As summer gives way to cooler weather, the United Kingdom offers a variety of scenic walks, from the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head in Sussex to the iron-stained outcrops of Yorkshire. Expert hiker Christopher Somerville, who has traversed the country for over 50 years, has curated a list of 15 recommended ambles for the late summer season.
Somerville's selections span diverse landscapes, including coastal paths, winding estuaries, and historical sites. Among the highlighted routes are the South West Coast Path in Cornwall, the promontory of Hengistbury Head in Dorset, and the South Downs National Park in East Sussex.
Coastal and Countryside Rambles
In Cornwall, the route from Treen to Logan Rock offers a four-mile walk along the South West Coast Path, featuring a notable rocking stone and views of the Minack Theatre. Hengistbury Head in Dorset presents a four-mile easy walk across dunes and heathland, with views towards the Isle of Wight and the coastline. The walk near East Dean in East Sussex is a six-mile route featuring the Belle Tout lighthouse and the high chalk cliffs of Beachy Head, with an option to return by bus from Eastbourne.
The countryside of Kent is explored on a five-and-a-half-mile circuit from Penshurst, passing through well-maintained woodlands and country lanes, starting near the historic Penshurst Place. In the Cotswolds, a six-mile moderate walk from Uley ascends to the Iron Age hillfort of Uley Bury before traversing woods and discovering the Tudor manor house of Owlpen.
Essex offers a thirteen-mile walk from Mistley to Harwich along the Essex Way, following the River Stour estuary. The North Norfolk coast provides a four-mile easy walk from Stiffkey to Wells-next-the-Sea, traversing salt marshes with opportunities for birdwatching. In Wales, the six-and-a-half-mile route from New Quay to Aberaeron follows the Wales Coast Path through pastures and woods.
Inland and Highland Trails
The Peak District features a five-mile walk in Millers Dale on limestone terrain, incorporating field paths and an old railway path, with noted butterfly and orchid sightings. For a more challenging coastal experience, the eight-mile King Charles III England Coast Path route from Sandsend to Staithes in North Yorkshire offers rugged cliffs and views of charming coastal villages.
County Durham's Hawthorn Dene offers a three-mile moderate walk through a steep valley nature reserve leading to the beach at Hawthorn Hive. The Sefton Coast in Merseyside presents a nine-and-a-half-mile route across dunes and beaches, known for its sandy expanses and as a refuge for red squirrels. The Lake District's Ravenglass provides a three-and-a-half-mile easy walk along the coast, with views of the Esk estuary and the sound of steam engines from the local miniature railway.
Scotland is represented by two routes: the four-mile easy walk from Anstruther to Crail in Fife, following the Fife Coastal Path, and an eight-mile moderate route on the Isle of Iona in the Inner Hebrides, exploring white sandy beaches and hilltop views. The selections were compiled by Christopher Somerville, author of more than 40 travel books, including 'Walking The Bones Of Britain'.