The most popular walks in Britain have been named, and several of them are right here in the north west.
It’ll come as a surprise to no one that the stunning green space that surrounds Greater Manchester has featured heavily on the list.
From the beautiful vistas of the Lake District to the rugged ridges of the Peak District, we’re very spoilt for choice with our nearby countryside up north.
In fact, it was a northern beauty spot that came top of the list of Britain’s most popular walks, which was created by Ordnance Survey and Ramblers UK.
And although most of the walks featured are pretty remote from our massive home city, you can get to a lot of them within a couple of hours’ drive.
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The new partnership between OS and the charity was created ‘to celebrate the joys of walking in the British countryside and encourage more people to keep fit and healthy’.
Data was collected from the OS Maps app, which many of us will be familiar with – it helps walkers to discover beautiful trails all over the country.
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It found that Brits have been returning in our droves to rural locations rather than urban ones, reversing the trend observed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Of those rural locations, those in the top spot included gruelling hiking challenges, picturesque countryside strolls, and loops around medieval landmarks.
Coming out on top was the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, which encompasses Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and is a popular – but challenging – day out from Manchester.
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Also in the top 10 walks in Britain was a Lake District trail between Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes.
The Great Ridge, a walk with jaw-dropping views between Edale and Castleton in the Peak District placed sixth, and is the most accessible from Manchester – you can even get the train to it.
And just across into North Wales is Cloceanog Forest near Ruthin.
Nick Giles, MD for OS Leisure, said: “We are thrilled to work closely with the Ramblers UK to encourage more people to experience our wonderful countryside first hand, and inspire a healthier and more active nation.
Walkers taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, which has been named Britain’s most popular walk. Credit: Gary Butterfield, Unsplash
“Our latest route data tells us people are walking further than before. Not only does this demonstrate the growing popularity of walking, it also highlights the positive impact that it is having on walker’s physical and mental well-being.
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“During the Covid-19 pandemic we saw an increase in people using OS Maps to discover new walks and places to visit in their neighbourhoods. It’s great to see more people starting to use their new found love of the outdoors and begin to venture further and explore the many wonders of Great Britain. We are seeing our walking route data show the similar hotspots to the pre pandemic locations with National Parks topping the list.”
He added: “We are committed to working alongside the Ramblers UK to empower more and more walkers to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
Ross Maloney, CEO of Ramblers UK said: “The Ramblers and OS share a passion for helping people enjoy the outdoors, and together we recognise the incredible value of Britain’s paths, tracks and trails. Our new partnership will champion walking and help more people from all backgrounds access the outdoors, enjoy it safely and see the many benefits of making walking part of everyday life.”
Britain’s Top 10 most popular walks
The Yorkshire Three Peaks, North Yorkshire
Start: Horton-in-Ribblesdale car park
Distance: 38.5km
Time: 12hr 10mins
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Map: OS Explorer OL2
Bottom Wood Route, Chiltern Hill, Oxfordshire
Start: Dashwood Arms car park
Distance: 8.25km
Time: 2hr 20 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Map: OS Explorer 172
Grasmere to the Langdale Pikes, Lake District National Park, Cumbria
Start: Broadgate, Grasmere
Distance: 18.5km
Time: 6hr
Difficulty: Moderate
Map: OS Explorer OL7
Cloceanog Forest, Ruthin, Wales
Start: Bod Petyral Picnic Site, Cloceanog Forest
Distance: 11.8km
Time: 3hr 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Map: OS Explorer 264
Wanderlust Way, near Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Start: Bradley Woods car park
Distance: 33km
Time: 8hr 47mins
Difficulty: Easy
Map: OS Explorer 284
The Great Ridge, Castleton, Derbyshire
Start: Back Street, Castleton
Distance: 10.1km
Time: 3hr 14mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Map: OS Explorer OL1
Surrey Three Peaks Challenge, (Box Hill, Holmbury Hill, Leith Hill), Surrey
Plans approved for new safari lodges at Chester Zoo where visitors wake up next to giraffes
Emily Sergeant
You could soon be able to stay overnight in a safari lodge, and wake up to see giraffes and other animals roaming freely.
That’s right… it’s finally happening.
It’s been a very long time coming, but this week – after several years of waiting following plans first being hinted at in 2019, and revised plans then being unveiled back in June 2022 – Chester Zoo has now been given the highly-anticipated green light to build dozens of savannah-style lodges on a plot of its land that’s currently not being actively-used.
A total of 51 lodges have been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department as part of the ‘Grasslands’ development – with some of them set to overlook a lake, while others overlook an enclosure with free-roaming giraffes.
As mentioned, similar proposals to those that’ve been green-lit this week had been approved in 2019, but they had to be put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plans have been approved to build dozens of new overnight safari lodges at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Revised plans were then submitted in 2022 for 63 lodges, but this was later reduced to 51.
On top of the reduction to 51 lodges last year, a number of changes also had to be made to the design of the development’s welcome building to make it “simpler” in response to rising costs, according to reports by CheshireLive and BBC News.
The approved plans include four types of lodges, all with a design based on traditional timber African safari lodges.
Alongside the 51 lodges, the Council’s planners have also approved a two-storey reception building with a bar and restaurant, an orientation lodge, and the groundworks for the all-important creation of a lake the development’s set to overlook.
Visitors will be able to wake up too see giraffes and other animals roaming freely / Credit: Chester Zoo
Given that the development is proposed for Green Belt land, this means it can only be built on if special circumstances are demonstrated, and other considerations also had to be taken into account by the Council’s planning committee too, such as the contribution the zoo makes to the local economy, and the benefits it provides to education and global conservation initiatives.
But the planners’ report stated that all those requirements had been met in the latest proposals submitted by the zoo.
“Taken together, it is considered that these considerations outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and amount to very special circumstances,” the report stated.
It then concluded that: “On balance, subject to the conditions set out below and taking into account the provisions of the development plan and all other material planning considerations, it is recommended that planning permission be granted”.
A timeline for works, and predicted project completion dates are set to be announced in due course, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
Travel & Tourism
Travel advice issued ahead of ‘really busy’ weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other
Daisy Jackson
The new Co-op Live arena will really be put to its first big travel test this weekend when it welcomes Barry Manilow on the same day that Manchester City are playing next door.
Travel advice has now been issued ahead of what’s set to be a ‘really busy’ Sunday in the city.
Tens of thousands of people will travel to and from the neighbouring venues of Co-op Live and the Etihad Stadium for the two huge events.
TfGM has warned people to ‘leave plenty of time’ for travelling to either Barry Manilow’s gig, or to see Manchester City potentially scooping another Premier League title against West Ham.
It’s advised to use public transport and active travel to get to either venue, with parking at Co-op Live already sold out and a strict residents parking scheme in operation in the surrounding area.
And of course, ticket-holders for Barry Manilow do have free Metrolink tram travel included with their event ticket.
The free tram travel is valid for four hours before and after the show, and can also be used on post-event shuttle buses from Co-op Live back to the city centre.
As for Manchester City fans, a double tram service will be running between town and Etihad Campus before and after the match, and there’ll be a bespoke shuttle bus service to the city centre and 17 supporters’ bus services around Greater Manchester.
Credit: Unsplash, Jonny GiosCredit: Publicity pictureTravel advice has been issued as Barry Manilow and Manchester City events take place in neighbouring venues on the same day.
If City do claim their fourth Premier League title, the buses will leave later, at 7.15pm.
Public transport will be extremely busy before and after the events (and there’ll be some crossover with thousands of footy fans leaving the area as thousands of gig-goers arrive).
One of the most straight-forward ways to get to the area is just to walk, if you’re able to, with a new walking route laid out that takes around 35 minutes from town.
The step-free, well-lit, interactive walking route (also marked on maps as ‘CityLink’) is clearly signposted from Piccadilly Station and through the Ancoats and New Islington areas, with new light and art installations along the route.
Helpers will be on hand to support people as they make their way to and from the events.
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “We’re expecting it to be a really busy Sunday with Barry Manilow in town and Manchester City on the brink of a fourth consecutive Premier League title – that’s why we’ve worked with partners on plans to ensure our transport network is as robust as possible on the day.
“We want everyone to have a great time and, would encourage those off to the Etihad or Co-op Live to use public transport for their journeys, or consider walking, cycling or wheeling as the best way to get to and from their destination.
“Planning and preparation for events such as this is done in great detail and there will be plenty of staff on hand to help and support people making their way to and from their destination.
“Enhanced bus and tram services will be in place and we will also be monitoring the network and providing up to date travel information so people’s journeys run as smoothly as possible.”