I’m sceptical about news stories you sometimes read of big black cats roaming the countryside. I was, however, tempted to don my boots for a hike I found on the internet titled In the Footsteps of the

CRADLED IN THE rolling green hills of Derbyshire, Matlock is where Victorian spa-town elegance meets Peak District wilderness. Once famed for its healing waters, today it’s a gateway to leisurely rive

Winter walks aren’t always how you imagine them to be. Sometimes they’re a hundred times better – even more so if you make a weekend of it.

Artist and designer Luke Edward Hall explains why the Cotswolds is an area that holds a special place in his heart

■ Distance: 7½ miles/12km ■ Time: 5 hours ■ Grade: Moderate

Walking Weekend