Tara’s Adventure on the West Highland Way
Last week I was out walking the West Highland Way with my husband Scott. It was a bit of a working holiday really with the aim being to gain further first-hand experience of both the route and some of the accommodation. We set off from Milngavie at the official start by the obelisk. For the first 6 miles or so we walked through park and woodland trails, with Allander Park and Mugdock Country Park leading us away from the urban areas and out into the countryside. Scott looking relaxed. We then passed Craigallian Loch and crossed the B821 from where we could enjoy the wonderful views of the Campsie Fells and Ben Lomond on the horizon. A pleasant glimpse of the hills that await us. The Way then goes to the valley bottom and picks up the old railway, providing a straight and easy walk through farmland. We passed the Glengoyne Distillery, seen here by the woodland, which we are told is great for a visit and of course a sample but they resisted and headed on along the road to Drymen. It’s quite a large village with plenty of walkers around. Our accommodation last night was a lovely lodge…
Hadrian’s Wall – My First Long Distance Path
This article was written by Sue Williams during her time with Mickledore and reflects her first-hand experience of the route. I recently spent time walking Hadrian’s Wall with my husband Mike. My aim was to enhance my knowledge of the route and get to know some of our fantastic accommodation providers. Hadrian’s wall was my first ever long distance path and a brilliant introduction to multi day walking. From the start we were lucky with the weather and saw some amazing sections of wall, fort, turret, and milecastle remains. Our side visits to Corbridge Roman town, Chesters Fort and museum told us a lot about the Roman lifestyle and cavalry operations. Early views were far reaching both north and south of the wall. In many places we could see the ditches and vallum supporting the wall defences. We met some interesting people in the first few days along the trail, some of whom were fellow Mickledore walkers. Twice Brewed to Newtown We enjoyed some glorious sunshine as we walked from Twice Brewed to Newtown passing the highest point on the wall at Green Slack, 345m. There were many magnificent wall sections and a pretty disused quarry at Cawfields. We also…
Happy Days on the Herriot Way
I recently spent 4 days walking the Herriot Way along with my husband Scott and our dog Molly. Keld to Reeth We started our walk full of cheese omelettes and toast and carrying packed lunches and a little package of sausages for Molly, all courtesy of our lovely hosts. Waterproof jackets were on within 2 minutes but it soon brightened up and we had a dry day with some sun. This section of the Way shares the Coast to Coast route but it was not at all busy. Soon after leaving Keld the path climbs firstly into the bracken and heather covered hillside above Swaledale to the path above Swinner Gill into the heather covered moorland. From here the path climbs further on to the bleak and barren landscape of Gunnerside Moor where there is much evidence of the lead mining industry which ranged across the area for decades. There are abandoned mines, smelting mills and peat stores making this a fascinating place. The Way soon returns to the valley through pretty meadows and lanes with the typical dry stone wall and barn landscape of the Yorkshire Dales to arrive at Reeth. By this time I was ready for tea…
Walking the Cleveland Way
On Saturday, along with my husband Jon, I set off on the Cleveland Way and what a beautiful start we had! Helmsley to Osmotherley We began our 109 mile journey in the picturesque market town of Helmsley, After a lovely breakfast at our B&B we were on our way, with around 11 miles to walk to the evening’s stop in Kilburn. The scenery and interest was varied with a mixture of secluded woodland, rolling farmland and, later in the day, far reaching views from Sutton Bank as we walked around the cliffs of Roulston Scar, watching the gliders from the local gliding club soaring high above. One of the highlights was the short detour to the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, the 12th century Cistercian monastery, which was well worth the extra mile of walking. The final part of our walk brought us down from Sutton Bank to the pretty village of Kilburn, giving us a great view of the famous white horse cut into the hillside, before we arrived at our resting place for the evening. Osmotherley to Clay Bank Monday saw Jon and I walk from Osmotherley to Clay Bank. Much of this section of the Cleveland Way National…
My Adventure on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
After a busy few months organising some great walking holidays for our clients, the staff here at Mickledore will be getting away from our desks over the next few weeks and checking out some of the routes you love best. We’ll be spending our days walking so we can tell you first hand the best bits, the not so good bits (not many of those we hope!) and how tiring the days really are! In the evenings we’ll be checking out the B&Bs and finding the best places to eat for those hungry appetites. Dale to St. Dogmaels This week I am walking part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from Dale to St Dogmaels, a 95 mile stretch of some of the most beautiful coastline in Britain. This is my first visit to Pembrokeshire and so far, I am loving it. The coastline is just as spectacular as I have been led to believe and even the good old British weather isn’t dampening my spirits. After a very warm welcome, a great night’s sleep and a fabulous breakfast at the Clock House in Marloes, today’s leg of the walk took us from Musselwick Sands to Broad Haven. With plenty of…