WIREDGOV

National Trails offer the finest walks in England and during the summer holidays there is no better time to enjoy these jewels in England’s walking crown. Tranquil water meadows, wooded valleys, gentle chalk downs, historic towns and villages, dramatic views, and cliff top walks, are just some of the unforgettable experiences offered by England’s National Trails. There are now 13 separate National Trails, criss-crossing more than 2000 miles of the nation’s finest landscapes – just waiting to be explored.

Everyone in England lives within 50 miles of a National Trail, so they’re easy to get to and clearly signposted – just follow the familiar National Trail acorn waymarks. Some National Trails, such as the South Downs Way, Pennine Bridleway and part of The Ridgeway, can be explored by foot, bicycle or on horseback. The South West Coast Path, Cleveland Way and Peddars Way/Norfolk Coast Path will take you to the coast. If you don’t have time to walk a whole Trail, nearly all the Trails offer circular walks - or invent your own.

Natural England is responsible for overseeing the management of National Trails which this year are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Act of Parliament that brought them into being. Poul Christensen, Acting Chair of Natural England, said: “Walking a National Trail provides the perfect holiday or weekend adventure. They can be enjoyed over several days or several hours and walking a National Trail really helps you to get to know the best of the English countryside. As you pass along them, you will see and experience more of how our country was shaped - both in terms of the fascinating natural world and our history, geology and archaeology. Not to mention the great pubs and tearooms!”

Walking is a great way to maintain health and vitality. It provides the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of everyday life. The popularity of National Trails are proof of this – with millions of people using National Trails each year. From Hadrian’s Wall Path to the Cotswold Way, they offer a huge variety of walks – from short strolls to challenging hikes – whilst passing through some of England’s most varied and beautiful countryside. Why not see for yourself? The National Trails website is packed with information to help you plan your trip.

Natural England’s Quick Guide to National Trails

Hadrian’s Wall Path – Follow the Roman Wall from coast to coast

Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail is an unbroken 84 mile signposted trail stretching from coast to coast, from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west. It passes through some of the most beautiful parts of England - from rolling fields and rugged moorland to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle.

The Trail, with links to over 80 short walks, is suitable for people of all ages with opportunities for less abled access to many stretches of the Wall. It is ideal for day visits, short breaks or a week-long holiday. It will take about six days to walk in full. Visit the website for more information on Hadrian's Wall Path.

Pennine Bridleway - green fields, dry stone walls and heather moors

The first purpose-built long distance bridleway for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers. 130 miles of route is now open; 73 miles through Derbyshire to the South Pennines, the 47mile Mary Towneley Loop and the 10 mile Settle Loop.

Crossing the Peak District, the highlights include rich and varied wildlife and stunning views over the Kinder plateau, Pennines and Lancashire. Try a circular walk along the world-famous Settle Loop. It takes in stunning limestone scenery including views of the nationally important Malham Tarn. This exciting route starts in Settle and climbs out of this lovely town into the Dales, traversing the wonderful limestone upland, before descending back towards Settle. The Trail incorporates open grassy stretches, limestone outcrops, grass / gravel paths and quiet winding lanes.

The Derbyshire to Mary Towneley Loop is a 5-7 day horse ride/walk and a 3-5 day cycle. The Loop itself is a 3-4 day horse ride/walk and a 2-3 day cycle. Once open, the full route (350 miles) is likely to take 3-4 weeks to horse ride/walk and 2 weeks to cycle. Visit the website for more information on the Pennine Bridleway.

Pennine Way – the finest upland walking in England

268 miles across the Pennine Mountain tops along the rugged backbone of England, from the Peak District through the Yorkshire Dales to the Cheviots.

Some people like to walk the full length between Edale and Kirk Yetholm. Others like to spend a week, a few days or even a day at a time taking in spectacular lengths of the route.

There are also three recommended circular walks for you to enjoy – all available as downloadable PDFs from Pennine Way website: the Garrigill round – an ‘easy’ 13.5km/3.5 hour circular walk; the Hebden Bridge round – a ‘moderate/challenging’ 12km/3.75 hour circular walk; and the Dufton round - a ‘challenging’ 16km/5 hour circular walk. Visit the website for more information on the Pennine Way.

The Cleveland Way – explore the North York Moors and Coast

109 miles/176km long, starting from the attractive market town of Helmsley, the Cleveland Way crosses the stunning heather moorland of the North York Moors, before reaching the coast at Saltburn. From here, it’s a visual feast along the dramatic North Yorkshire coastline to Filey, passing old fishing villages and lively coastal towns. Along the way there is a wealth of history and heritage to enjoy. Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, Mount Grace Priory, Gisborough Priory, Whitby Abbey and Scarborough Castle to name just a few special places.

It will take about nine days to walk the whole route; or enjoy a great circular walk from Ravenscar, using part of the Cleveland Way National Trail. The walk is an ‘easy’ 7km/2.75 hour, starting from the National Trust Coastal Centre. For more strenuous activity, there is the Great Ayton Try a Trail 7.3 mile circular walk. Visit the website for more information on the Cleveland Way.

Yorkshire Wolds Way - "You can see forever"

For nearly 80 miles the Yorkshire Wolds Way wends through some of the most tranquil and gentle countryside in England. From the banks of the Humber estuary, along wooded slopes and through serene dry valleys, the walk climbs gently onto the airy tops of the rolling hills where on a clear day "you can see forever".

It will take about a week to walk the whole Trail. There are also two featured circular walks – an easy stroll from Market Weighton (12km/ 3.5 hours); and a moderate walk from Thixendale (13.1km/4 hours). Visit the website for more information on the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

The South West Coast Path National Trail – up to 630 miles of superb coastal walking

The South West Coast Path is perhaps the UK’s ultimate challenge for the long distance walker, and one of the world's greatest walks - a 630-mile adventure around the coastline of the southwest peninsula. From Minehead on the edge of the Exmoor National Park all the way to the shores of Poole Harbour, it is simply the best way to enjoy our wonderful coastline, its scenery, wildlife and history.

The length of the path means that few people are able to find the time to tackle it in one go, and so instead walk it in stages. If you have limited time and want to walk for just a few days, a week, or longer, to help you choose which part to do, the path has been ‘divided’ into 53 sections, each roughly a day’s walk. There is short guide to each on website. The guides aim to give a flavour of what each section is like, how to reach it by public transport and ways of making it shorter or longer to suit your walking speed.

‘Rock Around the Coast’ is a series of 14 walks spanning the entire 95-mile length of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Visit the website for more information on The South West Coast Path.

For those who want to try out their new gadgets, these can be downloaded onto GPS units, have postcodes for sat-navs and links to Google Earth for simulated 3d fly views, whilst the Plymouth Waterfront walk has a fascinating free audio file narrated by Edward Woodward that can be downloaded onto mp3 players.

There is lots of information on the website for anyone who wants to plan their holiday - anything from a weekend break to the 8 weeks or so that it takes to walk the entire 630 mile trail.

Thames Path National Trail – from the Cotswolds through London and on to the sea

Follow the river for 184 miles (294 km) from its source in the Cotswolds almost to the sea – the only National Trail to follow a river for the whole of its length. Being level, this Trail is accessible to walkers of most ages and abilities.

Passing through peaceful water meadows, unspoilt rural villages, historic towns and cities, and then cutting through the heart of London to finish at the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. Make the most of the spectacular scenery with a waterside walk and take refreshment in a cosy pub along the way. The Trail can be walked in 14 days or take your pick from our top five walks along the Thames Path. They are all within a few minutes walk of a First Great Western train station, so you can leave the car at home and catch the train instead.

Oxford to Abingdon: This 10-mile walk allows you to explore the university city of Oxford before setting off on this wonderfully rural section of the Path to the historic market town of Abingdon.

Goring to Pangbourne: Just 5 miles long, this walk takes you through the dramatic Goring Gap with the wooded Chilterns rising on the opposite bank.

Reading to Shiplake: Enjoy the gentle landscape along these 7 miles as the River Thames gradually widens on its journey to London and then the sea.

Marlow to Cookham: This 7 miles from the lovely town of Marlow takes you along arguably the most beautiful stretch of the River Thames.

Maidenhead to Windsor: Enjoy the bridges, locks and rural feel of the river along this 8-mile stretch that culminates with a classic view of Windsor Castle.

Visit the website for more information on any of these walks along the Thames Path.

The Ridgeway National Trail - Britain’s oldest road

The Ridgeway National Trail, 87 miles (139km) much of it following the ancient chalk ridge route used by prehistoric man. Over rolling, open downland to the west of the River Thames, and through secluded valleys and woods in the Chilterns to the east, The Ridgeway offers the chance to get away from it all in this busy part of England.

Walkers can enjoy the whole of The Ridgeway and cyclists and horse riders considerable lengths – all of the 43 miles (69km) of the western half from Overton Hill to the River Thames at Streatley and some stretches east of the river in the Chilterns.

For those planning on walking the whole of the Trail, you’ll probably take 6 full days to do it, an average of 14 miles a day, so it’s a good way to spend a week’s holiday.

There are two circular walks along the Trail. The shorter of the two, Bishopstone Circular Walk, starting in the delightful village of Bishopstone at the foot of the Downs, is 4½ miles long and reaches The Ridgeway via a wonderful coombe sculpted long ago by the action of water. The second, Liddington Castle Circular Walk, nearly 9 miles long, starts in Chiseldon and includes the ancient Iron Age fort of Liddington Castle, one of the earliest hill-forts in Britain. Look out for the unmissable red kite! Visit the website for more information on The Ridgeway.

Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail – a Roman road, wide sandy beaches, dunes and salt marshes

Fantastic scenery and landscape cover the 150 km (93 miles) of the two trails of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path which starts in Suffolk at Knettishall Heath Country Park and follows the route of a Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast. At Holme, the Peddars Way meets the Norfolk Coast Path as it runs from Hunstanton to Cromer.

Visit timeless flint villages, dally by quiet streams, be stunned by the expanse of Norfolk's beaches and skies and allow the setting sun over the coast to re-vitalise your spirit. The route is rich in history and archaeological sites.

The gentle terrain of the Trail makes it particularly suitable for people with special access needs. There are several lengths where you can gain equal access and enjoy the countryside. Braille, large print, audio and DAISY guides are now available through the UK library system. Quote ISBN 1-904823-24-6.

Most long distance walkers take about eight days to complete the whole rail. There is a special route available to horse riders on the Peddars Way. The Peddars Way is open to cyclists; the Norfolk Coast Path is not.

Why not explore the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail by bus? Join and rejoin the CoastHopper throughout the day to make the most of the Coast Path. A favourite walk is Brancaster to Burnham Overy Staithe (7 miles/3 hours walking) but the route can be shortened by walking to Brancaster Staithe or Burnham Deepdale. Visit the website for more information on The Peddars Way.

North Downs Way - the Pilgrim’s Way

The North Downs Way follows much of what is called the Pilgrim’s Way, historically used to make pilgrimages to Winchester and Canterbury. Stretching 153 miles from Farnham to Dover through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Trail provides plenty of opportunity for walkers to enjoy the stunning scenery, wildlife and picturesque villages on offer.

Much of the Downs are covered with woodland and rare chalk grasslands, which give rise to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. There are nature reserves, rare plants and butterflies - wherever you find yourself on the Downs there will always be a new discovery or breathtaking view awaiting you around the corner.

The North Downs Way passes through a landscape of great variety. There are eight castles, three cathedrals, three archbishops’ palaces as well as numerous stately homes and gardens close to it. There are many churches and links to pilgrims who would have travelled these parts from Medieval times onwards. There are Neolithic sites, Roman and Napoleonic forts, Medieval castles and WWII fortifications. The North Downs can be considered the ideal natural defence having protected London from invaders from across the Channel. The views from the scarp across the High Weald are spectacular, as is the countryside through which it passes.

The North Downs Way is predominantly for walkers. To walk the whole Trail would take a leisurely 13 days. Of the 153 miles, 31 miles are public bridleway, 21 miles are Byway or Restricted Byway and 30 miles are metalled road.

There is a range of circular walks along the trail that are the perfect way to sample the North Downs Way. With walks ranging from 2 to 8 miles, in both Kent and Surrey, there is a walk to suit everyone. Visit the website for more information on the North Downs Way.

South Downs Way – 100 miles of glorious walking or riding over chalk downlands

Experience some of our finest countryside between Winchester, first capital of England, and the white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne. If you are interested in great views, attractive wildlife, visible prehistory, fine pubs and pretty villages, or if you just fancy a challenge, the South Downs Way is for you.

The 100 mile (160 km) long South Downs Way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs.

Classic chalk downland is one of the richest habitats on earth; there can be over 50 species of plants per square metre. Many of the specialist plants have romantic or just plain strange names; Squinancywort, Autumn Ladies Tresses, Bastard Toadflax. The best time to see the chalk grassland in its full glory is from late spring through until August - on sunny days the hills will be alive with butterflies then, too.

Buzzards are also often seen, wheeling overhead and making their curious mewing call. If you are really lucky you might see a Red Kite with its distinctive notched tail. This is one of the areas where Kites have been reintroduced to England after many years' absence. Other common but attractive birds include flocks of Goldfinches, especially in autumn when they feed on thistle down, and in summer the sparrow sized Yellowhammer (the females are greenish but the males are bright yellow).

It is Britain’s first long distance bridleway and accessible to a wide range of people not just horseriders. The general absence of styles makes it accessible to children and people with disabilities.

If you want to walk the whole route, it will take 6 – 9 days. Or you could walk the route over a few weekends or a couple of short breaks. There are a number of possible day or circular walks, including from Duncton Mill, near Petworth; and from Ditchling Beacon, near Brighton. Alternatively, walk from Amberley to Arundel along the Arun riverbank then return via Kithurst Hill and the South Downs Way. Visit the website for more information on the South Downs Way.

The Cotswold Way National Trail – mellow limestone buildings and picturesque landscapes

Just over 100 miles of quintessentially English countryside. Follow the Cotswolds escarpment with its stunning views and charming villages from the World Heritage City of Bath in the south to the beautiful Cotswold market town of Chipping Campden in the North. Chipping Campden, Snowshill, Broadway – almost any village along the Cotswold Way, will provide the basis for a gentle walk. Visit the website for more information on The Cotswold Way.

Offa’s Dyke National Trail – a chance to explore the spectacular landscapes and the history of the Anglo-Welsh border

Offa's Dyke is a great frontier earthwork built by Offa, King of Mercia from 757 to 796 A.D. It gives its name to a 177 mile / 285 km Offa’s Dyke Path which runs from Sedbury, near Chepstow, to Prestatyn through the varied and little-frequented landscapes of the Welsh Marches. The landscape is rural with mountains, hill pasture, river valleys and lowland fields. 31% is within Three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 9% is within a National Park. Total 40% within designated areas, Two-thirds of this National Trail is in Wales. It can take two weeks to walk this Trail. Visit the website for more information on Offa's Dyke Path.

For more information about National Trails, please visit: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. This year is the 60th anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. It was this Act that led to the creation of National Trails, or Long Distance Paths, as they were known as in those days. The Act also led to the creation of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Nature Reserves.

3. Natural England oversees the management of National Trails in England and recommends long-distance routes for designation by the Government.

4. There are 19 official long-distance routes in Britain overseen by Natural England in England, the Countryside Council for Wales in Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage in Scotland.

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.