Walking Routes for Culture Lovers
Add art, history and architecture to your walking holiday with these walking routes for culture lovers.
Walking Routes for Culture Lovers
https://www.contours.co.uk/walking-routes-for-culture-lovers
by Sue Talbot
England is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, from ancient monuments and world-class museums to vibrant cities and historic villages.
One of the best ways to experience England’s rich cultural landscape is on foot, following picturesque walking routes that steer you through some of the country’s most fascinating cultural hotspots.
Whether you’re interested in history, art, literature or music, there’s a walking route for every kind of culture lover.
Follow in the footsteps of England’s most famous playwright on Shakespeare’s Way, a long-distance walking route that takes you from Shakespeare’s place of birth in Stratford-upon-Avon to the iconic Globe Theatre in London.
Explore ancient market towns and verdant countryside trails that snake through the Cotswolds, along the River Stour and among the Chiltern Hills. Stop off at famous landmarks, such as the botanic gardens at Kew and Chiswick, and Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
This circular trail through the Yorkshire Dales follows the route described by James Herriot in his book ‘James Herriot’s Yorkshire’, which records a holiday enjoyed walking with his son. The author lived amongst these idyllic landscapes for fifty years; the Yorkshire you'll experience on the Herriot Way features almost as a character itself in his even more famous book, ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.
Cultural sites along the walk include Hawes, with its long history of cheesemaking.
Top Withens by Tim Green. Shared cropped under a Creative Commons licence.
The dramatic landscapes that inspired the Brontë sisters’ literary creations host this Yorkshire walking trail. Passing through the moody Yorkshire Moors and charming villages that feature in their novels, The Brontë Way introduces you to many places of cultural interest, including Oakwell Hall, which features under the guise of Fieldhead in Shirley; Top Withens, believed to be the location of Earnshaw House in Wuthering Heights; Thornton Village, birthplace of the Brontë sisters; and Haworth village, where the sisters lived and wrote.
Make sure you visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum to learn more about the famous authors and explore the home where they grew up.
Stretching from coast to coast across northern England, Hadrian’s Wall Path is a long-distance walking trail that follows the route of the most famous Roman wall in the country.
The National Trail meanders through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and takes you on an unforgettable journey through the stunning scenery of the Northumberland National Park to the west coast of Cumbria.
Discover ancient forts and museums and uncover the rich history and culture of this unique region.
This 51-mile-long trail takes in the stunning scenery that inspired Samuel Coleridge, English writer and poet and one of the founders of the Romantic movement.
The Coleridge Way visits Coleridge’s former home in Nether Stowey and heads out into the rolling hills, woodland and moors above the Bristol Channel. Along the way, you’ll discover historic landmarks, dramatic views and fascinating insights into the poet’s life and legacy.
Spanning 62 miles along England’s north-east coast, the Northumberland Coast Path takes you on an intriguing journey through history, culture and natural beauty along one of the country’s most loved walking trails.
From the ancient ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to the sleepy fishing villages of Craster and Seahouses, this path gives you a glimpse into Northumberland’s rich cultural heritage. Stroll through colourful coastal towns, stopping off traditional inns, and sample some of the delicious seafood in one of the local restaurants.
The West Windermere Way is a 3.7-mile-long route that hugs the western shore of Windermere, the largest lake in the Lake District and England. Follow the trail from Newby Bridge to Lakeside, which winds among woodlands and fellside scenery.
Along the way, you can visit Stott Park Bobbin Mill and Claife Viewing Station, take a ride on the steam-hauled heritage train at Lakeside to Haverthwaite or hop on board a lake cruise to enjoy the views from a different perspective.
Adventure Travel Blogger
Sue Talbot is an adventure travel blogger and iPhone photographer who’s often found hiking up the Lakeland fells or swimming in fairy pools. Her outdoor adventures and photographs can be found on her blog, Lifehop, and also her Lake District Lovers Facebook page.
