It’s been a long mile, trudging uphill in the rain, across uninspiring fields, past rickety ruins of long-abandoned farm buildings, mud slowly working its way up my waterproof trousers. Sometimes walk

From croquet lawns to ancient forest and medieval castles: parks take on many forms, but they all have one thing in common – freedom for all.

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.

Over a quarter of the Lake District is common land – steeped in history and crowned with views fit for a king.

Free-range history

The Lake District National Park, in England’s north-west, has inspired countless poets, authors and artists, hillwalkers, nature lovers and day trippers. With its rugged peaks, green valleys, seemingl