Courtesy Of: Keven Law
Distance 9 miles (14km)
Start/finish Lady Anne’s Drive, Holkham (turn opposite NR23 1RG
Terrain Sandy beach, path
Toughness Easy
Ascent 92 metres
Navigation Easy
Good for Coast, beach running, families
The pristine four-mile stretch of golden sand that makes up Holkham Beach beckons runners, paddlers and sandcastle-builders alike, inviting them to cast off their shoes and spend the day playing in the sea and the dunes. A National Nature Reserve, Holkham is alive with fascinating flora and fauna, perfect for the budding naturalist. Taking to the sands along the great expanse of the beach, this wonderful run can either be returned the same way, along the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path or, as described below, via a lovely and varied route through Wells and the Holkham Estate.
A spectacular alternative to the Coast Path run between Holkham and Wells-next-the- Sea, this run simply follows the broad, white, sandy beach from where you emerge from tall pine trees on a boardwalk leading from Lady Anne’s Drive down to the beach all the way to Wells. To return, wind through the streets of Wells to reach a lane into Holkham Estate, entering the estate to run through peaceful woodland and past the Hall, ice house and lake to the main entrance, before returning to the start. Alternatively, either follow the wonderful beach back, running in the shallow water at the edge of the North Sea, or head up and down the dunes which line the beach. Other return routes can be found along the Coast Path.
Map and route information
Penzance to Land’s End, Cornwall
Distance 16½ miles (27km)
Start Penzance railway station, TR18 2LT
Finish Land’s End, TR19 7AA
Terrain Trail, road, coast path
Toughness Challenging
Ascent 791 metres
Navigation Easy to moderate
Good for Coast, history, culture
With its great beaches, pretty fishing villages and readily-available ice-cream, Cornwall is a hugely popular family holiday destination. It also has some of the best coast path running to be found anywhere. The stretch between Penzance and Land’s End is packed with exciting and absorbing trail running, with plenty of steep climbs and descents and spectacular views along the way. Although nearly 17 miles in its entirety, there is plenty of scope for out-and-back or circular alternatives. There are also many points of interest, including the wonderful stone-hewn Minack Theatre, Lamorna Cove and, of course, Land’s End itself.
Steep steps and narrow paths make for exciting, technical running. Leave Penzance by the coast road to the west, through Newlyn and Mousehole, before following the South West Coast Path sign left out onto the rugged coast path. Continue along an undulating mixture of trail and granite steps to Lamorna. The secluded cove and cafe here, surrounded by bluebell woods in spring, provides a welcome spot for a rest. Climb steep steps to the cliff top, passing Treen’s white sandy beaches and the Minack Theatre. In the final miles, grasslands make for easier running as Land’s End beckons. Return by bus to Penzance.
Map and route information
Dyrham and Doynton, Gloucestershire
Distance 7.5 miles (11km)
Start/finish Dyrham Deer Park car park, SN14 8ER
Terrain Trail, path, road
Toughness Moderate
Ascent 373 metres
Navigation Easy to moderate
Good for Famillies, National Trail
Perched on the windswept hills high above the cities of Bath and Bristol, the National Trust’s Dyrham Park has some 274 acres of gardens and parkland to explore. There’s also a statuesque Baroque mansion for older family members and a range of organised activities for kids. The Cotswold Way contours around the north-eastern edges of the estate before heading out through Dyrham Wood and descending to finish at Bath Abbey. Parallel to this, the Monarch’s Way heads west towards Bristol. Our route links these two great running trails in an enjoyable and breathtaking wild run.
Map and detailed route information
Icknield Way–Ridgeway Link, Bedfordshire
Distance 7.5 miles (12km)
Start Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, LU6 2GY
Finish Ivinghoe Beacon, nr LU6 2EG
Terrain Paths, trail
Toughness Moderate
Ascent 194 metres
Navigation Easy (waymarked)
Good for Families
Overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury, only a short hop from the centre of London, the Chiltern Hills AONB is a wonderful place to run. Ivinghoe Beacon is the starting point of the Ridgeway National Trail, along which runs the legendary 86-mile Ridgeway Challenge ultramarathon, held every August. Clear, runnable trails chalk their way invitingly across the hills, and the surrounding woodlands provide a tranquil, leafy escape. This run passes Whipsnade Zoo and Tree Cathedral, both of which have plenty to explore for families. Nearby Ashridge Estate boasts many miles of trails through ancient woodland, enjoyable for both a run or a toddle.
From the start, follow circular Ridgeway Link waymarkers along the upgraded path of the Icknield Way, wonderfully runnable in the dry and wonderfully muddy the rest of the year. The final climb up Ivinghoe Beacon is rewarded with spectacular views across the Vale of Aylesbury; a wonderful place to watch the sun set. There are car parks at both ends of the trail, and buses from Ivinghoe and Whipsnade.
Map and route information
Longshaw, Peak District, near Sheffield
Distance 5 miles (8km)
Start/finish NT Longshaw Visitor Centre car park, S11 7TY
Terrain Trail, path
Toughness Easy
Ascent 205 metres
Navigation Easy to moderate
Good for Families, woodland
The National Trust’s Longshaw Estate lies alongside the Eastern Moors in the Peak District national park. There are many miles of perfect, runnable trails to explore here, through leafy woodland dotted with gritstone boulders and old millstones, alongside babbling streams and over open moorland with far-reaching views out across the Derwent Valley. The estate and surrounding area are brilliant for families, with adventure trails, a moorland discovery centre and cafe and picnicking and paddling down in the picturesque Padley Gorge. The local gritstone edges such as Stanage, Burbage and Froggatt are famous for rock climbing and bouldering, great for older kids learning how to climb as well as the more experienced.
This run follows the “long route” marked in green on the maps available at the Visitor Centre. Waymarking is sparse, so take directions with you if you want to stick to the trail, or do as we did on our first run here and lose yourself in the Estate’s splendour. In autumn, the estate is a riot of multicoloured trees, fiery bracken, and shards of golden sunlight. There are spectacular views of the Derwent Valley from White Edge Moor and many other famous climbing venues in the area.
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By: Jen and Sim Benson
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jul/01/wild-uk-runs-spectacular-scenery
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