The Lake District is a UNESCO World Heritage site with mountains and valleys shaped by glaciers. Writers and artists have worked here for centuries, including Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Villages in the valleys offer places to rest and eat.

Key Highlights

• The highest peaks in England
• 16 major lakes
• Strong connections to literature

The Cotswolds sits in central England, with limestone hills and stone villages. Woods and meadows cover the landscape, while market towns preserve old architecture. The paths here suit most abilities and connect many points of interest.

Key highlights:

• 800 square miles of protected land
• 3,000 miles of paths
• Historic villages and market towns

The Yorkshire Dales combines limestone hills, green valleys, and stone villages. Fast rivers cut through the landscape, creating waterfalls and gorges. The area's caves and limestone features draw visitors interested in geology.

Key highlights:

• Network of limestone caves and gorges
• Traditional farming landscapes
• Historic routes between valleys

The South Downs forms a chalk ridge from Winchester to Eastbourne. Iron Age forts mark high points along the trail, while villages in the valleys provide stopping points. The white cliffs at Seven Sisters and Beachy Head mark the eastern end.

Key highlights:

• 100 miles of continuous ridgeway paths
• Ancient woodlands and chalk grassland
• Historic sites from Bronze Age to WW2