We are so lucky in the UK to have so much beautiful and contrasting nature to walk in, with forests hikes, coastal paths, mountain climbs, river walks and so much more there is certainly a walk to be found for every day that you have spare to escape into the outdoors.
Some days though we really feel like an adventure, getting away from the crowds and losing ourselves on a hidden walk that feels like you’ve gotten away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and a lot of the people too!
We explore some of the UK best hidden walks that you might not even know existed.
Stowe’s Secret Places, Buckinghamshire
Stowe is named after a small Buckinghamshire village which in 1712 consisted of only 32 houses and 180 residents. As the estate expanded, the village was absorbed until the only remaining feature was Stowe Church. The estate has existed in some form for nearly 1000 years.
The famous Lamport Garden has been a genuine secret that's been hidden from the public for many years, but now you are allowed to take this lovely walk.
You enter the gardens through a creaky, ivy-covered door and follow a trail around yew trees, discover Signor Fido's monument, and cross palladian bridges around lakes and discover a shadowy wood.
Stowe comes to life in spring, with flowers and blossom bursting from the trees and undergrowth and countless young animals being born.
Secret Fairy Cave, Malham Tarn, Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales are renowned for their stunning walking opportunities, you really can’t go far wrong in this area, however Malham is a bit special.
Malham waterfall at Janet's Foss is a treasure to behold and a real hidden gem. A path on from the Malham Tarn estate takes you through a woodland filled with wild garlic at this time of the year and as the path becomes rocky you will arrive at a cave believed to be home to the queen of the fairies, Janet.
Children love this route and everybody must make a a wish on arrival at the fairy cave.
The White Cliffs of Dover
Although the Cliffs of Dover have long been walked and admired there is a new and exciting route that is lesser known.
Land acquired by the National Trust is now opened to the public for the first time and this space offers new views of this iconic and beautiful landscape.
This walk ends up at the rarely visited South Foreland lighthouse which serves afternoon tea with a view. You can also walk to the top of the lighthouse for 360 degree views of the cliffs and the English Channel, a really incredible experience that isn’t yet swamped with other tourists.
Minnowburn, Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Ring is the largest henge and stone circle in Ireland and was built around the same time as Stonehenge in 2700BC, but very little is known about its existence and it is not nearly as famous as Stone Henge.
Minnowburn is full of beautiful trails verging the Lagan or heading through woodland and farmland. Lying in the Lagan Valley Regional Park it is a great place to walk through fields alive with the sounds and smells of nature, or stroll along the banks of the Lagan and Minnowburn where you may spot salmon or sea trout.
The walk is only two miles so it’s perfect for all walking abilities and is just outside of Belfast so is perfect for a day trip out of the city.
Green Chain Walk, London
Even those of you living the rat race life in London don’t have to leave the city to discover secret hidden walks that should give you the nature fix that you’ve been craving.
Explore the leafy slopes of South East London as you walk from Lesnes Abbey to Crystal Palace Park, linking up 300 open green spaces on the way.
This is a 50 mile walk in total but can be broken down into 11 separate sections, of which you can take your pick.
This route is well signposted throughout and all signs show the 'G-C' logo and text 'Green Chain Walk' so that you won’t get lost.
Along the way and depending on which section you have chosen to walk, look out for The 18th century Gothic folly of Severndroog Castle, The Art Deco glamour of Eltham Palace, numerous parks including Plumstead common and Oxleas Woods and The Thames Barrier.