Peaks practice

The Victorians confused these Shropshire hills with the Alps. How? Why? Trail dons its lederhosen, downs a glühwein and reaches for the Stretton Skyline to find out.

A new(ish) concession path on Hollins Hill makes a fantastic circular route along the Dragons Back in the Peak District .

ULTIMATE WEEKEND ▲ 3 ROUTES

Switzerland is rich, especially in clichés. Many are largely true. There are some I’m not so interested in – banking, precision watches, nuclear shelters and referendums. But others, I certainly am –

Moments enjoyed, lessons learned, handy advice, weird stuff that happened: welcome to the little bits and pieces that don’t make big stories, but do make all the difference.

It’s the busiest time of year for Britain’s beautiful places. Yet as these locations prove, you can find silence, sensational scenery and space to breathe.