BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S Hambleden Valley is one of England’s true hidden gems. Bypassed by through traffic, it is a lovely spot to explore on foot or bicycle if you keep to the path beside the Hamble Brook.

We arrive at the top of High Cup Nick in the North Pennines. “It’s like the world starts just over there,” comments my friend Mark. He’s pointing down the U-shaped chasm of High Cup Gill, beyond whose

5 15.6 km / 9.7 miles / 6 hours Ascent 1080m/3543ft

If we had to choose our “special place”, Andy and I would always choose Exmoor National Park. It’s a place we often escape to. Straddling the Somerset/Devon border, Exmoor’s coastline is littered with

Located in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside and surrounded by a moat, this romantic timber-framed house contains over 600 years of history within its walls

6 20.6km / 12.8 miles / 7-7.5 hours Ascent 1122m/3680ft