walking - Goodtrippers

Join a pop-up walking event (and eat free cake!)

Before the summer holidays are out, get the family into their walking shoes and try these two pop-up walks (free cake included…)

Two guided walks, one in the south of England, one in the north, led by local experts promise a great and free opportunity for families and other small groups to get outside in the open air, enjoy beautiful scenery, and treat themselves to some (also free) homemade cake!

On Saturday 27th August, you can join a tour of the dramatic landscape of Exmoor. Meet at Holnicote House, located near the village of Selworthy in the heart of Exmoor National Park, at 10am for a 6 mile (10km) walk to the summit of Selworthy Beacon, which offers stunning views over the Bristol Channel and Porlock Bay.

If you’re in the north of England, head to the Peak District National Park on Saturday 3 September for a guided walk over hill and dale. Meet at country house, The Peveril of the Peak, at 10am for the start of a 5.5 mile (9km) walk across the limestone plateau, past the rocky outcrops of the Nabs to Dove Holes and along the river to the famous stepping stones at Dovedale Gorge.

To ensure that there is enough cake and local leaders on hand for each event, walkers are encouraged to register their attendance:

To register for the Exmoor pop-up walk visit: www.meetup.com/HF-Holidays-Pop-Up-Walk/events/232775968/

To register for the Peak District pop-up walk visit: www.meetup.com/HF-Holidays-Pop-Up-Walk/events/232863197/

The free walks have been organised by walking holiday provider HF Holidays. For more information visit www.hfholidays.co.uk or call 020 3424 6162.

Take the Bee Trail around King’s Cross, London

There’s a real buzz (ahem…) around King’s Cross right now – take this new tech-enhanced walk around the city’s regenerated area to find out why…

On a sunny Sunday in King’s Cross last week, we tried out the BeeTrail app, created by social enterprise The Honey Club. With a mission to create the largest bee-friendly network in the world, The Honey Club encourages people to get involved with helping vulnerable bee communities in our cities and beyond. This new app, free for iPhone or Android, is part of that mission.

The Bee Trail app takes you on a 45min walk around some of the ‘buzziest’ spots in King’s Cross. Starting at restaurant The German Gymnasium, into Granary Square, down to the canalside, up to the community gardens, past the outdoor swimming pond and ending at the fantastic Skip Garden – the walk takes in eight stops. Turn on your Bluetooth and at each stop the app will automatically ‘unlock’ the next stage (or you can manually type in a code found at each check-in point).

Each stop unlocks a few pages of fascinating bee facts and more about how London’s biodiversity supports the bee population. We learnt a few new things including the stunning fact that there are around 250 different species of bee in the UK!

Several of the stops prompt a ‘bee count’ task – start the app timer and count how many honeybees, solitary bees and two types of bumblebee you can spot within 30 seconds (a pictorial ID guide is provided if your bee knowledge is a bit rusty). On our sunny afternoon, some of these spots were surprisingly light on bees, except for two hotspots literally humming with activity. All counts are recorded as part of a wider survey on bee populations, so your ‘game’ is also a very useful bit of research.

As a thank you, each completed count unlocks rewards in the form of vouchers for discounts or freebies from some of our favourite places in the area including Dishoom, Caravan, The Grain Store, The Skip Garden, German Gymnasium, The Greek Larder, Rotunda and The Lighterman. We recommend ‘eating and drinking’ your way along the trail as you win your reward vouchers (not filling up on lunch beforehand like us – although vouchers are valid until 4th September). As an aside, do make sure you take your time at The Skip Garden – this excellent community garden has been made almost entirely with reclaimed, salvaged and recycled materials. They grow their own produce and have a cute little cafe serving great coffee and cake (and they have a covetable outdoor pizza oven!).

Exploring the redevelopment of King’s Cross, with its influx of new restaurants, bars and event spaces, you can’t help but be impressed with the fact that nature has not been forgotten in this part of the capital. Flowerbeds and window boxes full of bee-friendly plants are found all over the place – along lavender-scented pathways, within playgrounds, and lining the outdoor dining areas of restaurants. It’s a buzzy slice of nature in the city.

The Bee Trail runs until 4th September 2016 – download the app for free at www.beetrail.co.uk.

4 of the UK’s most popular walking challenges

With mountains, lakes, coastlines and valleys, the diverse landscape of the UK offers ramblers and hikers a nearly inexhaustible choice of challenging routes and paths. North, south, east or west, here are four of the best…(and keep reading for a chance to win £100 worth of walking gear!)

Are you an ambitious walker? Why not test your endurance by taking part in some of the UK’s gruelling long-distance walking challenges? Taking anywhere from four to 48 hours to complete, ramblers have an exciting choice of challenges to choose from, each with their own beautiful scenery to conquer (and some treks aso help raise money for charity).

Outdoors kit provider Sportsshoes.com have shared with us their pick of the top four most popular medium and long-distance walking challenges in the North, South, East and West of the UK (Note: These endurance walks are not suitable for beginners and all require a good level of fitness, experience and training).

NORTH: Lake District 3000 Footers, Cumbria, England

Also known as the Lake District Four Peaks, the comparatively small distance of this challenge is mostly covered by the ascent and descent of four mountains, each over 3,000 feet: Scarfell, Scarfell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw. It’s a demanding and serious challenge, with a variety of undulating terrain – but with glorious views from no less than four summits, the rewards are great.

Distance: 15 to 21 miles (depending on the route taken)
Duration: 16 hours of walking (tackled in one long day or split into eight hour walks over two days)
Getting there: The M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park; car journeys from the south east take approx. six hours and journeys from Manchester and York take roughly two hours. Direct trains run from Manchester and Windermere
Find out more: Organise a group trip with Lake District Challenges

Snowdonia Glyderau from slopes of Pen yr Helgi D (c) Geograph.co.uk

WEST: Snowdonia Mountain Challenge, Wales

Although some training is required for this walk, it’s a great challenge for ramblers with little experience. The Llanberis route up Snowdon is a steady ascent but the climb is all on paths (some parts of the path are rougher than others however). The summit commands striking views of Snowdonia National Park with Anglesey and the Irish Sea in the distance.

Distance: Nine miles
Duration: Average completion time is seven hours
Getting there: Betws-y-Coed train station is located in the heart of Snowdonia and can be reached from London Euston in four hours and from Manchester in three. To drive from the north west take the M56 and A55; roads M6, M5 and M1 link North Wales with the south east
Find out more: Take part in an organised climb with Marie Curie

South Downs, view from Ditchling Beacon (c) Poliphilo

SOUTH: South Downs 100km, South Downs National Park, England

Not to be undertaken lightly, the South Downs 100km is a seriously strenuous challenge, with walkers having to endure the high ridges and steep hills of the rolling South Downs of Hampshire and Sussex. The hike takes place over night and day, starting at the historical town of Arundel and finishing at Beachy Head, the UK’s highest white chalk coastal cliffs. To conquer this challenge walkers have to battle strong fatigue and must be experienced, determined and physically fit. The South Downs is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and those who complete it will be proud of their achievement for their lifetime.

Distance: 100km – which is just under 63 miles
Duration: 30 to 36 hours of walking (covered over two days)
Getting there: The start of the challenge, Arundel, can be reached in 90 minutes on train from London and is roughly a two hour car journey from London. The walk finishes in Eastbourne where trains can take you directly back to London (or you can arrange a friend to collect you!)
Find out more: Discover Adventure will help you organise your South Downs 100km walk for any charity you wish

Norfolk Coastal Path, Sidestrand (c) Dennisbluie

EAST: Norfolk Coastal Challenge, Norfolk, England

There are a number of organised challenges along the dramatic Norfolk coast. One of the most ambitious walks sees people complete 47 miles on foot in 24 hours. Starting in Hunstanton and finishing at Cromer Pier, the route takes walkers over field, sand and stony beaches. The event does see a few challengers drop out with injuries; however, the supporting crowds at the finish line make the arduous feat worthwhile. A participant from last year, Tom Bailey, perfectly summed up the experience saying “Pain is temporary, pride is forever. Coastal Walk Challenge was truly memorable and organisation phenomenal.”

Distance: 47 miles
Duration: 24 hours (with overnight stay)
Getting there: Although possible to reach via train and bus, a car is the simplest way to reach the starting point in Hunstanton
Find out more: Sign up to the 2016 coastal walk challenge with Norfolk’s Community Sports Foundation

Image sources Dennisbluie, Geograph.org.uk and Poliphilo

Competition Time!

Fancy winning £100 to spend on walking shoes at Sportsshoes.com?

To enter, simply subscribe to our monthly enews to receive a regular round-up of the best from Goodtrippers (including some exclusives) straight to your inbox – Enter and subscribe

But hurry, you must sign-up before 6pm on 4th August 2015 to be in with a chance of winning. The winner will be notified by email (the one used on entry) by 11th August.

Terms and conditions (please read before entering)

One entry per person
One ‘entry’ counts as one individual subscribing to the Goodtrippers enews using a valid email address
All entries must be received before 6pm (BST), Tuesday 4th August 2015
Competition open to residents of the UK and the Republic of Ireland only
Employees (and their immediate families) of Sportsshoes.com and Goodtrippers are excluded from entering this competition
One winning entrant will be picked at random – judges’ decision is final
No part of the prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize
It will be assumed all entrants have read and accepted the competition terms and conditions

See ‘Unseen’ London like never before with homeless guides

Want to do something a bit different to your standard walking tour, and support a social enterprise? Let a homeless guide lead you through the streets of London for a tour you’ll never forget…

Award-winning Unseen Tours has expanded its London itinerary with a revamped Brixton tour and a new London Bridge tour. The walking tours, all led by homeless and formerly homeless guides, aim to be fun, amaze and entertain as well as offer new perspectives on the city – and £6 from every ticket sold goes straight to the guide.

After an 18-month break in the area, Unseen Tours returns to vibrant Brixton with the Brixton Tour- Dynamic and Vibrant (£10, 1hr 45mins). On the walk, you can discover the area’s hidden gems, from the river to a restored windmill, and a prison that has been home to more than a few famous names. Led by Hazel, a local lady who became homeless after her marriage ended, the tour explores Brixton’s varied history from the riots of the 1980s to its reinvention as a Transition Town with its own currency, the Brixton Pound.

A new version of the London Bridge Tour – Mysterious Alleys, Hidden Pathways (£10, 1hr 45mins) starts in August and is led by David who became homeless for a short period 11 years ago when the tenancy agreement on his flat was terminated while he was in hospital.

David’s tour follows the Thames along the South Bank before delving into Borough’s more mysterious alleyways, taking in one of the world’s greatest food markets, the infamous Clink prison and a secret archaeological dig. The tour ends at one of the city’s oldest pubs.

Faye Shields, co-founder of Unseen Tours says, “All of our tours are designed in partnership with the guides to reflect their interests and knowledge of the area, so with David joining us as a new guide our London Bridge tour is having a refresh.”

Unseen Tours aims to provide income and opportunities for the homeless, and for formerly homeless individuals trying to get back on their feet, but it also aims to challenge perceptions of homelessness, which are often based on stereotypes. “Homelessness can happen to anyone, for all sorts of reasons such as redundancy, relationship breakdown, or illness,” says Shields. “Our hope is that by spending time with Hazel, David or another Unseen Tour guide, people may rethink those stereotypes.”

The tours, and their guides, continue to gain rave reviews on TripAdvisor with previous participants calling it “incredible“, “mind blowing” and “inspiring“. One reviewer said “having never been on a tour like this I wasn’t quite prepared for just how fantastic it would be”!

Formerly homeless guide, Hazel with a tour group in Brixton

Not-for-profit social enterprise Unseen Tours was set up in 2010 and has been recognised with a Responsible Tourism Award and an Observer Ethical Award. There are now six tours, in Brick Lane, Brixton, Camden, Covent Garden, London Bridge and Shoreditch. The tours get excellent reviews and offer a unique insight into London life – while giving visibility and a voice to people who often feel unseen and unheard.

To book any of the tours mentioned, and for more information, visit www.unseentours.co.uk.

Cornwall: 3 short walks to get your heart racing

Cornwall Special 2015

Cornwall isn’t just for surfers – it’s a walkers’ paradise with most of the South West Coast Path in the county. But if you don’t have the time (or the energy) to embark on an epic hike, here are three short walks in southwest Cornwall that will still get the blood pumping!

Porthcurno

This is a mini walk but will certainly get your heart racing thanks to lots of steps and a stunning view! Start at the Minnack Theatre in Porthcurno – this is an amazing open air theatre that has been built into the rocky cliffs. You can watch a show, but even if you don’t you can pay £1 per person to access the pretty sub-tropical gardens and viewing platform with a sweeping view across the theatre and out towards the bay of Porthcurno.

Once you’ve taken in the view, take the steps down to the beach located to the left of the theatre entrance. These aren’t for the faint-hearted as some are slightly uneven, steep in parts and sometimes right on the edge of the path with a sheer drop to the sea on the other side. People will also be coming up so you have to shuffle around (with nothing to hold onto!) until they pass.

After the steps, you’ve a relatively gentle slope down to the lovely sandy beach with turquoise waters. Have a rest, a paddle (or swim), then get the blood pumping by doing the whole thing again in reverse!

Perranuthnoe to St Michael’s Mount

This nice coastal walk follows part of the South West Coast Path and if done as a circular walk covers around 5-6 miles. It’s mostly flat with just a couple of steep steps up and down onto the beach, and a steep walk up St Michael’s Mount to the castle.

Starting at the village of Perranuthnoe, take the coast path sign-posted to the right just before The Cabin Beach Cafe and simply follow it as it hugs the coast to the small town of Marazion. Enjoy the peace and quiet and the view as you turn the first corner and spy the Mount in all its glory in the distance. It then just gets bigger and bigger as you get closer with even more fine views. You can stop for a drink at The Fire Engine Inn on the outskirts of Marazion and soak in the view from the beer garden.

Once you get to Marazion, if the tide is out you can walk across to the Mount. If it’s in, take the short ferry ride over. St Michael’s Mount is a National Trust property so you have to pay to enter the castle gardens and climb your way up the steep path to the castle itself. You’ll be out of breath but rewarded with an excellent view across the bay to Penzance. Once you’re inside the castle walls, you can enjoy great views looking straight down onto the cultivated gardens which have been designed to be enjoyed from above.

Trencrom Hill, nr St Ives and Lelant

Another mini walk, make a pit-stop at Trencrom Hill just west of Lelant and south of St Ives. From the car park, take a swift walk up the path through foxgloves and heathers until you reach the top, 550 feet up. Here, large boulders, the remains of an old hill fort, are the stuff of legend – aparently the giant of Trencrom and the giant of St Michael’s Mount used to play a game of stone-throwing from here!

You get a fantastic view of both the south and north coasts, from St Michael’s Mount across to St Ives and the large sandy beach of Hayle.

How a UK walking holiday can make you a happy wanderer

Now is the season to take a hike over hill and through vale. Guest blogger Gareth Williams, founder of Large Outdoors, puts on his walking boots…

Spending a day out walking is a great way to explore Britain’s fantastic countryside, and is healthy to boot. But if you’re a little cautious about venturing into more remote areas of the countryside, joining a guided walking group can be the perfect solution.

There are a number of guided walking companies out there all offering a variety of walking trips according to location and fitness/experience level, from easy strolls through to more challenging hikes.

Walking company Large Outdoors runs a range of hiking holidays across the country for a range of abilities. It also donates a portion of the proceeds from each booking towards conservation charities such as Friends of the Lakes whose work helps protect the Lake District landscape.

What to expect on a guided walk

Trips come in all shapes and sizes but generally you can expect to join a small sociable group of like-minded walkers and spend up to a day out walking with a guide.

The guides are fully-qualified (highly-experienced in route-finding and navigation and have first aid qualifications) and, importantly, are experts in motivating people to get the best out of the group.

Routes are planned in advance and aim to take walkers through a variety of landscape that offers heaps of interest and umpteen view stops (cameras at the ready!).

Making a break of it

Once you’ve started, it’s hard to stop! On a weekend or week-long guided walking trip, accommodation is based in hotels, cottages or hostels. In contrast to the traditional image, many hostels are now a really good option, providing guests with an affordable way of staying in some fantastic properties in idyllic locations.

For instance Ilam YHA in the Peak District is a gothic manor house set in 84 acres of parkland, while the converted school house in Dalby Forest now provides an eco-retreat with cosy lounge area complete with log burner.

It’s also important to scrub any thoughts that these trips mean eating ready meals out of packets. The quality of the food is all-important with home-cooked meals served using local ingredients as much as possible. You only need to bring any alcohol that you might want to drink (walking is thirsty work!).

Range of walks

There really are walks to suit all abilities and fitness levels across some of the most scenic areas of the UK. Very often two different levels of walks will be organised during the course of one weekend.

A Large Outdoors trip to the Lake District usually involves one group taking easier ‘non-summit bagging’ routes that explore the scenic gentler side of the Lakes, following shorelines and wooded valley routes. Meanwhile, a second group will set out to tackle the challenging higher peaks.

Recommended for… Solo travellers or anyone who enjoys the camaraderie that comes with walking in a group (without the hassle of finding your own route)

Be aware that… It pays to look at the grade of walk (the level of challenge and average distances covered) to be confident that you’re fit and experienced enough for a particular trip. It’s also important to ensure you have the right items on the kit list provided by the guide.

Sample weekend: Large Outdoors is running a guided walking break in the Lake District from the 4^th-6^th September, costing £125 per person. This includes two nights staying in the comfortable and well-equipped YHA Caldbeck, a former shooting lodge nestling in the foothills of the northern fells; all meals apart from Sunday lunch, and two days’ of guided walks with a qualified guide.

For more information and to book visit www.largeoutdoors.com or contact 01653 740400.

5 of the best…Luxury wellness holidays

From educational eco-forest walks in Bali, to dining on nutritious organic cuisine grown in New Zealand, Paul Joseph, co-founder of wellness holiday specialists Health and Fitness Travel, picks five healthy eco-friendly holidays to make you feel more connected to yourself and nature…

These luxurious wellness retreats boast superb eco-design and green-friendly awards, meaning you can travel abroad happy in the knowledge that these retreats actively support sustainable tourism.

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Italy: Lefay

Situated on the shores of magical Lake Garda, this eco-friendly holiday destination values the connection between personal and environmental wellness. From the heat insulation and local natural materials used in the eco-designed architecture, to the use of renewable alternative energies, Lefay actively promotes eco-sustainability. Begin your holiday boosting your health and fitness by personalising your stay with activities from personal training to Pilates and Tai Qi. Ideal for a singles holiday, make the most of complimentary group fitness classes from yoga to circuit training, before unwinding with a relaxing spa massage.

New Zealand: Aro Ha

Encircled by New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps, luxury wellness retreat Aro Ha fuses eco-friendly accommodation with self-sufficient cuisine, using locally produced organic ingredients from their on-site garden. Enhance the connection between yourself and the environment around you with sub-alpine hiking and kayaking across the lake to the natural bird sanctuary of Pigeon Island. Complement TRX, yoga and meditation sessions with daily therapeutic spa massages and unlimited use of the water therapy suites, to ensure you return home in optimal wellness from this breath-taking eco-friendly holiday destination.

Bali: Zen

Escape to this luxury holistic and eco-friendly wellness holiday destination in Bali, surrounded by pristine tropical gardens. This green retreat offers a range of healthy cuisine, using only the freshest ingredients, with fish caught in the nearby sea and fresh fruit and vegetables grown at the on-site farm. Get closer to nature with a sunrise dolphin sail, rice field trekking and educational eco-forest walks to learn more about local wildlife, flora and fauna. Escape the stress of everyday life with sunrise yoga, sunset mediation and holistic spa treatments.

South Africa: Karkloof Safari Spa

Working with environmental and wildlife professionals to restore the region to its natural splendour, the surrounding eco-system of the eco-friendly Karkloof Safari Spa in South Africa, is happily once again home to a diverse range of indigenous fauna, flora, wildlife and birdlife. The perfect destination for a luxury spa holiday, enjoy indulging with unlimited spa treatments using natural ingredients, from a Maldivian black pepper scrub to a coconut body polish. Explore your natural surroundings by hiking, fishing, mountain biking and spotting local wildlife with private guided safaris.

Greece: Porto Carras

Make a healthy getaway to the white sandy beaches of northern Greece where this eco-friendly holiday destination boasts Blue Flag beaches and respected awards such as the Green Key Eco Label. Using natural ingredients for relaxing therapies, such as mud and clay treatments, pamper yourself at a choice of two luxury spa centres. Ideal for a fun-filled activity holiday, relish in the variety of sports and activities you can enjoy from tennis to windsurfing and meditation. Take advantage of complimentary group fitness classes, including yoga and aerobics, to improve your fitness levels and leave you feeling renewed and revitalised.

For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891

About the author: Paul Joseph is co-founder (with Adam Heathcote) of Health and Fitness Travel, the leading experts in tailormade healthy holidays worldwide. He searches for the rare and hidden gems around the world and puts together exclusive and trend-setting holidays for those who would like to improve or maintain their health and fitness whilst on holiday. As well as a love of all things travel, Paul’s other love is exercise, cycling and yoga. Paul also contributes to the travel pages of various high-profile newspapers and magazines where he offers his expert advice on wellness holidays.

Last minute guide to the Easter Holidays

Has the prospect of a few days off work crept up on you and you’re now in a chocolate-induced panic about what to do? The Easter break is peak-time for travel, so you can either jump in and join the crowds or just use the bank holiday to rest and relax. Here are some of our ideas for things to do this Easter. Now hop to it Easter bunnies!

Check last minute availability at a self-catering cottage

It’s a long shot but not every lodge, cottage, cabin or barn will be full this Easter holiday. Owners will be keen to fill gaps, particularly in the harder to fill week days, so chance your luck with a browse of self-catering accommodation sites and you may be able to grab a bargain. Some of our favourites, which also feature their fair share of eco-friendly homes, include Uniquehomestays.com, HolidayCottageCompare.com, SykesCottages.co.uk and HomeAway.co.uk.

You can also read our profiles of eco-friendly accommodation in Cornwall, Norfolk, Suffolk and Fort William in Scotland. And if you don’t have any luck this time, at least you’ve given yourself a head start on finding a place for summer!

Treat yourself to an Easter-themed afternoon tea

Whiling away an afternoon sipping tea and nibbling teenie-tiny cakes just can’t be done during a regular working week. Use the holidays to indulge in a classic treat whether it be traditional, luxury, vegan, fashionable, cool or rustic. Search Afternoontea.co.uk for hundreds of options across the UK including specials and promotions for Easter. We also found a few healthy-sounding vegan options if you’ve overdone it on the chocolate eggs.

Enjoy eco-friendly family fun

We’ve already picked out some of our favourite eco-friendly family days out – from the Eden Project in Cornwall, to BeWILDerwood in Norfolk, llama parks and organic farms. See our 7 of the best…Eco-friendly family days out.

Go for an Easter walk

It may not be summer-high temperatures just yet, but we’re now on British Summer Time so there is no excuse not to get out into the fresh air and make the most of longer days. Walking is a great way to stay fit, explore a local area, do a bit of wildlife watching on the way, and it’s absolutely free.

Take your pick of woodland walks, coastal walks, hill treks, village strolls, or city ambles. Walking Britain provides a free online resource for walkers detailing recommended walks in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Trails and other notable areas of the UK.

Feast at a food market

There are lots of farmer’s markets and street food festivals taking place this Easter. Sample some of the best seasonal fare (roast lamb, fresh new greens) direct from producers; or treat yourself to something exotic or handmade (possibly even chocolate-based if you haven’t had enough). One of our faves, the Real Food Market in London is moving to its new home of King’s Cross station as of 1st April (no longer at Southbank, but check out our old review for a flavour of what to expect in King’s Cross). Find out more about Real Food Market here. You can catch another of our faves Street Feast at a couple of dates around Easter – see website for details.

Check your local council website for details of farmer’s markets or food fairs in your area – and get down there. It’s often a ‘use it, or lose it’ situation!

Visit a pier

Yes, it’s not sunbathing weather quite yet, but you can brave a trip to the coast and while away an afternoon on one of Britain’s traditional seaside piers. After all, the British seaside is a classic bank holiday destination – even if it rains! Grab some fish ‘n’ chips, change a pound coin into coppers for a few goes on the arcade machines, and then warm up with a cup of tea on the pier. Here’s our write-up of things to do around Cromer Pier, in north Norfolk, which has just been named the UK’s Pier of the Year.

Explore a National Trust property

We don’t know exactly what it is, but a visit to a National Trust home or garden just screams Easter to us! It’s the start of the tourist season so all of the locations are usually spruced up and ready for the coming months, and there almost always is an Easter Egg Hunt (in a huge garden or woodland) that you can join. Some properties include working farms so you also get an added bonus of new little lambs to spot. Visit NationalTrust.org.uk for details.

Have a sit down

Sometimes a bank holiday is just a great excuse for a sit down. Avoid holiday traffic, avoid tourists and day-tripping families, avoid entry fees and car parking fees…. Just take a seat (preferably outside if you can – we’ve had months of winter, come on, let’s make the most of it), grab a good book (here are a few we recommend) or simply close your eyes and take a snooze….. See you when the egg-madness is over!

Explore the New Forest from Beecroft eco cottage

Explore the New Forest National Park, one of the largest remaining wildwoods in Western Europe, from your base of this gem of an eco cottage…

Located just outside the tranquil hamlet of Minstead, in the heart of the New Forest, you’ll find the delightful Beecroft cottage. Set in an elevated position above wildflower meadows with far reaching views of ancient oaks, Beecroft is a superb eco-friendly bolthole from which to discover the ancient roots of the New Forest.

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This stylish and immaculately presented cabin has been built with many ecological considerations in mind, focusing on a minimum carbon footprint and making full use of the natural resources of sun, air and the surrounding wood.

The one-bedroomed cottage is spacious, bright and airy with wide fold-back doors in the lounge which brings the outside in during summer months. For the cooler months a wood burner sets the perfect scene for relaxing after rosy cheeked walks.

All mod cons are present from underfloor heating, a fully equipped kitchen and a luxurious bathroom, to wifi, and a sun trap terrace for dining al fresco.

Exploring the New Forest

Walking is a wonderful way to see the New Forest National Park close up, with dozens of walking routes that take you into ancient woods, along stunning coastline, over purple heather heathland or following idyllic rivers and streams.

From Beecroft, you can explore the captivating plains of Stoney Cross and the ancient woods of Long Beech and Malwood Walk. There is a fantastic Deer Walk nearby at Boldrewood, where you can watch herds of wild Fallow deer grazing in the meadow, fed by a local forest keeper daily.

Thoroughly recommended is a walk and picnic along the Ornamental Drive, where an abundance of local wildlife can be spotted amongst the enchanting Douglas firs, redwoods, ancient oaks and native beech trees.

In late May/early June the rhododendrons and azaleas flower, bringing a spectacular burst of vibrant colour to these ancient woods. It’s a truly magical spot.

‘Good’ credentials:

Beecroft is powered solely by electricity from 16 PV Solar panels mounted on the south-facing roof of the outbuilding. Over 12 months these panels generate more electrical power than the bungalow needs. A considerable residue is exported to the National Grid.
The under-floor central heating and hot water systems are fed by the electrically-powered Air Source Heat Pump.
There is a multi-fuel stove in the main room which can be lit to augment the heating system in winter. It is fuelled by logs from trees grown on the property. The multi-fuel stove burns wood extremely efficiently and with minimal smoke emissions and makes for a super cosy night in.

Booking Beecroft: The cabin sleeps 2 + travel cot or additional child under 10 and prices start from £585 for a short break. You can book Beecroft via New Forest Living at www.newforestliving.co.uk or call 01590 427887.

Recommended for… Beecroft is an all season destination for those who love gentle ambles and rejuvenating walking breaks.

Be aware that… The nearest shop is a 15 minute drive, although there is a fantastic traditional forest pub just a 15 minute stroll along the forest lanes.

About New Forest Living: New Forest Living is an independent self catering holiday cottage company based in Lymington. The company don’t just let holiday cottages in the New Forest, all employees live there too and really appreciate the unique forest way of life. Contact them via www.newforestliving.co.uk or call 01590 427887.

Enjoy spectacular autumn colour at England’s Treasure Houses

Canopies of red and gold, the rustle of leaves underfoot, cool fresh air…a brisk walk in the English countryside is good for the soul during autumn and winter. Here are some grand locations for your next autumn outing…

Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire

At Woburn Abbey you can stroll through the tranquil Abbey Gardens landscaped by the brilliant Humphry Repton. A walk can take you through approximately 30 acres of serene formal and natural garden environments: from manicured lawns and colourful flower beds, to peaceful woodland glades and ponds teeming with life.

Discover the bog garden, a recent addition with it carnivorous plants, the romance of the Doric Temple which was carefully restored last year and watch the recreation work in progress on the rockery and grotto.

Hatfield House, Hertfordshire

Hatfield House forms the centre-piece of the largest private estate in Hertfordshire, with the woodlands covering an extensive spread across the county. The woodland ranges from the traditional coppice to areas of conifer broadleaved mixtures. This diverse habitat attracts a rich array of bird, mammal and insect life that you can spot during your stroll.

Holkham Hall, Norfolk

In this grand coastal estate, see the spectacular arboretum with its unusual and rare specimen trees resplendent in their autumn foliage. On 19 October, the estate is running Autumn Tours of the Private Gardens (book in advance, T: 01328 710227).

Chatsworth, Derbyshire

Having evolved over more than 450 years, the 105 acre Chatsworth garden continues to change today. There is plenty to discover at every turn, including the ninth installation of Beyond Limits, Sotheby’s annual exhibition of contemporary sculpture in the garden at Chatsworth (until 26 October). The Kitchen Garden is still producing good crops of plums, pears and apples to harvest.

Castle Howard, Yorkshire

One of the Yorkshire’s finest stately homes – take a stroll through Ray Wood to enjoy the season’s striking autumn colour from the many shrubs and trees, and huge array of ripened fruit and berries. Then make your way to the ornamental kitchen garden – Castle Howard Potager – for the autumn vegetable garden harvest.

All of these locations are part of the Treasure Houses of England group – 10 of the country’s most magnificent palaces, houses and castles. Alongside the places mentioned above, the group also includes Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley House, Harewood and Leeds Castle.

For more information, including opening hours and contact details for the locations listed, visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk