Nature Escapes – Page 2 – The Rambling Nelipot

England, Staffordshire’s Peak District, Dovedale walk: Renyard’s Cave, Dove Holes, Stepping Stones, and Rock Formations

Post published:October 16, 2023
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Dovedale is a mix of limestone pinnacles, caves and natural arches. Through its heart flows the clear waters of the River Dove. A beautiful walk that allows for varied detours depending on your fitness level. The Dovedale Circular Walk begins from Dovedale car park. From there, turn right onto a tarmac road and follow the River Dove upstream to a large set of stepping stones (53°03'33.4"N…

England, Lincolnshire: Hubbard’s Hills

Post published:September 12, 2023
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Hubbard's Hills lie directly west of Louth. A unique glacial overspill channel formed as a result of the last ice age, over 40,000 years ago. Walking from one end to the other can be done in 15 minutes, or you can stop along the way to soak in the surroundings. There are car parks at both ends, one paid with a cafe and toilets (53°21'40.2"N 0°01'25.7"W),…

England, Lincolnshire: Hartsholme Country Park

Post published:September 12, 2023
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Hartsholme Country Park stretches over 200 acres, where visitors can enjoy Victorian landscaped gardens, a large reservoir, woodlands and grasslands, and wildlife watching. Even on a grey, rainy day, it's a peaceful place to wander. There is parking on site (53°12'55.5"N 0°34'55.6"W) with direct access to the grounds.

England, Northamptonshire, Corby: Wakerley Great Wood

Post published:September 7, 2023
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Northamptonshire is scattered with plenty of woodlands and pathways for walkers to explore, and Wakerley Great Wood (one of the oldest forests in England) is no exception. The wood, near Corby, is a part of the ancient Rockingham Forest, which used to spread right from Stamford down to Northampton, and is one of the forest's largest remnants. Now looked after by Forestry England, there are plenty of…

England, Cheshunt: River Lee Country Park

Post published:February 1, 2023
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This 1,000-acre Country Park stretches down either side of the River Lee between Waltham Abbey (Essex) and Broxbourne (Hertfordshire) and has been transformed from old gravel pits. One of the best examples of semi-natural floodplain grassland remaining in Lee Valley Regional Park. Its mosaic of rivers, ditches and pools makes it a fantastic place to see a variety of wildlife throughout the year. Try and find…

Wales, Neath: Y Cwm (Longford Falls)

Post published:July 27, 2022
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It's rare for me not to be happy with a waterfall, of any size.. but this one just didn't do it for me. Perhaps it was the smell of sewerage that put me off, perhaps the grey weather didn't help my mood, but I didn't feel any sense of satisfaction from our short stop here. To visit, we parked on Longford Road (51°40'18.2"N 3°49'46.1"W), just across…

Wales, Gower Peninsula: Oxwich Bay

Post published:July 26, 2022
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Oxwich Bay has plenty of sand, sea and space for everyone, even on the hottest Summer day. The beach is popular with paddlers, bathers, high-speed boats, and jet skis alike, as the car park is directly on the beach front. Across the road from the car park is an entrance to the Oxwich Coastal Path, a lovely walk in the shady trees on a hot day.…

Wales, Gower Peninsula: Rhossili Bay

Post published:July 25, 2022
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Rhossili Beach was Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It offers a three-mile stretch of clean, golden sands backed by dunes and the beautiful Rhossili Downs. Walk along the shoreline, listening to the Atlantic waves crashing onto the sand. At the southwestern end of the beach is Worm’s Head, a tidal island. At low tide, a long, narrow causeway is exposed - but check tidal tables…

Wales, Glamorgan, Bridgend: Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes

Post published:July 22, 2022
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Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The largest dune at the site is known as The Big Dipper and is the second-largest of its kind in Europe, measuring around 200 feet (61 m). We may not have encountered the Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes, on the edge of the Merthyr Mawr Warren, if we weren't visiting the ruins of Candleston Castle - but in fact, they may…

Wales, Brecon: River Usk

Post published:July 22, 2022
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The river is a pretty place to walk along, whether in town, on the outskirts, or a little further downstream. We were also able to see it from a different perspective when offered to do some paddleboarding.

England, Norfolk: Thetford Forest

Post published:November 13, 2021
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Thetford Forest is the UK’s largest man-made lowland forest. It was created after the First World War to provide a strategic reserve of timber, since the country had lost so many oaks and other slow-growing trees as a consequence of the war's demands. The creation of the forest replaced much of the typical Breckland environment of gorse and sandy ridges, ending the frequent problem of sand blows. I visited in early winter, and…

England, Sussex: Sutton Heath

Post published:May 23, 2021
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Another quick unplanned stop today. I bet this place is beautiful when the heather's all in bloom. Still, it provided a nice little wander. To get here there are two car parks, Sutton Heath Woodland parking (52°04'54.6"N 1°22'46.1"E) and Sutton Heath Picnic Area and Car Park (52°04'41.8"N 1°21'51.6"E)