Mickledore Walking Holidays

20/08/2024

Earlier this summer our colleague Mark and his daughter Ebony walked the 65 miles from St Ives to Lizard on the Cornwall coast. In his blog Mark shares his thoughts on the route, he explains why an additional day in St Ives is so important, and he discusses the advantage of a two night stay on the trail. He also talks about the delicious food they ate, the charming restaurateurs who hosted them, and the wonderful accommodation providers who made their stay so enjoyable. There’s even a tale about the local photographer who inspired them to enjoy every moment together, in the moment. It’s all in Notes from the Cornwall Coast.

www.mickledore.co.uk/blog/notes-from-the-cornwall-coast

19/08/2024

We have another amazing new route for you … the Guernsey Coastal Path … and there’s still time to book for this summer!

With its dramatic cliffs, secluded sandy bays, and turquoise waters, Guernsey offers some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the British Isles. Nestled in the Gulf of Saint-Malo off the Normandy coast, Guernsey covers an area of just 24 square miles, making it a compact yet captivating destination for coastal exploration. The Guernsey Coastal Path itself is a delightful 39 mile circuit of the island, beginning and ending in the capital, St Peter Port.

Guernsey is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The island is famed for its diverse flora, which bursts into life throughout the year. Birdlife is abundant on Guernsey, with a variety of resident and migratory species.

Beyond its natural splendour, the Guernsey Coastal Path offers a window into the island’s rich history and cultural heritage. As you walk, you’ll discover ancient forts, picturesque chapels, and historic lighthouses.

Renowned for its mild climate, delectable cuisine, warm hospitality, and the promise of discovery around every corner, this is a journey that will leave you with lasting memories of Guernsey’s rugged beauty and serene landscapes. Take a look to learn more and book your summer adventure on the Guernsey Coastal Path.

www.mickledore.co.uk/walking-holidays/guernsey-coastal-path

16/08/2024

Some lovely blue sky photographs for you today thanks to Conny and Cham who recently walked the Rob Roy Way. Looks wonderful doesn't it!

15/08/2024

As many of you will know, our colleague Hayley and their beagle Kofi recently walked the Inn Way to the Lake District, a challenging 90 mile circuit which passes over 40 traditional Lakeland inns. Hayley kept us updated as they journeyed along, but now you can read the full story in their really enjoyable blog. Take a look!

By Hayley Finn Fans of my previous work will know I usually walk with my wife and, last year, also my parents-in-law. This year, I have chosen one of Mickledore’s most challenging walks: the Inn Way to the Lake District, a circular route around the entire national park that includes 42 traditional...

14/08/2024

Who would like an epic adventure in 2025? They don't come any more epic than the Pennine Way! Britain's oldest and most iconic National Trail, spans 265 miles, journeying through three national parks and an expansive Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, showcasing some of the country's most breathtaking upland landscapes.

The adventure begins in the village of Edale, nestled in the Derbyshire Peak District. From there, the trail winds northward, crossing desolate moorlands, through picturesque dales, over rugged limestone hills, and even along historic Roman roads, before traversing the Cheviot Hills to reach the town of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

Walk the trail in one incredible journey or take things a little easier by splitting it into southern, central and northern sections.

For a limited time only, you can secure next year's holiday at this year's price, with just a 20% deposit.

www.mickledore.co.uk/walking-holidays/pennine-way

13/08/2024

Next year’s holiday at this year’s price … Now that’s far too good an opportunity to miss out on isn’t it!

It couldn’t be easier, simply book your 2025 holiday now, secured with just a 20% deposit, and you’ll enjoy next year’s holiday at this year’s price.

Choose from 44 amazing routes throughout the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Take a look and get inspired.

Book your 2025 holiday now, secured with just a 20% deposit, and you will enjoy next year’s holiday at this year’s price.

10/08/2024

We've thoroughly enjoyed following Gill and Stan's progress on the Herriot Way, and we're quite sure you have too. Gill will be writing her blog in due course, but in the meantime, here's a summary from their final day.

"Our last day today would take us from Reeth all the way back to our original starting point at Aysgarth.

We set out from Reeth in pleasant sunshine but were under no illusion that it wouldn’t last, with rain forecast for the afternoon.

After a short gentle climb up to Grinton Lodge Youth Hostel, we were soon out onto the moor amongst the purple heather, enjoying lovely views back over Swaledale and across the moors above Reeth and Gunnerside, our route from yesterday.

As we walked we were never far away from grouse butts and saw lots of Grouse on the ground. Poor things, they’ve got no idea that the Glorious 12th is just around the corner have they?

The route then turned and we headed down the long valley of Apedale which still shows the scars and remnants of the begone lead industry.

Although it had been a bit blowy on the tops, the forecast rain never materialised and we soon arrived at Castle Bolton with its very impressive Castle where Yorkshire tea & cake were in order from the cafe.

Then it was a fairly easy walk through fields and lanes which brought us back to Aysgarth via the Falls.

We’ve both really enjoyed the Herriot Way walk which has led us through what must be some of the most picturesque valley and moorland scenery in the Yorkshire Dales. "

09/08/2024

More from Gill and Stan on the Herriot Way. On Wednesday they walked from Keld to Reeth.

“We’d enjoyed a very sociable evening in Keld last night having a few drinks and exchanging stories from our day with other guests doing the Herriot Way, but also those doing Coast to Coast and Pennine Way. Keld is a tiny hamlet but is an important crossroad on these popular long distance paths, so there’s always going to be someone to share your story with.

After two lovely days, the forecast for today was for light rain most the day which was slightly disappointing but not unusual from this summer!

Today there was a choice of two routes and, despite the forecast, we opted for high level route over the moors.

This turned out to be a complete contrast to the last two days, leaving behind the rolling green fields, stone walls & stiles and instead was replaced by the bleaker landscape of Gunnerside Moor & Healaugh Side.

In the past much of this moorland area supported the lead mining industry and many relics of this were clear to see alongside the newer industry of grouse shooting!

The weather turned out to be drier than expected, albeit a bit windy on the tops, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day.”

08/08/2024

Thanks to the unwavering support of our loyal clients and an influx of enthusiastic first-time walkers, we’re experiencing another incredible year with many of our routes now filling up fast for the summer season.

But don’t worry, it’s not too late to book! We still have plenty of availability throughout the remainder of the summer. If you’re flexible with your start date, the length of your holiday, and open to trying something new, give us a call. We’ll do everything we can to fit you in.

October brings even more opportunities, with itineraries available on most of our forty plus routes. Whether you're looking for a leisurely weekend break or a two-week adventure, we've got you covered. Plus, with the stunning autumn colours in full display, it's a beautiful time of year for a walk.

So, whether you’re craving a well-deserved break or seeking an exciting adventure, don’t wait. Get in touch and secure your spot for one last getaway before winter sets in. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by!

07/08/2024

Gill and Stan enjoyed another lovely day on the Herriot Way yesterday. Here's what Gill had to tell us.

"Day two of our short Herriot Way trip would see us walking from Hawes to Keld via Great Shunner Fell, and how lucky were we with the weather?

After rain overnight the skies had cleared and we woke to lovely sunshine, fresh at first but it got warmer as the day went on.

After having a chat with our friendly luggage courier, we headed out of Hawes initially towards Appersett. Once out of the village, the landscape was similar to yesterday, easy walking through agricultural land, negotiating the obligatory stone stiles in the way. Despite the fairly heavy rain last night, the fields really weren’t too wet which was good.

Shortly after Appersett the route of the Herriot Way joined the Pennine Way for the steady climb (perhaps some would say long slog) to the top of Great Shunner Fell. The views along the way were wonderful, Yorkshire landscape showcased at its best in the fresh sunshine.

After lunch at the top we headed down to the tiny hamlet of Thwaite.

We had hoped to stop for refreshments in Thwaite, but unfortunately the cafe was shut so we carried on for the final climb of the day around Kisdon towards Keld.

On this final section we were rewarded with some lovely views down into Swaledale and a taste of tomorrow’s journey to Reeth."

06/08/2024

Our colleague Gill is out walking the Herriot Way with her husband Stan this week. Yesterday they had a very enjoyable first day walking from Aysgarth to Hawes. The forecast suggested grey cloud, however they were pleasantly surprised to have warm sunshine for most of the day.

The route out of Aysgarth took them down to the River Ure before heading west along the banks of the river towards Askrigg. After a quick pit stop for coffee in Askrigg the remainder of the day was spent walking through very gentle, quintessentially Yorkshire countryside, to Hawes, negotiating lots of narrow gated stiles along the way!

05/08/2024

I think we all thoroughly enjoyed Shelley's daily updates from her Fam Trip last month didn't we? Well, now you can read the full story of Shelley's amazing adventure in her blog 'Walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with my Mum.' It's a really enjoyable read and the photographs are simply superb.

www.mickledore.co.uk/blog/walking-the-pembrokeshire-coast-path-with-my-mum

04/08/2024

We hope you've enjoyed following Hayley's updates from the Inn Way to the Lake District as much as we've enjoyed sharing them. Here's the final instalment from Hayley and Kofi. Enjoy!

"On our final day, we enjoyed a night at New Dungeon Ghyll in the Langdale Valley. The plan was a seven-mile walk to Ambleside, avoiding big climbs. With scorching heat, Katie and I decided to follow a shaded route along the river and woodlands to Skelwith Bridge, where our favorite vegetarian café is located.

The valley was busy with campers and summer camps. Groups of friends and teenagers, often stopping for river dips, surrounded us. We encountered farmers discussing fence removal for tractor access, passed through farmyards, and saw beautiful herds of cows. Earlier, a farmer had chased a loose ewe through our hotel garden. This bustling, working valley is full of life.

The walk included a hot, exposed section past Loughrigg Tarn and Loughrigg Fell, but Kofi stayed hydrated with stream water. Arriving in Ambleside, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment despite missing a day due to injury. Completing the challenge walk felt rewarding.

Walking solo with my dog was never a concern due to my confident map reading and compass skills. Although we had some tense moments crossing a river and descending rock faces, we managed well. If trouble arose, my accommodations would have notified colleagues of a missing walker.

This challenging route requires navigation skills but offers flexible paths. I discovered new valleys like Gasgale Gill and unique stops such as Black Sail YHA hut. The time spent with Kofi was invaluable, creating core memories I hope she enjoyed as much as I did."

03/08/2024

Hayley's penultimate day on the Inn Way to the Lake District took them from Coniston to Langdale under lovely blue skies!

"Finally, a full sunny day! My friend Katie joined me for the last two days. She lives in Kendal and took a bus to Coniston to meet me after breakfast. Kofi, my dog, loves seeing Katie because it means a big adventure as she's my regular walking buddy.

We began the day with a climb up Swirl How, a 750-meter ascent with only a few tricky spots. We passed Levers Water, a small reservoir with spectacular views of Coniston Old Man. Coniston is the center of the lakes, and on a clear day like today, the views are incredible. From the top of Swirl How, we could see Skiddaw, Scafell, the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man, and the Yorkshire National Park peaks.

We met many people along the way. There are numerous routes and valleys in this area, and we also saw a memorial to a 1944 plane crash. As we headed down to Wrynose Pass, it got really hot, so we applied more suncream. Kofi cooled off in streams and ponds. We then took a steady route around Pike o' Blisco into Langdale Valley. I was relieved to reach level ground, as I'm nursing an ankle injury.

The route followed the river through livestock fields and past campers until we reached New Dungeon Ghyll. It's the biggest room I've had so far, with a large bathroom, which was great since Kofi had rolled in something smelly. The water here is slightly brown-green but safe and soothing for my muscles.

Tomorrow's plan is a short, flat walk to Ambleside, with a lie-in and a stop at our favorite vegetarian cafe at Skelwith Bridge."

02/08/2024

You'll remember that in our last instalment of Hayley and Kofi's adventure on the Inn Way to the Lake District Hayley had rolled their ankle and was left considering their options for the following day.

Here's Hayley with the outcome.

"Unfortunately at Boot my ankle swelled up and I'd gotten a lot of dirt into some wounds on my feet so I had to call my wife for a quick lift home to clean everything out properly, strap it up and take a days rest, missing the Boot to Broughton in Furness section. I was really disappointed because I love the Eskdale Valley and south of it is an area I have never explored before.

But I was unable to walk that day and so my colleagues in the Mickledore office took care of changing my arrangements for accommodation and luggage moves to allow me a day off walking to recover. If you do find you need to suddenly take a days rest do call the Mickledore office to get advice and assistance with your arrangements.

Today I rerouted myself slightly to take an easier walk into Coniston from just south of Torver. My wife dropped me off then joined Kofi and I halfway there after popping my luggage into the Inn for me.

In this section the Inn Way does use some of the Cumbria Way so we chose to stay on the Cumbria Way and take the flatter shorter route into Coniston to ease my left ankle back into the walk after rolling over it twice on Saturday.

This is a beautiful walk along the water of Coniston, quiet until you are closer to the village of Coniston which is a popular tourist town for day visitors and campers. My inn tonight is in the centre of town and Kofi is glad of the shorter day since it's now finally summer in Cumbria!"

01/08/2024

Aren't these photographs just wonderful. Such beautiful colours!

They were sent to us by Vicky Cohen along with these incredibly kind words.

"We just returned from doing the Cleveland Way and are so appreciative of all that Mickledore did to make this a fabulous walking trip! From the prompt emails to the excellent accommodations to the helpful advice - this is a wonderful company, and one we'll book with again!"

31/07/2024

Day four on the Inn Way to the Lake District saw Hayley and Kofi walk from Buttermere to Boot.

"At Buttermere, there are two inns: The Bridge Hotel and The Buttermere Court, known locally as The Fish. I stayed at The Fish, enjoying a lovely breakfast and sleep, though briefly disturbed by Lakeland 100 runners.

Today, we walked to Boot, facing three significant climbs, each around 300 meters. I compared them to our local hill, Latrigg, making today’s journey roughly two and a half Latriggs. We first crossed Scarth Gap Pass, then descended to Black Sail, a remote youth hostel from *28 Days Later*.

I wore trail running shoes to give my feet a break, despite the rain. By afternoon, the weather improved, and a heat wave was expected. We met other walkers at Black Sail and continued once the sun appeared. The stream at Black Sail was waist-deep, forcing us to wade across, which was challenging but manageable.

On our way to Wasdale Head, we dried our trousers in the sun and met a farmer gathering sheep with his dogs. After some refreshments, we headed through a gap between two fells to reach Boot. The path was often a stream, causing some backtracking.

With less than a Parkrun to go (our household's distance measure), we reached Burnmoor Tarn, where we wrung out our socks after a boggy detour. I limped to the Boot Inn after rolling my ankle and was helped to my room to consider my options for tomorrow."

30/07/2024

Time for another update with more great photographs from Hayley and Kofi on the Inn Way to the Lake District. At the weekend they walked from Braithwaite over to Buttermere.

"Day three starts on the familiar Force Crag Mine track, which Kofi and I regularly run with our weekly running group. We're happy to be on known ground as we leave the North Lakes. Today’s route includes a 650m ascent over the valley towards Loweswater village and the West Lakes, where we'll spend the next few days.

At the windy top, it's important to find the right path down as it’s a junction for several paths in the fells. We quickly descend into a scree and craggy valley with beautiful waterfalls, requiring caution due to wet conditions. I’m using a walking pole to help my knees, as I'm in my 40s and need to manage my injuries. Despite initial reluctance, Kofi eagerly joined me after seeing me pack my bag this morning and is happily trotting beside me.

The descent out of Gasgale Gill is technical, with some washed-away paths requiring careful navigation. The valley is one of the prettiest I've found in the Lake District, adorned with heather, ferns, wildflowers, and thundering waterfalls. Kofi, although small for a beagle, bravely navigated the terrain, needing her harness to drop her down some climbs in a couple of spots.

As we approach Loweswater village, we consider taking a shortcut across the end of Crummock Water rather than going through the village. These self-guided walks allow flexibility to explore as we wish. The sun finally emerges, giving us a pleasant walk along Crummock Water to Buttermere village, where we'll stay for the night."

30/07/2024

Here’s Matt with the final installment of he and Damien’s walk along the Chiltern Hills section of The Ridgeway. Enjoy.

“We made our way out of the picture postcard village of Aldbury back towards where we’d left the trail the day before. The sun truly had his hat on today as we wandered our way through more stunning woodland, offering excellent views over stunning open countryside, which then opened out on to Pitstone Hill which gave us our first view of Ivinghoe Beacon and the realisation that the walk was nearly over. We reached Ivinghoe Beacon and enjoyed some time just marveling at the views and reminiscing on what an amazing few days we have had and how lucky we are to have been able to experience it all. We retraced our steps to Aldbury for a celebratory cold beverage to mark the end of the week.”

29/07/2024

It was another glorious day for Matt and Damien on The Ridgeway as they walked the penultimate leg of their trip, a 9 mile stretch from Wendover to Aldbury.

“We were again today treated to another superb day, the sun was shining and it warmed us as we worked our way out of Wendover. Today brought options as with this itinerary you can walk to Aldbury and save the walk to Ivinghoe Beacon for the next day, or walk to Ivinghoe Beacon and have a rest day the day after. We mulled both options as we wandered through the lovely woodland, which at the beginning of the week was keeping us dry, now the woodland was keeping us cool. There were stunning views of Tring from Tring Park and we diverted away from the trail slightly to get lunch in the village of Wiggington. Again I can highly recommend their village shop/café. We were soon arriving on the outskirts of Aldbury with a decision to make. Due to the heat we decided to save the last bit for the following day.”

28/07/2024

At last, some proper sunshine for Matt and Damien on The Ridgeway. Day three saw the boys walk from Princes Risborough to Wendover.

“At just 6 miles today is the shortest day on our itinerary and the sun had finally made its appearance to truly showcase this stunning walk at its best. After breakfast our taxi transfer took us back to the trail in Princes Risborough. The walk today took us up through large open cornfields and more spectacular woodland nature reserves which offer amazing views over the open countryside. We also passed through the grounds of Chequers, the country home of the Prime Minister, before we stumbled upon an excellent little farm shop recommended in the guidebook, and I definitely wouldn’t miss out on the Scotch Egg. The final stretch took us up to Combe Hill where the local cows where sunbathing around the people eating their lunches. We then ambled our way down into the picturesque town of Wendover where we were to spend our second night.”

27/07/2024

Day two for Matt and Damien on The Ridgeway was an 11 mile leg from Watlington to Princes Risborough.

"After our morning transfer back to Watlington we once again set off excited at what the day had to offer and knowing that the weather today was going to be better. The trail again followed lovely woodland pathways with views on to stunning open countryside. You don’t travel through many villages today but it was perfect to enjoy the peace and quiet of the walk, only broken by the calls of the red kite, or the odd passing walker or horse rider. The sun came out for our arrival in the town of Princes Risborough where our taxi transfer picked us up and took us on to our accommodation in Wendover where we were to spend our next two nights."

26/07/2024

It turned out to be quite an atmospheric day for Hayley and Kofi yesterday as they walked over the tops from Rosthwaite to Braithwaite on their Inn Way to the Lake District adventure.

"Today starts with the steep climb up Tongue Gill, which is in full flow due to the rain. The rocky and slippery path requires a slow, careful ascent. I passed a Duke of Edinburgh group; I don't envy them carrying tents. The cloud cover obscures the top, so I won't take many pictures, but the landscape remains beautiful.

We reached High Spy, the day’s biggest climb, but the cloud cover blocked all views of Derwent Water, Scafell, Keswick, and Bassenthwaite. We had a snack, storing the orange peel in the crisp packet to take home. Next, we headed over Maiden Moor towards Catbells, but we plan to descend into the Newlands Valley and pass by farms before reaching Braithwaite. Today’s shorter hike has less climbing and fewer technical sections, which is a nice change.

The clouds have cleared, and more people are visible as we head down into the Newlands Valley. After navigating a tricky loose slate path down from Maiden Moor, the terrain is flat and easy. We stopped for a drink at the Swinside Inn and then walked through the lanes to Little Braithwaite. Skipping the section around Barrow, we shortened our hike, enjoying the flexibility of a self-guided holiday. Now, we can see the familiar range of Skiddaw and are close to our Inn in Braithwaite, where a well-deserved nap awaits."

25/07/2024

Our colleague Hayley is walking the Inn Way to the Lake District with their 6 year old beagle, Kofi. Yesterday was day one, walking from Ambleside to Rosthwaite. Here's what Hayley had to say.

"We start with a flat route out of Ambleside, quickly transitioning to the Coffin Trail between Grasmere and Rydal. This trail is technical but not steep, making for a pleasant start in cool, dry weather with the sun peeking through ancient woodlands.

Before reaching Grasmere, we leave the Coffin Trail after meeting many fellow walkers. Our first climb is to Alcock Tarn, a peaceful area named after Mr. Alcock who dammed it. The path is lush and green, with a quiet atmosphere currently occupied by a group of Scouts. The descent into Grasmere is tough on the knees, and we encounter people asking if it’s much further - it is! We take a break before reaching the busy Grasmere to rest and have lunch.

After lunch, we set off for our second climb over Greenup Edge into the Borrowdale Valley. This section starts flat but soon climbs steadily. Over the pass, we follow waterfalls in a quiet, isolated area with no signal. Once over, we descend and join the Cumbria Way into Rosthwaite.

The descent from Greenup Edge into Borrowdale is technical, with some hands-on rocks. After a refreshing toe dip at one of my favorite spots, we walk the last few kilometers to Rosthwaite. There’s a pub at Stonethwaite if you need a stop, but we are close to the hotel.

Rain is expected tonight, with fog tomorrow, so my compass will be at the top of my bag."

24/07/2024

Our colleague Sarah and her fiancé Ste recently walked from Osmotherley to Robin Hoods Bay on the Cleveland Way. Let's remind ourselves of their adventure with these lovely photographs.

22/07/2024

Due to a cancellation we have a fantastic opportunity for 2 people to walk the West Highland Way in September.

Sharing a double room, spend 7 nights with 6 days walking on one of the most iconic trails in the country. Your first night will be in Milngavie on Monday 2 September, followed by overnight stays in Drymen, Rowardennan, Tyndrum, Inveroran, Kinlochleven, and your final night in Fort William on Sunday 8 September.

The total price of this amazing adventure is £1720 including luggage transport. We’re offering this on a first come basis, so don’t delay. With accommodation in incredibly high demand this year we expect this to be snapped up quickly.

Simply call us on +44 (0)17687 72335 to discuss the full itinerary and secure your place on the West Highland Way in September.

19/07/2024

Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk is a perennial favourite with Mickledore walkers. The route runs for approximately 192 miles, from the sea cliffs of St Bees on the Irish Sea, to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea. It’s a superb walk that will take you through three national parks and over a real cross-section of England’s most dramatic landscapes.

On your journey you’ll walk among the highest fells, alongside the largest lakes, through delightful woodland and over windswept moors. To help whet your appetite, we’ve compiled our top 10 highlights of this classic long distance trail. Enjoy!
www.mickledore.co.uk/blog/top-10-highlights-of-alfred-wainwrights-coast-to-coast-walk

17/07/2024

In his previous blogs, Reflections on the River Thames, and Return to the River Thames our colleague Mark focused mainly on the surrounding countryside, the fact there were hardly any hills, the food he ate, and in large part, just the experience of sharing extended time together in the outdoors with his daughter Ebony. Here he takes a more specific look at some of the cities, towns and villages they visited, and what they offer both in terms of the Thames Path walk itself and as additional days for further exploration.

Enjoy Mark's Top 8 Highlights of the Thames Path Walk.
www.mickledore.co.uk/blog/top-8-highlights-of-the-thames-path-walk

15/07/2024

The South West Coast Path boasts some of the best coastal walking in Europe. Pretty fishing villages, rocky headlands, lively resorts, woodland estuaries and golden surf-washed beaches combine to create a picture perfect walking holiday. The Devon, Cornwall and Dorset coastline is rich with wildlife, seabirds and wildflowers.

At 630 miles the South West Coast Path is also England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath and National Trail, but don’t worry, we won’t be asking you to walk the entire the path in one visit. Walking anti-clockwise we’ve broken it into five sections, and these too break down into bite size chunks giving you ten incredible holidays in total to choose from.

In our latest blog we take a closer look at each of these sections. The questions is which would you choose first?
www.mickledore.co.uk/blog/walking-englands-longest-national-trail