Short Walks to Curious Places

Roly Smith

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the British countryside, leading to mysterious sites, ancient wonders and legendary landscapes to uncover 50 of the most intriguing walks in Britain.Discover the Green Chapel of Arthurian legend deep in the Staffordshire moorlands. Take a magical stroll through the fairytale forest of Wistman's Woods on Dartmoor. Marvel at the surreal rock formations of Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire, or spot the Hogwarts Express crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands.With each walk ranging from two to eight miles in length and featuring beautiful photography, helpful directions and useful information, this book guarantees captivating experiences for walkers of all abilities, whether you're a casual stroller or seasoned hiker.Short Walks to Curious Places is your key to unlocking the secrets of the British countryside. With every step, you'll uncover the stories that shaped these extraordinary landscapes. Get ready to explore, discover and be enchanted by the wonders that lie just beyond the beaten path.

Ancient history, myths and legends are a fascinating topic and this book gives readers the chance to experience those stories in the beautiful British countryside

Foreword by Dame Fiona ReynoldsIntroduction: 'Curiouser and curiouser'The WalksSouth & West of England1. Acorn Antiques: Wistman's Wood, Dartmoor, Devon 3 miles (4.8km)2. The death of a king: Rufus Stone, New Forest, Hampshire 1.5 miles (2.4km)3. An ode to autumn: Keats' walk, Winchester, Hampshire 2 miles (3.2km)4. There'll never be another yew: Kingley Vale, West Sussex 5 miles (8km)5. Cromwell's 'small execution' of the Clubmen: Hambledon Hill, Wiltshire 6 miles (9.7km)6. Gilbert White's Zig-Zag path: Selborne, Hampshire 3.5 miles (5.6km)7. The church in the circle: Knowlton Henge, Dorset 2.5 miles (4km)8. Jarman's garden of delights: Dungeness, Kent 3 miles (4.8km)9. Darwin's 'Thinking Path': Down House, Kent 1 mile (1.6km)10. The city that fell into the sea: Dunwich, Suffolk 2 miles (3.2km)11. Secrets of the shingle: Orford Ness, Suffolk 5 miles (8km)12. Ring of ritual: Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex up to 8 miles (12.9km)Midlands13. Green Knight pilgrimage: Lud's Church, Staffordshire 7 miles (11.3km)14. All round The Wrekin: The Wrekin, Shropshire 5 miles (8km)15. A little bit of Old England: Laxton, Nottinghamshire 4 miles (6.4km)16. One man went to Mow: Mow Cop, Cheshire 5.5 miles (8.9km)17. The oldest castle in England? Richard's Castle, Herefordshire 1 mile (1.6km)18. Rock of Ages: Bradgate Park, Leicestershire 4 miles (6.4km)19. The hills are alive with the sound of music: Malvern Hills, Worcestershire 2 miles (3.2km)20. Appointment with the Devil: The Stiperstones, Shropshire 3.5 miles (5.6km)21. 'Sistine Chapel of the Ice Age': Creswell Crags, Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire 1 mile (1.6km)22. Yorkshire's ghost village: Wharram Percy, Yorkshire Wolds 1 mile (1.6km)23. The Lair of the White Worm: Thor's Cave, Staffordshire 3.5 miles (5.6km)North of England24. Rock idols: Brimham Rocks, Nidderdale, Yorkshire as far as you want25. Crossing the 'Wet Sahara': Morecambe Bay, Lancashire 8 miles (12.9km)26. 'Out on the wily, windy moors': Brontë Moors, West Yorkshire 7.5 miles (12km)27. The bloodiest battle: Towton, Yorkshire 3 miles (4.8km)28. Chasing the Lambton Worm: Penshaw Monument, Tyne & Wear 2.5 miles (4km)29. Kinder surprise: Kinder Scout, Derbyshire 5.5 miles (8.9km)30. Castles in the air: Alport Castles, Derbyshire 7 miles (11.3km)31. First settlers in Settle: Attermire Caves, Yorkshire Dales 4 miles (6.4km)32. Cumbria's Grand Canyon: High Cup Nick, Cumbria 8 miles (12.9km)33. A curious encounter with Wainwright: Cautley Spout, Howgill Fells, Cumbria 3 miles (4.8km)34. Monolithic maidens: Long Meg and her Daughters, Cumbria 5 miles (8km)35. Land's End of Yorkshire: Spurn Head, Humberside 6 miles (9.6km)36. From industry to tranquillity: Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire 4.5 miles (7.2km)37. Finding Cuddy's Cave: St Cuthbert's Cave, Northumberland 3 miles (4.8km)Wales38. Town of Giants: Tre'r Ceiri, Llyn, North Wales 4 miles (6.4km)39. To the 'Roman' Steps: Rhinog Mountains, Snowdonia 4 or 6 miles (6.4 or 9.6km)40. Skomer's seabird city: Skomer, Pembrokeshire Coast 4 miles (6.4km)41. The legend of the Lady of the Lake: Lyn y Fan Fach, Brecon Beacons 2.5 miles (4km)42. 'The Cure of all Diseases': St Govan's Chapel, Pembrokeshire Coast 1.5 miles (2.4km)43. Source of Stonehenge's bluestones: Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire 15 miles (24km)Scotland44. 'Looking into the abyss of time': Siccar Point, Berwickshire 4 miles (6.4km)45. Columba's tears: St Columba's Bay, Iona 6 miles (9.7km)46. Monarch of the glens: Glencoe, Arygll, Highlands 5 miles (8km)47. The fabled Table of Skye: The Quraing, Isle of Skye 3 miles (4.8km)48. Birds and brides in the broch: Mousa Broch, Mousa, Shetland Islands 1.5 miles (2.4km)49. Catching up with the Hogwarts Express: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Highlands 2.5 miles (4km)50. To the end of the world: Hermaness, Shetland Islands 5 miles (8km)Further Reading