Mark Wright
Product Development Manager and Marketing
Latest articles
History of the Sycamore Gap Tree on Hadrian’s Wall
Affectionately known as the Sycamore Gap Tree, the iconic and photogenic lone sycamore that stood prominently on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland captured the imagination of countless visitors, photographers, nature enthusiasts and of course Hadrian’s Wall walkers. The tree’s history is not only intimately tied to its natural surroundings but also to its cultural significance as a symbol of resilience and continuity. It is believed to have stood for around two hundred years. Scientifically known as Acer pseudoplatanus, the species is native to central Europe, Italy and western Asia. It is thought to have been introduced to the UK by the Romans. It is characterised by its distinctive five-lobed leaves and winged seeds, known as samaras. Sycamores can grow quite large, potentially above 12 metres, and have a broad, spreading canopy, again potentially 8 metres or more. The Sycamore Gap Tree was a perfect example of the species. Nestled in a dip near Crag Lough, approximately two miles west of Housesteads Roman Fort, it stood in solitary splendour in one of the most picturesque settings in the Northumberland National Park. Just a little background for readers who perhaps aren’t too familiar with Hadrian’s Wall. Often referred to as the Roman Wall,…
What to see at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall
Housesteads Roman Fort offers a fascinating insight to the life of Roman soldiers stationed at this northern outpost from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD. As one of the best-preserved and most iconic forts on Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads provides visitors with a rich historical experience, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a profound sense of a turbulent past. Also known as Vercovicium, Housesteads Roman Fort, one of fifteen forts along the length of the wall, was established within a decade of AD 122, when work began on Hadrian’s Wall itself. The wall’s strategic location marked the most northern extreme of the Roman Empire and it served as a defensive structure against invasions from the north. The fort housed a garrison of Roman soldiers and played a crucial role in maintaining order along Hadrian’s Wall. Upon entering Housesteads, visitors encounter the well-preserved remains of the fort’s layout. The typical Roman fort plan includes barracks, a headquarters building, granaries, a hospital, and other essential facilities. The commanding officer’s house, or praetorium, stands prominently, showcasing the hierarchy and organisation inherent in Roman military structures. The barracks at Housesteads reveal the harsh conditions in which Roman soldiers lived. The standardisation of Roman military architecture…
Experience the Enchantment – 10 Reasons to Walk Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall Path is an iconic trail stretching 84 miles across Northumberland and Cumbria. Steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, this path presents an unforgettable adventure for avid walkers and history enthusiasts alike. Here are 10 reasons why we think you should lace up your boots and experience the enchantment of Hadrian’s Wall. Centuries of History Hadrian’s Wall, built on the orders of Emperor Hadrianus between AD122 and AD128, serves as a living testament to the Roman Empire’s architectural prowess. Walking the path you’ll journey through centuries of history, immersing yourself in the tales of Roman soldiers and the turbulent past of northern Britain. Rich Cultural Heritage Beyond the stones and ruins lie charming towns and villages, each steeped in history and with its own unique character. Immerse yourself in the local culture, savour local cuisine, and learn about the customs that have shaped these lands for generations. Stunning Landscapes Hadrian’s Wall Path winds its way through a variety of landscapes, from lush countryside to rocky outcrops and rugged moorlands as it makes its way to the vast Solway Plains. Each turn reveals a new panorama, ensuring that your journey is not just a historical exploration, but a…
Top 6 Highlights on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path follows the rugged South Wales coastline for 186 miles and delivers a breathtaking combination of dramatic clifftops and sublime sandy beaches. Add to that the obvious sea birds, the off shore islands, a dazzling display of flowers and plants, historic towns and traditional fishing villages, and you have the setting for one of the nation’s most loved long distance walking holidays. As well as offering the route in its entirety from Amroth to St Dogmaels we also offer 3 shorter holidays allowing you to complete the route over time in more manageable sections should you choose. They are the South Coast: Amroth to Milford Haven. The Central Coast: Milford Haven to St David’s and finally the North Coast: St David’s to St Dogmaels. Whether you choose to do all three in turn, the whole thing in one single holiday or simply choose just one section as your Pembrokeshire Coast experience, you are guaranteed of a thoroughly enjoyable and hugely rewarding experience. To help whet your appetite, we’ve put together just six highlights on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, it could quite easily have been sixteen. This is by no means a definitive list, if we wrote it…
Return to the River Thames
Having walked the 59 mile central section of the Thames Path from Oxford to Marlow last summer, my daughter Ebony and I had no hesitation in returning this year to continue our journey. Our plan this time was to walk the eastern section, a 44 mile stretch from Marlow to Richmond, as well as an additional day to Westminster, covering the first 14 miles of the London section of the trail. As always with these things, Ebony’s priorities lay with food. Long before the matter of how far we’d be walking each day, or indeed where exactly we’d be walking, along came the question, “What’s the food situation looking like dad, anything good?” So, since I mention it, let’s get it out of the way. The food was delicious, and as you’d expect when visiting vibrant towns such as Marlow, Windsor and Richmond, there was an abundance of choice. Everything we ate was hugely enjoyable. From the British Gastro Pub, and the Italian restaurant, to the Argentinian tapas, and even the simple noodle bar at Westminster where our host was the kindest of men, we were suitably impressed. As for breakfast, can a girl really wake each morning for an…
6 reasons to walk the Settle to Carlisle Way
Stretching from the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales to the pleasant farmlands of Cumbria’s Eden Valley, the Settle to Carlisle Railway is undoubtedly one of Britain’s most scenic rail journeys. The Settle to Carlisle Way allows you to enjoy that same stunning landscape at a much more gentle pace. We’re incredibly excited about this holiday and we believe there are many reasons to sign up and experience the Settle to Carlisle Way next year – here are just six of them! Fascinating Geology The limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales is an enthralling landscape where becks can suddenly disappear underground only to reappear as springs several miles away! Deep beneath the ground is a world of caves and tunnels shaped by the rainwater working through the bedrock. All around are potholes, shake holes and limestone outcrops. The limestone pavement you see is a result of heavy glaciers having scoured and fractured the Carboniferous rock along existing fault lines known as bedding planes. After which mildly acidic rainwater has been eroding and dissolving these bedding planes creating intriguing patterns of blocks and fissures. The Yorkshire Three Peaks The famous Yorkshire Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough are a magnet…
Top 6 Walking Holidays in Scotland
Here’s a thought for you. At just over 30,000 square miles, Scotland accounts for over 30% of the total area of the United Kingdom, yet it is home to less than 10% of the UK population. Which leads me to suggest, if your idea of a perfect holiday is to escape the crowds, then maybe Scotland is the place for you. With a blend of magnificent mountains, moorland, enchanting lochs and miles of rivers along with dramatic coastline and gentle countryside, Scotland really does have something for everyone, while interestingly, keeping you pretty much away from everyone. Let’s look at what we believe are six of the very best walking holidays in Scotland. Borders Abbeys Way Round Trip from Melrose | 68 miles | 5-8 nights The ruined medieval abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh, along with a host of historical sites tell the story of the battles that raged between the kingdoms of Scotland and England from the mid-12th to early 17th centuries. For four centuries the abbeys fell victim to the lawlessness that engulfed the region. The most violent of times came during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century, when the Scots, led by…
A Brief History of the Borders Abbeys
My role here at Mickledore is to create new holidays. Being a Borderer and having lived for 15 years in the shadow of the Eildon Hills, I was delighted when I got the go ahead to add the Borders Abbeys Way to our growing collection of walking holidays. I couldn’t wait to share many of the riverside and woodland trails I’d walked countless times over the years. I had an immense feeling of pride inviting you in to enjoy a little corner of my homeland. My mind was full of questions. Will you, like me, find peacefulness walking the banks of the Tweed and the Teviot? Will you marvel at the neoclassical Temple of the Muses by Dryburgh Suspension Bridge and when there, will you make the short detour to view the thirty foot statue of William Wallace as I do? Will you skirt or scale the magnificent Eildon Hills above Melrose? Will you find joy in the spacious Borders farmlands with their flower filled meadows and wealth of birdlife and wildlife? Will you feel the sense of history as you pass through the lands where King Robert the Bruce launched his raids into England, emerging victorious with the re-establishment…
Best Views in the UK & Ireland
If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your next walking holiday, then help is at hand. Here we showcase what we believe are ten of the very best views in the UK & Ireland. The wonderful thing about them is they can all be enjoyed on one of our walking holidays. We’re sure you’ll agree, they’re all magnificent. The question is – which will you visit first? Buachaille Etive Mòr | West Highland Way Buachaille Etive Mòr is one of the most recognisable mountains in Scotland. Once seen, the image will live long in the memory of the walker. It’s pyramid like silhouette is best viewed from the iconic Kingshouse Hotel, a favourite stopover on the West Highland Way. Learn more about the West Highland Way Durdle Door | Dorset Coast Path One of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks is Durdle Door. Standing about 200 feet above sea level the natural limestone arch is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Learn more about the Dorset Coast Path Loch Ness | Great Glen Way At 23 miles long, Loch Ness is deeper than the North Sea and holds more water than all the lakes in England and…
Top 5 Highlights on the West Highland Way
The West Highland Way is one of the most iconic trails in the country and something every keen walker should experience. To help whet your appetite here are our top 5 highlights on the 95 mile trail from Milngavie to Fort William. Conic Hill Between Drymen and Balmaha lies Conic Hill. At just 361m/1148ft it’s by no means a giant, however having made the short steep climb to the summit you are rewarded with the most outstanding views of Loch Lomond. Measuring 23 miles long, Loch Lomond is the largest body of fresh water in Britain. The line of small islands along the loch mark the direction of the Highland Boundary Fault and the start of the Scottish Highlands. Both Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps can be admired from this stunning little viewpoint. Falls of Falloch When walking between Inverarnan and Tyndrum, a short detour will reward you with fabulous views of the Falls of Falloch. Easily accessible, it’s a popular beauty spot and a great place for walkers to stop and enjoy a snack. The River Falloch falls in a single 10m drop and despite it’s relatively modest size, it’s an impressive sight, particularly when in spate. Sit…
6 walks you never knew you wanted to do!
I think we’re all familiar with the classic long distance walks such as Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, the Roman frontier Hadrian’s Wall and the iconic West Highland Way, firm favourites each of them and rightly so. However as we turn our attention to our summer holidays we’re looking at what we believe are 6 walks you never knew you wanted to do. These are perhaps lesser known, but by no means any less of an adventure. Maybe one of these will inspire you to enjoy your summer holiday a little off the beaten track! Cotswold Round The Cotswold Round is a circuit of some of the most picturesque towns and villages the Cotswolds has to offer. Their very names themselves an invitation to the inquisitive – Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water. Almost all of the round falls within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Covering over 2000 square kilometers, it’s the largest such protected area in England and Wales. Only Cheltenham lies outwith the boundary. Choose from our 59 mile Cheltenham Circuit or 45 mile Morton-in-Marsh Circuit. Accompanied by the sight of wildflowers and the sound of birdsong, this is a country walker’s dream. A mix of open meadow, track,…
Reflections on the River Thames
My role here at Mickledore is to create new holidays. Over the winter months we added a number of new routes across the country as well as our first two holidays in Ireland. However when the opportunity arose to go on my first ‘Fam Trip’ or familiarisation trip, to give it it’s full title, I had no hesitation in picking a holiday that’s been at the top of my wish list since I joined Mickledore … Oxford to Marlow on the Thames Path. I love country walking and I especially enjoy riverside walking. On paper, Oxford to Marlow had it all. A chance to explore the magnificent city of Oxford, followed by easy riverside walking through meadows and woodland with evenings spent in picturesque towns and villages. Better still, I’d be accompanied by my daughter Ebony. One night in Oxford isn’t really enough The first thing to know about the Oxford to Marlow section of the Thames Path is one night in Oxford isn’t really enough. Arriving late afternoon the day before your walk and setting off walking after breakfast the following day will leave you feeling you haven’t even scratched the surface of this beautiful historic city. There is…