Five beautiful Spring walks to explore across the North of England & Scotland

With British Summer Time hours finally here and warmer weather on the horizon, you might be craving a day in the great outdoors. Luckily, the North of England and Scotland have more than their fair share of wonderful hiking and rambling trails. Many of them look their best during the spring months too, thanks to budding new leaves on the trees and pockets of colour from blossom, bluebells and bright yellow daffodils.

Whether you’ve challenged yourself to complete 10,000 steps a day in March or you simply want to immerse yourself in the natural world, we’ve put together a handful of spectacular spring walks along our network to inspire you.

Wander among the daffodils in the Lake District

The region may be crisscrossed with mountain trails but some of the best walks in the Lake District – especially in springtime – are those that take you to places that are filled with vibrant flowers.

There are several spots across the National Park where you can walk through magical meadows. Venture to Rydal just north of Ambleside to see the gorgeous gardens planted by celebrated author, William Wordsworth. Rydal Mount & Gardens was his family home and it becomes a riot of colour during the spring months. Alternatively, neighbouring Grasmere hosts the wonderful Wordsworth Daffodil Garden. Created in 2003 by the local community, it’s said to feature over 10,000 daffodil bulbs!

You could also catch a train to Penrith and make your way to the town’s medieval castle ruins. The meadows surrounding it have been planted with wild daffodils and are fantastic for a stroll and a picnic on warmer spring days.

Enjoy epic coastal vistas along the Cleveland Way

Sea breezes, stunning clifftop views and glimpses of the Ravenscar seal colony are all on offer when you plan a spring walk along the Cleveland Way in Yorkshire. The 109-mile route begins in Helmsley and ends in Filey, and it takes in huge stretches of the coast and the breath-taking wild heather meadows of the North York Moors National Park.

The best way to reach it is from Scarborough. The Cleveland Way runs directly through this Victorian seaside town, with the top end of North Bay being the main access point. From there, you can hike for miles along the coast and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the new season.

Robin Hood’s Bay is a brilliant spot to aim for if you’re after a long walk. On the way there, you’ll pass through some idyllic countryside scenery and enjoy outstanding vistas of the North Sea coast. Ravenscar lies just before Robin Hood’s Bay and if you peer down onto the beach, you might just spot the resident seal colony lounging around on the rocky shoreline.

Soak up the blooms from York’s City Walls

You don’t necessarily need to be out in the countryside to set off on a memorable spring walk. Planning a trip to York sometime soon? Its ancient City Walls are the perfect place to experience the year’s most fruitful season.

The historic walls walk is roughly two miles long and should take you under an hour to complete (a little more if you decide to stop off for a coffee somewhere like the Gatehouse Café at Walmgate Bar). Expect to see white, yellow and orange daffodils blooming along the banks of the walls from late February to the end of March.

You’ll also have a front-row seat to some of the city’s other spring delights. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk for the vibrant purple crocuses which pop up around York Minster or the fragrant magnolia trees in the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall gardens that are typically in full bloom by April.

Stroll beneath the cherry blossoms in Edinburgh’s Meadows 

Edinburgh has no shortage of beautiful outdoor attractions, from the spectacular Royal Botanic Gardens to the impressive peak that is Arthur’s Seat. Nevertheless, it’s the Meadows – found just south of the Royal Mile – that wins our vote for the city’s best spring walk.

The Meadows has been a public park for centuries, with locals and visitors still flocking to it today to stroll down its picturesque pathways or laze on the grass in the sunshine. Why not take a walk around this scenic spot in the spring to admire the rows upon rows of pink and white cherry blossom trees? Earlier in the season, you might also spot clusters of colourful crocuses and daffodils that are as pretty as a picture.

Admire the seasonal changes along Durham’s pretty riverfront

Durham is home to so many delights, from its impressive Gothic cathedral to its numerous independent dining spots. Come springtime though, you’ll find it’s the charming River Wear that is the place to be.

Rambling along the riverfront doesn’t just give you the chance to enjoy epic vistas of the city’s skyline. You’ll also have the chance to spot all kinds of signs of the changing seasons. Flowers bloom readily along the riverbanks, the trees are once again full of bright green leaves, and the river’s bird populations flourish.

The Durham Riverside Walk is a three-mile-long circuit which lets you take in numerous areas of the city, including crossing over two of its beautiful bridges. You can complete it in under two hours too, giving you ample time to pop into Durham’s historic attractions or savour a meal at one of its many riverside restaurants.

Is the nature-lover in you feeling inspired by these walks?

Remember to buy your tickets in advance online or on the TPExpress app to make the most of our region this spring.