‘Spring sings with birdlife and wildflowers': readers' favourite UK trips of the season
Late spring is the best time to see the cliffs in colour as the bluebells, thrift and gorse battle it out for best in bloom on the Lizard in Cornwall. Walking the couple of easy miles along the coast between Kynance and Lizard Point will offer you a variety of exceptional, eye-catching and, in some cases, rare plants including Erica vagans, a variety of heath only found on the Lizard peninsula. Wildlife thrives here and in late spring your walk is likely to feature the soundtrack of Cornish choughs overhead. You may even see an adder or catch a glimpse of seals 'bottling' (bobbing) in the Atlantic, enjoying the Cornish spring sunshine. Layla Astley
A spring trip to Knaresborough is a must. Take a wander around this Yorkshire market town before dropping down to the gorge below, through the beautiful blossoming castle grounds. Hours can be whiled away at the Riverside Cafe, and from here you can hire a rowing boat or simply watch those already on the water, slow motion collisions and all. When it's time to walk off the cake you can wander along the Nidderdale Greenway – it's four miles to Harrogate along this old railway line. Nidderdale is also home to Mother Shipton's Cave, worth a visit, but don't get petrified!Hannah
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Cycle the Tarka Trail in north Devon for a serene spring adventure. This 180-mile route winds through lush woodlands, rolling countryside, and along tranquil rivers. In spring, the hedgerows bloom with primroses and wild garlic, while otters and kingfishers appear along the River Taw. Stop in charming villages such as Instow for fresh seafood or picnic in a hidden meadow. For an extra thrill, kayak a peaceful stretch of the river at high tide. The trail's quiet beauty and wildlife make it a perfect off-the-beaten-track escape as nature awakens.Megan
Mid-April to early May are ideal for walking in the Scottish Highlands, before the curse of midges. For a superb vista, take the train to Rannoch station and walk across Rannoch Moor to the recently upgraded Kingshouse hotel at the head of Glencoe. An overnight stay in their bunkhousewill cost £54 a head B&B. Then walk south the next day along the old packhorse track to rejoin the train-line at Bridge of Orchy. Susannah Clark
Church Stretton in the Shropshire Hills is a marvellous place to spend a spring weekend. The town itself has a charming high street, with delis, pubs, bookshops and an indoor antiques market, but best of all is the countryside. The Long Mynd looms over the town and offers beautiful walks, wild ponies and spectacular views. The Carding Mill Valley feels surprisingly Alpine, hence the area's nickname of Little Switzerland. There are easy train connections to historic Shrewsbury and foodie Ludlow. We stayed in a delightful wood lodge above town in the trees. Who needs Zermatt? Dan Ashman
The Hebridean island of Tiree is blessed in spring because of its mild microclimate. The warming Gulf Stream waters bring in waves that give it the name of the Hawaii of Scotland. Cowslips and crocuses greeted me as I headed to the white sand beaches and stunning views of the open Atlantic – there is nothing between Tiree and the Canadian coast. Spring lambs and rabbits graced the flat fields of bluebells as I marched on for an invigorating walk on the sands. A local crofter suggested a boat tour out to uninhabited Longa Island – telling me spring was the perfect time to see Hebridean nature and wildlife at its best. Soon I was enjoying the company of perky puffins and singing seabirds – after following the farmer's advice to lie on my stomach and imitate the movements of a seal not to scare them. An odd but fun way to welcome spring!Bill
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The Northumberland coast is unbeatable at any time of year. In spring it sings with birdlife and wildflowers. Visit in May for a chance of puffin-spotting on the Farne Islands. If you're lucky you'll also see dolphins, and grey seals are abundant. Northumberland is home to a wonderful array of flora including, in late spring, wild orchids. Low Newton-by-the-Sea is an excellent base with an atmospheric pub, the Ship, serving local ale and stottie sandwiches, among other delights. Lindisfarne is another must see – just make sure you check the tides before setting out across the causeway.Suzi
If Covid-19 taught me one thing, it was to appreciate how much exploring can be done locally. I was aware that Epping Forest was on my doorstep, but hadn't appreciated the volume of trails, and who knew that Lawrence of Arabia owned 18 acres at Pole Hill, one of the highest points. We also discovered a community nature park, the Paddock, in our neighbouring borough, with clumps of spring primroses and cowslips, and the Parkland Walk, which follows a former railway line. And finally, we hunted down bluebells in Wanstead Park and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, one of London's 'magnificent seven' of Victorian cemeteries.Helen Jackson
Spring is the perfect time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, when blossoms line the riverbanks and the town's Elizabethan architecture transports you back in time. Start your day on the River Avon with a self-drive wooden punt from Avon Boating (£11pp) – a peaceful way to take in the views. Then, step back in time at Shakespeare's birthplace, or take a walk in the leafy Welcombe Hills. As evening falls, catch a world-class performance at the Royal Shakespeare theatre, and round off the day with a meal at the Vintner, an independent bistro set in a historic building on Sheep Street. Steph
Ballycastle has a magnificent beach but was never served by direct trains from Belfast so didn't develop like a resort. It is a very pleasant market town on the coast so doesn't feel desolate outside the summer months. Its ferry serves Rathlin Island and from spring the cliffs at the famous 'upside down' West Lighthouse are covered with puffins. Back at port, dinner at the famous Morton's chip shop will soon get your sea legs back. Ballycastle was poorly served for hotels but this is now changing. The new Salthouse hotel (doubles from £190 B&B) overlooks the town and is worth a visit for the food alone. Eve
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a day ago
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Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance-taker
In last match before World Cup qualifiers, Clarke and co require a response Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The tranquil setting of Vaduz on the banks of the Rhine should not be a place where further pressure is put on a football manager. Flanked by mountains, visitors usually return refreshed and happy. The small nation of Liechtenstein is currently ranked 202 in the FIFA World rankings. Only Hong Kong have suffered defeat to them in the past five years. Their 'golden' era of most-capped keeper Peter Jehle and star striker Mario Frick are long gone. Konrad Fünfstück's are usually deemed as easy prey for opponents of any meaningful repute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland fall into that category as they arrive at the Rheinpark Stadion on the Swiss border. This is down as an away win, with odds of 1/12 from most bookmakers. San Marino scored three times when they rocked up here in November. It was an evening of anguish for Scotland against Iceland last time out. | SNS Group History with Liechtenstein won't ease any queasiness, mind you. On Scotland's only previous sojourn to Vaduz in 2011, they narrowly prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal from Craig Mackail-Smith. That came a year on from an almost catastrophic first meeting with Liechtenstein, when Stephen McManus' 97th-minute header earned a 2-1 win at Hampden. The last match of a long season, many in the Scotland squad are entitled to feel jaded. There have been title wins, cup successes and long European runs. This probably isn't their idea of an Alpine retreat. Nevertheless, Scotland need to tool up for one final job ahead of the holidays. A meek 3-1 defeat by Iceland on Friday night and the lacklustre nature of the performance requires a response. This is the last time head coach Steve Clarke will have his squad together before the World Cup qualification campaign kicks off in September against Denmark. The Parken Stadion will be a world away from the docile 7,584 arena they play in on Monday evening. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland 'need to win their next game' Scotland will want to bounce into the autumn matches, of that there is no doubt. Their recent record in friendlies is poor and Clarke wanted to address that in this double-header. Iceland has come and gone, now it's about doing a number on Liechtenstein. "We need to win our next game on Monday night," was the blunt assessment of midfielder Lewis Ferguson after Iceland. "We need to go and put on a good performance and win the game. Winning games is what breeds confidence. We need to get back to that." Clarke himself admits he is not the most adventurous when it comes to mixing it up with team selection. The manager may have been wrestling with whether to give his main men a chance to atone for Friday and get a much-needed triumph under their belt in Scotland colours, or blood some of the uncapped players in his current group. As it is, injury and fatigue may play a part, with Clarke accepting he may make more alterations than usual. The likes of Josh Doig, Andy Irving and Kieron Bowie will be desperate for game-time and their international debuts. A maiden appearance may come between the sticks after Cieran Slicker was unceremoniously thrown in at the deep end for his first senior appearance for club or country against Iceland after Angus Gunn's second-minute injury and was at fault for all three goals. Celtic-bound keeper Ross Doohan has been summoned from his holidays to join the squad. Doohan has made 20 appearances for Aberdeen this season and seems likely to make his debut, having been solid at Pittodrie all season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One may ask why he wasn't in the squad ahead of others. One may also ask why Clarke reverted back to a back-three against Iceland when the back-four had been a reasonable success in the Nations League A campaign against more glamourous opposition. Kieran Tierney's injury may force a formation change. Scott McTominay, the poster boy after Serie A success with Napoli, will also be absent due to a niggle. That means Clarke doesn't need to find the best way to shoe-horn all of his top-level midfielders into one team. It is hard to get Ferguson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and McTominay effectively on the pitch at the same time. Craig Mackail-Smith scores the winner against Liechtenstein for Scotland back in 2011. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 And then there are the strikers. 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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Stunning waterside home sitting above unspoiled Cornish harbour and metres from one of Britain's most revered coastal paths goes on market
A stunning waterside home sitting above an unspoiled Cornish harbour and metres from one of Britain's most revered coastal paths has gone on the market. The property, named Tregwyn, has stunning views of the Port Quin cove and an eye-watering price tag to match - at £1.5million. It is also has easy access to the South West Coast Path, the 630-mile trail featured in new popular biopic film The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. The four-bedroom, one-bathroom detached house, made from Cornish stone, boasts a whopping 2,168 sq ft of living space. Its unique features include a sea-facing patio terrace in the fenced front garden; a 'naturalised area' with a bench to take in the views; and land to the rear leased from the National Trust, with a shed and vegetable boxes. The home also boasts a wood burner, French doors, large dining room, snug, sun room, shower room, detached garage and a gated driveway with room for up to three cars. Gorgeous pictures show this 'waterfront oasis' at its best, with a view of an astonishing sunset and clear blue waters below, with the cove just 50 yards away. Near popular tourist villages Polzeath and Port Isaac, where ITV drama Doc Martin was filmed, estate agents dubbed this home 'the ultimate coastal dream'. Josephine Ashby, from John Bray Estate Agents, who are selling the property, said: 'There are a few properties that get under your skin, and this is one of them. 'The breathtaking, timeless location is second to none. 'This magical harbour is a very well-kept secret tucked between the popular villages of Port Isaac and Polzeath, with the water lapping at the foot of the cliff beneath you.' The house, used in recent years as a private holiday home, is described on its listing as 'a very well-presented stone house commanding exceptional water views'. It also offers 'front row seats to north Cornwall's sensational sunsets' and 'enjoys a light and sunny aspect in a peaceful and idyllic setting'. The waterfront outdoor space is 'perfect for soaking up the fresh sea air'. Port Quin was once a bustling fishing port, but is now a peaceful, sheltered inlet facing the Atlantic Ocean. It is popular for walking, wild swimming, kayaking, picnics and barbecuing - and boasts a discreet wood-fired sauna, run by a local business. Nearby Daymer Bay, as well as the close-by village of Rock, offer sailing, water skiing, canoeing and windsurfing. Rock also offers a ferry and water taxi across to the popular tourist town Padstow, while shops are near at hand in the market town Wadebridge too, just six miles away. Golfers can enjoy high-quality 18-hole courses at the renowned St Enodoc Golf Club or The Point at Polzeath. The location will likely prove popular for the growing fanbase of the The Salt Path film, based on Raynor Winn's best-selling 2018 memoir. It tells the story of Ray and her husband Moth, who decided to walk the South West Coast Path after their lives unexpectedly took a drastic turn. The failure of a friend's business venture, which they had invested in, saw them evicted and left homeless. And that same week, Moth received a terminal diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration, a rare neurological disease.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Cornwall's lesser-known beach near St Ives has fewer tourists in summer
St Ives in Cornwall is known for its sandy beaches and azure waters, but after visiting the popular spot last summer, there's a nearby beach that I think is much better The Cornish coastline is a rugged spectacle, with dramatic cliffs overlooking the deep blue sea. Each beach and cove has its own unique charm, but some are more famous than others, such as St Ives on the north-west coast. This picture-perfect town attracts tourists from all corners of the globe during the summer months and was even named one of Europe's top beach destinations in 2011, outshining the best that Spain, France, and Italy could offer. However, beneath its seaside allure, I was taken aback to find that St Ives has cloudy waters and an overwhelming influx of tourists. Those planning a Cornish getaway might find a nearby location more appealing. St Ives certainly has a lot to offer, with five sandy beaches and a gently sloping shoreline, it's perfect for families and sun-seekers. There's no shortage of facilities along the beachfront, with lifeguard patrols from Easter until September, deck chairs for hire, and water sports equipment available, including kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. On sunny days, Porthmeor, the town's "premier" beach, buzzes with activity, reports the Express. Behind the beach, you'll find a delightful labyrinth of narrow streets where pastel-coloured cottages host a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes. Local dining spots serve up authentic Cornish fare, featuring classics like pasties, crab, and mussels. If you've never been, like I hadn't until last summer, it's a must-visit. Arriving with high hopes, the bay looked breathtaking from afar (the bustling car park at the top of the town). The honey-coloured stone buildings in the streets below were inviting, but once I set foot on the beach, reality hit. Families and groups occupied every bit of sand on a weekday afternoon in July. Even at 4pm, Porthmeor beach was still crowded, including its far side. With a Cornish pasty in hand, I finally found a spot to sit, only to be met by a horde of aggressive seagulls that had clearly spent the day gorging on litter left on the sand. The real letdown came when I took a quick dip in the sea. Having visited Kynance Cove and Pedn Vounder Beach just days before, I was underwhelmed by the slightly murky water that seemed polluted by heavy footfall and frequent boat activity. I questioned why I was swimming here when Cornwall is home to so many pristine, secluded coves. Later that same evening, as I drove further up the coastline towards Hayle, I discovered one of them. Gwithian Towans Beach is at the far end of St Ives Bay and boasts a wide, spacious sandy beach that is popular for surfing with seldom crowds, even in the height of summer. Perhaps it feels quieter because you don't have a bustling town behind you, though there are still amenities on site. It's merely a 20-minute drive through country lanes to reach this incredible beach, which is backed by massive dunes perfect for a long stroll. When the tide recedes, Godrevy and Gwithian seamlessly blend to form a vast expanse of beach. At high tide, it transforms into a distinct cove, framed by cliffs and the National Trust-owned headland. Godrevy Point, located at the far end of St Ives Bay, is a neighbouring treasure known for its iconic lighthouse and a small colony of lesser-spotted seals. The water here is noticeably clearer, likely due to its exposure to Atlantic swells that disperse sediments. A swim here is invigorating and less daunting than in St Ives itself. On the beach, you can find a private spot behind dramatic rocks - even on a busy afternoon. But the true marvel of this westerly location is the sunset views. Parking is available at the top of the headland in a National Trust car park, from where it's a short walk down to Gwithian beach for a quick dip. This is arguably more accessible for visitors than parking at the top of St Ives and navigating the steep path down to the shoreline there. Facilities are harder to come by, with a small cafe and surf shop at Gwithian and a National Trust cafe at Godrevy. Limited toilet and shower facilities are available in the Gwithian parking areas.
