Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, known as ‘Britain’s Grand Canyon’, has been named as one of the country’s most scenic walks.
The Ramblers’ Association selected 50 walks with the best views that can only be reached on foot. The choices can be seen in a new book, Walk Britain’s Great Views, which includes photographs, maps, seasonal tips and expert commentary.
Other scenic walks celebrated in the book include bird-watchers’ favourite Cley-next-the-Sea in Norfolk; Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire, which has gritstone boulders that resemble dancing bears or begging dogs; and Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands, where Bonnie Prince Charlie started the Second Jacobite Uprising.
Tom Franklin, chief executive of the Ramblers’ Association, says: ‘Our members are passionate about walking, so who better to recommend the best places in Britain to see a great view on a walk.
‘Each walk is graded by difficulty and outlines the best time of year to go so you can see at a glance which walk is best for you. A great view is something that stays with you for the rest of your life, especially if you’ve walked for it.’
The Ramblers’ Association hopes to inspire more people to take advantage of Britain’s walks, and is launching a season of summer evening strolls, running from June to September, to encourage after-work walking.
Walk Britain’s Great Views will be published next month at £14.99.
Do you have a favourite scenic walk? Email us at clonews@ipcmedia.com
Ramblers’ Association top 10 views:
1. Scotland: Glenfinnan, the Highlands. This is almost sacred ground for Scots. It was at Glenfinnan that Bonnie Prince Charlie started the ’45 Uprising.
When to go: The Ramblers recommend that you go in August to catch the Highland Games in action.
2. East: Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. It’s a twitcher’s paradise. Quays, jetties, boats on a walk that navigates a course through the wide saltmarshes.
When to go: August for Blakeney Regetta and its famous ‘greasy pole’ event.
3. North-East: Embleton Bay, Northumberland. The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle cast a melancholic spell over one of the emptiest, most beautiful stretches of the Northumberland coast.
When to go: Alnwick Food and Beer Festival.
4. South-East: Seven Sisters, East Sussex. Precipitous white cliffs, sweeping sea views, spongy downs turf underfoot, beautifully preserved smuggler’s beach.
When to go: June when the sun sets at it’s most northerly point casting dramatic shadows on the Seven Sisters.
5. South-West: Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol. Enjoy the magnificent panorama over the Avon Gorge and Brunel’s suspension bridge from the Clifton Observatory.
When to go: Early August during the annual Balloon Fiesta.
6. North: Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire. It’s one of the North of England’s best loved natural wonders—a mass of giant gritstone boulders that have been linked to dancing bears, begging dogs, canons, mushrooms, cartoon characters and even a former French President.
When to go: July for the Nidderdale Festival.
7. Wales: Yr Eifl, Wales. A trio of shapely hills on the Lleyn peninsula in north Wales. Largely ignored by the steams of holiday makers who pass them en route to the beaches further west, the Eifl hills offer irresistible reasons to travel to the Lleyn.
When to go: late summer fro the purple heather.
8. South-West: Golden Cap, Dorset. Ancient meadows, flower-filled hedgerows and thatched villages.
When to go: late May to June, while the clifftop thrift is in flower.
9. Midlands: The Roaches, Staffordshire. Guarding the southwest approaches to the Peak District, the rocks preside over one of the most dramatic landscape changes in mainland Britain.
When to go: June when the peregrine falcons are nesting.
10. West Midlands: Stripestones, Shropshire. The finest views in the county, weird rock formations, a great pub and sightings of ravens, peregrines and red grouse.
When to go: First week of June, for the annual Church Stretton Walking Festival.
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