1126183365

The Ramblers' Top 10 City Escape Walks

For city dwellers across the UK, there’s nothing better than leaving the hustle and bustle behind for a few hours and escaping to the countryside. And luckily, a few hours of well-deserved fresh air, green spaces and breathtaking views aren’t so far away.

 

Just a short car, bus or train ride away from some of Britain’s most popular cities, you’ll find some incredible rural walks ranging from leisurely two hours strolls to more challenging, longer routes. Here, the Ramblers take us through their top ten countryside escapes.

1. Birmingham: Clent, Worcestershire

Length: 9.6 miles Walking time: 5 hours Distance from city centre: 27 minutes by car

858127496

Starting point: Walton Hill Road at the top of St Kenelm’s Pass, near Clent

 

This walk on the Clent Hills will soon make you forget you’re in the heart of the busy Midlands. Some steep climbs will be rewarded with incredible views across the Cotswolds and Welsh borders.

 

Get Walk »

2. Manchester: Hollingworthall Moor, Derbyshire

Length: 6.3 miles Walking time: 3 hours 30 minutes Distance from city centre: 26 minutes by car

1126183365

Starting point: Hobson Moor Road, Roe Cross

 

This walk from Roe Cross offers up incredible views over the Jaws of Longdendale, one of the most striking features of the Dark Peak. Wooded cloughs add to the charm of this secluded quarter, renowned for wild birds and springtime blooms.

 

Get Walk »

3. Edinburgh: Scald Law

Length: 7.7 miles Walking time: 5 hours Distance from city centre: 23 minutes by car or 41 minutes by bus

1064665030

Starting point: Flotterstone car park

 

Escape the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh and head for the Pentland Hills. This route, which is packed full of interesting geographical features and stunning views, takes you over Scald Law, Carnethy Hill and Turnhouse Hill.

 

Get Walk »

4. Oxford: Woodstock, Oxon

Length: 9.5 miles Walking time: 3 hours Distance from city centre: 20 minutes by car or 33 minutes by bus

133326397

Starting point: Woodstock, OX20 1JQ

 

This circular route takes you from the historic town of Woodstock through the beautiful Oxfordshire villages of Wotton and Combe. You’ll return through Blenheim Park, with the chance to admire the 18th century baroque architecture and grandeur of Blenheim Palace.

 

Get Walk »

5. Norwich: Costessey, Norfolk

Length: 5 miles Walking time: 2 hours 30 minutes Distance from city centre: 16 minutes by car or 29 minutes by bus

166111660

Starting point: The Costessey Centre car park, Longwater Lane

 

Costessey means island or dry ground in marsh. Old Costessey lies between two rivers, with the Wensum meandering along the northern border and the Tud to the south, which serves as the border between the old and new villages. This peaceful walk takes you through the woodland hills and along the lanes of Costessey.

 

Get Walk »

6. Doncaster: Hooton Pagnell

Length: 6.2 miles Walking time: 3 hours Distance from city centre: 18 minutes by car or 29 minutes by bus

1097733530

Starting point: The Church, Hooton Pagnell, Doncaster

 

Taking you through a charming Yorkshire village, across beautiful open countryside, through woodland and along an old colliery railway path, this route is bound to delight.

 

Get Walk »

7. Swansea: Rhossili, Gower

Length: 4.3 miles Walking time: 2 hours Distance from city centre: 27 minutes by car

498886828

Starting point: Car park behind the Worm’s Head Hotel, Rhossili Village

 

Rhossili is up there with some of the world’s most beautiful coastal locations and this walk showcases its postcard pretty sights from the Gower’s most breath-taking viewpoints. The final leg of the walk takes you along sand and surf, with the chance to spot migratory purple sandpipers and other rarities, such as great northern and red-throated divers as they flock to the beach in the winter.

 

Get Walk »

8. Plymouth: Latchbrook, Saltash

Length: 5 miles Walking time: 2 hours 30 minutes Distance from city centre: 16 minutes by car or 31 minutes by bus

183762484

Starting point: Latchbrook Cottages off Liskeard Road, Saltash

 

Anticipate some beautiful views on this hilly countryside walk taking you through Latchbrook, Forder, Antony Passage, Trehan and Trematon. Take time to admire the majestic Forder Viaduct and Trematon Castle along the way.

 

Get Walk »

9. Worcester: Clifton Upon Teme

Length: 9 miles Walking time: 5 hours Distance from city centre: 27 minutes by car

500873682

Starting point: Car park in Pound Lane opposite the school

 

Head to the peaceful Midlands countryside for this interesting route, which offers up amazing views of the Teme Valley and the chance to get up close to an unusual rock formation.

 

Get Walk »

10. Rochester: Teston, Yalding And The Medway

Length: 7.3 miles Walking time: 3 hours 30 minutes Distance from city centre: 23 minutes by car or 55 minutes by train

1025402350

Starting point: Teston Country Park

 

This scenic walk takes you through meadows and fields and meanders along the canal. Enjoy fine views of the River Medway along the way and the chance to spot lots of boats.

 

Get Walk »

Posted by

The Ramblers

 

About Ramblers

 

The Ramblers is Britain’s largest organisation for walkers with over 100,000 members across England, Scotland and Wales.

 

Discover the Ramblers »

 

Let us know you agree to cookies

We use marketing, analytical and functional cookies as well as similar technologies to give you the best experience. Third parties, including social media platforms, often place tracking cookies on our site to show you personalised adverts outside of our website.

 

We store your cookie preferences for two years and you can edit your preferences via ‘manage cookies’ or through the cookie policy at the bottom of every page. For more information, please see our cookie policy.