‘Dizzying coastal paths, quiet beaches and dolphins': readers' highlights of the UK coastline
The Leas near South Shields (a few miles north of Sunderland) is a beautiful stretch of limestone cliffs and coastal grassland that is a haven for sea birds and wildflowers. There are footpaths and bridle paths across the Leas, so it attracts cyclists, dog walkers and runners all year round. The local parkrun uses the paths and it must be one of the most scenic in the country. The rock stacks along the coast are a great place for spotting cormorants, fulmars and kittiwakes among others. No matter the weather I love to walks these paths and feel the fresh sea breeze through my hair. A wonderful place.Matty
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Fife is a glorious peninsula bordered by a brilliant coastal path that takes in a variety of beaches, fishing villages and is an area rich in wildlife and diverse landscapes. The area from Crail to St Andrews is of particular beauty, with several gorgeous places to stop for lunch, such as Cambo Gardens cafe near Kingsbarns and the Cheesy Toast Shack at East Sands in St Andrews. There are loads of places to stay and use as a base to explore the region. The larch-clad cabins at Kinkell Byre offer the opportunity to rest in style. And farther north are the wonderful forest trails and sand dunes of Tentsmuir. Stevie Kirkwood
Wander the banks of the River Fal and Helford River in south Cornwall, through ancient Celtic rainforest, where the trees meet the sea. This rare habitat gives us a glimpse of prehistory, with lichen-laden branches, crisp, damp air and some of the UK's rarest wildlife. It feels otherworldly, yet oddly familiar. Amy
Penmon Point on the easternmost point of Ynys Môn is a great place to watch for sea birds. The stunning Trwyn Du lighthouse looks out to Puffin Island, and if you're lucky, one might fly right past you. But we have seen even more magic there when it gets dark. If conditions are just right, the waves light up electric blue with bioluminescent plankton as they crash over the pebbles. For refreshments, the Pilot House Cafe is nearby and has a fantastic view from its garden. Chris Jones
You need to consult your tide tables before visiting Sunderland Point on Morecambe Bay. This extraordinary place of sea-sucked mudflats, salt marsh and vast skies is cut off daily at high tide. I cross the causeway in May when the sea pinks (sea thrift) are flowering and the air is bright with the cries of birds – oystercatchers, curlew and redshanks. It feels remote, but in the 18th century Sunderland Point was a bustling port for Lancaster's transatlantic trade, which brought prosperity but also inhumanity. A walk round the peninsula leads to the grave of an unknown child slave abandoned here in 1736, now adorned by visitors with painted stones. Its bleak beauty will break your heart.Morag Reavley
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I've been walking my dog on the same stretch of coast for four years and I never tire of the sheer strangeness of it. Culmore Point is where Derry's River Foyle meets the North Atlantic. Some days you can see a line in the water where the silt-filled Foyle meets the sea. Beautiful old-money houses look out across the water to a power station and chemical plant. Farther downstream the weird treeless landscape of the reclaimed land of Eglinton Embankment catches the eye. Spare a thought too for the young men who trained on these river beaches in May 1944 for the Normandy assaults a month later.Keiran
From West Kirby on Wirral, you can walk across the tidal flats of the Dee estuary to the red sandstone formations of Little Eye, Middle Eye, and Hilbre Island, a string of uninhabited islands offering naught but spectacular nature. In summer you can spot grey seals hauling themselves on to sandbanks, and three types of terns (common, little and sandwich) darting past. Listen out for skylarks and meadow pipits too. For an extra challenge, search for the Triassic-era Chirotherium footprint. Always check tide times carefully, and for extra awe, time your return to the sun setting low, framed by the distant Welsh hills.Sarah
Cycling along the North East Coastal Trail from Portsoy to Macduff in Aberdeenshire is my idea of heaven. In stunning coastal countryside you cycle through charming fishing villages with historic harbours. I've spotted dolphins, porpoises and seals on the route. On a rocky coastline just beyond Macduff, there's an old tidal pool at Tarlair. Though no longer used for swimming, its beautifully restored art deco tea pavilion is the perfect spot to refuel before your journey back. While there, take a short wander to the secluded Salmon Howie beach tucked behind the cliffs – it's such a beautiful spot.Peter Diender
When, as a child, I read Z For Zachariah, I imagined a landscape with the exact fin-du-monde energy of the East Yorkshire beach from Ulrome to Bridlington. On this stretch of Holderness, you'll find neither the Norfolk chalk boards of iced latte and shakshuka nor the monastic ghosts of farther north. But if six miles of uninterrupted beach walk – in the company of nothing more glamorous than pure air, weather and proper decay (not the genteel sort) – is your thing, this is a place you should visit. Morcheeba soundtrack optional. Tired legs and a cleansed soul guaranteed.Eliza Ainley
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The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
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2 hours ago
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Britain's best walks revealed - is there one near YOU?
Brits love getting out and exploring this green and pleasant land – and now the best walks to take across the nation has been named. There are incredible routes to be found in England, Scotland and Wales – with a popular West Country destination coming out as the overall winner. The research saw consumer group Which? Pick more than 50 walks that could be easily trekked in a day – no more than 13 miles (20km). It then asked its members to rank them on everything from the scenery along the route, the food and drink opportunities along the way, and peace and quiet. There's also an 'ease of walking' category that judges how difficult they are to hike. The Lizard peninsula circuit, in southern Cornwall, is named the best walk in the UK, with a total score of 87 per cent. The seven-mile route usually takes around three hours from the village of Lizard, and is described by Which? as 'the place to head for a blow-away-the-cobwebs walk'. 'Visitors told us they appreciated the dramatic scenery, the abundance of wildflowers and the possibility of spotting a red-legged chough or bobbing seals and basking sharks in the tumbling waves,' it adds. The best walk in Wales, which also scored 87 per cent and is another coastal course, is the Rhossili headland walk. The Gower Peninsula loop, with a difficulty rating of two out of five across its 3.5 miles, takes in a long sweep of Rhossili beach and views of Worm's Head, a tidal island. Which? recommends a meal at the Worm's Head Hotel following the stroll, where you can expect traditional pub food with local highlights, such as Welsh rarebit, cockles and laverbread. The Lake District's Buttermere circuit and the Craster to Dunstanburgh, in Northumberland, came in closely behind, each snatching an 86 per cent score. The former is judged to be one out of five for ease. It's flat and great for families, leading between the shore and the dramatic mountains. As for the Craster to Dunstanburgh route, the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle are in view throughout, and walkers should look out for fulmars and razorbill – and, further out to sea, you might spot a grey seal. It's around 2.6 miles, scoring highly for scenery and wildlife. In Scotland, the best walk is Fife's Crail to Anstruther journey, four miles along and achieving a score of 84 per cent from Which? members. 'The Fife Coastal Path links its fishing villages with their stone harbours, pantile-roof cottages and Dutch-style merchants' houses – all of which remain steadfastly unspoilt,' say the consumer champions. As for an end-of-walk reward, the town is home to the award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar & Restaurant – known for its light and crispy batter. Other notable walks include Bottalack Mine Walk in Cornwall, heading up Dorset's Golden Cap, Malham Cove and Gordale Scar walk in North Yorkshire, The Needles and Tennyson Down on the Isle of Wight, and another North Yorkshire entry with the Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay trail. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: 'The UK has an amazing variety of walks and our list highlights how there is beautiful scenery to enjoy in every corner of the country. 'From historic ruins, beautiful shorelines and seal spotting, our research shows you don't have to be a seasoned hiker and many walks also include cosy cafes and charming local pubs if you do need a rest and some refreshments.' The results were based on almost 3,000 experiences from 1,310 'Which Connect' members, with the talk score combining overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.
