Walking

Long Distance Routes

Our wide range of routes, suitable for short breaks
and longer holidays.

The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path is one of
the official 15 National Trails of Britain. This
wonderful 93 mile (150 kilometre) walk follows an
old Roman road running through the unique forest
and heath landscapes of The Brecks to the Norfolk
coast (nr. Hunstanton). From here to Cromer,
enjoy views over this ‘Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty', with its saltmarshes, nature reserves,
low cliffs and extensive sandy beaches.

For more ‘watery' trails, take the Angles Way along
the valleys of the Little Ouse and Waveney rivers; or
the Fen Rivers Way, which traces the course of
waterways that drain slowly in The Wash. The
Wherryman's Way passes through The Broads,
Britain's largest protected wetland. Whilst the Suffolk
Coast and Heaths Path explores the ancient and
tranquil landscapes of the area - including superb
views of the coastline. The Ouse Valley Walk follows
this important waterway from its source to the sea.

Inland - relive our rich history on Boudica's Way, named after the legendary warrior
queen of the Iceni; or walk along the ‘oldest road in Britain' (dating back to Neolithic
times) with the Icknield Way Path. Explore historic market towns and pretty villages
on a circuit of the Hertfordshire Way; then discover the idyllic landscapes that
inspired Britain's most famous landscape painter John Constable along the Stour
Valley Path. Starting at the seafaring heritage of Harwich, the Essex Way stretches
across the county to the forest at Epping, once the haunt of highwayman Dick
Turpin. Enjoy the region's high points on the Greensand Ridge Walk, which follows
a narrow well-wooded ridge of sandstone above the flat clay plains of Bedfordshire.

Click here for our full listing of long distance routes

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Shorter Walks

The region has thousands of miles of footpaths to
explore. These wind through rich agricultural land
and along unspoilt coastline, visiting historic market
towns and picturesque villages. We also have a
large selection of country parks, nature reserves
and gardens to visit.

A Walk Beside the Water

Enjoy a walk at the wildlife-rich wetlands of the
Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Marston
Moretaine (nr. Bedford). Whilst Britain's third largest
man-made reservoir - Grafham Water (nr. St. Neots)
has a circular path around its shores. The Ebury
Way at Rickmansworth crosses the Colne, Chess
and Gade rivers, as well as the Grand Union Canal.
Explore the historic city of Norwich on the ‘Riverside
Walk' - look out for 15th C. Pulls Ferry. Way-marked
walks at the River Lee Country Park
(Broxbourne/Waltham Abbey area) include the
‘Dragonfly Discovery Trail' - where half of all species
in the UK have been seen. The Broads are Britain's
largest protected wetland, with over 190 miles
(306 kilometres) of footpaths. There are boarded
walkways at NWT Hickling Broad (nr. Stalham), home of the swallowtail butterfly; or
at NWT Ranworth Broad (nr. Wroxham) with its floating wildlife centre. Follow the
nature trail around the former gravel pit of Needham Lake in Needham Market, then
enjoy a picnic. Discover some of England's finest river settings - stroll along The
Embankment at Bedford; or enjoy the tree-lined River Cam between the famous
colleges of Cambridge and the idyllic village of Granchester, once home of poet
Rupert Brooke. The Wivenhoe Trail links this quaint little town with the historic heart
of Colchester - walk there, then take the train back.

High and Low Points

The Dunstable Downs are one of the highest points in the East of England. Explore
their chalk life flora and fauna, with various walks starting from the Chilterns
Gateway Centre Discover the unique landscapes of The Fens, home of Britain's
lowest point: the circular ‘Bishop's Way' at Ely follows grassy droves once used by
the Bishop's of Ely; whilst the ‘Woodman's Way' at March takes you across farmland
once covered in trees. At Wicken Fen (nr. Ely), see how the landscape looked
before extensive drainage by man on the boardwalk nature trail. Climb back up to
the top of the Chiltern Hills at Sundon Hills Country Park (nr. Luton) to enjoy the
spectacular views on the circular ‘Walk like the Clappers'.

Woodland Retreats

Follow the ‘Dormouse Walk' through the ancient trees at Maulden Wood
(nr. Ampthill) - and see if you can spot this elusive creature. A stroll through Norsey
Wood at Billericay opens up the seasons of the year, with bluebells, woodpeckers
and fungi. Stand and Deliver! - follow in the footsteps of highwayman Dick Turpin
with a walk in Epping Forest Whilst way-marked trails explore the landscapes,
plants and animals at Marks Hall (nr. Coggeshall), such as the ‘Crowlands Wood
Walk'. Discover Britain's largest lowland pine forest - head to High Lodge Forest
Centre (nr. Brandon), and let the children loose on the ‘Giant Play Sculpture Trail';
or at Lynford Arboretum in Mundford, walk under the giants of the tree world on the
Sequoia Avenue. Get a close encounter at Rendlesham Forest (nr. Woodbridge) on
the ‘UFO Trail' - where in December 1980, mysterious flying objects were spotted.

The region has thousands of miles of footpaths to explore. These wind through rich agricultural land and along unspoilt coastline visiting historic market towns and picturesque villages