England's Best Walking Locations
Get your walking boots ready!
Let’s face it – we’re spoiled for choice in England when it comes to fantastic places to walk and hike. From the Borders to Penzance, the country is awash with spectacular and varied landscapes to explore.
Here, we’ve rounded up just a few of our favourite walking locations. This is not a comprehensive list by any means and we’re sure you’ll also have your own favourites. But it might just give you a bit of inspiration for the next time you dust off your hiking boots.
Hadrian’s Wall Path (Cumbria and Northumberland)
If you’re feeling fit and ambitious, this 84-mile path is a fabulously varied and satisfying walk to do over a week – you can camp or stay in B&Bs easily along the way. The middle section, between Steel Rigg and Chollerford, gives the most breathtaking views along the wall, and also makes for a great day trip. Discover more on this breathtaking walk here! For more information on McCarthy Stone in this area, take a look at our information page on Cumbria!
North Norfolk coast
The coastal nature reserves such as Scolt Head Island are this area’s biggest draw. Scolt Head is a tranquil haven of beautiful beaches and sand dunes, tufted with grasses in which interesting birds scratch about. Get the ferry over from Burnham Overy Staithe during spring and summer – ferry times are erratic because they depend on the tides and conditions, but it’s well worth persevering to spend an hour or so pottering about this lovely place. Discover more on what it's like to live in Norfolk here with McCarthy Stone.
Shropshire Hills
If it’s rolling countryside, picturesque villages and crumbling castles you crave, this is the place for you. The wonderfully named Bog Visitor Centre – all that’s left of an old mining village – is a great starting point for many walks. Discover more walks and countryside villages here.
Jurassic Coast – Devon and Dorset
This is one of the most breathtaking and challenging coastal walks in England, but you will be richly rewarded for your efforts in views, history and perhaps a fossil or two. The constantly eroding coastline is what gives this area its character, but just be aware that diversions are often put in place if part of the coast has become unstable. Discover more about the Jurassic Coast here. or click here to search for retirement properties in Dorset. If you're interested in living in the idyllic area of Devon, have a look at our retirement properties in Devon here.
Lake District
It would be remiss of us not to include the Lakes in this list. You can spend a lifetime going here for your holidays and still find more to do, from gentle lakeside strolls to challenging scrambles up mountains. Gorgeous. Find out more about what you can do in the Lakes here.
