Ah winter weather, you frosty fiend. With the cold snap upon us and a carpet of snow likely at some point soon, what better time to plan for some picturesque perambulations. Here are five fantastic history hikes that incorporate iconic and atmospheric ruins. Reformation wrecks, crumbling castles and tumbledown towers, we’re coming for you with history hikes!
Whitby Abbey
You have the choice of two history hikes to link these two beauties on the heritage coast! Keep the sea on your right and take the Cleveland Way for a grand cliff top day walk. Or, if it’s too blowy, stick to the old railway line known as the Cinder Track. Either way, set out from YHA Boggle Hole and walk along the beach to the jetty at Robin Hood’s Bay. Steel your calves for the climb to the village top then get your breath back with a rest stop and an amazing view back across the bay. Continue beyond the Post Office and just before the car park, turn right to find the signpost and pick your route. From there it’s a simple case of keeping going until you reach Whitby and that most famous of Benedictine buildings and Bram Stoker’s inspiration, Whitby Abbey.
Stay at YHA Whitby
Rievaulx Abbey
It may be too early for the bluebells, but everything else about this classic Yorkshire walk is bloomin’ marvellous. It’s a seven-mile walk that uses the start of the Cleveland Way National Trail and takes about four hours to complete. From Helmsley Castle climb gently out of town and up towards a superb vantage point then down through bluebell woods and on to the majestic ruins of one of England’s most powerful – and northern England’s first – Cistercian monasteries.
Stay at YHA Helmsley
Corfe Castle
This eight-miler is a must for anyone with an interest in the English Civil Wars. Our Victorian villa lies only five minutes’ walk from the seafront so you can easily pick up the South West Coast Path. Then it’s a case of tracing the coastline until you reach the outskirts of town. Next follow the Purbeck Ridge inland, making sure to stop periodically to marvel at the panorama. This section is mainly grassy ridge and so the going is relatively easy. Corfe Castle itself is a ruin with quite the story to tell. Look out for murder holes, arrow loops and secret spots; learn of treasonous plots and a nation divided.
Stay at YHA Swanage
Berwick-upon-Tweed Castle and Ramparts
Perfect for those that prefer to stay close to their holiday home-from-home, this circular walk affords second-to-none views of the town and acquaints amblers with the town’s most famous architectural wonder: the walls. Berwick actually has two sets of town walls. The building of the first set began in the reign of Edward I and today only chunks remain. The second set however, the Elizabethan Walls, are complete – stretching a mile-and-a-half in length and completely encircling the town. Originally built to defend the town from Scottish invasion, they’re the only example of bastioned town walls in Britain!
Stay at YHA Berwick
Pevensey Castle
16 centuries. That’s how long Pevensey Castle has been around! Back in the 4th century, Pevensey was one of the last and strongest of the ‘Saxon Shore’ forts. Incredibly, two thirds of those walls are still standing! It was here that William the Conqueror’s army landed in 1066. The Normans then fortified the place. It’s an amazing sight and this gentle walk is a lovely way to get there. Start out with the pretty half-hour walk through town and down to the Royal Parade (or cheat and jump on the bus from near the hostel if you’re keen to get on). Stroll along the seafront, through the marina and then follow the flat coastline to Pevensey Bay. Turn inland here and follow the Salt Haven upstream to Pevensey Castle. Easy peasy.
Stay at YHA Eastbourne
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