Country Cottages
Anyone who enjoys rambling in the countryside would benefit by renting a cottage in the country to be in the right place for walks from the front door.
Country cottages for ramblers
As all ramblers know there is nothing more pleasant than an unhurried stroll through the countryside. Feel the freedom of the open space, wind blowing through your hair, as you walk happily through a hay meadow picking wild-flowers and inhaling their fragrance; deer wander nearby and birds fill the sky. Likewise there is nothing to beat the enjoyment gained from a walk through a tranquil sheltered wood filled with melodic birdsong; A pick me up for the body, mind and spirit without a prescription charge in sight! Spread the word.
The excellent news about rambling is that it can be done anywhere and you don’t need to be part of an organised group although it can be great fun rambling with others. All that’s needed is comfy walking boots, casual clothes, a venue and that all important desire to enjoy stretching your legs. In the Britain we are most fortunate in that there are still many very beautiful places to walk. Just the existence of our fifteen stunningly beautiful and varied national parks should ensure that this continues for a long time.
Every season is a good season for a trip to one of the parks and an opportunity to enjoy your hobby in a brand new environment. Each has it’s own varied landscape and plenty of scenic villages and small town where you’ll find many a friendly country pub in which to rest your weary limbs and refuel between rambles. Most of the parks are very “rambler friendly” with excellent public transport services that take the grief out of getting back to base when energy finally flags.
The North York Moors National Park is one that very much falls into this category. There’s a Moorsbus service that runs the full length of the park’s 554 square miles. So you can ramble wherever you want throughout the park’s colourful heather moorlands, farmlands and woodlands knowing that once you have had enough you can hop back on a bus. There are1,408 miles of rights of way and 90 square miles of moorland to wander through. Should that not be enough there are lots of pretty villages such as the Medieval Farndale where in Spring there is a 1½ mile daffodil walk to enjoy.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park’s distinctive landscape of hill country, valleys and rivers includes 900 miles of footpaths. Enjoy the tranquillity of the park’s open spaces and amazing waterfalls such as Hardraw Force, Aysgath Falls, Cautley Spout and Thornton Force. Visit the red squirrels in Snaizeholme, Widdale, Wensleydale. It’s a 6 miles walk one way, with a bus back or if that’s too long there is the option of a bus from the Dale Countryside Museum to Snaizeholme followed by a 2 ½ mile circular walk to the red squirrel viewpoint.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is another goody for ramblers. It’s got 621 miles of trails including lots that take just an hour or so. Alternatively as the coastal path is well marked you could choose a route of your own. Don’t let the fact that the Pembrokeshire Coast National trail is 186 miles long put you off taking a look. There’s a Coastal Bus service that runs the full length of the route so you can do bits getting on and off the bus as suits you.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park with it’s beautiful lakes and rivers is perfect for the rambler. If you believe in faeries and don’t mind walking up hill, try the two mile, Puck’s Glen Walk. Enjoy beautiful views of waterfalls and rock pools on a magical walk along a narrow gorge that passes through woodlands including one through an evergreen forest sheltering moss and ferns.
The Broads National Park in the East of England has 190 miles of footpaths and nature trails that will take you through pretty villages, farmland, woodland and marshes; enough choice for everyone. Still in Norfolk who can resist a wander through Thetford Forest. Look out for the Muntjac deer and more red squirrels while you attempt one of 26 established walking trails. Plenty of fun for the whole family.
More woodland walking can be done in William the Conqueror’s New Forest. There are 143 miles of track for you to explore. See the wild deer that still roam the forest just as back in 1079. There are also ponies and cattle that are no longer wild. On your rambles look out for the 700 species of wild-flowers said to be found in the park.
Before renting country cottages, think about which national park you might like to visit for your next rambling holiday.
Whatever the time of year, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a well deserved rambling break. Enjoy.
Category: country cottages, Holiday cottages for 2 people
