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When to go

Walking is a year-round activity, and need not be confined to the dry summer months, for there is as much beauty to be found in the countryside in the leafless months of winter as in vibrant spring and the golden days of autumn. As long as you’re properly attired, the weather is rarely so extreme as to keep the true country lover indoors, and some of our most enjoyable days spent researching the walks for this book took place in frost, wind and rain.

In springtime Mariners Hill is a carpet of bluebells (Walk 4)

What to take

Choose clothing and footwear suitable for the season, bearing in mind the changeable nature of Britain’s weather. No specialised equipment will be required for tackling these walks, but comfortable footwear is important. While shorts may be suitable for summer walking on most of these routes, do bear in mind that brambles and nettles often stray across infrequently used paths. Carry a pair of overtrousers (preferably with a generous zipped ankle-gusset to enable you to pull them on and off without first removing boots) to protect your legs from the discomfort of walking through high or wet vegetation. Whether trekking in the Alps, high Himalaya or the Kent countryside, I recommend a lightweight, collapsible umbrella for those times when you’re caught out by the rain. Not only will it keep you dry, it can help protect the top of your rucksack from getting wet, and will be indispensable for walkers who wear glasses.