Top walks in the UK revealed include the location of a well-known Harry Potter scene
The nation’s favourite and most well-trodden single-day walks
Last updated 8th Apr 2022
With Easter almost upon us and many wanting to get out for some more fresh air, we thought we'd take a look at some of the best walks (under 15 miles) in the UK. So, whether you're looking for something on your doorstep, or you're on a staycation, you'll probably find a popular walk not far away.
And, if you're a Harry Potter fan then there's something special about the top single-day walks in the UK. Take a look through the Top 10 here and see the full list below...
Top 10 best single day UK walks:
10. Craster, Dunstanburgh and Low Newton circuit, Northumberland
The Craster, Dunstanburgh and Low Newton circuit in Northumberland had a walk score of 85% with four out of five stars for various categories including, accessibility, food and drink, peace and quiet, places of interest, scency, waymarking, and wildlife.
9. Cat Bells, Lake District
Cat Bells is a fell in Cumbria and there's a beautiful three-mile walk which was voted at Number 9 in the best UK walks. The walk has five stars for scenery and had a walk score of 85%.
8. Sycamore Gap, Northumberland
The Sycamore Gap Tree or Robin Hood Tree in Northumberland is near Hadrian's Wall and there is a fantastic five-mile walk nearby.
With stunning scenery, it is also a place of interest, however it doesn't have very good accessibility options.
7. Rhossili Headland, Gower
Rhossili Headland is the only Top 10 entry in Wales. The headland once again boasts fantastic scenery along with wildlife and good visitor facilities.
6. Grosmont to Goathland, North York Moors
With a difficulty rating of one, the Grosmont to Goathland walk in the North York Moors is one of the easiest in the top walks.
This walk is a good allrounder with high ratings for accessibility, food and drink, peace and quiet, places of interest, waymarking, wildlife and visitor facilities.
5. Buttermere, Lake District
Back in the Lake District and the Buttermere Circuit is another fantastic all round walk, with the highest score for scenery, it also scores highly for accessibility, food and drink, peace and quiet, places of interest and waymarking.
4. Helvellyn, Lake District
Another stunning walk in the Lake District is Helvellyn. The 9.5-mile walk is very difficult and not suitable for those with accessibility problems, but it has amazing views of the area and rates well for peace and quiet and wildlife.
3. Lizard Peninsula Circuit, Cornwall
The Lizard Peninsula Circuit in Cornwall is a seven-mile walk with great wildlife, scenery and is a place of interest as well. For those looking for good visitor facilities and food and drink, it also has four out of five stars for those categories.
2. Botallack Mine Walk, Cornwall
Also in Cornwall is the short (one mile) Botallack Mine Walk. It is a particularly quiet place with amazing scenery, although it lacks wildlife or visitor facilities.
The walk takes people through the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site with outstanding historical and industrial sites set in coastal heathland, with rare wild flowers.
1. Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, Yorkshire
Famed for a scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Malham Cove and Gordale Scar tops this year's best UK walks under 15 miles. The walk rates highly as a place of interest, with amazing scenery and good wildlife and visitor facilities.
Walkers were impressed by the cove's amphitheatre-shaped cliffs which lead up to a limestone pavement (pictured). Its second striking geological feature, Gordale Scar, is a narrow ravine enclosed by sheer walls 100 metres high.
Take a look at full list of the best UK walks below.
The results are based on a survey of 1,807 Which? Connect panel members in December 2021. They only reported on those walks that achieved a minimum sample size.
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