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Julia Bradbury chooses her favourite countryside treks that anyone can do, any time of the day.
Julia begins by heading to one of the most famous landmarks on the Jurassic Coast - Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, which boasts spectacular views towards the Isle of Wight and of the offshore chalk stacks, good opportunities for bird and butterfly watching and a rich variety of wild flowers in spring and summer. There are also miles of golden sandy beaches and a dramatic vista of the bay.
At 694 metres in height, Pen-y-ghent is the smallest fell on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, but the dramatic summit affords far-reaching views above the Dales, with plenty of surprises en route. The peak lies 3km east of Horton in Ribblesdale and the Pennine Way links the summit to the village. As Julia reveals, the route is around 5km in length, as the Way curves initially to the north before turning east to reach the summit.
Julia’s walk offers one of the most outstanding views over Loch Lomond – at 24 miles long, it’s the largest loch in Scotland by surface area. Picking up the West Highland Way, she hugs the bonnie banks through to the little village of Balmaha on the eastern side of the Loch, and takes a quick boat trip to the ancient Lomond isle of Inchcailloch, with magnificent views across the water and out to the surrounding fells. She finishes with a well-deserved Loch Lomond ice cream on her return.
North-West England’s most popular mid-distance walk, the Sandstone Trail offers a vast array of attractions en route - from celebrity wedding favourite: Peckforton Castle; to the medieval fortification of Beeston Castle. Julia takes in the rolling countryside pastures and panoramic views over the Cheshire plains and Liverpool. It’s a popular route for dog-walking and sports – from the local Tough-Team race, to one of the top board and bike tracks in the country, not to mention the intrepid 4x4 off road experience at Peckforton – Julia packs it all in.
A hidden treasure on the Exmoor coast, Julia’s walk sets off from the picturesque harbour-town of Lynmouth and meanders under the tree-green canopy of water-rapids following the East Lyn River and the Hoar Oak River, merging together at the stunning Watersmeet National Trust café – the perfect spot for a hard-earned cream-tea.
The expert walker visits the Isle of Man, where her favourite island walk has it all - an ancient Manx river glen, the world's biggest mining waterwheel and a climb that culminates with spectacular views of England, Scotland and Ireland. With steam trains and electric trams on the TT island famous for Thomas the Tank Engine, her latest trek promises to be action-packed. Last in the series
