OS Short Walks Made Easy – serie

10 carefully curated walks in the Lake District for the casual and less experienced walker, with a focus on Accessible routes, Quieter areas, Parking and public transport options, Info for dog walkers, Telling the stories behind the walk, Nature notes, Refreshment stops & Taking your time.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Each walk features a simple-to-follow route profile and accompanying description and pictures, and new-look walk mapping that makes it easier for the user to focus on the route and the points of interest along the way.

Covering554 square miles of wonderful Yorkshire countryside, the NorthYork MoorsNational Park is an area of uplandbounded by the Cleveland plain and Tees Valleyto the north, the vales of York and Mowbray to the west, the Vale of Pickeringto the south, and the North Sea to the east, ranging from Thirsk to Scarborough. The ten superb walks in this guide exploredifferent characteristics of the landscape and its heritage. Thecrowning glory of the national park is its extensive heather moorland, which inlate summer becomes a beautiful expanse of pink and purple – pick the walks toCaptain Cook’s Monument and from Hutton-le-Hole to witness this unforgettablesight. In Farndale, in spring, it is a carpet of yellow daffodils thatcaptivates visitors. The tranquilly set romantic ruin of Rievaulx Abbey,nestled in the pastoral seclusion of Ryedale, contrasts with the hauntingGothic edifice of Whitby Abbey, standing resolutely on its headland hilltop.Magnificent views can be admired from Sutton Bank (James Herriot’s ‘finest viewin England’)and from the clifftop vantage point above Robin Hood’s Bay. You can immerseyourself in the mixed woodland and open glades of Broxa Forest,catch a steam train at Goathland to complete the walk from Grosmont, and enjoypost-stroll refreshment in charming Osmotherley.

Muchof Anglesey’s 125-mile coastline, including Holy Island/Ynys Gybi, is outstandingly beautiful and has National Landscape status. Just ashort bridge crossing from the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) over the MenaiStrait/Afon Menai, eight of the ten superb walks in this guide are set on thecoast. Opportunities abound to explore some of the best stretches of theAnglesey Coastal Path, from Bull Bay/Porthllechog, Amlwch, and Traeth Lligwy,Moelfre, on Anglesey’s north coast, to thepine-backed sandy expanses of Traeth Llanddwyn, Newborough/Niwbwrch, and thesurf-loving vibe at Rhosneigr on the south coast of the island. You can admirethe longest harbour breakwater in Europe from the summit of Holyhead Mountain,while on the opposite coast you can walk under the MenaiSuspension Bridge and watch the racingtidal current in the strait from ChurchIsland.  Inland,walks take you round the copper mine at Parys Mountain/Mynydd Parys, with theremarkable colour of its incredible moonlike landscape, which contrastsdramatically with the reed-fringed wetland boardwalks and tranquil forest pathsof Llyn Cefni.  You might spot a red squirrel on a forest feeder atthe beauty spot of Penrhos Coastal Park;read about the Welsh patron saint of lovers, St Dwynwen, on Ynys Llanddwyn; andenjoy the fascinating history of BeaumarisCastle

Mull and its neighbouring islands, Iona andUlva, are gems of Scotland’sInner Hebrides, and havens for walkers. Mull, the largest, entices with enchanting forests,cascading waterfalls, quiet lochs, and a dramatic coastline where white-tailedeagles soar. Iona – smaller, gentler – holds history and spirituality in equalmeasure, with trails leading to some of Scotland’s most sacred spots, whilstUlva, community-owned and a short ferry ride away, offers village ruins, cliffsand moorland to explore. Walks on Mullhave something for everyone. Starting at Tobermory’s colourful harbour, acoastal path leads to the Rubha nan Gall lighthouse, where stunning views spanthe Sound of Mull. Trails through ArosPark wind past lushforests and plunging waterfalls, while the tranquil shores of Loch Buie andtrails at Quinish Estate promise solitude. CalgaryBay’s white sands and Art in NatureTrail capture Mull’s creative spirit, whilehides at Fishnish tempt with sightings of otters, porpoises and dolphins. Ulva’strails meander through woods and beside caves and cliffs, while Iona’s gentler paths lead to St Columba’s Bay or theabbey, both steeped in legend. The adventure starts with a ferry from Oban toCraignure; additional crossings from Lochaline and Kilchoan provide alternativeroutes. Buses link Craignure and Tobermory to the ferries for Ionaand Ulva, making these islands accessible without a car.

Thisguide contains eight lovely walks in the beautiful WyeValley between Herefordand Chepstow, and two in the sylvan Forestof Dean. Woodland walks feature prominently,reflecting the mostly rural and largely arboreal character of the region, setin Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire.  TheRiver Wye has formed the boundary between Englandand Walesfor centuries. The walk at Tintern, as well as enjoying the atmospheric abbeyruins, crosses the border from Walesinto Englandand back again. Routes lead you to the imperious Wye Valleyviewpoints at Symonds Yat Rock, the Devil’s Pulpit and the Eagle’s Nest, fromwhere an extraordinary meander in the river can be seen at its best. Two of themore energetic walks follow a section of the Offa’s Dyke Path, from nearTidenham Chase, and descend the 365 Steps at Wyndcliff. More relaxing strollscan be enjoyed in riverside parkland at Ross-on-Wye; along the peaceful banksof the river below Capler Camp; and by the Wye in the historic cathedral cityof Hereford.  Inthe Forest of Dean, keep a look out for wild boar. AtBeechinghurst, you could offset an adrenaline-fuelled treetop adventure withthe benefits of quiet woodland walking; while at Speech House, there’s theopportunity to relish exotic and native trees at the Cyril Hart Arboretum.

Sandyand shingle beaches, lonely marshland, myriad tidal creeks and charming seasidevillages are just a few of the fascinating characteristics of the Suffolk andEssex Coast and Heaths National Landscape – an area of outstanding naturalbeauty that stretches from Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, to Maldon, in Essex.Expansive skies and far-reaching seascapes lie in wait at Southwold, Dunwichand West Mersea. Intricate inlets and tidalislets form the backdrop to the walks at Orford, where there are relics of aCold War listening station, and Maldon, site of a fearsome Viking battle. Saltmarsh and peaceful, lazily meandering riversides can be followed at Aldeburghand Orford.  NearLowestoft, Oulton Broad is the southernmost of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, the walk heretreading the Angles Wayaround the wetland nature reserve of Carlton Marshes. At Dunwich, discover thestory of the city that was claimed by the sea and venture across the heathlandcommon behind the beach. You can stroll in the parkland at Sutton Hoo, site of Britain’s richest Anglo-Saxon burial, to fineviews over the River Deben; while in Dedham Vale, the walk visits several ofthe Stour Valley sites captured by John Constablein his most famous paintings. From historic Colchester,there’s a fine station-to-station walk along the River Colne to Wivenhoe.

Threedistinctive Somerset regions are covered in thisguide: the Bristol Channel coast and thecharacteristically wooded combes of the Quantock Hills National Landscape; thestunning limestone grassland and deep, rocky gorges of the Mendip HillsNational Landscape; and the low-lying marsh and meres of the Somerset WetlandsNational Nature Reserve.  FromKilve, after a visit to the pretty hamlet of EastQuantoxhead, the walk takes to the King Charles III England CoastPath, with rock-pooling possibilities on the beach. Deeper into the Quantocks,walks explore the parkland around Wordsworth’s former home, visit the giantDouglas firs and veteran oaks of Great Wood, and take to a gentle ascent ofCothelstone Hill for far-reaching views over the Bristol Channel.  Whilethe attractions at Cheddar and Wookey Hole may tempt you into some caveexploration, above ground the walks in this guide lead you to magnificentviewpoints over the great natural wonders of Ebbor and Cheddar gorges. Theecclesiastical centres of Glastonburyand Wells have attracted pilgrims for centuries, and you can follow in theirfootsteps around the best of each town’s heritage sites.  Thetour of Ham Wall Nature Reserve provides the perfect introduction to Somerset’swetlands, while climbing to the top of mystical Glastonbury Tor gives awonderful bird’s-eye view over the Levels.

Separatedfrom the mainland by the sparkling waters of The Solent, the Isle of Wight is England’slargest island. Covering 147 square miles, half of this beautiful isle hasNational Landscape status, with its dramatic cliffs, wide-open river estuaries,rolling downland, picture-postcard villages and traditional seaside resorts.  Fourdifferent sea crossings from Hampshire get you to the start of walks in thisguide: catch the ferry from Lymington for the short sailing to Yarmouth to do amini coast-to-coast walk to Freshwater; from Southampton, take the catamaranservice to West Cowes for an old railway-line walk by the River Medina to theisland’s capital, Newport; and Ryde is a wave-skimming hop by catamaran fromPortsmouth or hovercraft from Southsea for a coastal-path saunter to Seaview.  Wight’smagnificent chalk downs form the island’s spine, providing high points withsuperb all-round views on the walks at Limerstone, across Tennyson Down to TheNeedles in the west, and over Bembridge Down in the east. There’s an excitingestuary crossing over the causeway at St Helens;and woodland adventures, with possible red squirrel sightings, in Brighstoneand Parkhurst forests. You can visit the island’s most haunted house atAppuldurcombe; enjoy grand views over the Undercliff from Blackgang; and marvelat the development of radiotelegraphy at Culver.

Set in the beautiful countryside of the White Peak,the ten delightful routes in this guide are all located in the south-eastcorner of the Peak District, clustered within easy reach of Bakewell, Matlockand Ashbourne. All but three of them are well served by local buses, so you canleave the car behind in this popular area of the national park. Thewalks offer something for everyone, from the superb dale views at Monsal Headand a gentle exploration of idyllic Dovedale, to the glorious parkland at England’sgrandest stately home, Chatsworth, and discovering much humbler quarrying andlime-making heritage on the accessible High Peak Trail. Easy-going, accessiblepaths are also followed on sections of the Monsal Trail, along the colourfultowpath of the CromfordCanal, and on theTissington Trail. The most energetic walk climbs Sugarloaf and runs on throughWetton Hill Dale, with the promise of delicious refreshment at the Mill TeaRooms. The more daring might tackle the challenge of the stepping stones inDovedale, while the fascinating history of the plague and the custom of welldressing are revealed on the outing from Eyam. Speaking of traditions, do enjoya slice of Bakewell Pudding at the end of Walk 4, relaxing near the ancientbridge over the River Wye.

The great city of Manchester, its metropolitan surroundings andurban fringes provide the setting for the ten splendid short walks, whichembrace the city centre, the green spaces and blue corridors of GreaterManchester, and the scenic countryside within easy reach of the city. Beginningamid the grand architecture in the historic heart of Manchester,the opening walk is a station-to-station route to the modern steel and glassbuildings of MediaCity in rejuvenatedSalford Quays. Excellent Transport for Greater Manchester connections are usedto whisk walkers by tram, train and bus to locations from Wigan to Stockport and Ramsbottom to Altrincham. InWigan, old miners’ paths and railway trackbedslead you through the waterscapes of The Flashes on a walk with an unexpectedlyrural feel. Pennine views are the objective on the TurtonTower ramble from Jumbles CountryPark. Explore the Irwellvalley on foot then return from Ramsbottom via steam train, or enjoy thelakeside cafés at Hollingworth in a lovely shore circuit. Routes at Dove StoneReservoir and Etherow Country Parkenable you to experience Manchester’scorner of the Peak District. Four rural pubs and a National Trust café dot theroute through the landscaped deer park of DunhamMassey, and you can follow winding nature reserve trails around the oasis of Sale WaterPark.