- United Kingdom
- /
- walk
- (227)
-
The ten-acre Clinton-Baker Pinetum near Hertford is particularly lovely at this time of year. A pinetum is essentially a collection of conifers; but this one is planted within a mixed woodland. As the beech and larches turn golden-brown, field maples and dawn redwoods turn yellow and burnished gold, it’s a symphony of colour in autumn sunlight. Early evening, your shadow leads as you walk past the red-leaved and berried spindle tree, down to the entrance stile, the University of Hertfordshire’s white astronomy domes behind you, gulls following red tractor to the right; and lofty cedars, hemlocks and redwoods enticing you on.
Under the expert guidance of Dr Edward Eastwood, Curator, the Pinetum is gradually being restored to its full Victorian splendour, complete with fern-filled grotto and a tally of over 150 species of conifer. Join in a fungal foray, stroll down paths which Edward insists on keeping raked to “a crinoline width,” and admire the monkey puzzle dell and “stumpery.”
It’s not all about trees: you’ll be unlucky not to see - or at least hear - a jay or green woodpecker; and right now there are red and orange berries on yew, hawthorn and holly. The particularly succulent looking black ones are best avoided - it’s deadly nightshade.
Being in such a hidden spot, it was ten years before I realised this extraordinarily magical place existed, a mere fifteen minutes walk from where I live. Now I go for a restorative dose of therapeutic serenity. I’m gradually learning to identify the trees - though Edward says I’d still be clueless if they all swapped places in the night.
Extend your walk through the hornbeams and oaks of Bayford woods and hunt out the sailor’s grave, a monument erected to a scion of the Clinton-Baker family who lost his life on the Jamaican high seas in 1804, when as commander of HM Sloop Pelican he led a party which perished while saving a foundering Spanish schooner.
The Pinetum has regular work parties sawing, hacking brambles and nettles, and piling up bonfires. There are snowdrop and bluebell walks in spring.
The Pinetum is owned by the University of Hertfordshire. To arrange a visit, become a member or find out about the next work party, contact Dr Eastwood on 01992 517622 or e.a.eastwood@herts.ac.uk. Members only have access to the private site by prior arrangement.
The walk is a total of 36 miles through the amazing Somerset countryside of Quantock Hills, Brendon Hills and Exmoor. You walk through a variety of landscapes such as heathland, moorland, deciduous and coniferous woodland (excellent for witnessing the ever changing colours), farmland, deeply wooded valleys and historic villages with expansive views over to the North Somerset Coast and Wales.
This walk can be completed over three or four consecutive days making it ideal for a short break. The Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster offers a special break in conjunction with the Coleridge Way. They provide excellent service including daily transport to and from the walks, packed lunches, free route map and directions and rucksack hire if needed.
The Yarn Market Hotel
25-33 High Street
Dunster
Somerset
TA24 6SF
01643 821425
www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
nearest train station is Taunton
Handsworth, an inner city suburb of Handsworth Birmingham wouldn’t be most peoples’ first thought as a place to revel in the glory of a British autumn, but at the heart of Handsworth is a gem of a park designed by Vertigens over 100 years ago and recently restored with heritage lottery monies.
What makes it stand out from so many others is the topography; wheelchair users should bring a strong pusher. It sometimes feels like three or four parks in one, so constantly surprised are you by the next view. Full of mature trees, it’s a great place to have a Sunday wander and wonder at colours, shapes lit with glorious autumnal light enhanced by the reflective bounce of two lakes.
Kids of all ages can collect conkers and leaves and when you need a break the Boathouse cafe sells gorgeous homemade cakes and dishes up chicken rice ‘n peas dinners on a Sunday. Heaven.
Entrances on Hamstead, Hinstock and Holly Roads B21. Use public transport, 20 min bus ride on the no 16 from City centre or use the car park by Holly Road gates.
My heart sank the first time I visited Ashridge Estate in the northern Chilterns on the Bucks/Herts border. With so many cars parked, I envisaged hordes of people. But as soon as we set off on a three mile circular walk we lost everyone and had the panoramic views from Ivinghoe Beacon - and a glimpse of several deer sprinting off through the woods - to ourselves. There are 5000 acres so plenty of room for everyone to crunch over fallen golden beech leaves right now. At times we were walking part of the Ridgeway National Trail which looked enticing and could have extended our walk, but my favourite bit is spotting the lion chalk figure which advertises Whipsnade Zoo.
The tea rooms near the Bridgewater Monument are justifiably popular and the visitor centre staff are friendly and eager to share their knowledge of wildlife to look out for. Many dog owners were bonding while their pets bounded, and it was good to see a fair number of wheelchairs and pushchairs on the easy access paths.
Bookings are being taken for fallow deer rutting, and fungal foray events this month.
The trees in this wooded river valley display brilliant autumn colours. There is a network of paths to explore leading by the river, around reservoirs and through the ruins of a manor house, Hollinshead Hall.
Two pubs in Tockholes and one at Abbey Village provide refreshment before or after your walk. An information centre near the Royal Arms can provide more information.
West Pennine Moors car park next to the Royal Arms, Tockholes. BB3 0PA. Or further south along the unclassified road at SD 663203.
One of the most unforgettable scenes in film history is the opening of The French Lieutenant’s Woman where Charles Smithson first glimpses a mysterious cloaked woman. It’s 1867 and Sarah Woodruff is looking out to sea from the 13th century serpentine seawall known as the Cobb in Lyme Regis. Merryl Streep plays Sarah although a body double - a bearded man - was used in part of this scene.
The Cobb also figures in the BBC TV-film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Here the spirited Louisa Musgrove falls hard onto the cobblestones and is rendered unconscious.
Lyme Regis, www.lymeregis.org
Nearest station - Axminster, Devon
Anyone who has an interest in photography and likes autumnal scenes should visit the The National Arboretum at Westonbirt. The nearest town is the market town of Tetbury. This 600 acre site will take you the best part of the day to have a proper look round. The colours in the autumn are quite spectacular with oranges, yellows, browns and reds of all descriptions. Even if you’re not into photography, it’s worth a visit just to see this vast collection of trees.
Tetbury
Glos.
GL8 8QS
Tel: 01666 880220
Fax: 01666 880559
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Sydenham Hill Woods is a lovely area of woodland for walking in. It's quiet and peaceful, even on the weekend, and popular with dog-walkers and young families. It's big enough that you're not endlessly coming up against fences with roads on the other side of them, yet small enough that you can't get lost there. It's also the most pleasant way to get from Forest Hill to East Dulwich and when you do get to the Dulwich side, there is a marvellous area of pretty allotments to wander around, from which you may take in 'the best view of London in London'.
From the Forest Hill end, it's about a ten minute walk from the train station. The 185 and 176 buses also stop nearby.
Wilderness Wood in Hadlow Down, East Sussex is one of many places in the UK's second most wooded county to head out seed gathering this autumn.
Get up early to get the best views of misty autumnal valleys and deserted woodland tracks. Crisp leaves and mushrooms underfoot, colourful autumn foliage all around and sweet chestnuts to munch on - delicious!
www.wildernesswood.co.uk/
Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down, nr Uckfield (rail), East Sussex
This waterside location is ideal for picnics, and if you're feeling energetic you can walk all the way to Conisbrough castle following the
river Don. There is a pub called the
Boat Inn to reward you for the numerous walks which go from Sprotborough Lock to Cusworth Hall, Doncaster and Sheffield
If driving follow the road signposted High Melton and Sprotbrough from Doncaster - the lock is well indicated
Alternatively follow the river Don east from Hexborough and Conisbrough
Unst is Britain's most northerly inhabited island, and Saxa Vord is the summit at its most northerly point. On a good day you have a spectacular view south over the Shetlands, with the dramatic cliffs of the western coast clearly visible, and to the north a fine view of the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse and the Out Stack - the full stop at the end of Britain. Go due north from this point, and you would not hit land again until you reached the eastern end of Siberia. The view, in short, is breathtaking, and you do not have to be a twitcher to appreciate the varied sea birds swooping around you and down into the waters of Burrafirth, which lies between Sara Vord and Muckle Flugga.
The only problem is that Saxa Vord is a bit of a black hole in most tourist guides. They recommend viewing Muckle Flugga and the Out Stack from Hermaness National Nature Reserve, involving a two hour hike from the car park. While this is also recommended, there is an alternative way of enjoying the view. Drive north on the B9087 through Haroldswick, until you reach the Saxa Vord resort on your right. This was built as accommodation for the former RAF listening station on Saxa Vord, which closed in 2006. There is a turning to your left which leads up towards the hill. Take this road, and ignore the succession of signs that warn you that this is MoD property and that you should keep out. These signs become increasingly severe in their tone until, when you reach the gates of the old base, they read simply: "Persons entering the area may be arrested and prosecuted". Continue to ignore the signs, but possibly best to have a lawyer's number on your mobile.
Park up close to the gate and walk around to the left, following the perimeter fence. There are cliffs to your left, so bear this in mind as you continue towards the view of the Out Stack, but as long as you keep to within 50 feet or so of the fence you will be fine. In addition to one of Shetland's (and Britain's) most stunning views, you also have the bizarre constructions of a cold war defence fortress to your right.
Go and picnic at the end of the world!
This a website dedicated to self guided walks exploring the diversity of Lancashire's countryside. Through its use of digital photographs many of the routes described can be followed almost "virtually". For this reason the website will be particularly attractive to novice walkers. A theme of the website is that Lancashire's countryside is too easily overlooked because of its proximity to the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, and yet it provides wonderful walking.
Situated on the most southerly point of England with uninterrupted sea views and under the flash of the Lizard Lighthouse above. Take an exhilarating coastal walk before calling in to the Polpeor Café and feast your eyes on some extreme homemade delights. You may be forgiven for being tempted to try a variation of the traditional cream tea on offer and opt for a Jubilee Meringue instead: a moutainous meringue topped with clotted cream served with a delicious apple and blackberry compot and icecream for £4.50
Polpeor Cafe, The Lizard, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7NU
01326 290939
For cream teas, forget Devon and head for Falling Foss Tea Gardens, five miles south of Whitby. Located in an idyllic woodland setting beside the waterfall of the same name, the tea garden has been lovingly restored to its early 20th century appearance by owners Jack and Steph, who unfailingly offer a warm welcome whatever the weather. Reopened in 2008, the tea garden has established a reputation for its home baking, not least the freshly baked scones, accompanied by generous portions of home made raspberry jam and lashings of cream, all for £1.50! Young and old are catered for, with play equipment in the garden and children of all ages are invited to participate in pooh sticks from the nearby footbridge. The tea garden is popular with walkers and ramblers, with the Coast to Coast path passing nearby, but most customers are there for just one thing – the cream teas.
Midge Hall, Sneaton Forest, Whitby, YO22 5JD.
07723 477929
www.fallingfossteagarden.co.uk
Not that I’m biased; but there is only one possible way to enjoy a cream tea. It has to be a Cornish cream tea, in Cornwall, and within sight and sound of the sea. Walk the circular coastal path of St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, take all day, and it’s possible to fit in at least three. With the ambience right, attention can then be turned to the secondary requirements: yes, you will be sat outside in tranquil gardens where “peace comes dropping slow,” yes there is enough thick yellow Cornish clotted to make you feel nauseous (after your third loaded scone), real jam, pretty crockery, and unlimited refills of tea with no stinting on the milk. I first did this cream tea crawl on my honeymoon in 1983 and I’ve been taking my husbands along ever since. Juliet’s Garden and Carn Vean Tea Gardens are highly recommended; but once back in Hugh Town, the crème of cream teas can be enjoyed on the ramparts of Star Castle Hotel, an Elizabethan castle in the shape of an eight pointed star, overlooking the harbour. (When the nausea passes off, you might feel like going down when the sun does, to the Dungeon bar below and ordering the best five course dinner on the island).
www.star-castle.co.uk/
Cream teas are £5.00 per person and include 2 home-made
fruit scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of tea.
Holyrood Park was originally a royal hunting estate and is most famous for being the home of the natural rock formation known as Arthur’s Seat, which is shaped like a crouching lion.
The park is also home to the Salisbury Crags (a series of cliffs) and three lochs. It’s the perfect place to go for a walk if you want to escape the city of Edinburgh and you can download a leaflet featuring a number of walking routes from the web site below.
My boyfriend had been promising to take me for ages and we were married by the time I eventually got to experience this wonderful tea room in a beautiful spot on Dartmoor. It was worth the wait. The scones are delicious: homemade to a secret recipe and served with a mountain of clotted cream. But the setting is what really sets this apart. An ideal point to start or finish a walk along the Dart and in the grounds there is an intriguing rescue centre for (mostly) wildfowl. Not just a great cream tea, but a great day out too.
www.badgersholtdartmoor.co.uk/
01364 631213
I stopped in Stockbridge for a walk over the picturesque water meadows in the heart of the Hampshire countryside and came across a most quintessentially English scene. After following the stream towards the centre of the village I reached a terrace perched on the riverbank nestled amongst the water lilies.
The friendly staff served me a pot of fine tea and a plate of delicious scones oozing with homemade jam and cream. Before I left I fed the crumbs to some passing ducks- feeling I should share such an experience with at least something…
High Sreet, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6HF
01264 810754
I enjoyed a superb six-day walking holiday from St Ives to the Lizard with Western Discoveries. The customer service was lovely, the B&Bs very friendly and everything had a great personal touch. Russ, who runs the company, even took us out to see some of the region's stone monuments.
If you want to see the beautiful coastline of West Cornwall, I would recommend using Western Discoveries.
ww.westcornwallwalks.co.uk
01736 362763
St Abb’s Head is the best place to go whatever the time of year. With cliffs rising some 300 ft out of the sea you can see much further than if sitting at sea level, and as the headland juts out into the sea it also gives you a panoramic view. In the summer months there are also the sights, sounds and smells of a seabird colony in full swing.
Is this your business?