I’m sceptical about news stories you sometimes read of big black cats roaming the countryside. I was, however, tempted to don my boots for a hike I found on the internet titled In the Footsteps of the

■ Distance: 7¾ miles/12.7km ■Time: 3½ hours ■ ■Grade: Moderate ■

Christine Faughlin sings the praises of a converted chapel on the 30,000-acre Bolton Abbey estate in the Yorkshire Dales

Comfortable seclusion is on offer at three historic houses, each beautifully presented and set in glorious landscapes worthy of God’s own county

■ Distance: 7½ miles/12km ■ Time: 5 hours ■ Grade: Moderate

The location of Boatfolk’s Portishead Marina just below the mouth of the River Avon, up the Bristol Channel, means it is particularly tidal but it does offer some interesting cruising opportunities an