The new year often marks a time of setting goals and making plans for the months ahead. As the days start to get longer and the weather begins to improve, many of us promise ourselves that we’ll spend more time in the great outdoors, looking to reap the rewards of being in nature.
With offices across the country, from Scotland down to the South West, our agents know some of the most glorious parts of the country. And while it can be easy to stick to the path well-trodden on your doorstep, we’ve highlighted some of their favourite walks – from 2km to 19km in length – to tempt you with a new route.
Talk to almost anyone about Inverness and it won’t be long before Loch Ness is mentioned. It’s therefore perhaps unsurprising that we’ve chosen a walking trail, south of our office in Inverness, that offers fantastic, elevated views over Loch Ness and takes you down towards Fort Augustus. While the walk starts off quite steep, don’t fret as the trail plateaus and you’re likely to meet keen runners – such as our head of residential in the North & Scotland, Kevin Maley,- tackling the route too.
View the trail here. Find out more about Scottish Highlands here.
While Shrewsbury is centred around its famed ‘Loop’, cross the River Severn and you can stretch your legs with plenty of more rural walks. This trail starts and finishes in Frankwell and takes you along the river and through farmland. Watch out if it’s been raining a lot recently as the path can get muddy!
View the trail here. Discover more about life in Shropshire here.
Our Strutt & Parker office sits in the centre of Chichester; a city which is surrounded by spectacular historic walls. This short walk takes you around the Roman walls – which notably are still largely intact – and you’ll pass the Bishop’s Palace Gardens, Chichester Cathedral and Priory Park, so it’s an ideal stroll for keen historians.
View the trail here. Learn more about life in West Sussex here.
You’re never far from a breathtaking view in Salcombe – although Blair Stewart, who covers the South Hams for Strutt & Parker, might argue that the views are even more spectacular from the water. This walking loop offers pretty impressive vistas though, starting near Fishermans Quay with views over Batson Creek, before making its way around the headlands and passing through farmland.
View the trail here. Read our guide to Salcombe here to find out where to eat and visit in the surrounding area.
Don’t be deterred by the distance of this walk as it gives you a chance to enjoy some of the best sites in this corner of Kent – including the historic centre of Canterbury, the countryside and parkland of Fordwich, and plenty of wildlife thanks to walking along the Great Stour River. You’ll also almost pass our office in Canterbury city centre too!
South of the town centre, you’ll find this easy circular route taking in Orwell Country Park and Pipers Vale. As you stroll through open fields and woodland, you can enjoy views across the river and depending on the season, lots of wildlife. “You won’t believe that you’re less than five miles from the town centre here,” says Sophia Fuller, associate in our Suffolk office.
View the trail here.
This loop takes you from the centre of Truro into the surrounding countryside, before heading back into the city along the river. Starting at the cathedral, see if you can spot what makes this landmark so unusual (spoiler: it’s the three spires!). Walking out towards St Clements and Malpas, two villages on the Tresillian River, the trail takes you through quiet farmland before you journey back along the Truro River. Alex Taylor from our Cornwall office sings the praises of this route – you’ll even pass his old cricket club – and says The Heron Inn in Malpas is the place to stop off for a refreshment en-route.
View the trail here.
While this isn’t a short walk, the 19km will fly by thanks to all of the sites you’ll see. Beginning on the Water of Leith, close to the Commercial Wharf, you’ll make your way past the Royal Botanic Garden, through the picturesque – and highly photogenic – Dean Village, as well as the greenery of Colinton and Craiglockart Dells, before following the river along to the village of Balerno. Plan your walk for a Sunday and you can enjoy a pitstop at the renowned Stockbridge Market in the city centre.
View the trail here.
This city walk takes you from close to Fulham Broadway – only a stone’s throw away from our Fulham office – across the River Thames and into Battersea Park. While Pear Tree Café in the park is incredibly popular and perfect for an alfresco coffee on a sunny day, there’s plenty of restaurants and pubs along the route to stop off at if the weather is less clement.
View the trail here.
Once you’ve ticked off the sites in the prestigious university city, head south out of Oxford to discover what else the county has to offer. Following the River Thames, much of this walk takes you along the river’s edge and through meadows – which is particularly lovely on a sunny day. It won’t be long until you find yourself in the historic market town of Abingdon-on-Thames.
