I need some walking, walking is all I need! The Weather is starting to improve(ish). It means we need to get outdoor for decent strolls in the one of the thousand spots with spring views in Britain. There are some top walking trails chosen by National Trust to be explored all over the country.
Here’s a fine list of top Spring Walks in Britain:
Castle Ward, Country Down | Northern Ireland
This trail takes you along the shoreline of Strangford Lough around the 15th-century Audrey’s Castle and takes you up to steeper climbs with fascinating views of the Castle Ward and surrounding countryside.
You will be able to spot gamboling lambs and calves frolicking across the state and of course, take in dazzling displays of bluebells. This is a challenging walk that will take 3 hours to be finished. Don’t forget your best boots!
Stonehenge | Wiltshire
Imagine getting a perspective of this beautiful ancient monument in the spring. Take a refreshing walk around some of the lesser-known areas of this captivating landscape.
Follow the trail deep into the woods that hide Bronze Age burial mounds and check out a huge enclosure once thought to be a Roman chariot track but now understood to be around 500 years older than Stonehenge itself. Don’t forget to watch out for roe deer, butterflies, and hares.
This ancient landscape is home to a variety of wildlife. It’s an Easy walk that will take you 2 hours to complete. Perfect for families.
Brownsea Island | Dorset
It can seem like a magical walk in the heart of this beautiful island, which is teeming with wildlife. Pass through woodland, which is home to yellow-striped goldcrests, peregrines, as well as grebes and coots that potter in the reed beds.
The lakes on Brownsea Island also attract a huge variety of insects. Keep your eyes peeled for dragonflies, small red damselflies, green tiger beetles, and green hairstreak butterflies. This is an easy walk of 30 minutes.
Wallington Estate | Northumberland
Take a refreshing walk along the banks of the river Wansbeck that meanders around the Wallington estate in Northumberland. Look out for otters and white-clawed crayfish. Cross over bridges and stepping stones, pass through a beautiful walled garden full of spring flowers, and explore woods that are busy with wildlife.
Wallington is home to roe deer, badgers, buzzards, red squirrels and kingfishers so keep your eyes peeled. An easy walk that takes around 2 hours to be completed.
Lanhydrock, | Cornwall
Set out on this beautiful walk from the magnificent grounds of Lanhydrock House – an impressive example of Victorian style and design. Follow the trail alongside the Great Wood where you can see dazzling displays of bluebells at this time of year.
Discover a magical avenue of beach and sycamore trees and look out for fungi, lichen, bats, and kingfishers. Easy walk (1 hour 15 mins).
Croome | Worcestershire
Spring has arrived at the Croome. The primroses and cowslips are in bloom and wildlife is emerging from the parkland. Small garden birds are building nests and it’s possible to glimpse woodpeckers, pheasants, and tree creepers from the bird hide.
Take a relaxing circular walk around the outer parkland to see more of Croome’s flora and fauna and spot larger birds like buzzards, kestrels, cormorants, and herons. Breathe in the fresh air and look out over the Worcestershire countryside to the Malvern Hills. Moderate walk (1 hour 30 mins).
Read more about my visit to Croome walk here.
Upper Tarrell Valley | Brecon Beacons
Head to the Upper Tarrell Valley in the Brecon Beacons this spring and follow a wildlife-rich trail along what used to be the main coach road from the Midlands to Cardiff in the 18th century. There are plenty of veteran trees along this route, hollow, gnarled, and full of wildlife.
Alder, birch, rowan and are just a few of the different types of trees you will see in the valley. The walk will take you alongside the river Tarell, which is home to otters, dippers, salmon, and sea trout. You may even spot the odd red kite. Moderate walk (3 hours).
Charlecote Park | Warwickshire
Take a stroll through this beautiful ‘Capability’ Brown-inspired landscape, along routes with gentle terrain that’s suitable for both little and long legs. The parkland is great for spotting spring wildlife, including the herd of fallow deer and rare breed Jacob sheep. Why not bring your binoculars and see what other wildlife you can find? Easy Walk (40 mins-1 hour).
Ightham Mote | Kent
Shake off the winter blues and lift your spirits as Ightham Mote bursts into bloom. Discover the orchard as it comes to life with a carpet of daffodils, followed by the apple blossom. This circular walk around Ightham’s periphery incorporates the very best of the spring colour surrounding the moated manor.
Swathes of bluebells and campion can be found in ancient Scathes Wood, running alongside the driveway. You might also spot some of the local birdlife, including pheasants and woodpeckers. Moderate Walk ( 2 hours).
Sizergh House and Estate | Cumbria
Sizergh Castle is a magical way to start this spectacular wildlife walk that weaves its way through a peaceful part of the South Lakes. This vantage point offers views across rolling green countryside, the coast at Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland Fells, and the Pennines. Look out for buzzards and pheasants as this trail takes you deeper into the countryside. You may also be able to spot woodpeckers, nuthatches, and treecreepers near woodland areas. Easy Walk ( 2 hours).
Orford Ness | Suffolk
Take your marching orders this spring and challenge yourself to multiple walking routes around Orford Ness – a beautiful coastal nature reserve with a fascinating military history. Follow waymarked trails through the shingle, salt marsh, and brackish lagoons. Explore a WW1 airfield, now home to marshland birds, and look inside a number of military buildings involved in the development of weapons in the 1930s and 1950s.
Featured Photo | ©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler
