There are so many wonderful things about Britain, and often they are best discovered on foot – so it’s no surprise that searches for ‘city walks’ have increased +84% over the past year¹. So, with a ‘mini-heatwave’ on the horizon, where are the best UK city walks to enjoy a weekend stroll?
To save Brits the Google searches and TikTok browsing, Village Hotels have revealed the UK’s best city walks reachable from the UK’s urban sprawls, where you can hop off the train and lace up your trainers ready for exploration mode.
This follows Village’s recent large-scale report which ranked Glasgow as the UK’s greatest weekend break, based on factors such as sports tourism, outdoor leisure, food and drink, shopping and arts and culture – Sheffield was revealed as the best break for outdoor recreation overall.
- Meanwood Valley Trail, Leeds
Leeds is incredibly underrated when it comes to how scenic some of the city’s walks are, but you don’t need to head too far into the suburbs to find them. The Meanwood Valley Trail starts just off Woodhouse Moor, just near the Uni, and takes you a leisurely seven miles to the outskirts of Leeds past village greens, ponds and nature areas.
At the halfway point, the trail takes you through the enchanting Meanwood Park and ruins of Victorian aqueducts. The route then follows the Adel Beck through canopied paths until it reaches Golden Acre Park where you can find stunning lakes, ponds and a cafe. Make sure you stop off at a pint along the way – the Myrtle Tavern comes highly recommended by locals.
- Norwich Bridges And Churches Trail, Norwich
From ancient historical building, industrial heritage, and modern architecture, the Norwich Bridges and Churches Trail has it all! At just 4.5 miles, this loop trail is suitable for everyone from the seasoned hikers in your party, to those that barely use their two feet. It’s in the name but you’ll come across some historic bridges as you follow the banks of the River Wensum – the oldest dating back to around 1340 and the newest having only been built in 2012.
The return leg takes you through the centre of the ancient city itself, and you’ll have glimpses of the old city walls, the castle and the various churches – all while getting your steps in.
- Glasgow Cathedral To Necropolis, Glasgow
As the UK’s best weekend break, Glasgow has so much to offer whether taking a stroll through the Kelvingrove or checking out some of the city’s best eateries. That’s why The Glasgow Cathedral To Necropolis Walk is the perfect walking trail for those that want to cram in everything over their short break – and it helps that the views are some of the best in the city.
At just 1.8km this circular trail, takes an average of 30 minutes to complete, and peeping out among the walk’s Victorian cemetery, you might even find roe deer, finches, and kestrels. Make sure to take a mid-walk snap at the top.
- Swansea Bay To The Mumbles, Swansea
Wales’s waterside city, Swansea, is known not only for its buzzing nightlife, but it’s beautiful coastal views – and just a short way away beyond the buzz of the city is the lush Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first Area Of Natural Beauty. When it comes to walks, the 14.3km Swansea Bay to Mumbles route, showcases Swansea in all it’s glory, as it leads you to The Mumbles which marks the beginning of the Gower Peninsula’s coastline.
Oystermouth Castle which you’ll find along the way is also well worth a visit, sitting on a hilltop with fabulous views overlooking the sea. If you’re feeling peckish, no visit to Mumbles would be complete without sampling some of the areas local, “fresh off the boat”, seafood.
- Sheffield Round Walk, Sheffield
For those that love the great outdoors but still want the excitement the city has to offer Sheffield is the place to be – in fact, a third of the city is connected to the Peak District National Park. If you’re planning to make a day out of it, the 15-mile Sheffield Round Walk is a fantastic way to see some of the city’s best-loved sights, from Beauchief Abbey to the absolutely charming Mayfield Alpacas.
As you lead your exploration out of the city, past the weekend revelers, you’ll find yourself wandering through parkland and woodland, to reach the countryside circled with rivers and streams. The walk starts and ends at Endcliffe Park and can be completed fully in around 7 hours making it perfect for the city slickers and wildlife spotters in your pack.
Commenting on the study a spokesperson at Village Hotels said, “The weekend is where most of us let of some steam after the buzz of the working week – so it’s a great opportunity to take a well-needed break. For many Brits, rest and relaxation comes in the form of taking a leisurely walk, whether that’s checking out the urban landscape or the countryside.”
“We wanted to put together a comprehensive list of the best weekend breaks, to suit everyone in your group. We hope our research has inspired people to take a weekend break across the UK in the coming few months!”
You can find full information about the Great British Weekender research, including a break down by activity type on the Village Hotels site: https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/explore/great-british-weekender-weekend-breaks
Go on, make it a long weekend – start it early or end it late with a Friday or Sunday night stay from just £69 with our weekend break deal – including £30 to spend in our Pub & Grill!
