The lockdowns of the last year have left many of us pent up at home and not getting enough exercise. Regular readers will know that I am a huge fan of walking, enjoying both its physical and its mental health…
The Perfect English Garden
It’s no exaggeration to say that the English love their gardens. Even the smallest postage-stamp piece of ground can be transformed into a blaze of floral colour. For English Tourism Week, we suggest nine bloomingly beautiful English gardens that are…
10 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Visit in England
There are 33 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England, 34 if you include the Wye Valley which straddles the border with Wales. Wales has another four of its own, while Northern Ireland has eight. Each AONB varies enormously…
Why County Durham Should Be Your Next Destination.
County Durham nestles on the northeast coast of England between Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria. It has a long history of mining (both lead and coal), farming, and railways. But it also has strong roots within the…
Coast to Coast: Quick Stop at Bolton-on-Swale
When walking the Coast to Coast, the stretch from Richmond to Ingleby Cross is long (very long) and not the most picturesque day that you will experience. Expect a lot of fields and flat country roads. And while some people…
British Wine Market Continues to Grow
Over the past few decades, the reputation of British wine has greatly improved. In fact, the country now boasts a number of award-winning vineyards. And the trend is growing. It’s also spreading geographically. Although currently focussed on the Southeastern corner…
Literary Landscapes: Bram Stoker’s Whitby
Britain’s abundant literary history is made all the richer by the country’s many magnificent landscapes. In this occasional series, we look at the countryside that has served as inspiration for some of our most beloved writers. In our third installment,…
Coast to Coast: Reaching Robin Hood’s Bay
For the last few weeks I have been sharing highlights from my Coast to Coast walk. It is now time to leave my penultimate stop and to proceed to my final destination: Robin Hood’s Bay. Little Beck Wood and Falling…
Coast to Coast: Through Grosmont to Littlebeck
After a luxurious night in Richmond, the next day of my Coast to Coast walk finished in much less glamorous fashion. I arrived in Ingleby Cross after walking nearly 25 miles in eight and a half hours. The guidebook had…
Coast to Coast: Keld to Richmond
Continuing my adventures on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk, this week I look at the two days spent walking from Keld to the village of Reeth and on to the market town of Richmond. The route from Keld to Reeth is…