Preseli Mountains, Pembrokeshire, Wales
9 miles, 5 hours
Where does it go?
Starting in the little seaside town of Newport, the path winds up the heathery mountain, Carn Ingli. Then you romp across open moorland, descending through the woodlands of the lonely Gwaun valley. You return to Newport via a different route over the mountain, following ancient paths lined with gnarled oaks.
What will I see?
Spring brings the meadows alive with flowers and birdsong, and even in mid-winter, this wild landscape is majestic. Up on Carn Ingli, you might spot buzzards. As you head back to Newport, the hawthorn blazes red and the Irish Sea glows gold in the dying sun.
Pub stop?
In the Gwaun Valley is the charming Dyffryn Arms (01348 881305), basically the front room of the house of a formidable old lady called Bessie Davies. There's real ale, but the food extends to little more than a pickled egg, so take sarnies and sit outside, gazing at the valley.
More info
Find a local Haven Holiday Park
For full walk details contact Ridgeway and Watlington Hill, The Chilterns, Oxfordshire
8.5 miles, 5 hours
Where does it go?
The lovely Chiltern Hills are an oft-overlooked highlight of the English countryside. Starting at Lewknor Village, you toddle into a nature reserve with views across the Oxford plain. Moving east, you go through the remote Wormsley Valley, then up through delightful, remote woods at Christmas Common, up onto the chalk promontory of Watlington Hill.
What will I see?
There are varied landscapes throughout this walk, but the best views are from up on Watlington Hill: you get sweeping vistas over the Cotswolds, Berkshire Downs, Didcot and Oxford's dreaming spires. Rabbits bound out of your way as you walk, and red kites swoop overhead. You may even spot deer.
Pub stop?
You're spoilt for choice: there are pubs in Lewknor, Christmas Common and Watlington, where the Fox and Hounds (01491 613040) serves a great fish pie.
More info
Find a local Haven Holiday Park
Taken from Collins Rambler's Guide: Chilterns & Ridgeway by Martin Andrew (£9.99)
Malvern Hills, Worcestershire
10 miles, 4 hours
Where does it go?
Starting from the priory in the handsome Victorian spa resort of Great Malvern, you follow the path beyond St Anne's Well, up through woods and across heathland to the Worcestershire Beacon, the hills' highest point at 425 metres. You then continue along the ridge to the Herefordshire Beacon. You needn't trudge the whole way back again, as the walker-friendly Hopper Bus service will take you back to Malvern.
What will I see?
From the ridge there are stunning 360-degree views that inspired the composer Elgar. On a clear day you can see five counties, and into the Welsh hills. At the Herefordshire Beacon is the British Camp, an Iron Age fort.
Pub stop?
The Nags Head (www.nagsheadmalvern.co.uk) in Malvern has a fine selection of real ales, and the traditional English dishes are heartily tasty.
More info
Find a local Haven Holiday Park
For full walk details contact Buckden Rake and Yockenthwaite, Yorkshire Dales
7 miles, 4.5 hours
Starting, quite handily, at the National Park car park in the village of Buckden, this is a strenuous trek, but it's worth it for the magnificent scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. The walk connects Buckden, in Wharfedale, with the pretty hamlets of Cray, Yockenthwaite and Hubberholme, via a gallery footpath.
What will I see?
There are outstanding views of the dale from the footpath. You'll see castles and ruins, and all kinds of wildlife. You pass through Rakes Wood, walk an ancient Roman road, and in spring, you'll spy glorious purple orchids. You can also admire the wildlife of the small, bubbling River Wharfe.
Pub stop?
In Hubberholme, the George Inn (www.thegeorge-inn.co.uk) is a friendly, oak-beamed place offering local ales and old-school pub lunches. In Buckden there are various opportunities for repast, and Cray has the excellent White Lion.
More info
Find a local Haven Holiday Park
Taken from the Collins Rambler's Guide: Yorkshire Dales by David Leather (£9.99)
Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh, Dartmoor, Devon
8 miles, 5 hours
Where does it go?
Beginning at the National Trust Parke estate at Bovey Tracey, this lovely walk takes you up some steep river valleys in Dartmoor. You follow an old railway line alongside the River Bovey into Knowle Wood, through the villages of Knowle and Lustleigh, and on through the Bovey Valley Woods nature reserve. You pass through meadows and join up again with the River Bovey, following it back to where you started.
What will I see?
Sights include beautiful woodlands and meadows, and Sharpitor, a megalithic site with a row of large stones. With its thatched cottages, little church and village green, Lustleigh is absurdly picturesque, and can legitimately claim to be Devon's prettiest village.
Pub stop?
In Lustleigh, The Cleave (www.thecleave.co.uk) is a pretty, 15th-century thatched inn serving locally sourced grub. Try its filling venison pie.
More info
Find a local Haven Holiday Park
The full walk is available on the Dartmoor National Park Authority website (www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk)
Mount Caburn and South Downs, Sussex
Where does it go?You start at the train station in the charming town of Lewes, and make your way up Mount Caburn. You then walk down through the villages of Glynde and Firle, before taking a steep path up to the South Downs Way, and following it east to Southease. From there you can get the train back to Lewes.
What will I see?
Up on Mount Caburn you can inspect the Iron Age earthworks, and from the South Downs Way there are wonderful sea views. Glynde and Firle have cricket greens and 17th-century buildings to admire, and you could take a detour to check out Charleston farmhouse, where the Bloomsbury group used to frolic.
Pub stop?
The Ram Inn (01273 858222) at Firle is a welcoming hostelry. Slurp down Harveys ales, brewed in Lewes, with the fine, modern-European food.
More info
Find a local Haven Holiday Park
Taken from the Rough Guide to Walks in London and Southeast England by Helena Smith and Judith Bamber (£8.99; www.roughguides.com)
CommentsPlease login to leave a comment or report a post