'Southport is home to a number of beautiful parks and gardens and for this reason the town is often referred to as the floral capital of the North West. These verdant spaces have contributed to the enjoyable floral character of the town for many years. Visited by thousands, the gardens are an important cultural asset for the people of the region, and have become much-loved tourist attractions in their own right.'

Visit Southport

'There are plenty of opportunities for some fresh air and exercise following one of our downloadable walks in the Chilterns Countryside. Admire the views at Coombe Hill, Pulpit Hill or Watlington Hill, or explore one of our longer walks. Alternatively, discover the Bradenham Estate or the woodland at Low Scrubs. If you would like to explore less well-known parts of the Chilterns, try one of our walks off the beaten track.'

Information on walks around and about the town including a series of leafles covering interesting features in and around Hayle - both historic and present-day.

'Here is the perfect high circular Kentish stroll through forest with views north and then over Greensand hills with views all round. Blazing the way, as though unexpected, are three great houses of immense but very contrasting character.' (A shorter option omits one of the houses, Fairlawne.)

Guide to the Leatherhead section of the River Mole: from the point at which it passes Thorncroft, enclosing the west side of the town, as far as Common Meadow. The booklet describes two linked walking routes, to the north and south of the town centre, both starting at the Town Bridge.

Mole Valley District Council

Named because the route the authors devised ran 'roughly parallel to the route taken by the Coastliner bus and we used that bus each day to get back to our parked car'. However, subsequently, 'the Coastliner 845 bus route from Staxton to Filey and Bridlington has been cancelled as from 1st July 2018 ... This means that Walks 21, 22 and 23 of the Coastliner Way can no longer be completed using the Coastliner bus. However, if you do wish to follow these three sections of the trail it will be possible to do so using a two car system by parking one car at the end of the day’s walk'.

John and Nancy Eckersley

Coastliner

'Clare is beautifully situated in the Upper Stour Valley and there are literally dozens of footpaths and bridleways waiting to be explored, as well as a unique range of heritage assets, including the ruins of a Norman castle, Victorian railway buildings, a Wool Church, a country park and the River Stour.'

Clare Walkers

'This long-established forest is an attractive mix of conifers and broadleaved woodland. It’s a great place for a walk or cycle, and you can get here straight from town along the West Fife Cycle Way. Come in May to see the haze of bluebells along Pitfirrane Dean burn.'

West Fife Way [Sustrans]

'The Irregulars are a walking group, mainly made up of folks from Yorkshire & Lancashire and all counties in between. Unlike other LDWA Local Groups, The Irregulars are classed as non-geographical, which means our members are not allocated to us based on their post code.  Instead a love of good & interesting walking, has attracted members of other LDWA groups, to join us.'

'The Club meet once a fortnight, on Sundays, and use their own cars, sharing the cost of transport ... The Stirling Hillwalking Club meets on the alternate Sunday so that if you join both clubs there's a walk each week.'

'A stunning countryside haven in the heart of the busy Midlands. Explore the miles of footpaths, bridleways and easy access trails offering breathtaking panoramic views over the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and Welsh borders ... The North Worcestershire Path goes through Clent Hill and Walton Hill and connects the Waseley Hills on one side and Hagley on the other. There are also footpaths connecting local villages such as Romsley, Clent, Lower Clent and Hagley.'

'A five star Garden renowned for its seasonal displays of snowdrops, bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, blue poppies and autumn colour. Located in the hills of the Scottish Borders, 65-acre Dawyck enjoys an almost continental climate comprising warm dry summers followed by cold, snowy winters ... Dawyck offers woodland and burnside walks, themed tree trails and visitors can follow the adventures of plant explorers such as David Douglas, after whom the Douglas fir is named.'

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

'Landsker is an old Norse word for frontier. The route explores the rural area on the Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire border from Llanboidy and Efailwen in the north via Canaston Bridge on the Daugleddau to Landshipping and Lawrenny in the south, returning via Reynalton and Ludchurch ... The route is shown on Ordnance Survey maps and it is waymarked by a Celtic cross within a brown upright arrow.'

'ARE YOU SINGLE? Do you like walking in the Yorkshire Dales? Would you like to walk in the beautiful Dales with a friendly group of like minded people? make new friends? keep fit and healthy? Then why not join the Dales Walking Group ... We are a group of friendly people aged around 55 and over although whatever your age if you enjoy walking at a steady pace you would be very welcome to join us.'

'A 350km network of routes developed specifically for horse-riders and walkers, linked to quality assured horse and rider accommodation ... SOSCT routes are clearly waymarked, most of the gates are easy to open (for riders that means without dismounting), and the drainage and other improvements which have been undertaken throughout allow you to walk or ride these routes with confidence that you won’t get stuck in a bog or have to turn back when you find your way blocked.'

The British Horse Society

'Organises two group rambles most Sundays during the year in the beautiful countryside of Scarborough and district.​ Members are offered the choice of a long walk ranging generally between 10-14 miles or a short walk ranging generally between 5-9 miles.  In addition, during the summer months, short walks are arranged for Thursday evenings.  Occasional social events are also held.'

'Walk Alton brings together representatives from local walking groups and clubs such as Walking for Health and Alton Ramblers, and from Alton Town Council and local businesses. Walk Alton aims to support and develop walking activities in the Alton area, both for recreation and to support local initiatives to improve people’s health, and to work with the local community, businesses, walking-related organizations & local authorities ... In January 2019, Walk Alton was successful in regaining Walkers are Welcome accreditation for the town.'

Walk Alton

'A large reserve with developing wildlife interest, comprising two large lakes with fringing reedbeds, grassland and recently planted woodland ...There is a network of designated routes on site and there are several hides dotted around the lakes. All footpaths are level, well-surfaced and usually over 100cm wide. There is a wide section of boardwalk outside one of the hides, leading to a wider viewing platform over a pond. The woodland walk is over a wide, level gravelled path and the coastal path is gained through a wide latch gate.'

Northumberland Wildlife Trust

'St. Bernard’s Way is a 1573.4 km / 977.7 mile long distance walking route from Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire, England to Citeaux Abbey, south of Dijon in France. It has been created in recognition of monastic travels that were undertaken in the 12th to 14th centuries, and of St. Bernard of Clairvaux who was instrumental in the development and expansion of the Cistercian Order ... St Bernard’s Way has 33 stages in the UK, and 35 in France.'  (I have referenced the total distance for the UK stages, from Helmsley to Dover, Kent.)

Abbey Walks

'The 59 km (37 miles) stretch of the England Coast Path (ECP) from Folkestone to Ramsgate is now open to the public. Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 19 July 2016 by order of the Secretary of State.'

'Walking is one of the best ways to get to know an area, and get a little exercise at the same time. Walks in Dartmouth are everywhere – the town is situated on the South West Coast Path and in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and so a range of walks accessible all year round are on offer. Choose from short easy historical trails, more moderate river walks, or challenging coastal hikes – whichever you choose, the views from every direction are rewarding. We’ve listed just a few of our top walks in and around Dartmouth for you to try.'

‘Compiled by our rangers who care for this beautiful landscape, our walks in the Sugar Loaf and Usk Valley take in the Clytha Estate and Coed-y-Bwnydd hill fort, along with both the Sugar Loaf and Skirrid mountains. Whether you want a long hike or a short ramble, there's something for everyone so you can get out and explore these wonderful places full of history and wildlife.‘

'Special maps have been drawn up so that walkers, riders, farmers and landowners may know which paths are public rights of way. The "definitive maps" show footpaths, bridleways, byways open to all traffic and roads used as public paths.'

Bury Council

‘This walk cuts across the wide open, wood-spotted Hertfordshire fields, before descending into the sylvan valley of the Ash, following old railway lines and navigations to the lakes and reedbeds of the Lee valley.‘

'The UK's ancient pathways are a national treasure out there to be explored for their history, archaelogy and wild life. Now having a tad more time for this kind of pursuit, I have been investigating some of them recently - starting with the Icknield Way ... I have split the Way into circular routes each of which takes a bite-sized stretch that can be completed as a comfortable stroll in a leisurely few hours. The standard information available is great for taking you from A to B along the paths but these circular routes will allow you to plan a day's walk which will bring you back to A again by the end of the stroll.' Other Trails include: The Ridgeway; Greensand Ridge Walk; John Bunyan Trail; North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail; Three Shires Way.

Brian G Sims