05 berkshire donnington castle

■ Distance: 6½ miles/10.6km ■ Time: 3½ hours ■ Grade: Moderate

THE area where the River Tees approaches the sea has been largely industrial in recent times, but the upper stretch of the river is very different in character. Here, while the villages, hamlets and r

Barnard Castle is famous for its stunning castle ruins towering over the beautiful River Tees. In recent times, though – during the pandemic – this charming market town became far more widely known as

■ Distance: 6¾ miles/11km ■ Time: 3½ hours ■ Grade: Moderate

Roger Butler peers over steep slopes on a roller coaster along Offa’s Dyke

■ Distance: 9 miles/14.5km ■ Time: 3½ hours ■ Grade: Moderate