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

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

THE BIG RIDE

I have a romantic view of Dorset. It comes from reading Famous Five books as a child and memories of family camping trips near Durdle Door. Vague recollections of waterside fish and chips in Wareham,

Roger Morgan-Grenville celebrates the shapeshifting glories of Britain’s sea paths, evanescent byways revealed by the tides

10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching