Peregrinating the North West and Beyond

Tag: Walking

  • A stroll by the Thames and lunch in Oxfordshire with an extra pub

    The White Hart at Fyfield is a 15th century pub and restaurant.
    The food is exceptional. Enjoy a lunch and burn some calories afterward by going for a stroll along the river Thames to Appleton. Another pub in Appleton offers real ales and classic pub food.

    This is a gentle stroll of under 7 miles along the river Thames in picturesque Oxfordshire. With a Gastro pub at the end or start of the walk and a country pub in the middle (or the reverse way if you start the walk from a different village)
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyEasy
    Length6.72 mi – 10.8 km
    Total elevation200 ft – 61m
    Highest point294 ft – 90m
    Walking time2h50
    TerrainPaths, roads and footpaths
    EquipmentSufficient water to keep You going for 7 miles / nearly 3 hours
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    This is a gentle stroll of under 7 miles along the river Thames in picturesque Oxfordshire. With a Gastro pub at the end or start of the walk and a country pub in the middle (or the reverse way if you start the walk from a different village)
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link all files can be customized with your chosen departure points and/or to include sights along the trail.

    Getting there
    • Driving: You should be able to park near the pub
    • Public transport:
    • From London: Train from Paddington to Oxford then bus to Digging Lane (c. 1h50)
    • From Birmingham: Train from New Street to Oxford then bus to Digging Lane (c. 1h50)
    • From Reading: Train to Oxford then bus to Digging Lane (c. 1h50)
    • Contact me for other routes

    Watering Holes
    • The The White Hart – Fyfield – at the start or end of the walk
      Multi-award winning family-run gastro pub in beautiful 15th Century building.
      There is outdoors seating in the summer and open-fire in the winter.
      Food is served from 12:00-14:15 and 17:45-21:00 on Tue-Sat and 12:00-16:00 on Sun. Everything is home-made and source locally, including their own kitchen garden and local foraging. It has 2 AA rosettes. Yet the lunch menu is very reasonably priced.
    • The Plough Inn – Appleton – at 3.75 mi. (c. 1h30 into the walk)
      In a 17th Century coaching inn. With a beer garden for the summer and a roaring fire in winter.
      Serves real ale and home-cooked food. Expect pub classics.
      I have not tried the food personally but reviews are excellent.
      Definitely the place to have lunch if you fancy traditional pub food rather than gastro pub.

    Make a week-end of it

    The walk is reachable by direct local bus from Oxford. The city is not short of options for accommodation, food, drink and entertainment to make a full week-end of.

    But if you prefer to camp; the Barefoot Campsite is on the route.
    It offers grass pitches for tents, log-cabin and bell-tents for glamping, as well as pitches for camper-vans.
    But beware, this is an off-grid campsite: no wifi, no electric hook-up and no artificial light and composting toilets.
    But it has plenty to offer: spacious pitches, campfires and BBQ are permitted, canoe-rental. It also boasts 7 pubs within walking distance !

  • Great and Little Langdale – A low level Lake District walk with 4 pubs, 1 swim and a Cathedral

    About 11 miles of stunning scenery in the Lake Districts. Low-level walk from Elterwater via The New Dungeon Ghyll and Old Dungeon Ghyll, Blea Tarn, Cathedral Cave and Little Langdale. 4 pubs along the route, Blea Tarn is perfect for a swim and Cathedral Cave a unique place to explore.

    About 11 miles of stunning scenery in the Lake Districts. Low-level walk from Elterwater via The New Dungeon Ghyll and Old Dungeon Ghyll, Blea Tarn, Cathedral Cave and Little Langdale. 4 pubs along the route, Blea Tarn is perfect for a swim and Cathedral Cave a unique place to explore.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate to strenuous (Distance and total elevation)
    Length11 mi – 17.7 km
    Total elevation2,785 ft – 849m
    Highest point1,109 ft – 338m
    Walking time2h40
    TerrainPaths, roads and footpaths
    EquipmentNo technical sections on this walk but you will need closed shoes or boots to keep you comfortable for 11 miles ! If you like to swim, don’t forget your swimsuit and towel for Blea Tarn
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    About 11 miles of stunning scenery in the Lake Districts. Low-level walk from Elterwater via The New Dungeon Ghyll and Old Dungeon Ghyll, Blea Tarn, Cathedral Cave and Little Langdale. 4 pubs along the route, Blea Tarn is perfect for a swim and Cathedral Cave a unique place to explore.
    Send me a message by email, Instagram or FB to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link all files can be customized with your chosen departure points and/or to include sights along the trail.

    Getting there
    • Driving: There are 3 car parks in Elterwater but all fee-paying. But there is a free car park at Stickle Ghyll
    • Public transport:
    • From Preston: X8 bus to Ambleside Interchange then bus 516 to Dungeon Ghyll (c. 1h55)
    • Contact me for other routes

    Watering Holes
    • The Walkers Bar at the New Dungeon Ghyll – Langdale – c. 2.7 mi into the walk (c. 1h15 mins)
      Belongs to the Red Cat Pub company.
      Muddy boots and paws friendly.Has a beer garden for the summer and open fire in winter
      Excellent ales. and the food is locally sourced. Gastro-pub rather than classics.
      The kitchen is open all day Friday and Saturday from 12:00-21:00 and Sunday 12:00-20:00. Check the website of FB page for weekdays opening hours.
    • The Climber’s bar at the Old Dungeon Ghyll – Great Langdale – c. 3.4 mi into the walk (c. 1h30 mins)
      The Original Inn the Langdale Valley, has hosted an array of Everest Climbers on their training and still family owned.
      Without a doubt, my favorite in the area. Muddy boots and paws are more than welcome.
      If you are looking for luxury, do not stop. But walkers, hikers, mountaineers, fell-runners and any other hard-core outdoors enthusiasts will alway feel at home (and be welcome as much)
      Some outdoors seating in the summer and roaring open-fire in the winter.
      The food is home-cooked and very fairly priced. Soup and sandwiches for lunch (12:30-17:00) and pub classics, including excellent pies for supper (17:00-20:00 Sun to Thurs and till 20:30 Fri & Sat)
      As the owner is a keen musician; there are open session every Wednesday at 19:30
    • The Three Shires Inn – Little Langdale – c. 8.6 mi into the walk (c. 3h55 mins)
      An independent traditional Inn. Muddy boots and paws are welcome.
      Outdoor seating for the summer and roaring fireplace in the winter,
      Good selection of ales from Cumbria and food made with local produce.
      The kitchen is open 12:00-14:30 and 17:30-20:00
      Expect sandwiches and pub-classics at lunch and gastro-pub type dishes in the evening.
    • The Britannia Inn – Eltermere – At the end of the walk
      A wonderful family run traditional Inn. Welcoming muddy boots and paws.
      Cask Mark ales and delicious home-made food.
      Beer garden for the summer and roaring open fires in winter.
      Kitchen is open from 12:00-14:00, Soup and Sandwiches 14:00-16:00 and dinner 17:30-20:30

    Make a week-end of it

    The Langdales are in the very centre of the Lake Districts.
    Unlike Ambleside or Keswick, you won’t find a wide range of shops and restaurants.
    But still plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy for a full week-end.
    Needless to say, there are numerous walks from low level to mountain hikes taking in Harrison Stickle, Pavey Ark or Crinkle Crags.
    But there also are disused quarries with caves; the most famous being Cathedral Cave. And plenty of good spots for wild swimming. Blea tarn is easily accessible and if you want to climb up; Stickle tarn is a wonderful place to take a dip.

    For the budget conscious: Eltewater Hostel in Elterwater has shared dorms and private rooms.
    It only sleeps 38 people in total. And can be booked as a group.
    Should the weather let you down; there is a drying room.
    It offers both breakfast and home-cooked evening meals as well as a self-catering kitchen.
    And being so close to town; there are a couple of pubs within walking distance.

    For comfort: The Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale
    My favorite hotel in the whole of the Lake District area. A family run business with Olde Worlde character.
    The rooms are very cosy and some have amazing views. Each room is different but not all rooms are ensuite.
    Breakfast is always included in the price. And I am told that it now has has super-fast wifi. (The last time I was there, the wifi was very spotty and the phone signal in the Valley is mostly non-existent.
    Dogs are welcome to stay for a small supplement.
    For food and drinks, check the details in the section above. Again, one of my favorite but best suited for outdoor enthusiast (with a plus if you enjoy music) than someone looking for luxury and glamour.

    For Camping: Great Langdale Campsite offers grass pitches for tents, hardstanding pitches with electric hookups for camper vans and Owned by the National Trust, it is family friendly and well equipped.

    For groups: The Great Langdale Bunkhouse – behind the New Dungeon Ghyll
    Sleeps 18 divided into 3 twin rooms and two rooms of 6 (all bunk beds). 
    Equipped with biomass central heating and hot water with powerful showers.
    Separate male and female shows and toilet facilities.
    There are no self-catering options but a tavern, the New Dungeon Ghyll and Stickle Barn on its doorstep.

  • Heather covered hills and a pint around Penmaenmawr, North Wales

    This walk starts at the signpost of the Jubilee Trail above Penmaenmawr and includes a stops at the Fairy Glenn Inn around mid-way.
    Particularly beautiful in August when the purple heather is in full bloom.
    It gives you an overview of the sea, coastline, and hills of the area, including panoramic views of Penmaenmawr, Anglesey and the Great Orme.
    Starting on a path girdling the hill, you will then descend onto atmospheric woodland, waterfalls, river gorges before a sharp up to the Inn. On the way back to the start point, you may find the druid’s stone circle.

    Stunning heather covered hills on the Conwy range near Penmaenmawr in North Wales. An easy walk under 5 miles but with one very sharp pull up. Over 1,000ft of total elevation. Beautiful sea and mountain views.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyEasy
    Length5 mi – 8 km
    Total elevation1,184 ft – 361m
    Highest point1,109 ft – 338m
    Walking time2h40
    TerrainPaths and footpaths
    EquipmentLong trousers as the path can be difficult to find
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    Stunning heather covered hills on the Conwy range near Penmaenmawr in North Wales. An easy walk under 5 miles but with one very sharp pull up. Over 1,000ft of total elevation. Beautiful sea and mountain views.
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link all files can be customized with your chosen departure points and/or to include sights along the trail.

    Getting there
    • Driving: There is a free car-park on top of Mountain Lane by the two towers
    • Public transport:
    • From Chester: Train to Conwy and bus 75 to Post Office (c. 1h50) but starts from the pub.
    • Contact me for other routes

    Watering Holes
    • The Fairy Glen Hotel – Dwygyfylchi – 1.85 mi into the walk (c. 55 mins)
      A wonderful independent pub with real ale and home-cooked food.
      There is some outdoors seating in the summer.
      Food is served from 12:00:20:30 on Mon-Fri and 12:00-20:15 at weekends. (Summer time schedule). The pies are absolutely delicious.

    Make a week-end of it

    There are many beautiful walks around Penmaenmawr. Both coastal walks and mountain walks.
    Great bus connections from Penmaenmawr to Conwy, Caernarfon and Llandudno.
    Enough cafe, pubs and restaurant to keep you fed and watered.
    A museum and a beach if you do not feel like walking.

    For the budget conscious: YHA in Conwy has shared dorms, private rooms and Bell Tents.
    It offers both breakfast and evening meals as well as a self-catering kitchen.

    For comfort: Penmaenmawr Bed & Breakfast only has 3 rooms (including one single).
    It is very cosy, dog friendly and the breakfast is delicious.

    For Camping: Trwyn Yr Wylfa offers grass pitches for tents and camper vans with awning and hard pitches for caravans.
    Excellent facilities and plenty of space between pitches. Still within walking distance of shops, cafe, village pub, restaurants and the beach.

  • Marsden, Black Hill and Black Moss – 14 miles in the South Pennines, West Yorkshire

    A 14 miles hike from the very pretty village of Marsden in the South Pennines in West Yorkshire (Edge of the Peak Districts). Take in the picturesque Butterly Reservoir, Black Hill, moorlands extending as far as you could see and Back Moss.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyStrenuous (From the distance)
    Length14.2 mi – 23 km
    Total elevation2,733 ft – 833m
    Highest point1, 897 ft – 578m
    Walking time5h20
    TerrainPaths, footpaths and moors
    EquipmentSufficient water for 14 miles (no pubs or shops en-route on this one) ; good waterproof shoes as the moors are boggy
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    A 14 miles hike from the very pretty village of Marsden in the South Pennines in West Yorkshire (Edge of the Peak Districts). Take in the picturesque Butterly Reservoir, Black Hill, moorlands extending as far as you could see and Back Moss.
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link all files can be customized with your chosen departure points and/or to include sights along the trail.

    Getting there
    • Driving: There is a free car-park on Station Road and one on Argyle street
    • Public transport:
    • From Manchester: Direct train from Piccadilly (Takes less than half an hour!). Alternatively, take the train from Victoria and change at Huddersfield
    • From Preston: Train to Manchester Piccadilly and then train to Marsden (c. 1h40)
    • From Leeds: Train to Huddersfield and then train to Marsden (c. 55 mins)
    • From York: Direct trains to Marsden (c. 1h10)
    • From Sheffield: Train to Huddersfield and then train to Marsden (c. 1h30)
    • Contact me for other routes

    Watering Holes
    • The Riverhead Brewery tap – Marsden- after the hike.
      Part of the Ossett Brewery – The pub makes some of its own ale on site. And also stocks some local favorite such as Butterly and Redbrook. (Named after the local reservoirs)
      Probably my favorite for beer in Marsden. But beware this is a trendy micro-brewery rather than quaint village pub. It does serve food but trendy Asian fusion (i.e Bao Buns) rather than your traditional pub fare.
      There is outside seating if the sun is shining.
    • The New Inn – Marsden – after the hike of pubs and cafes in Haworth
      If you are after something more traditional and a great Sunday lunch; this is the place to go to in Marsden.
      A traditional Country pub with roaring fire in the winter and a beer garden in summer. Muddy boots and paws are always welcome.
      The food is traditional, uses local ingredients and home-cooked. Served Mon-Thu from 17:00 to 20:00, from 12:00 to 20:00 on Fri & Sat and 12:00-19:00 on Sundays.

    Make a week-end of it

    Marsden is a very pleasant village in the South Pennines.
    Being on the edge of the Peak Districts; there are plenty of walks that can be started from Marsden.
    And the village has enough coffee shops, pubs, bars and restaurant to keep you entertained for the week-end. Being minutes away from Leeds, and easily accessible by public transport; yet with beautiful country surrounding it will cater for a very wide crowd.
    Suprisingly, there isn’t a wide range of accommodation in Marsden.

    The New Inn does offer 6 cosy rooms above the pub. Check the Watering Holes section for more details.

    There are a few self-catering options for families and groups of friend. Check AirBnB and Booking for options.
    There are a couple in the centre of the village. But for a real county-side week-end; my favorite is about 35 mins walk from the centre.
    Hey Farm Barn: It sleeps 2 people in the bedroom and can accommodate a further two people or children on the sofa-bed. Plenty of walking and cycling from its door-step.

  • Lake District – Scout Scar: A castle, a cafe at the dairy parlor and a pub

    This low-level walk near Kendal is under 10miles but punches above its weight. It takes in a medieval castle owned by the National Trust, a cafe and farm-shop where you watch the cows being milked and a pub that serves delicious food.

    Scout Scar is a Wainwright Outlying Fell in the Lake District. This is a walk 10 miles walk starting from Sizergh, near Kendal (South Lakes). It also takes in a Medieval castle run by the National Trust, a farm-shop at a dairy parlor where you can watch the milking and the Strickland Arms pub
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate
    Length10 mi – 16.2 km
    Total elevation1,506 ft – 459m
    Highest point735ft – 224m
    Walking time4h15
    Terrainpaths, roads, walking paths, streets
    EquipmentEnough water to walk 8 miles or 3h30. There is a cafe at the Beginning and the end but nothing in between.
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    Scout Scar is a Wainwright Outlying Fell in the Lake District. This is a walk 10 miles walk starting from Sizergh, near Kendal (South Lakes). It also takes in a Medieval castle run by the National Trust, a farm-shop at a dairy parlor where you can watch the milking and the Strickland Arms pub
    Send me a message on Instagram or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: 6 free car-parks along the way: On Nannypie Lane before the Stricklands Arm / Near St John’s Church Helsington / Underbarrow Road before the paid Scout-scar car-park / Brigsteer Road / Scroggs Lane / Hawes Lane
    • Public transport: Kendal Bus X6 to the Approach stop (C. 20 mins)
    • From Manchester: Train to Carnforth then bus 755 to the Approach stop (c. 2h05)
    • From Preston: Train to Arnside then bus 552 to the Approach Stop (c. 1h50)
    • From Lancaster: Bus 555 to Ashbank lane stop (c. 45mins)
    • From Carlisle: Train to Kendal then Bus 555 to Ashbank lane stop (c. 1h35)

    Watering Holes
    • The cafe at Sizergh Castle – Sizergh – C. half a mile after the start (15 mins).
      National Trust Cafe
      This is handy if you have forgotten water, your lunch or want a perk me up coffee before starting the walk.
    • Wheatsheaf Inn – Brigsteer – Technically not on the original route, but worth the small detour. It would only be 2.29 miles in (c. 1h00) and would add an extra mile to your walk. Happy to customize the gpx, AllTrails or Komoot to include on the route.
      Owned by Robinsons breweries. This cosy tenanted pub offers good ales, pies, pub classics and sandwiches; a beer garden for the summer and a roaring log-fire in the winter. Food served from 12:00-15:00 and 17:00-20:00 Monday – Thursday and 12:00 to 20:00 on Friday to Sunday. The pub also has 6 rooms. (See below sections). Muddy paws and boots are always welcome.
    • Romneys – Helsington / Kendal – Again, not on the route but a detour worth making. This would be at the 6.5 miles (c. 3 hrs) and would add an extra mile to the walk.
      It is a traditional Cumbrian pub with rooms. The local ale and food with delicious pub classics, carvery on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for the area and there are several options in the children’s menu.
      Beer garden with a children’s play area, log-fire for the winter and dogs are welcome. The pub also offers accommodation (see below section for details)
    • Low Sizergh Barn Cafe – Sizergh – C. 9.2 miles after the start (4h00).
      The best one if you are walking with the kids – A dairy parlor where you can watch the cows being milked at 15:30.
      Delicious ice-creams, farm-shop and the raw milk is on sale.
    • The Strickland Arms – Sizergh – At the end (or beginning) of the walk.
      The best for gourmets – it is listed in Michelin and Good Food guide. The food is home-made and cooked to order. The ale is just as good and the pub recommended by the good beer guide. A favorite with the locals and dog-owners. It is a very cosy pub with a large beer-garden, outside dining with a view and a roaring fire.

    Make a week-end of it – Why South Lakes and Kendal ?

    For those who have never visited the Lake Districts, Kendal is not a bad place to start from. The first largest town in the National Park, yet less crowded with tourists and more down to earth than Windermere. You will find the genuine cumbrian hospitality that made the region, a good selection of places to eat and drink; shops for the outdoors enthusiast offering better value than their counter-parts in Ambleside and further north. A farmer’s market and great brewery for the foodies. There is an array of scenic low-level walks in the area and good bus connections to the Lakes.

    For the seasoned mountaineers and fell-walkers a wet and cold day on the fells is not always a pleasant experience. Whether you have ticked all all your Wainwrights already you do not fancy a high-level walk with poor visibility on a day where the weather is unkind; the outlying fells are perfect to keep you ticking.

    For the culture enthusiasts there are multitude of place to visit around Kendal: Sizergh Castle, a medieval castle owned by the National Trust; the Levens Hall, an Elizabethan country manor with gardens and a deer park; Abbot Hall art gallery for fine art from the 18th-20th century and last but not least, the Kendal Museum with its collections of Natural History, Cumbrian history and World Wildlife gallery

    For the adventurers: Kendal has a climbing hall, Adventure Makers has a meeting point not far from the climbing centre and offers guides to take you Ghyll scrambling, Canyoning, and caving.

    Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

    For walkers: The Weatsheaf Inn
    The Inn has 6 cosy rooms above its pub

    For a lazy Sunday: Romneys in Helsington offers 5 self-catering cottages and 5 snugs. Very close to both Kendal town centre and the walk route. Stay overnight and enjoy an amazing Sunday Lunch at the pub.

    For the campers and families: Sizergh Barn and Farm – tent and caravan pitches as well as a glamping pods that sleeps 4 and has a kitchenette.
    Enjoy the walk, a visit to Sizergh Castle with a unique stay on an Organic Dairy farm. It has an award winning farm shop and cafe. Sells raw milk and you can watch the cows being milked everyday at 15:30.