Julia Bradbury chooses her favourite countryside treks that anyone can do, any time of the day.
Heading out beside the Menai Straits overlooking Snowdonia, Julia’s costal walk uncovers the birth place of Land-Rover and ends on the romantic Llanddwyn Island, home of Wales’s own female St Valentine and a lighthouse cove with stunning sea views. Teetering on the North Wales Coast, Julia traces the coastal waters of the Menai Straits, helping to save lobsters and meeting local mussel and oyster pickers, getting to taste them in a sunset beach picnic at the climax of her walk. On route, Julia also seeks out the lost prototype of the first ever Land-rover which locals believe maybe buried in the Anglesey sand-dunes where its inventor first put it through trials almost 70 years ago. After a paddle in the sea, she discovers why Prince William and Kate have a soft spot for the romantic St Llanddwyn Island, home to the Welsh St Valentine in a setting so spectacular that it reminds Julia of New Zealand’s South Island.
Julia completes the Borrowdale Walk in the Lake District.
Julia takes part in the Golden Cap walk in Dorset.
Hidden beneath the hulking great Pennines, Julia sets off from the ancient village of Dufton in search of one of Britain’s best kept secrets – the Grand Canyon of the North, a magnificent hanging glaciated valley, that’s been 500 million years in the making. A true highlight of the Pennine Way, it was described by walking legend, Alfred Wainwright, as a ‘natural wonder’ and ‘unforgettable sight’. Along her route, Julia meets a family of Olympic rake makers, learns about the notorious Helm wind – the only British wind deemed worthy of a name - and meets Mike Hartley, the current record holder of the Pennine Way, who ran the whopping 268 miles in under three days! It’s then on to High Cup Nick, at the top the impressive glaciated valley, with mesmerizing views over High Cup Gill. With over 16 million people visiting the nearby Lake District each year, and just 6000 getting up to High Cup - the Grand Canyon of the North is a very well-kept secret.
In East Sussex, the expert walker sets off from the village of East Dean, as she explores one of the longest undeveloped coastlines on the south coast - one that is disappearing at an erosion rate of almost one meter a year. During her three-hour walk Julia discovers the area's rich social history at seaside settlement Birling Gap, learns of the mystery of Sherlock Holmes' retirement, and hears how a lighthouse had to be shifted 17 metres back from the cliff edge.
Heading off on a round-trip walk from Malham village, Julia takes in the magical Janet’s Foss waterfall, the awe-inspiring Gordale Scar and the stunning limestone pavement at Malham Cove, with its spectacular views across the Yorkshire Dales. A hub for both the adventurous and creative alike, the Malhamdale landscape has been an inspiration for so many – from the likes of J. R.R. Tolkien to influential master painter JMW Turner – not to mention Harry Potter and a few other Hollywood Blockbusters! This walk sees Julia explore what makes Malham so memorable – from its traditional hay meadows and lush green dales, to the high drama of its ancient limestone marvels - including the spectacular crescent-shaped cliff of Malham Cove; a former giant waterfall and true highlight for people taking on the much longer Pennine Way trail.
Julia travels to the Cotswolds, near Cheltenham, to uncover some of the finest views in the south of England. Starting in Winchcombe, the ‘jewel in the Cotswold Crown’, Julia takes up the many walking trails on offer to discover an ancient burial mound, historic castle and spectacular views from the top of Cleeve Hill - the highest point in Gloucestershire. Heading out of Winchcombe, a village famous for its walking trails, Julia explores the historic Sudeley castle – home to the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. She soon finds herself atop of Belas Knap, an ancient Neolithic barrow that contained the remains of at least 38 human skeletons. Following along the Cotswold Way, she reaches the climax of the walk, Cleeve Hill Common, an unusual setting that sees sheep and walkers happily sharing the landscape with a century-old golf course. But the Common offers them all extraordinary views, sweeping along the valley of the Severn Estuary and across to Wales to the distant Brecon Beacons - a satisfying six-mile walk.
Julia comes home to her Peak District roots, exploring the first five miles of The Pennine Way, where she began walking as a young girl. Her route takes in the spiritual home of popular walking as she heads up to Kinder Scout on the moor-tops – the setting for the famous 1932 mass trespass. Heading off from the Derbyshire village of Edale, Julia joins the long history of walkers to ascend the Kinder Plateau, a place so integral to the creation of Britain’s very first National Trail over 50 years ago. On route, she catches up with her dad and discovers other surprising locals - including an ancient wood-bowl maker and the hard-working mountain rescue team who keep us all safe on the wild, misty moors. It’s a walk in honour of those who helped open up the countryside and turned Britain into the walking paradise of the world. As Julia reaches the top of the moors the staggering views across the Edale Valley make it all worthwhile.
