The hush of the forest.
I’ve often been asked: ‘What were the walks that impressed me the most during my trek around this delightful island?’ I have selected ten among the many and they are listed in my blog below. Maybe you’d like to post your favourite walk right here.
To comment on ‘Your Favourite Walks’ click on ‘comments’ beneath this photo.
But if you wish to comment on my book ‘The Big Walk’ go to the bottom Blog.
I thought that this blog might be a good platform for walkers wishing to give, what they consider to be, their favourite Walks in England.
After a great deal of thought, the ten most memorable walks during my walk around England would probably include the following:
(1) Scarborough to Whitby via delightful Robin Hood’s Bay: Mostly walked on a sealed public footpath that was once a steam rail track.
(2) Lancaster Canal tow path: Lancaster to Preston via Garstang. The serene and perennial world of the meandering waterways.
(3) The Offa’s Dyke path: Walking the beautiful Hergest Ridge and the Disgwylfa Hill was a strange spiritual experience.
(4) The South/West Coast Path: Lovely Lynton to Combe Martin.
(5) The Tarka Trail: Ilfracombe to Bideford.
(6) The Jurassic Coast: Sidmouth to Lyme Regis.
(7) The Northern Pennines: Bellingham to ‘Once Brewed’, via the Northern Pennines and Hadrians Wall.
(8) The Lake District: Ambleside to Lake Windermere via Hawkshead and ferry.
(9) The Cleveland Way: Whitby to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
(10) The South/West Coast Path, South Devon: Slapton Ley to Teignmouth via Brixton.
Thank you Dave for a really good read. I’ve just finished my copy of your book last night and my intention is to read it again at some point. I found your descriptive comments concerning the varied scenery en-route most interesting. I admire your will power and resolve to complete the task. I have walked some of the paths you mention, but in terms of comparison I have probably covered a yard for every mile you completed. It was nice meeting you in Waterstones in Brighton. It was my mother (Kay’s) birthday a couple days ago, and she celebrated her 97th year by being joined by myself, my brother and two sisters. She was extremely please with copy you signed and kindly dedicated it for her birthday. I must try out the Scarborough to Whitby and the Lynton to Combe Martin walks one day in the not too distant future. Your walk/s have reminded me of a song written by a local Sussex folk singer Dave Toye, entitled It’s England for me’. The chorus I repeat here:-
And it’s England for me,
No finer place you’ll see,
And although I travelled half the world,
In England let me be.
The verses cover many of the places you visited and lots more besides.
So what’s your next venture? Phew !!
Many thanks once again.
Barry
Hi Barry,
Glad you enjoyed the book. Yes, the Scarborough to Whitby walks were great; also Lynton/ Combe Martin stretch, but in actual fact I could easily have extolled the scenic delights of many of the areas I walked along during that long journey; the problem being I would have ended up with a book twice the size as ‘The Big Walk’. Great to hear you had a get-together with your mother and siblings; funnily enough I did the same yesterday, although unfortunately our mother wasn’t with us.
Take care,
Dave.
What a great read. I rarely have time to read books but found this one compulsive reading. Extremely interesting mixture of the author’s early years in England, the history of the places he walked through, and what a great achievement to even finish such a walk! And then to complete a book on your walk was another achievement in itself.
Well done Dave!
Glad you enjoyed the book, George. Look forward to seeing you and Lenna in New Zealand in the latter part of the year. Dave.
Fantastic site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your sweat!
Hi Dave
Well – for a subject such as this I am pleasantly surprised to say I really loved the book and couldn’t put it down! Your determination to complete such a task was incredible! Also Dave your descriptions and anecdotes re history concerning these lovely places you visited were a delight to read.
Regarding the family memories Dave, these were both a delight and very emotional to read. I learnt a lot! I know how Mum – your dear sister Carol – would have been so proud of you her big brother!
Thank you Dave for the opportunity. Jo is reading it as I’m writing this and I know she is enjoying the book immensely.
Take care
Kindest regards
Chris Galvin
Hi Chris,
Yes, my one regret is having written the book too late for my young sister to read. I’m coming over to New Zealand late November and even now while planning my trip, the knowledge that she won’t be at the airport to meet me weighs heavily.
I can only try to imagine what her passing must mean to her husband and to you, Jo and Peter and also to Zoe and Kate.
Take care and will see you soon.
Unca Dave xx
Took your advice and did a couple of your suggested walks. Truely amazing, as is your book! Highly recommended by me! ☆☆☆☆☆
Delightful read.excellently scripted have recommended it to friends and family. Well done Dave.highly recommended.
A couple of weeks ago I and a lady friend walked a lovely route on the Cuckmere Valley area on the South coast, a few miles east of Seaford in East Sussex. It was a delightful experience walking through copses and alongside fields and farm land. It’s the first serious walking I’ve done since my walk around England in 2009 and I thoroughly enjoyed every mile of it. Would like to hear from anyone who can recommend any other walks in the greater Sussex area.