27 somerset charterhouse

Walk through three counties visiting Cheshire’s Matterhorn, Derbyshire’s ancient bridge and Staffordshire’s secret church all in one Peak District hike.

Alex Roddie enjoys the best bit of the undulating South Downs Way

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

■ Distance: 10 miles/15.5km ■ Time: 5 hours ■ Grade: Challenging

We all know walking is good for us, but walking in good company is even better. So, with an unexpected weekend to myself, I am exploring the West Sussex countryside on a guided break with HF Holidays.

When friends who recently moved to west Devon invited us to see their new home, we decided to combine the visit with a brief autumn tour of the area, so we could explore the beautiful landscapes of Da