Ideas for Family walking weekend

[Itsallicanafford]

Good afternoon, I was wondering if anybody had any ideas for a family walking weekend.

We are based in St Albans but willing to travel around a 150 mile radius.

I was thinking of traveling to the area on a Friday night, stay over, then a days walking on Saturday around 12 miles on a circular route back to our overnight destination. Stay over and then back home Sunday.

Children are 14 and 12 and good walkers but we are all novices looking at dipping our toes with this sort of break.

Maybe in October half term this year or February next year. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, Cheers.

[Martin315]

There are some excellent walks in the Chilterns.

You could also look at doing the Ridgeway, the Cotswold Way or another of the long distance paths.

[Bill]

You're also in easy reach of the Peak District.

[blue_haddock]

Shropshire has many magnificent walks in amazing scenery.

You wont regret it!

[Venisonpie]

I'd recommend the north Norfolk coast, stay in or around Wells next the Sea. Its flat, good bus connections along the coast road if you want a 1 way walk along the beaches and dunes.

Step back in time.

[Joe5y]

The Combe Gibbet is a stunning and challenging 16 mile cross country walk through the beautiful Berkshire and Hampshire countryside.

[ARHarh]

blue_haddock said:

Shropshire has many magnificent walks in amazing scenery.

You wont regret it!

+1 for Shropshire, somewhere like Church Stretton. Carding Mill Valley is a good place to start. Can get busy if the weather is nice though.

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/parks/england/shro...

[Greshamst]

Not a recommendation for your location, but as you’re Hertfordshire based there’s a great app available on App Store called ‘Hertfordshire Walks’ which has loads of walks around the area with various lengths and Filtered by woods/hills/ water

If you wanted some practise!

[595Heaven]

I’d agree either North Norfolk or the Peaks would be ideal.

There are plenty of good well marked circular walks in both areas and they are both stunning, but very different landscapes.

The Peaks could be a bit wintry at those times of year though.

[Itsallicanafford]

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, some really great ideas. Will do some research based on these and any other ideas greatly appreciated. Cheers!

[blue_haddock]

ARHarh said:

blue_haddock said:

Shropshire has many magnificent walks in amazing scenery.

You wont regret it!

+1 for Shropshire, somewhere like Church Stretton. Carding Mill Valley is a good place to start. Can get busy if the weather is nice though.

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/parks/england/shro...

The long mynd was my main thought as i absolutely love it up there.

Could be based in Shrewsbury or Ludlow as both have a decent choice of accomadation and entertainment spots.

[Robertb]

Goring/Streatley on Thames is very well connected to some great Ridgeway and other trails, as well as the Thames Path and is less than 90 mins from St Albans.

A friend has an 'air BnB' in Goring which may suit! Please excuse the plug...
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/48195511

Edited by Robertb on Thursday 5th September 09:32

[Cotty]

For day trips inside the M25 you could walk sections of the LOOP (London Outer Orbital path). 150 miles broken down into 24 section between 4 and 9 miles each. So far I have walked sections 20, 21, 24, 1, 2, 3 & 4 https://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/ideasforwal...

A bit further south I walked from Margate to Ramsgate, which is only 7 miles https://www.ramsgatetown.org/upload/docs/Beach%20R...
Largest Wetherspoons in the UK at Ramsgate.

[LRDefender]

The Isle of Purbeck would be ideal.

The coastal path walks are stunning and beach walks are plentiful. The coastal path can be done in sections and the scenery changes as you go. I'd choose sections of the coastal path to get in all the best bits rather than trying to do entire sections. There's some nice walks out of Corfe Castle too. Kimmeridge Bay is a great place to spend a day exploring and walking. A walk from the chain ferry to Old Harry Rocks is another great walk.

There are loads of options if the weather isn't great, museums, monkey world, some of the best country pubs you'll ever find (The Square & Compass is a gem). Some truly wonderful eateries, the fish & chips in Swanage are fabulous. Shell Bay restaurant is a favourite of mine.

There is accommodation to suit all budgets from camping at Toms Field to high end holiday cottages and hotels like Pig on the Beach.

[ARHarh]

blue_haddock said:

ARHarh said:

blue_haddock said:

Shropshire has many magnificent walks in amazing scenery.

You wont regret it!

+1 for Shropshire, somewhere like Church Stretton. Carding Mill Valley is a good place to start. Can get busy if the weather is nice though.

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/parks/england/shro...

The long mynd was my main thought as i absolutely love it up there.

Could be based in Shrewsbury or Ludlow as both have a decent choice of accomadation and entertainment spots.

Me Too. Back in 2004 we spent a week in Ratlinghope, First evening we decided to head off to Church Stretton to find a meal. Drove other the top and could not believe the scenery. 8 years later we moved to Shropshire.

[PurpleTurtle]

I grew up in the West Midlands and spent much of my school holiday youth when I was your kids age in the southern end of the Peak District - think of Ashbourne as a base, anywhere north of that.

There are some great walks around Wetton Mill, Thor's Cave is great to walk up to. Google Maps is telling me you could do the 125 mile journey in 3hrs 10 mins on a Friday afternoon, possibly need to factor another hour into that at half-term with everyone hitting the road. It's a lovely part of the world.

FWIW we might be doing the same, from Reading.

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/staf...

https://letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/listing/thors-cav...

If you are into cycling at all you can also cycle the Tissington Trail, if time permits:

https://visitpeakdistrict.com/trails/tissington-tr...

[Itsallicanafford]

PurpleTurtle said:

I grew up in the West Midlands and spent much of my school holiday youth when I was your kids age in the southern end of the Peak District - think of Ashbourne as a base, anywhere north of that.

There are some great walks around Wetton Mill, Thor's Cave is great to walk up to. Google Maps is telling me you could do the 125 mile journey in 3hrs 10 mins on a Friday afternoon, possibly need to factor another hour into that at half-term with everyone hitting the road. It's a lovely part of the world.

FWIW we might be doing the same, from Reading.

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/staf...

https://letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/listing/thors-cav...

If you are into cycling at all you can also cycle the Tissington Trail, if time permits:

https://visitpeakdistrict.com/trails/tissington-tr...

Thanks again for all the ideas and links, it’s really kind of you all. We have booked a B&W in Wetton so going to try out some walks around the area for a few days, sounds a great starter! Cheers all, hope the weather is kind

[johnpsanderson]

Malvern to Ledbury is a nice walk and then you can get the train back up to Malvern. A stop at the pub at British Camp is no bad thing (assuming it’s still there/open).

[johnpsanderson]

And, if staying in the Peak District, Losehill Hall YHA in Castleton is a great option for a place to stay. Plenty of good walking out of the Hope Valley.