Our Favourite UK Walking Festivals for a Weekend Break

Walking with a group is a great way to discover spectacular locations while making new friends. The UK has roughly 80 walking festivals, encompassing everything from gentle woodland strolls to gruelling mountain ascents. Most are run by local ramblers passionate about sharing their knowledge with visitors, and with summer approaching, this is the perfect time to choose an event and book your place. Here are a few of our favourite festivals in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK. For each festival, we have included a recommended holiday cottage to stay in, while enjoying your walking holiday.

 

## Ulverston Walkfest

Friendly Lake District event for ramblers of all ages and abilities. Set in the southern fringes of the Lake District, Ulverston Walkfest runs from April 27 to May 6, emphasising respect and care for the environment. The festival includes a series of guided hikes along the coast at Morecambe Bay and around the misty mountains and waters of the Lake District National Park. The South Lakeland market town of Ulverston is an idyllic base nestled in unspoiled countryside at the top of the Furness Peninsula.

Where to Stay: Ulverston Holiday Cottages

 

 

## Ironbridge Walking Festival

Nine days exploring the dramatic gorge where the Industrial Revolution began. This event is a great way to discover Ironbridge Gorge, known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and one of the UK’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nature has reclaimed much of the gorge, which is now crisscrossed by scenic woodland trails, but you will discover remnants of its manufacturing heritage during 35 themed walks and events from May 5-13.

Where to Stay: Holiday Cottages in Shropshire

 

 

Crickhowell Walking Festival

Guided walks and events in the breathtaking Black Mountains Warm, waterproof clothes are highly recommended for this invigorating winter event. Ancient standing stones, shimmering lakes and towering mountains are all explored during Crickhowell Festival in March. Routes for all levels are provided by local experts, taking in some of the most captivating scenery in the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons in South Wales. This independent, not-for-profit event is run by volunteers and based in the charming town of Crickhowell.

Where to Stay: Holiday Cottages in The Brecon Beacons

 

## Dartmoor Walking Festival

Tors, bogs, mires and streams in the heart of rural Devon Dartmoor is a glorious expanse of ancient woods, farmland, streams and tors, which many visitors to Devon miss. Dartmoor Walking Festival is an opportunity to get to know locals while discovering this unique environment. The event runs from August 25 to September 2, with guided walks providing an insight into Dartmoor’s history, wildlife, myths and legends.

Where to Stay: Dartmoor Holiday Cottages

 

## Richmond Walking and Book Festival

Nine days of guided rambles and book events in the Yorkshire Dales The Richmond Walking and Book Festival combines day-time hikes through the Dales’ rugged countryside with evening talks by renowned authors. Based in the delightful town of Richmond, the event includes rambles to iconic locations such as Willance’s Leap and challenging climbs, including the High Fells Challenge to the 2,110ft summit of Yockenthwaite Moor.

Where to Stay: Holiday Cottages in the Yorkshire Dales

 

 

## Herefordshire Walking Festival

Thirty-seven walks through rolling countryside on the Herefordshire-Gloucestershire border. Organised by keen local walkers, this annual event is a great way to discover famous routes such as the Wye Valley Walk, Mortimer Trail, Offa’s Dyke Path and Monnow Valley Walk. If your holiday in Herefordshire doesn’t coincide with the festival, check out Herefordshire Ramblers’ Winter and Spring Programme of group walks.

Where to Stay: Holiday Cottages in Ross-On-Wye

Holiday Cottages Near Our Favourite UK Child-Friendly Theme Parks

The UK has fantastic family attractions that are more than just a fairground ride - where kids can drive diggers, race sheep or meet mysterious woodland characters. From North Yorkshire to Devon, here are a few of our favourite small children’s theme parks.

The Big Sheep

Rollercoasters, ‘EWEtopia’ indoor adventure playground, animal petting, lamb-feeding and sheep-racing on the North Devon coast

You will find this much-loved family attraction in Abbotsham, inland, from Westward Ho! Beach in North Devon. Sheep Racing (Red Ram wins by a nose ahead of Sheargar), Pony rides, animal shows, lambs to bottle feed, piglets to pet, sheep dogs at work, indoor adventure playground, the biggest rollercoaster in Devon and an award-winning brewery make the Big Sheep a great day out for the whole family. Venture there too early in your holiday, and be prepared for your children to demand a return visit.

Where to Stay: The Corn Tallet

A quaint two-bedroom coastal cottage within walking distance of the ocean in Bucks Mills near Clovelly in North Devon. To enjoy a 10% discount when booking Melinda’s - tell the owners you found the cottage on My Favourite Holiday Cottages.

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Flamingo Land

“Wild animals and wild rides” in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire

Flamingo Land is one of Yorkshire’s top family attractions, and it offers incredible rides, including a Cliff Hanger combo tower, Pterodactyl vertical swing, and Velocity booster bikes. Don’t miss Mumbo Jumbo, featuring one of the world’s steepest drops of any rollercoaster. Oh, and there are plenty of colourful flamingos and other animals to admire. Adapt an animal or be a zoo keeper or meet a creature - just a handful of the many experiences in store for you and your children at Flamingo Land.

Where To Stay: Holiday Cottages in North Yorkshire 

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Gulliver’s Kingdom

Thrilling woodland rides in Derbyshire, including Switchback Rollercoaster, Pirate Ship and Crow’s Nest Quest

Hidden away in Peak District ancient woods with brilliant views of the Heights of Abraham, this family-run park in Matlock Bath is not to be missed on holidays in Derbyshire for families with children under 11. Along with a great selection of fun non-white knuckle rides, there are 13 remarkably life-like animatronic dinosaurs to roar back at.

Where To Stay: Clematis Cottage - a Family-Friendly Peak District Countryside Cottage near Bakewell in Derbyshire

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Diggerland

Dodgems, giant dirt-diggers, mini-tractors and go-karts in West Yorkshire

If you or your children ever dreamed of being swung around in the bucket of a super-sized JCB, then you need to meet Spindizzy! This digger-themed adventure park near Castleford allows kids and their parents to operate real diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery. A range of inventive rides and live shows guarantee a fun family day in Yorkshire.

Where To Stay: Stables Cottage  - a dog-friendly holiday cottage near Todmorden in West Yorkshire.

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Bewilderwood

Mazes, zip wires, rope bridges and slides hidden amongst Norfolk woods

Book a holiday cottage in the Norfolk Broads and share a magical treehouse adventure with your family through Bewilderwood in Horning. As you explore this enchanting woodland attraction, you will come across a variety of unusual characters, including Swampy the Marsh Boggle, Mildred the Crocklebog and Thornyclod the spider.

Where To Stay: Clippesby Pine Lodges near Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads

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Greenwood Forest Park

Jungle boats, Crocodile Maze, and Wales’ longest sledge run in Gwynedd

This family activity centre is packed with hidden tunnels, trails and treetop towers near Y Felinheli, between Snowdonia National Park and the Isle of Anglesey. There are great shows all day, too, including clowns, magic and crafts. The sledge run is epic: no snow is required!

Where To Stay: Family-Friendly Holiday Cottages in Snowdonia

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Cattle Country Adventure Park

Farm-themed fun in the Gloucestershire countryside

This low-key but intensely stimulating adventure park is located at Berkley Heath Farm in Gloucestershire. Attractions include an animal handling experience centre, outdoor assault courses, play barns with wavy slides and zip wire, trampolines, rides, boating lakes and, gosh - lots more! Don’t miss the daily magic and Punch and Judy Shows.

Where to Stay: Ingleside House** Take a break with another family or two - Ingleborough can sleep up to 14 in Westbury-on-Severn and has a hot tub for adults to play with.

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Crealy Adventure Park

Multi-award-winning theme park just outside Exeter, Devon

Nestled amid 100 acres of rolling East Devon countryside, award-winning Crealy Adventure Park is home to more than 60 fantastic family rides and farm-themed attractions. Take a hair-raising ride on the Flying Dutchman or Aqua Blasters before meeting the animals at Meerkat Manor, Tortoise Town and Bugz Unlimited.

Where To Stay: Holiday Cottages in East Devon

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Drusillas Zoo Park

An incredible variety of zoo animals, rides and play areas near Alfriston, East Sussex

Penguins, ring-tailed lemurs, giant anteaters and armadillos make Drusillas a memorable family day out in East Sussex. There’s also a great selection of rides, a soft play area, Hello Kitty Secret Garden and the Safari Express train rides.

Where To Stay: Holiday Cottages in East Sussex

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A Selection of Our Favourite Holiday Cottages and Nearby Beaches in Dorset

We’ve matched a choice of delightful holiday cottages with one of Dorset’s fabulous Jurassic Coast beaches to inspire ideas for a memorable seaside self-catering holiday.

Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is home to incredible geology and an abundance of dinosaur fossils. This unspoiled stretch of sandy bays, towering cliffs and secret coves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a status shared with natural wonders of the world, such as the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you want to hunt for fossils, swim, sunbathe or spot dolphins from the coast path, holidays in Dorset are an excellent opportunity to explore this enchanting environment. We have a variety of holiday cottages in Dorset to choose from, none of which are more than a few miles from the coast. Here is a selection of desirable coastal cottages linked to some of Dorset’s fabulous beaches in this beautiful county, which we highly recommend visiting for a long summer holiday or a relaxing out-of-season weekend break - whenever you get the chance.

To view the cottage details - click on the Cottage name.

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Lulworth Cove

Thousands of years ago, the sea eroded the cliffs in a remarkable way to create Lulworth Cove. The beach is horse-shoe shaped, with only a narrow channel to the open ocean, making it perfect for swimming in its calm, clear water. There’s a good café near the beach, and in the summer, you can take a boat trip to Durdle Door and Mupe Bay.

Where to Stay: The Old Bakery at Lulworth

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Weymouth Beach

A day in Weymouth is a quintessentially British seaside experience with Punch and Judy shows, donkey rides and deck chairs. Backed by graceful Georgian architecture, the town’s mile-long sweep of golden sand has been popular since George III started visiting in the late 18th century in the hope of curing his “nervous disorder” by swimming in the sea.

Where to Stay: Weymouth Holiday Cottages

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Ringstead Bay

Smugglers once hauled their cargo ashore at this secluded beach near the village of Ringstead. Today, it’s managed by the National Trust, ensuring it remains an entirely undeveloped spot on Dorset's Jurassic Coast for visitors to enjoy. The beach is a fairly strenuous but picturesque walk from the car park. Please note: Access to Ringstead beach via National Trust land is no longer possible. There is alternative access to the beach to the west of Ringstead Cafe.

Where to Stay: Jurassic Coast Holiday Cottages

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Cobb Beach, Lyme Regis

Cobb Beach is overlooked by a 14th-century harbour known as the Cobb, which became famous when it appeared in the opening shot of the film, ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’. The harbour wall shelters the beach, making it perfect for swimming, and there are various cafes and shops overlooking the sand.

Where to Stay: The Court House Farmhouse in Charmouth

The Court House Farmhouse near Charmouth has a private hot tub and games room. Sleeps 11

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Studland Bay

This four-mile beach is backed by a nature reserve where rare birds can be spotted, and a series of trails weave their way through dunes and woods, home to deer and wildflowers. The beach is so long that you never have to walk far to find a quiet spot to swim, sunbathe and enjoy views across the water to the Isle of Wight and Old Harry Rocks.

Where to Stay: Beach View, Bournemouth

Beach View is a stunning seafront house right above the beach in Bournemouth. Sleeps 8.

 

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Chapman’s Pool

Chapman’s Pool is a fairly demanding hike down the cliffs, but you will be rewarded with a pristine bay with calm waters, where passing boats often anchor. A lovely five-mile circular walk takes in the disused quarries at Winspit and the village of Worth Matravers, where a look around the fossil museum at the Square and Compass is a must.

Where to Stay: Ammonite Cottage near Wareham