Ian

Familiar territory but still found new paths on this walk from a 1991 (!) Country Walking Magazine route.

Lovely stile free walk. Start at the church (free car park) and head out on the Monarchs Way through Stoke Cross - almost to Stoke Pound (Extend if you want the pub!). Then to the Canal and back upwards along the Tardebigge flight of locks. You can beat the boaters in time by at least 90%. If you are really lucky, someone may have left a lock open and you can hear them swear. See - https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/03/310326-tardebigge-circuit.html

A green space walk in the city - where 3 parks can be joined with only minimal road walking. Kings Heath (traditional), Highbury (wild) and Cannon Hill (plenty to discover and a cafe). Walk ending at a CAMRA Heritage Pub - The Highbury - on the outskirts of Stirchley. See - https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/03/300326-three-parks-and-highbury.html

A trail of 24 Geocaches were laid in March 2026. Very nice walking, with extensive views to Malvern and some ancient green lanes.

A linear walk (with a good bus route for return) between Kidderminster and Shatterford. Refreshments (pub x2, cafe) at Wolverley before quiet road walking. Across agricultural land to Castle Hill and down through the fringes of the Wyre Forest for the bus/pub tactical end. You might bump into Robert Plant at the Bellamans Cross. They have Bathams permanently on. He likes a Bathams. See - https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/03/250326-bellmans-cross-shatterford.html

Looked a decent enough walk - on my elderly OS Map. The majority of the route is on the "Allendale Ramble" - a rare instance of a discontinued Long Distance Path. It is no longer on the latest OS Maps or marked on the ground with markers. The paths are still there - but there are plenty of dog unfriendly stiles and a nasty section along the A595, where at least there is a grass verge. Isel Hall - a fortified homestead dating from Norman times - is the highlight. Cockermouth might be - if you time it when the pubs are open. Monday afternoon is not a good time for Good Beer Guide Ticking - of which there are three entries in 2026. See - https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/03/230326-cockermouth.html

There is an easy chance to grab two Wainwrights on this straightforward walk from Braithwaite. Stile End is distinctive and steep but doesnt make the tick list. Outerside requires a drop down and climb, which I could not convince the ladies in my life to make. They said "the view will be exactly the same as from here". They had no choice with Barrow - which TBF, is an easier climb. The route delivers you into Braithwaite - with a choice of 2 boozers and one shop. The Coledale Inn would be my pick. See - https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/03/220326-stile-end-and-barrow-from.html

Needed a route to get from where we are staying, to where they sell Fell Brewery Tinderbox. Komoot provided, but can you tell where the stepping stones had disappeared?

Ha - a route from Country Walking Magazine, from a time when they wanted to kill their readers. This is a lovely walk - until the ascent of Mellbreak itself. In 2015, there was a feint path up the western side. My suspicions were aroused by how arrow straight it was. Of course, in reality, there was nothing there. We made a zig-zag trail up the steep flank. Views and a Wainwright Tick available once at the top. I leave you to decide if it was worth it. The return, along the Western side of Crummock Water is as good as walking gets. It's jawdropping. And the pub is a wonder. Don't miss the Loweswater Gold. See - https://mappiman.blogspot.com/2026/03/200326-kirkstile-inn.html