Great British Walks: our guide to the best walks in the UK

A classic walking day out in Cornwall.

The walk along a rocky stretch of South West Coast Path, from St Ives to Zennor, followed by lunch at The Tinner’s Arms and a bus back, is a classic day out. It’s a fairly demanding stretch of the path but well worth the effort.

A one or two-day route in Essex.

This simple clockwise walk around Mersea Island in Essex is fairly long but can be done in one day, or could be split over two shorter days, if you arrange for transport at the halfway point.

A varied Cornwall walk to a lovely Cornish coastal village.

A varied walk crossing sandy beaches, dunes and clifftops taking you past an Iron Age fort and heathland rich in maritime wildlife and flora and back into a lovely Cornish coastal village. It’s a route that children and dogs will love, with the chance to run free on the sands and explore rock pools.

A picturesque Cornish coast and country walk.

This enjoyable walk starts in the picturesque fishing village of Mevagissey before heading inland through the medieval settlement of Heligan and its famous Lost Gardens. Back on the coast, the path takes you along magnificent clifftops that provide splendid sea views as you head back towards Mevagissey.

A beautiful route in the Scottish Highlands with a royal history.

You can follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria on this historic walk that enjoys the variety of the glen, heading through the woods and then out to the open hillsides. Keep your eyes peeled for buzzards, eagles, wheatears and skylarks.

A nature trail on a spectacular limestone headland in Wales.

The Great Orme is a spectacular limestone headland, thought to be over 350 million years old and supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. This nature trail allows you to learn more about some of the species that make the Great Orme their home, and the habitats they live in.

A memorable walk in Dorset.

Beautiful views, shady glades, an Iron Age hill fort and lots of wildlife make this a memorable walk. The full walk to Sturminster Marshall is 13 miles but it can be split into two sections – here we’ve gone for the first half between Wareham and Morden.

A circular route at Rutland Water..

Nestling in the heart of England’s smallest county, Rutland Water is known as the playground of the East Midlands, with a huge range of outdoor activities on offer, including water sports, cycling, nature reserves, an outdoor adventure centre and superb walking.

A trail near Dorset's stunning Jurassic Coast.

You will enjoy wonderful views over a beautiful valley on this walk near Charmouth on Dorset’s stunning Jurassic Coast. The walk takes in the ancient hill forts of Lambert’s Castle and Coney’s Castle.

A history-packed route in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

An easy walk, enjoying the legacy of a seventeenth century philanthropist. John Kyrle, known as the Man of Ross, was famed for his charitable works and public-minded spirit, and this walk around Ross-on-Wye is believed to be one of his favourites.

A picturesque route in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall.

Part of the South West Coast Path, this five-mile walk heads inland to St Mawgan, following a stream through fields and woodland before passing through the village and then returning to the coast where the magnificent cliffs tower over sandy coves.