DORSET “I somehow feel more English for having seen those Dorset fields, surrounded by hedges basking in the sun”. So said Julian in Enid Blyton’s Five on Finniston Farm. The author holidayed for over 30 years in the Studland area, and it inspired much of her writing. The Carter Company (the-carter-company.com) have based their Enid Blyton’s Dorset walking and cycling tour around the places she loved. Set off on adventures on foot or by bike - maps and lunch (don’t forget the ginger beer) packed into your rucksack. Cycle trafficfree forest trails to Corfe Castle, thought to be the inspiration for Kirrin Castle, walk the Jurassic coastline to picture perfect Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole, which featured in the stories, and hop on a boat to Brownsea Island, aka Whispering Island. British Travel Journal Top Tip: If you have the enthusiasm but not the energy of the Famous Five, an electric bike is an option.
Pictured left-right: Saints Bay, Guernsey; Carrick-a-Rede bridge and the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coastline; Corfe Castle and Durdle Door on Dorset's Jurassic Coast; hikers walking the England Coast-toCoast trail.
ENGLAND COAST TO COAST Experienced hiker? Then the 182-mile England Coast-to-Coast trail could be your most exhilarating challenge yet. This guided trip, from newly formed Wilderness England (wildernessengland.com) from the same team as Wildnerness Scotland, starts on the coast at St Bees in Cumbria and finishes at Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. In between, you’ll walk up hill and down dale through no less than three National Parks – the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. Expect eye popping scenery -and some fascinating lessons in everything from medieval history to local romantic poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge from your expert guide. You could do your research first looking online at England's Coast who have just launched an interactive map planner (englandscoast.com/en/ create-itinerary). Everything - food, snacks, water and cosy accommodation- is included on this hike, so you can concentrate on enjoying yourself. The trip runs on several dates between now and mid-September. British Travel Journal Top Tip: It’s good to do this with a guide to avoid having to map read as it’s not the best marked trail, although good progress is being made!
BritishTravelJournal.com
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