Our 10 best spring walks for wildflowers and views

The temperature is rising and the sun is shining - now is the perfect time to get outside and go for a walk. We’ve teamed up with the UK’s national mapping agency Ordnance Survey to compile 10 of the best spring walks, to enjoy spring flowers, meadows, woodlands and stunning views.

If you are new to walking, spring is a great time to take your first steps in walking and form a healthy new habit.

1. Keswick & Brundholme Wood, Lake District, Cumbria

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Length: three hours

The Lake District is beautiful at any time of year, and especially in spring, when you can see lambs and wild daffodils. We’ve chosen a relaxing walk along the River Greta. The famous Lakeland poet William Wordsworth even wrote a sonnet about the river in 1823.

The walk is perfect in spring as it follows the fast-flowing river through woodland, with views to the spectacular mountains beyond.

You may get to see herons and red squirrels. You’ll walk beside the river through Fitz Park, the optional Brundholme Wood section and along the easy-access Railway Trail.

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2. Golden Cap, Dorset

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)

Length: three-and-a-half hours

A perfect spot for a spring walk, as you can often see the green-winged orchid at this time of year. Golden Cap is the highest point along the English Channel coast, so pick a clear day and enjoy the spectacular views in all directions.

This classic walk from Seatown skirts Langdon Hill and St Gabriel's Wood before rising to Stonebarrow Hill and returning along the South West Coast Path.

It is an energetic walk, but the views and scenery repay your effort. Don’t forget to leave time to enjoy Seatown’s beach.

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3. Parkhill Enclosure, Forest of Dean

Distance: 3 miles (4km)

Length: one hour

This walk is at its best in spring. It really is the very best of English woodland, so enjoy the delicate white flowers of wood anenomes and keep your eyes peeled for 'humbugs' - baby wild boar.

You’ll also smell the wild garlic that grows on the forest floor and in spring, the forest floor is carpeted with bluebells.

The walk starts in the village of Parkend and then loops around Parkhill, which is one of the oldest enclosures in the Forest of Dean.

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4. Aysgarth Falls, North Yorkshire

Distance: 4 miles (6km)

Length: One-and-three-quarter hours

The three-stepped waterfalls at Aysgarth have been a tourist attraction for more than 200 years and the surrounding woodland is a nature reserve.

In the spring the reserve is full of wood anemones and primroses which makes it a great time to visit.

The Lower and Middle Falls are visited on the outbound leg of this walk and there is an optional detour at the end to visit the Upper Falls, where a small charge is made to see them.

If you are taking children, take care by the river sections and avoid after heavy rain or if the river is in flood.

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5. Penmon, Anglesey

Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)

Length: two-and-a-half hours walking.

This walk has a bit of everything. The woodland is full of wild garlic at this time of year, wild flowers are blooming in the rough pastures and when you reach the coast you’ll enjoy views of Puffin Island.

The walk also takes in a holy well and a dovecote that once housed 1,000 birds, and you can take a diversion to the ruins of Castell Aberlleiniog.

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6. Nettlebed, Oxfordshire

Distance: 4 miles (11km)

Length: Two hours

A classic walk that features two commons, a nature reserve and the Chiltern landscape of beech woodlands, chalk grassland and rich wildlife.

This is a walk packed full of interest with plenty of wildlife and historical oddities. A large bottle-shaped 17th century kiln towers over a corner of the village, and once produced bricks from clay dug up on Nettlebed Common.

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7. Stanton Moor, Peak District, Derbyshire

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Length: one-and-a-half hours

This is a grand little walk over open moor and woodland. It takes in the area’s most spectacular rock features, a tower and a stone circle said to be the petrified remains of nine maidens turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath. A tenth outlying stone is said to be the fiddler who accompanied them.

It’s an easy walk, but worth it for the views and the historical features as this landscape was one a hunting ground, workplace and cemetery, boasting old field patterns and numerous burial cairns.

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8. Mickfield Meadow, Suffolk

Distance: 2.5 miles (4km)

Length: one hour

Another short walk which is best enjoyed in spring. It takes in footpaths, bridleways and permissive routes through stunning tree tunnels to a Suffolk Wildlife Trust site, blossom-filled hedgerows and open countryside.

Mickfield Meadow itself is a flower-rich hay meadow, which has never been fertilised. It’s full of wildflowers, including ragged robin, meadowsweet and snake's head fritillaries.

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9. Inchcailloch Island, Loch Lomond

Distance: 2 miles (3km)

Length: one hour

Inchcailloch is a tranquil island within Loch Lomond. It’s full of wildlife, and in late spring it’s woodland is full of bluebells.

This short circular walk takes you around the whole island and up to the viewpoint (81m) where you can enjoy spectacular views across the loch. You’ll also pass a 13th century church dedicated to St Kentigerna and an ancient burial ground.

There are regular waterbuses from Balmaha, Balloch and Luss, or you can take a short ride on the Inchailloch Ferry from Balmaha to the North Pier on the island.

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10. Cave Hill, Belfast

Distance: 4 miles (7km)

Length: two-and-a-half miles walking

Looming over northern Belfast, the craggy, 368 metre-high Cave Hill is arguably one of the city's most recognisable sights. This walk takes in this hill and the surrounding park.

Spring is a great time to enjoy a walk on the lower slopes of the hill when the woods are full of bluebells and cow parsley. You’ll enjoy views across the rolling countryside towards Divis and the Black Mountain and at the end of your walk pay a visit to Belfast Castle with its formal garden and café.

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