Summer's high heat has gone, and the leaves are beginning to turn. Pubs are
snug, hotels unhurried and welcoming. All of which makes autumn a great time for
a weekend in the British countryside, and for a little fresh air and exercise.
Nothing too demanding, just a couple of days' light walking topped and tailed
with good food and comfortable accommodation.
Below I have selected 10 perfect (and easily accessible) day and weekend
walking breaks, with good, reasonably priced places to eat, sleep and drink on
the Friday and Saturday nights.
I say walking breaks, but there's no reason, of course, why you can't take a
car, enjoy the food and hotels, and quietly forget about the hiking boots...
Room rates are for b&b, per person per night, sharing. Dinner prices, which are
approximate, are for three courses with half a bottle of wine. Each walk is
rated on toughness, where 1 is the easiest and 3 the most demanding.
Norfolk Coast and Peddars Way
The Norfolk Coast Path threads its way through dunes, salt marshes, creeks
and shingle ridges, all rich in bird and wildlife. The Peddars Way is a flinty
old Roman road so it is very easy to extend the walk as far as Thetford. Start
from The Hoste Arms at Burnham Market, and join the coastal path heading west.
If you have a car you can shorten the walk by driving to the Lifeboat pub at
Thornham and joining the coast path there. Walk through the pine forest or along
the beach to Holme-next-the-Sea, where you can join the Peddars Way and walk to
Ringstead for lunch at the Gin Trap (01485 525264). Browse in the art gallery
there before walking back via Choseley, across fields with sea views. Rating: 1.
Friday&Saturday The Hoste Arms, The Green, Burnham Market, Norfolk
(01328 738777; www.hostearms.co.uk);
from £54; dinner £35.
Transport The nearest train station is Kings Lynn, 20 miles away.
Deepdale Tourist Information (01485 210256;
www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/information). Map: OS Explorer 250.
