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Walking in Dovedale, Derbyshire  

One of England’s most spectacular walks is through the limestone gorge beside the River Dove in the south of Derbyshire just a couple of miles north of Ashbourne. Easy walking, on well maintained paths, with an opportunity to cross the river on the famous ‘stepping stones’. An excellent B&B is Hillcrest House at Thorpe just a mile from the Dovedale car park; visit their website at: www.hillcresthousedovedale.co.uk. The nearby Tissington Trail also offers easy walking or cycling as does the Manifold Valley (see page 6 of the Groups 25 year book). A couple of good local pubs within 2 miles, for evening meals are: The Bluebell Inn on the A515 at Tissington and the Coach & Horses on the A515 at Fenny Bentley. The Ordnance Survey Explorer map No OL24 covers the area.

     South West Coast Path.

If you are looking for a B&B in Swanage, Chris and Roger went to an excellent B&B called A Great Escape in Argyle Road, Swanage in Dorset. The rooms were spacious and well appointed and the Dorset Breakfast set you up for the day. Check out the web site: www.agreatescapeguesthouse.co.uk  In addition to the South West Coastal Path, a classic walk is to take the steam train from Swanage to Corfe Castle then walk along Ballard Down and Nine Barrow Down to the coast near Old Harry Rocks before descending back into Swanage. (See page 12 of the Groups 25 year book) Note; the steam train was extended from Swanage to Corfe Castle in 1995). For further details about the steam railway visit: www.swanagerailway.co.uk . The Ordnance Survey Explorer map No OL15 covers the area.

Swaledale in North Yorkshire  

The village of Reeth lies where two of North Yorkshire's finest dales meet. The most northerly of these is Arkengarthdale, the other is Swaledale. Reeth, at the juncture of these two dales, is at the heart of Swaledale, a walker’s paradise. Follow the meandering River Swale, the upper dales at Keld, open heather moors or the high plateau of Fremington Edge. For excellent spacious and well furnished self catering cottages, situated around the village green in Reeth, visit: www.walkercottages.co.uk. Ordnance Survey Explorer map No OL30 covers the area. For a few walking suggestions visit: www.daleswalker.com and view their ‘Top Ten Walks’.

Castleton in North Derbyshire

Castleton is a popular walking area in the Dark Peak National Park, surrounded by spectacular countryside. To walk from Castleton to Hope via Mam Tor, Hollins Cross & Lose Hill is generally renowned as being the finest ridge walk in England. For a few walking suggestions in the area, visit: www.visitcastleton.co.uk/walking.php. Also just 9 miles away is the Ladybower Reservoir with yet more splendid high and low level walks. There are several B&B’s in Castleton but the Rambler’s Rest (formerly the Rambler’s Retreat) is recommended, visit: www.ramblersrest-castleton.co.uk for details. Ordnance Survey Explorer map No OL1 covers the area.   

North Wales

Tracey and Dom have visited this guest house in Betws-y-Coed and thoroughly recommend it:- www.ferns-guesthouse.co.uk