Ten of the best pub walks in the UK from old railway lines to Victorian pier

FORGET queuing for a selfie at some overhyped beauty spot. Two-thirds of us (66 per cent) now reckon chasing viral destinations means missing out on the good stuff. Pals can enjoy a walk through peaks and countryside Credit: Getty We list ten destinations that require your walking boots and are worth working up an appetite – and thirst – for Credit: Getty According to research by cottages.com, more than half (51 per cent) would rather sniff out a hidden gem than tick off a famous hotspot, with the over-55s leading the charge on 69 per cent. So what does the nation actually want from a break? Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! A muddy footpath, a big view and a pint waiting at the end of it? Nearly two-thirds of us (61 per cent) say no UK getaway feels complete without visiting a cosy pub. We know what we want when we get there, too. Traditional pub grub is top of the wish list (67 per cent), ahead of snug interiors (60 per cent) and a beer garden with an incredible view (60 per cent). Broadcaster Clare Balding has teamed up with cottages.com and walking charity The Ramblers to launch the Pub Walk Collection, which pairs hand-picked routes with nearby cottages and cracking local pubs. Clare said: “A proper pub walk is a much-loved British tradition. “For me, the perfect route is four to six miles with dramatic scenery, ending at a great local pub. Some of the most memorable parts of a break can come from taking a different turn, chatting to locals and discovering places that aren’t on every itinerary.” Most read in Travel Jacob Lewis lists ten destinations that require your walking boots and are worth working up an appetite – and thirst – for. NORTH WALES The Albion is built into Conwy’s medieval walls and is arguably one of the finest 1920s pubs left in Britain Credit: The Albion WALK: Start at Conwy Station (LL32 8LD) for a 6.1-mile loop through the lower Conwy Valley, with the castle and river laid out below you. Three hours, two short sharp climbs, and views worth every step. PUB: The Albion is built into Conwy’s medieval walls and is arguably one of the finest 1920s pubs left in Britain. Its Art Nouveau interior alone is worth the walk. STAY: Ty Llewelyn is a two-bed cottage inside those same town walls, metres from the start of the walk and a few steps from the castle. Wood-burner on, boots off. Sleeps four. See booking.com. LAKE DISTRICT The Pocket is a buzzy independent cafe-bar on Lake Road, beloved of hikers straight off the fells Credit: CAMRA WALK: From Keswick’s Moot Hall (CA12 5JR), good paths climb steadily above Walla Crag for spectacular views over Derwentwater before looping home. PUB: The Pocket is a buzzy independent cafe-bar on Lake Road, beloved of hikers straight off the fells. Offers homemade sourdough pizzas and local craft beer. STAY: Bonnie Cottage sits near the heart of Ambleside, sleeping four, with a courtyard garden and a woodburner for the evening. For details see sykescottages.co.uk. CORNWALL The Napoleon Inn sits at the top of the old fishing village, a 16th-century charmer with low beams, stone fireplaces and a tiered beer garden with sneaky sea glimpses Credit: Alamy WALK: The 3.7-mile Boscastle Discovery route starts at the harbour (PL35 0HD) and packs a lot in: dramatic sea cliffs, farmland, quiet lanes to Minster Church, then the gorgeous Valency Valley home. PUB: The Napoleon Inn sits at the top of the old fishing village, a 16th-century charmer with low beams, stone fireplaces and a tiered beer garden with sneaky sea glimpses. STAY: Greenacres is a proper family blowout, sleeping 15 across six bedrooms with a hot tub and views over the valleys to the sea. See hoseasons.co.uk. PEAK DISTRICT The Anglers Rest is community-owned, hiker-friendly and right in the Hope Valley Credit: Alamy WALK: From Bamford Station (S33 0BN), follow an old railway line to the mighty Ladybower Dam, then climb through woodland to craggy Bamford Edge. This walk’s around six miles long and has Dark Peak views that show off. PUB: The Anglers Rest is community-owned, hiker-friendly and right in the Hope Valley. It serves hearty home-cooked plates and Derbyshire craft ales. STAY: Fern Cottage has beamed rooms and valley views stretching to Bamford Edge. Sleeps six, and dogs stay free. For further details see cottages.com. YORKSHIRE The Talbot Arms is family-run with the biggest beer garden in town Credit: Alamy WALK: Start in Settle’s Market Place (BD24 9EJ) for a short, punchy climb to the trig point. Brief, sharp, and the views are spectacular for the effort. PUB: The Talbot Arms is family-run with the biggest beer garden in town. Local real ale and comforting food are welcome after a day on the limestone fells. STAY: Broughton Sanctuary’s Micklethorn is a grand ten-sleeper near Skipton where you are free to roam 3,000 acres of parkland. Visit broughtonsanctuary.co.uk. SOUTH WALES The Vic is an independent boozer in the heart of Mumbles with real ales, craft beers and live acoustic Credit: Victoria Inn WALK: From Limeslade Bay (SA3 4JW), enjoy an easy 4.8-miler along the Gower Coast Path to Langland Bay, then back through Mumbles past Oystermouth Castle and the Victorian pier. PUB: The Vic is an independent boozer in the heart of Mumbles with real ales, craft beers and live acoustic sessions. Proper free-house spirit. STAY: Bungalow Highfields is a roomy base sleeping six, with sea views, an enclosed garden and salty air from the doorstep. See cottages.com. NORTHUMBERLAND The Pele is a micro bar inside a 14th-century, Grade I-listed, fortified tower in Corbridge Credit: Alamy WALK: A gentle 5.1 miles from Corbridge village car park (NE45 5AX) through the Tyne valley, with lovely views and a wander round the town to finish. PUB: The Pele is a micro bar inside a 14th-century, Grade I-listed, fortified tower in Corbridge. It only serves bar snacks, but a beer by the medieval-style fireplace in this three-storey tower is certainly hard to beat. STAY: The Studio at Westfield is a Scandi-style bolthole for two near Bellingham, on the edge of Northumberland National Park. For details, see cottages.com. SCOTTISH BORDERS The Cobbles is a 19th-century coaching inn just off the town square, now a multi-award-winning gastropub Credit: Alamy WALK: A 7.3-mile circuit from Mill Wynd, Kelso (TD5 7HP), taking in the ruined abbey and the countryside along the River Teviot. Three easy hours in a corner of the country most visitors skip. PUB: The Cobbles is a 19th-century coaching inn just off the town square, now a multi-award-winning gastropub. Outstanding local beef and game, with craft beer to match. STAY: Liddel Holiday Properties offers a cosy four-sleeper near Kielder with rolling countryside all around and the river close by. See cottages.com. SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS The Auld Smiddy Inn fills a former blacksmith’s forge and does modern Scottish cooking properly, with venison, Highland seafood and regional ales by the fire Credit: Alamy WALK: One for the keen hiker. This 10.6-mile route climbs out of Pitlochry (PH16 5BL) towards Ben Vrackie, crosses to Killiecrankie and returns along the River Garry. Six hours, and worth every one. PUB: The Auld Smiddy Inn fills a former blacksmith’s forge and does modern Scottish cooking properly, with venison, Highland seafood and regional ales by the fire. STAY: Heathergems Apartment is bang in the middle of Pitlochry, metres from the walk start and steps from Blair Athol Distillery. Sleeps four. See cottages.com. NORFOLK Cricketers on The Green looks out over the pitch where summer cricket is played Credit: Instagram/@cricketers_norfolk WALK: A pleasant country amble from Aldborough (NR11 7NW) taking in three churches and a whopping village common. Big skies, gentle going. PUB: Cricketers on The Green looks out over the pitch where summer cricket is played. Its AA-rosette kitchen turns out monthly-changing dishes built on the freshest Norfolk ingredients. STAY: Dibley Cottage is a beautifully done Victorian bolthole for four near North Walsham, in a pocket of North Norfolk most visitors drive straight past. For details see cottages.com. The Pub Walk Collection is live now at cottages.com. Comment now