The Best Day Hikes in England

As far as we’re concerned, there are few better ways to spend the day than exploring the natural world! Taking time to detach from our devices and work schedules allows us to recalibrate, helping to open up our minds and reconnect with the wider world.

A day walk can also be a great excuse to catch up with friends and loved ones, or simply switch off and enjoy some time to ourselves. Thankfully, across the UK, we’re blessed with many beautiful regions that are perfect for exploring by foot. In this article, we look at some of the tremendous day-long walking adventures available in England, from north to south, perfect for all abilities!

Cleeve Hill, Cotswolds

One of the most picturesque regions of England, the Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty running from Bath in South-West England to just south of Worcester. The Cotswold Way is a path that runs down the entire west side of the region, spanning over 100 miles! However, there are many smaller trails to enjoy along the route, such as Cleeve Hill.

Cleeve Hill is the highest common in the Cotswolds. Located in Gloucestershire, on a clear day it offers incredible scenic views stretching into nearby Wales. An area of scientific interest, it also has fascinating limestone rock formations and is a place to find rare plants and birds. The popular circular walk around the region is around 6-7 miles long, making it ideal for a day of walking.

Coast to Coast Trail, Cornwall

The southwest tip of England is full of natural wonders, making it one of the country’s most popular destinations to visit! For many, the best thing about Cornwall is its stunning golden beaches. However, there is just as much to discover inland, as evidenced by the Minerals Tramway Trail.

The Mineral Tramways Trail dates back to the 19th century and the region’s booming mining industries. Nowadays, it is nearly 40 miles of peaceful paths cutting through the region’s history. One of the most popular routes along this trail takes you from Portreath on the north coast to the port town of Devoran in the south. At 11 miles long, this is a great way to spend the day, beginning and ending in two picturesque Cornwall towns.

Seven Sisters, East Sussex

The famous white cliffs of Southern England are some of the most picturesque locations in the UK. While often associated with Dover, one of the best places to experience these wonders is actually along the coast of Sussex. The Seven Sisters walk is one of the UK’s most popular walks, often combined with Friston Forest into a circular walk of the region.

The green-topped cliffs of the English coast are incredibly picturesque. While you might be at the whim of the coastal winds, a picnic on the hills could be the perfect way to break up this 8-mile walk.

Coastal Path, Northumberland

Northumberland, in Northern England, is a region full of historic landmarks. Many of these can be found along the region’s coastline, stretching over 60 miles towards the border between England and Scotland. While the Northumberland Coastal Path can be walked in its entirety over a few days, it is also broken down into smaller day walks perfect for a bit of discovery.

One of the most popular day-walks in this region involves travelling from Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed. This 12-mile walk includes countryside and coastline, while views of Holy Island are also well worth the trip!

Three Peaks, Yorkshire

One of the UK’s best country walks, the Three Peaks are perfect for those looking to test their ability! The 24-mile route through the stunning Yorkshire countryside involves ascents up the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. With over 5,000ft of climbing and taking up to 12 hours to complete, this is undoubtedly one of the more challenging day walks you could take!

Of course, these are just some of the best day walks in England. In truth, every region has something to discover, and there are probably fantastic walking locations to enjoy in your area! If you’re looking to get out there sometime soon, why not treat yourself to the best outdoor footwear available? Here at LOWA, we’ve been building boots for many years and have a range of men’s and ladies Gore-Tex walking boots that are perfect for the trails!