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.
The Great Ridge in Castleton, Peak Disctrict. Credit: Unsplash, Michael Cummins
Langdale Pikes in the Peak District. Credit: Ian Cylkowski, Unsplash
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
Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway
Danny Jones
You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.
Those motorway trips are about to get even better.
We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.
It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:
With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.
Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.
It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).
As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.
However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.
We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…
Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.
“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.
“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”
What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?
New Mayor Bev Craig announces FREE bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Thousands of high school children across Greater Manchester are set to benefit from free bus travel next year.
That’s because Greater Manchester’s newly-elected Mayor, Bev Craig, set out plans on her first official day in office yesterday (3 August) to help families with the rising cost of living by extending the already-popular ‘Our Pass’ scheme to give 11 to 16-year-olds free bus travel on the Bee Network from January 2027 onwards.
The move is expected to benefit nearly 200,000 young people across Greater Manchester – saving families up to £500 per child every year.
Applications will open later this year, so families can apply for their pass in advance.
Bev Craig has announced free bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM
Greater Manchester’s successful ‘Our Pass’ scheme was introduced in 2019 and already gives 16-18-year-olds free bus travel to make getting to education, training, and opportunities easier.
But this new extension means that, for the first time, all children between 11 and 18-years-old will be able to travel for free on the region’s buses.
On top of this, in further support for families, Bev has also confirmed that previously-agreed plans to give free bus travel for children in temporary accommodation will be implemented from this September – with this extra support set to be administered by councils and be in place for the new school term.
First day as Mayor of Greater Manchester. I promise to work for everyone, in every town, village and city.
— Mayor of Greater Manchester (@MayorofGM) August 3, 2026
“During my campaign, I promised that I would apply a simple test to every decision I take as Mayor – will it make life better for the people of Greater Manchester? That’s why on day one I’m announcing the extension of Our Pass to give free bus travel to 11 to 16-year-olds,” commented Bev Craig as the move was announced this week.
“This is exactly the kind of decision that passes our test.
“It will put more money in the pockets of thousands of hard-working families, and gives those young people a ticket to all the brilliant opportunities our city region offers.
“Families across Greater Manchester are struggling with the cost of living and I’m using my first day as Mayor to do something practical to make life a bit easier. By launching in January, young people will be boarding the Bee Network for free as they head back to school.”
Daisy Jackson -
6th July 2023 
