Summer walks

Empty beaches, ancient stone steps ? and a cream tea waiting for you at the endDulverton to Tarr Steps, SomersetThe pretty village of Dulverton is a good starting point ? plenty of shops to poke your head into, and cafes for sandwiches and cake to keep you fuelled along the way. The 12-mile walk is long but not hard, taking you into Exmoor National Park, which looks spectacular, rain or shine, and finishing at Tarr Steps, the ancient bridge over the river Barle. The cafe there serves doorstop sandwiches and generous cream teas, and in summer you can book a moor bus to take you back again. Or just drive to the top of Exmoor and walk down to Tarr Steps in around 45 minutes.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/tarr_steps_from_dulverton.pdfThe Cotswolds WayThis 102-mile trail takes you through the heart of England's largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Those who don't fancy spending a week doing the entire route can choose one of the circular walks. The six-mile circular stroll from Stanton to Snowshill will take you between two picturesque villages, through woodlands, over hills, down valleys, with plenty of pub stops on the way.nationaltrail.co.uk/Cotswold/Sandwood Bay, ScotlandPark your car at Blairmore and be sure to make use of the toilets because there won't be any along the way. From there, it's a good one to two hours through wild moorland to reach a stunning Highland beach ? a mile of golden sand overlooked by rocky cliffs. It may be remote, but the upside is that it won't be crammed with tourists. Leave enough energy for the four-mile walk back.visitscotland.com/surpriseGrassington, Yorkshire DalesDon't forget to bring a towel because this easy, seven-mile walk takes you through one of the loveliest riverside sections of the Dales Way and you may fancy a paddle. It starts and ends in Grassington, a handsome market town that's home to plenty of teashops, though you may not need them as both Burnsall and Linton, which you'll pass through, have local pubs.walkingworld.comGower, WalesSwansea's peninsula ? an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ? boasts long, golden beaches and dramatic limestone cliffs. This seven-mile amble starts at the village of Penmaen and heads through woods to the spectacular sandy beach at Three Cliffs Bay. There's the option of a slight detour along the way to look at the crumbling remains of Pennard castle.walkingworld.comWalking holidaysUnited Kingdomguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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