As bluebells lace the forest floors, coastlines teem with nesting seabirds and the countryside flourishes with colour and wildlife, it’s the perfect time to lace up your boots for a spring walk in the UK.
Everyone has their favourite local spring walks, so we asked our followers on social media to share with us some of the country’s most beautiful trails as part of our Spring Holiday Watch campaign in partnership with the RSPB.
From the wild coast of Scotland to the dappled woodlands of Cornwall, here are some of Britain’s best springtime rambles to celebrate the start of those longer, warmer days. And for more inspiration, have a read of our guide, Celebrating spring in the UK.
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The best coastal walks in spring
Cruden Bay
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
When it comes to coastal spring walks in Scotland, Cruden Bay offers a breathtaking crescent of golden sand to wander along, as Samantha and her family have done above. The beach sweeps south along the Grampian coastline for approximately 2 miles from the quaint village of Cruden Bay and its harbour Port Erroll.
To the north of the beach, you can discover the dramatic ruins of Slains Castle or, if you’re feeling brave, you can make the most of the designated bathing area in the crystal-clear waters.
Photo by: Samantha Winpenny
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Uncover more incredible seaside strolls like this with our guide to the top Great British coastal walks.
Freshwater Bay
Freshwater, Isle of Wight
On the rugged western tip of the Isle of Wight, you’ll find one of the most picturesque spring walks in the UK. Hewn from the mighty chalk cliffs that surround it, Freshwater Bay is a small sand and shingle cove with curious rock pools at each end during low tide.
From here you can climb the slope, heading up and over Tennyson Down towards the famous Needles Headland. During spring, the downland is blanketed in sweetly-scented yellow gorse as well as nine species of orchid. Look to the skies and you might also see kestrels and peregrines hovering in the salty thermals.
Photo by: Scott
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RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire
At the heart of the UK’s largest seabird colony, Bempton Cliffs boasts some of the best spring walks in the UK for those interested in birdwatching. From March onwards, around half a million seabirds swoop, soar and screech around these towering chalk cliffs which stretch for 6 miles from Flamborough Head to Filey on the Yorkshire coast.
Walking trails wind around this RSPB nature reserve, with various viewpoints dotted along the clifftops for admiring the nesting birds. Puffins are one of the key species found here, as captured above by Sally. Around 4,000 pairs of puffins return to Bempton Cliffs each year to breed!
Photos by: @sallyannjohnston (left), @WellHelloSally (right)
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Discover more accessible walks like this one with our guide to accessible walks along the UK’s coast paths.
The Seven Sisters walk
Seaford, East Sussex
For one of the most iconic coastal spring walks in the UK, head to Seaford in East Sussex where you can begin a 14-mile hike to the world-famous Seven Sisters – a series of brilliant white cliffs that dramatically plunge into the cerulean sea.
David has snapped the image above from Seaford Beach at the start of the walk, looking back towards the gleaming cliffs of Beachy Head. From here, the trail ascends to the Seaford Head Nature Reserve, before running parallel to the cliff edge and through the South Downs National Park. The route ends in Eastbourne where you can take advantage of frequent buses for an easy ride back to the starting point.
Photo by: David Malpass
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The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne, Northumberland
Discover a mysterious island off Northumberland’s spectacular coast that is only accessible when the tide washes away, on this memorable spring saunter. Choose a bright, sunny day and follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims, following the Pilgrim’s Way for 3 miles to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne – pictured above by Sally.
When the tide is out, the route is marked by poles in the sand (it is essential to check the tide times before you set off as the island is cut off twice daily by fast incoming tides). On the island, you can pick up the coastal path and explore the atmospheric ruins of Lindisfarne Castle, the Gertrude Jekyll Garden and Lindisfarne Priory, as well as Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.
Photo by: Sally
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The best countryside walks in spring
Coppett Hill
Goodrich, Herefordshire
The picture-postcard image above was sent to us by Anna, captured during one of her favourite spring walks in the countryside, up Coppett Hill in Herefordshire. The hill – which is carpeted in a haze of bluebells in spring – features 98 hectares of local nature reserve and boasts some of the finest, panoramic views of the Wye Valley from the top.
One of the most popular walking trails here runs from north to south along the spine of the hill and can be combined with the riverside path to Welsh Bicknor, a charming parish set among snowdrops and wild daffodils.
Photo by: Anna Wrigley
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If you like the sound of a waterside stroll, check out our guide to the best Great British river walks.
Ashridge Estate
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire offers some of the most dazzling National Trust spring walks in the UK. This 5,000-acre area of the Chiltern Hills is home to over 80 miles of designated footpaths that meander through ancient woodland, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows.
Above, Daisy has chosen one of the enchanting trails through the bluebell woods – you can just imagine the chorus of birdsong. Soon there will be the heady scent of wild garlic and if you keep your eyes peeled on a walk, you might spot deer emerging through the dappled sunlight.
Photo by: Daisy Lancey
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We’ve discovered some more wonderful woodland walks if you’re exploring the UK in summer too.
Derwentwater
Keswick, Lake District
For many, there is no destination more exquisite for UK spring walks than the awe-inspiring Lake District. John has captured one of the jewels of the national park above, Derwentwater, a glistening lake nestled in the shadow of the mighty Skiddaw.
A waymarked path circles the lake, taking walkers on a scenic 10-mile journey along its tranquil shores and through leafy woodland. During spring, the landscape is alive with a rich variety of flora and wildlife, which can be appreciated from one of the many picnic stops en-route. And if you can’t quite manage the full 10 miles, you can hop aboard a Keswick Launch from one of the landing stages and take a shortcut.
Photo by: John Donald
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Why not take a look at these national park walks to add to your bucket list too?
The Meon Valley Trail
South Downs National Park, Hampshire
It’s a sure sign that spring has arrived when the countryside is peppered with frolicking lambs. We adore the image above by Catherine, taken on a walk through the Meon Valley in Hampshire.
The Meon Valley Trail offers a perfect introduction to this captivating pocket of the South Downs. Once a railway line running from Fareham to Alton, this 11-mile hike enjoys some of the most outstanding views in the national park. And if you want to extend your adventures further, the trail links onto the Wayfarers’ Walk and the South Downs Way National Trail too.
Photo by: Catherine Sagar
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Discover more unique trails like this one with our guide to the top railway walks in the UK.
Grogley Woods
Bodmin, Cornwall
While taking her dogs for a springtime walk, Annabel snapped this lovely image of Grogley Woods near Bodmin in Cornwall. As the sunlight streams through the flourishing canopy, it casts wonderful shadows of the gnarled tree trunks across the pathway.
For those with a little more energy to burn, a walk here can be extended by picking up the Camel Trail to the east of the woods which runs along the river to Wadebridge and Bodmin.
Photo by: Annabel Gunn
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Explore the UK this spring
The longer, warmer days of spring offer the perfect excuse to don your hiking boots and explore the great outdoors – and our collection of spring breaks in the UK include a variety of relaxing settings where you can put your feet up and unwind afterwards. From romantic retreats to fun-filled family escapes, start planning your next adventure.
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