Country Walking's "Hidden Gems"
By
LFTO Features Team
Features
29 November 2011 08:00
Ever thought that all the best walks are miles from home? Each month in Country Walking we choose a place at random and try to prove otherwise. And just in case you’ve missed them, here are the hidden gems we’ve discovered so far, plus step-by-step routes so you can go and see them for yourself.
1. Glasgow
2. Bristol & Bath
3. Southend-on-Sea, Essex
4. Slough
5. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
6. Llandudno, Conwy
7. Grantham, Lincolnshire
8. Luton, Bedfordshire
9. Gateshead
10. London
Click the links above or scroll down to view the routes.
|
1. Glasgow
The gem: Cathkin Braes Country Park. It’s the highest point in the metropolis, with views to Ben Lomond. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
| 2. Bristol & Bath
The gem: Solsbury Hill – the place that persuaded Peter Gabriel to leave Genesis. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
3. Southend-on-Sea, Essex
The gem: Hadleigh Castle. It inspired John Constable. That’s good enough for us. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
4. Slough
The gem: Old Father Thames & Windsor Castle. You might spot an Olympic rower, too. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
5. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
The gem: Kirkby-in-Ashfield and the Erewash Valley. And if you’ve ever wondered what a dumble is, this walk will show you. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
6. Llandudno, Conwy
The gem: The Great Orme. It’s better than Snowdon. At least the Kashmiri goats think so… |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
7. Grantham, Lincolnshire
The gem: The beautiful Grantham Canal. A popular spot with dragonflies. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
8. Luton, Bedfordshire
The gem: The rolling downs of the Barton Hills. And they’re part of the Chilterns, too. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|
|
9. Gateshead
The gem: The appealingly named suburb of Sunniside with wetlands, woodlands and wildflowers in Watergate Forest Park. |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
10. London
The gem: Waterside walking through the Big Smoke. You could almost be in Venice… |
|
|
|
Click image to view route |
|
|