PUBLISHED - 06 May, 2011

Take a walk on the wild side

Wild walks

hobbies & pastimes

Getting in touch with nature can really help you blow the cobwebs away. And in Britain you’re spoilt for choice. Here are five wild walks well worth considering this spring – and well worth protecting too.

1. Beautiful Bluebells at Nap Wood, Sussex

Nestling between the North and South Downs in Sussex is Nap Wood. Once it played host to cattle drovers, using ancient tracks to drive their livestock to trade through the oak, beech, chestnut and yew trees. These days animals of a different sort abound – including great spotted woodpeckers and many bats.

The star of the show in spring however is the carpet of wild bluebells you’ll find as you follow in the drovers’ footsteps. It’s a particularly British sight: approximately 70% of the world’s common bluebells are found in the UK.

You’ll no doubt love the spectacular rich blue and violet display, but please don’t be tempted to pick the flowers. The common bluebell is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Best left alone for future generations to enjoy!

This is a National Trust Walk.
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2. Bountiful birdlife from Craster to Low Newton, Northumberland

Taking in traditional fishing villages and beautiful dune flowers in bloom, the coastal walk from Craster to Low Newton takes some beating. But it’s the array of birdlife in the area that really makes this journey something special.

Thanks to the wide variety of habitats en route, you’ll be able to see a whole host of species including oystercatcher, turnstone, redshank, linnet and yellowhammer - not to mention many types of geese, swans and ducks.

Look out in particular for the eider duck, known locally as Cuddy’s duck after Saint Cuthbert, who lived as a hermit on the nearby Farne Islands in the 7th century. And make sure you explore the dramatic ruins of the 14th century Dunstanburgh Castle perched on a rocky volcanic outcrop.

This is a National Trust Walk.
Download full details and directions

3. Wild and walled gardens at Culzean Country Park, Ayrshire, Scotland

Majestic Culzean Castle, standing proudly atop a cliff over the Irish Sea is a sight to behold. But it’s not the only wonder on display here. The surrounding woodland with its network of paths holds much for the casual walker.

In Culzean Country Park you’ll see ornamental and wilderness ponds. Keep your ears open for the birdlife too – in particular the repetitive, simple spring song of the Chiffchaff as the mating season gets underway.

More treasures await on the rocky shore with its many rockpools containing a wealth of marine life and seaweed. Then finish off your walk by enjoying the contrasting man-made splendour of the 18th century castle and its walled gardens.

You can find more information on Culzean Country Park on the National Trust for Scotland website.
Download full details and directions

4. Magical mixed woodland at Lanhydrock Estate, Cornwall

Located just a few miles south-east of Bodmin, Lanhydrock Estate offers something for everyone. From Lanhydrock House itself - which provides a window into the Victorian aristocratic life - to the mature mixed woodland setting, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

Spring is the perfect time to explore Lanhydrock. Stroll through the impressive avenue of beech and sycamore to the accompanying tap-tapping of woodpeckers and you’ll see bluebells, red campion and wild garlic.

Keep an eye out too for impressive insect life including the beautiful iridescent blue-black sheen of the Oil Beetle and the spectacular spiralling displays of the Speckled Wood butterfly.

This is a National Trust Walk. Download full details and directions

5. A thousand year old oak at Calke Park, Derbyshire

The parkland and structured woodland at the National Nature Reserve of Calke in South Derbyshire can justifiably be described as unique. As an ‘island habitat’ of ancient trees, it supports species of plant, insect and fungi not readily found elsewhere.

You can see rare grassland flowers, over 350 types of beetle and – if the weather’s warm enough and you’re lucky – the common toad making its way through the damp undergrowth.

The main attraction however has to be the ‘Old Man of Calke’ – an ancient oak tree that’s estimated to be over 1000 years old. Just think, it started life before the Battle of Hastings but is still growing healthily to this day!

This is a National Trust Walk. Download full details and directions