trip to the UK, all you’ll need is a good pair of shoes and a sense of adventure.
Exmoor
The Exmoor National Park encompasses over 1000km of footpaths and bridleways, including woodland, waterways, and moorland covered in vibrant heather. The varied terrain makes the area ideal for walkers from the novice to the expert, with good routes for both families and wheelchair users.
Hadrian’s Wall
hike Hadrian’s Wall for history & scenery
For a walk with a majestic sense of history, you can’t beat Hadrian’s Wall. Wiggling its way back and forth between the Scottish and Northumbrian borders, the Roman walled route takes in all manner of historic sites.
Constable country
Discover the old stomping ground of artist John Constable, perhaps best known for his painting ‘The Haywain’. The going is easy across this broad, flat area, and a long, leisurely ramble is just the ticket for proving there’s more to Essex than TOWIE. Big skies, quaint villages and flower meadows housing an abundance of wildlife abound in this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
South Downs way
The South Downs way is unique to Britain in being the only trail to lie entirely within a National Park. There are a full 160km to discover, whether you feel like trekking round the towering white chalk cliffs at Beachy Head or wandering the ancient city of Winchester, where you’re as likely to amble by a iron-age fort or military site as you are to circle the vast Devil’s Dyke.
New Forest
193,000 acres of ancient woodland and expansive heathland offers 143 miles of track and delivers enough distance for even the most energetic, taking in a range of habitats and landscapes en route. Riddled with homely inns, the New Forest offers a plethora of places to refuel and rest up before resuming exploration of this beautiful part of England.
Brecon Beacons
enjoy a waterfall hike at Brecon Beacons
The Beacons are Welsh wonders, boasting a mix of historic features from Neolithic standing stones to Norman castles and a World Heritage ironworks, via Roman bases and Iron Age hill forts. You can even wander a section of Offa’s Dyke – a 150-mile earth boundary constructed in the Dark Ages.
Wainwright’s Lake District
The walker and writer Alfred Wainwright’s pictorial guides provide a comprehensive overview of the Lake District. ‘The Wainwrights’ collectively refers to 214 different peaks – more than enough to keep you moving.
South West Coast Path
South West Coast Path in UK
630 miles of pathway make up the South West Coast Path, ensures something for everyone. Comprehensive way marking from Minehead to Poole along its entire length makes for easy navigation and distance planning.
Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Dales countryside
The ‘Yorkshire Dales ’ refers to a vast expanse of 1,762 square kilometres, awarded National Park status in 1954. Remote, simultaneously wild and peaceful, with areas both low and high, the Dales are rich in scenery, wildlife, and excellent walking opportunities
Isle of Wight
seaside view from the Isle of Wight
The entire tiny Isle is a bucolic place, offering visitors the quintessential experience of an England of a bygone era. Zig-zagged by over 500 miles of walker-friendly, well-signposted footpaths, the only part you need stress over if whether you’d prefer to pace through shady forestry, discover delightful villages, or toddle along the pretty coastline world-renowned as prime fossil-hunting country.
Stick to the budget
You can purchase books and trails to help you navigate any of these walks, but you can also find free maps online to download. Alternatively, locate the main points on the trail and key them into your smart phone.
To help you travel lighter, prepaid cards are ideal for keeping your funds in one place, and save you from thinking about money on the run. A prepaid card will help you to stick to your budget, and you can be assured knowing that whatever you spend is the amount you have allocated to the trip. Being affiliated with MasterCard, prepaid cards are accepted as widely as credit cards and can be used to pay for meals and accommodation.
Attached Images:
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://photodune.net/licenses/regular
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://photodune.net/licenses/regular
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://photodune.net/licenses/regular
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://photodune.net/licenses/regular
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://photodune.net/licenses/regular
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://photodune.net/licenses/regular
Gavin Whittaker is a respected finance journalist with years of experience across many topics. Gavin recommends Tuxedo, a leader in the field of currency cards and prepaid technologies. You can find more of Gavin’s insight on these issues at a wide variety of blogs, online- and print-magazines, where he occasionally also shares his thoughts on topics like food, travelling and music.
3 comments
Kevin.Another great post, which I have taken great pleasure in sharing. I was in England 20-years ago and, along with my uncle, walked many miles in the Sussex area along tracks known as “Roman Roads”. It was an awesome experience. I also cycled along the “Grand Union Canal” from London to Birmingham. Another great walk. I will enclose a link that may be of interest to you – http://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/wanted-a-national-champion/
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I am incredibly eager to get back over to England for some hiking & bike riding Barry. As if the scenery isn’t enough, the history is amazing. Thanks for the link to Kate’s blog. I added a message below yours on her site. It sounds like they’re having the same issues in England as we have in the U.S. regarding trails. Your comment raised a really good question when it comes to allocation of funds.
I feel it’s a world-wide issue. Although, in saying that,I wouldn’t been keen on hiking/biking in North Korea at this moment. Pity. As I am sure they have their fair-share of great scenery.