9 Days & 8 Nights

4.6

Hadrian's Wall Path: East to West | 9 Days

Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walk alongside northern Europe's largest surviving Roman monument.
Wild and beautiful landscapes of the border country.
Enjoy warm welcomes at your cosy accommodations each night.
View forts, turrets and milecastles en route.

Immerse yourself in history with a Hadrian's Wall walking holiday, walking from coast to coast alongside one of Britain’s iconic landmarks. Hadrian’s Wall is Europe’s largest surviving Roman monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opened in 2003, the Hadrian’s Wall Path follows the course of the Roman barrier closely along its entire length. It is one of Britain’s most popular long-distance walks, and one of our most popular walking holidays. Walk through the wild and beautiful landscapes of Northumberland and enjoy regular viewings of Roman Forts, milecastles, turrets, museums and visitor centres. This is one journey of discovery you will not forget!

From £959.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Newcastle and overnight

Arrive in the wonderful city of Newcastle Upon Tyne and soak in some of the local atmosphere and culture. People from Newcastle have a very distinct "Geordie" accent which you will soon become accustomed to! Before leaving Newcastle we recommend visiting the Great North Museum: Hancock - it will provide you with lots of history, information and context for the walk ahead.

Overnight Newcastle

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

nclin-hotel-indigo-newcastle-daytime-exterior

Hotel Indigo | Hotel

Hotel Indigo Newcastle is a four-star boutique hotel in the heart of the city, heavily influenced by its location within the historic Grainger Town area. Relax in their stylish bar before a meal in 'Social Bird', a brand new dining concept where guests and locals alike enjoy food and drinks to rave about. They are situated near the railway station, Grainger Market, and the Tyne Theatre and Opera House.

Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle | 4 Star | Hotel

Located in the city centre of Newcastle, Sandman Signature Hotel is a luxury accommodation only a 20 minute drive/train journey to the Northumberland countryside. This accommodation offers a laundry service, bike storage, and packed lunch on request.

Maldron Hotel Newcastle | 4 Star | Hotel

Maldron Hotel Newcastle is a brand new 4-star hotel in Newcastle city centre and is located in a prime central location with all of this beautiful city’s attractions right on the hotel’s doorstep. The en suite rooms offer all one would expect of a hotel of this standard, and come with high speed Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, toiletries and hairdryer and 24 hour service.

Day 2 Wallsend to Heddon 16 miles / 25.5 km

It is the wide rolling mass of the River Tyne, and not Hadrian’s Wall, that is a constant companion during this section of the walk, allowing you to cut through the centre of Newcastle with ease, and then escape the last industrial clutches of the city. You will eventually turn your back on the river and head up to Heddon-on-the-Wall, a peaceful village to spend the night with an intact 100-metre stretch of Hadrian’s Broad Wall.

Ascent: 175m / Descent: 60m

PLEASE NOTE: As there is limited accommodation in Heddon, we may have to book you into accommodation in nearby Newburn, which is 3 miles before Heddon. This means you will have 3 miles less to walk today, but 3 miles more the following day.

Overnight Heddon

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Wormald House | Bed and breakfast

Wormald House is a pleasant country home located near the centre of Wylam. It is the birthplace of railway pioneer George Stephenson and Wormald House stands on the site of the birthplace of one of his contempories - Timothy Hackworth. You will be guaranteed a warm welcome and comfortable stay and the owners will do everything possible to make your visit enjoyable and memorable.

Hadrian’s Barn | Bed and breakfast

Hadrians Barn is a unique and friendly place to stay just five minutes from the Hadrian wall path and a ten minute walk from Heddon-on-the-wall village. There is free wifi available and a garden and patio area to relax in the evening.

The accommodation consists of two self contained barn conversions which sleep up to 4 in two separate rooms. Each barn has an open plan lounge/dining/kitchen and bathroom in the main room. Barn is made of 1 Twin room & 1 double sofa bed in the living room. You do not share barns with people not in your party.

They also have a new small double with en-suite in the main house that is perfect for single guests and couples.

Heddon Lodge | Bed and breakfast

You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check into this B&B with lovely homemade treats and tea. All rooms have the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay along with some added little extras like under floor heating. Breakfast in the morning is served in the conservatory with lovely views over the Tyne valley.

Day 3 Heddon to Chollerford 16 miles / 26 km

From Heddon, you join the Roman Road and begin to see ever more frequent signs of the wall itself. After a couple of miles, you pass the Vindolanda Roman Fort and then negotiate a few small climbs. Harlow hill is a small hamlet and two miles further on is East Wallhouses - home to Robin Hood’s Inn, a fantastic old pub, which you may like to try for dinner. The remainder of the walk follows parallel to the B6318 which was built directly on top of Hadrian’s Wall. You will see that a series of mounds and ditches provided an additional defence to the wall.

Ascent: 225m / Descent: 310m

Overnight Chollerford

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hallbarns B&B | Bed and breakfast

Hallbarns is a detached farmhouse, on a working farm, situated on the edge of Hadrian's wall.

Linden House | Guest House

Linden House is the perfect escape for walkers offering lovely accommodation with friendly hosts. The house is a large Grade II listed property, all rooms have en-suite facilities and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The views from your room across the valley are absolutely stunning and completely unspoilt.

Simonburn Tearooms | Bed and breakfast

This old-school tearoom and B&B is great for walkers. The country-casual rooms feature TVs, free WiFi, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. All are on the first floor and accessed by stairs. Full English or continental breakfast is provided in the old-world tearoom on the ground floor. There's also a garden with tables, chairs and umbrellas, as well as a gift shop.

Day 4 Chollerford to Once Brewed 13 miles / 20.5 km

You start the day by passing Chesters Museum, an important site on the wall, and then ascending to Tower Tye, again following the Roman Road. You will soon be entering the most spectacular sections of the wall, so keep your camera handy. Part company with the wall after Shield and enjoy a lovely journey through rugged countryside and a host of Roman ruins and forts. This section ends at Steel Rigg Peel Crags, a short walk from the hamlet of Once Brewed. Here, there is an information centre and nearby the Vindolanda Fort complex is one of the highlights of your trip.

Ascent: 420m / Descent: 255m

Overnight Once Brewed

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vallum Lodge | Bed and breakfast

Situated within an acre of grounds in the Northumberland National Park, Vallum Lodge is a family run guest house offering excellent en-suite accommodation and personal service.

Twice Brewed Inn | Country Inn

The Inn is set amongst some of the most breath-taking scenery in England and stands in the shadows of Steel Rigg, without doubt one of the most dramatic parts of Hadrian's Wall. Their guest rooms in the inn are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower and free toiletries.

Bridge House | Bed and breakfast

Bridge House has fabulous panoramic views of Milecastle 42, Cawfields and Hadrian’s Wall which encompasses its entire northern outlook. The house has two letting bedrooms; a double with an en-suite and a twin-bedded room also with en-suite. Both rooms have been newly refurbished to an excellent standard and have tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryers and televisions with Freeview and a DVD player.

Day 5 Once Brewed to Gilsland 9.5 miles / 15.5 km

This section begins with a climb to the top of Winshields Crags, which is the highest point of the trail, but you will be compensated by stunning views in every direction. One of the most strenuous sections of the walk, but very rewarding due to the quality of the walls remains here. You will then walk on to Gilsland. This village has a local pub which serves a well-earned pint and dinner.

Ascent: 240m / Descent: 335m

Overnight Gilsland

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Brookside Villa | Bed and breakfast

Brookside Villa B&B sits quietly at the western edge of the village, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the Trail; your hosts have welcomed guests here since the opening of the Roman Wall path in 2003.

The 5 good-sized, fresh, bright rooms have king-size or twin beds and are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of walkers & cyclists, with super-fast wifi, contemporary en-suites - powerful showers, huge towels, hair dryers, quality toiletries. There are drying facilities for wet boots & clothing and an overnight laundry service.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the airy dining room. The stylish, convivial Guest Lounge has a well-stocked Bar with local ales, and a global selection of wines Take a drink or your complimentary tea-time treat in the Lounge, Terrace or Garden. On arrival you can order your packed lunch for the next day, and arrange a table for dinner in the village pub.

Dacre House | Bed and breakfast

Built in 1860, Dacre House has served many purposes, Temperance Hotel, Board Residence, Tea Rooms and Antique Shop.

In June 2022 the house was re-opened as a luxury bed and breakfast accommodation for visitors to Gilsland.

Dacre House is situated in the centre of the village, on the Hadrian's Wall Path and near to all facilities.

The Hollies on the Wall | Bed and breakfast

Being a self-contained annexe, The Hollies offers a different and more flexible choice to your traditional B&B experience. The annexe offers you privacy to relax and has all of the extra facilities not usually included in a B&B holiday stay.

Day 6 Gilsland to Haytongate (Lanercost/Brampton) 9 miles / 15 km

From Gilsland the path follows a section of consolidated wall to Birdoswald, where it continues up the hill to Banks and through farmland to Newtown. An easy-going section of walking after the rigours of the past few sections. At Haytongate you will turn off the Hadrian's Wall Path and likely walk to Brampton (around 3 miles or 5km) from the turn-off.

This 3-mile section into Brampton can be skipped by booking a local taxi (number given in your tour documentation) from Lanercost Priory. Lanercost Priory is a short walk away (0.6 miles / 1km) from the Haytongate turn-off.

Ascent: 215m / Descent: 245m

PLEASE NOTE: You may be overnighting in Lanercost depending on availability in Brampton. This means you would deduct approximately 2.5 miles (4km) and 100m of ascent/descent from your walking day.

Overnight Brampton

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Scotch Arms Mews | Bed and breakfast

The Scotch Arms Mews was originally an Inn, now a B&B with 10 rooms and a bar area to engage in a social drink. The guest bed rooms all have en-suite facilities and the owners have maintained the original features of the building.

Howard Arms Hotel | Hotel

Typical Cumbrian Inn in the heart of Brampton. All rooms are en-suite.

Brookside Villa | Bed and breakfast

Day 7 Haytongate (via Brampton/Lanercost) to Carlisle 13.5 miles / 21.5 km

As the wall was predominantly dirt and turf in this section there is very little evidence on the wall remaining but this is still a lovely section of rural countryside and gives you time to reflect before entering the hustle and bustle of Carlisle. Carlisle is a large town and has all the facilities you may have been missing over the past couple of days. The magnificent Castle, cathedral and the Tullie House Museum are all well worth a visit if you have any spare time.

Ascent: 40m / Descent: 120m

IMPORTANT: The distances and ascents/descents listed from this section are from the Haytongate turn-off, where you re-join the official Hadrian's Wall trail path to Carlisle. A further 0.6 miles / 1km walk at the very least is likely required as you walk from Lanercost to the Haytongate turn-off.

PLEASE NOTE: You may be overnighting in Brampton due to there being very few accommodations in Lanercost. From Brampton town centre - if you decide to walk via our supplemented route to the Haytongate turn-off - you will be adding approximately 3 miles (5km) and 100m's of ascent/descent to your walking day. This 3-mile section to the Haytongate turn-off can also be skipped by booking a local taxi from your local accommodation in Brampton to the Lanercost Priory (number given in your tour documentation).

Overnight Carlisle

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Howard Lodge | Guest House

Howard Lodge is a friendly family run Victorian guest house located a short walk from Carlisle city centre. All the rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated and have en-suite shower rooms. The dining room which is modern, bright and airy, with many original features, will make a relaxing start to your day.

Warwick Lodge Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Warwick Lodge is a family run guest house in Carlisle, Caron Archibald takes great pride in her home and loves welcoming people to stay. Guest rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed with en-suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer and a TV. Caron is known for her great breakfasts; all ingredients are locally sourced and breakfasts are all freshly cooked to order.

Cartref Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Melanie and Graham can assure you of a warm welcome at their Grade II Listed Victorian Guest House in Carlisle, conveniently located just 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre Cathedral and Castle. All rooms feature comfortable beds, high quality pillows and linens, as well as modern en-suites, fluffy large bath towels and luxury Elemis toiletries. Free fast wifi available throughout the guest house.

Day 8 Carlisle to Bowness-On-Solway 15 miles / 23.5 km

After following the River Eden out of Carlisle the route passes through Burgh by Sands and then follows the quiet road to Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway. This area is regarded as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” and the birdlife is prolific. The Kings Arms in Bowness is a great location for a celebratory drink and contemplation of your achievement.

Ascent: 15m / Descent: 30m

Overnight Bowness-on-Solway

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Wallsend Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Wallsend B&B provides comfortable en-suite accommodation to the weary walker. They have five guest rooms, all of which are homely, comfortable and restful. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and are equipped with televisions, hairdryers and drinks making facilities. You are welcome to relax in their guest lounge, where the leather furnishings surround a log burning stove with the grand oak staircase rising to the first floor.

Bowness House Farm | Bed and breakfast, Farm House

These stylish studio style luxury B&B apartments have everything you need for a nice relaxing break away.

Shore Gate House | Bed and breakfast

Shore Gate House used to be a corn mill and dates to 1684. This B&B provides comfortable and modern rooms that are en-suite and have all the amenities you require for a comfortable overnight stay.

Day 9 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 12kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 12kg is equivalent to 5 bunches of flowers (grown in the Netherlands). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

If you want to take on the challenge of a long-distance trail, with fantastically scenic walks, steeped in history, and then arrive in your comfortable and welcoming B&B’s every afternoon, feeling a sense of achievement each day, then this tour is for you.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

Grade & Terrain

This tour is graded anywhere between easy to moderate and strenuous, depending on which itinerary you choose. It is most suited for those walkers with previous long distance experience. The route is a mixture of paths, tracks and minor roads. Some of the paths can become very muddy and boggy and negotiating this terrain can be slow-going at times. Please read the Hadrian's Wall Code of Respect ( usually found online or in all major Hadrian's Wall guidebooks), which gives guidelines as to how to care for the natural environment for this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation Information

Overnight in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses, specifically chosen to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality.

On our full Hadrian's Walking tours, the first day’s walk to Heddon (or beyond) is one of the longer walks so many of our walkers choose to arrive early in Newcastle, drop their bags at their accommodation in Newcastle and then enjoy the 5 mile (2.5 hour) walk to Tyne Bridge that afternoon, returning by metro to Wallsend and starting again from Tyne Bridge in the following morning. If you would like to do this please let us know when you book.

Please note that Bowness has limited accommodation and transport links so many walkers choose to finish the last days walk in Bowness and then catch the bus back to Carlisle that afternoon, ready for the journey home the next day. Just let us know at the time of booking if you would prefer this option.

Accommodation Location

We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the tour itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, we may have to accommodate you into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE REGARDING OVERNIGHTING IN BRAMPTON - Due to very few accommodations in Lanercost/Haytongate, you will likely be staying in Brampton overnight instead. Brampton is approximately a 3-mile (5km) walk away from the Hadrian's wall trail path turn-off at Haytongate and 2.5 miles (4km) from Lanercost. You can either walk this section (adding the 3 miles / 5km to your walking day) using our supplemented walking route given in or alternatively, if your legs are feeling a bit tired or you'd rather not walk this extra section, you can instead call a local taxi company to take you to Brampton instead (number given in your tour documentation). Local cab companies generally do runs via Lanercost priory for around £10-15 depending on the time of day/year. The Priory is worth a visit in itself and also has a tearoom where you can get refreshments as you wait. The following morning, you will again have to decide if you wish to book a local taxi back to the Lanercost priory or walk via our supplemented route (again potentially adding 3 miles / 5km to your walk).

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This tour is available to solo walkers, although a supplement is payable. If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single supplement is also payable.

Navigation What's Included

Included

Overnights in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses
Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Newcastle
Travel from Bowness-on-Solway
Lunches & Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Extra night(s)

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Newcastle is a major transport hub in the northeast of England and has excellent rail, road and air links from both Scotland and the South of England.

By Rail

Newcastle is on the main East Coast Rail Line from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh. A direct train from London Kings Cross takes approx 3 hours, or from Edinburgh takes around 1h 30m.

For all train tickets and timetables you should visit the Trainline. Please note that schedules and tickets are only available 12 weeks prior to travel.

By Air

Newcastle International Airport is served by many carriers who fly direct, and there are also regular flights from London Airports.

Manchester International Airport is the largest airport in the North of England, and is served by many direct flights from around the world. There are good rail links between Manchester Airport and Newcastle and Carlisle on the Hadrian's Wall Path.

By Road

Newcastle is a 2-3 hr drive from Edinburgh or approx 5-6 hrs from London. Car parking is quite limited but it is available at the main hotel we use in Newcastle which is £12 per night. Parking there is on a first-come, first-served basis and unfortunately cannot be reserved. You can also find a list of off-street parking locations here - https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/parking-and-permits/car-parks-and-street-parking/street-parking-places-order-city-centre

Getting from the End

Bowness has limited accommodation and transport links, so many walkers choose to finish the last day's walk in Bowness and then catch the bus back to Carlisle that afternoon for a second night in Carlisle, ready for the journey home from Carlisle the following morning. Just let us know at the time of booking if you would prefer this option.

The Stagecoach Bus Service 93 connects Bowness-on-Solway and Carlisle (the main transport hub for connecting travel). Please ensure you check the bus timetables in advance as it is a limited service that runs around three times a day - also, no buses run between Bowness-on-Solway and Carlisle on Sundays/bank holidays (so please keep this in mind when booking). Local taxi services are the only other option.

From Carlisle, there are excellent transport links to all major cities across both Scotland and the south of England.

Please check the Traveline website for bus and linking train timetables.

The Trainline website is our recommended choice for train timetables and bookings. Please note train timetables and tickets are usually only available within 12 weeks of travel.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances listed are an approximation of daily walk lengths.

You may also notice that the total overall distance varies on our different itineraries - this is due to where you overnight along the way. Some examples of this - on our shortest (full) Hadrian's Wall Path itinerary (7 Day) you will remain on the Hadrian's Wall path for large sections meaning you will not detour off to overnight in places such as Once Brewed (which means you don't add in the extra mileages of coming off and back onto the Hadrian's Wall Path). Or on our longest (full) Hadrian's Wall Path itinerary (10-day), there is a 3-mile (out and back) detour to overnight in Corbridge that you would otherwise skip on our other itineraries.

Diversions on the Hadrian’s Wall Path

No matter what year you are due to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path you are likely to find some minor diversions in place along the way – this can be for a mixture of reasons, from forestry work, path resurfacing, damage after a storm or just general trail maintenance. Normally this will be a logical path that skirts around the effected section, and you should be back on the official trail path in no time at all. If there are any major diversions in place, the Macs Adventure team will reach out to you to let you know. Please always respect any diversion in place and ensure you follow them for your own safety.

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Hadrian's Wall Passport

The Hadrian’s Wall Path Passport is a great souvenir as you can collect stamps from seven points along the 84 mile journey across the breath of England. The passport is seasonal from 1st May to 31st October.

You can purchase it online or on the ground in a few selected shops along the wall. Sales of this passport support the vital maintenance of Hadrian's Wall allowing others to enjoy it for years to come. You can purchase it on the North East Museum Website.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen etc. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walk boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

What can I do if I can’t walk? I don’t want to walk 15 miles on my first day, what can I do? Am I able to take my dog? What happens if I can’t walk a stage? What personal equipment do I need? Walking Direction How do the baggage transfers work? When is the best time of year? Variations of distances in itineraries How far in advance do I need to book? How fit do I need to be?

Hadrian's Wall Path

Hadrian's Wall Path follows the route of the UNESCO world heritage wall, built to keep the "barbarians" (Scots!) out of Roman territory. This outstanding historical site is punctuated with milecastles, museums and recreations, not to mention some of the best walking in England.