Gatton Park in Surrey is one of the country’s most picturesque locations and a wonderful place for walking enthusiasts to enjoy a taste of the countryside, it has been claimed.

The area, which is the Daily Telegraph’s walking route of the week, was designed by the famous landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown and features horse chestnut trees and other shrubbery.

Marc Russell, a warden at Gatton Park, told the newspaper that walking enthusiasts need to bring a camera with them to capture some of the magnificent views.

“Even if the wildlife does not offer itself up for a photo opportunity, once you enter the park you are enclosed in a little oasis of photogenic English countryside,” he added.

Mr Russell said that one of the highlights of the park is to be found at the section which crosses the end of the Hop garden pond, offering wonderful views of the lake and other attractions.

Gatton Park features a Japanese Garden constructed at the request of Sir Jeremiah Colman, as well as a rock and water garden.

Discussions are taking place over a plan to develop a new long-distance walking route on Scotland’s far north coastline.

Dunnet Head Centre and Educational Trust has suggested that the 114-mile stretch between John o’ Groats and Cape Wrath be linked by a new walking path called the North Highland Way.

The organisation is seeking assistance from a number of public agencies to support the initiative, which Tina Irving, the trust’s secretary, said would be a welcome addition to the country’s walking routes.

“I’m sure it would be very popular. People are always looking for somewhere different to walk and this would be a spectacular route. They love this kind of thing, getting out into the real, wild Scotland. It would be fantastic,” she told the Scotsman.

The country is home to a number of walking routes popular with walkers and hiking fans alike, including Rob Roy Way, Fife Coastal Path and Southern Upland Way.

A more appropriate name for the Lake District would be “the mountain district” thanks to the fantastic array of walking routes the area has to offer, it has been claimed.

Ian Hawkins, domestic market manager at Tourism Cumbria, stated that while Lake Windermere is the most famous part of the landscape, the hills and mountains provide ample walking and hiking opportunities for those who enjoy walking more than sailing.

Mr Hawkins said that he himself spends little time on the water and prefers instead to explore the myriad of walking routes, adding that they are what make the region such a special place to visit.

“It’s about getting out, mountain biking, hill walking, ghyll scrambling and those kind of things. That’s the Lake District for me, it’s about the walking, hiking and outdoor activities,” he stated.

More than eight million people enjoy the Lake District’s walking routes each year, according to the Lake District National Park Authority.

With hills blanketed in every shade of green and waterfalls tumbling from the mountains, the Lake District is a jewel in the UK’s crown and a favourite with walking and hiking fans everywhere.

Home to Lake Windermere, which at 10.5 miles is the longest in the county, the Lake District is perhaps the most striking example of the country’s natural beauty.

Lovely lakes

Water is what the area is best known for, with 16 lakes of different shapes and sizes emphasising the majesty of the terrain.

Lake Windermere is perhaps the most famous expanse of water in the region.

Drawing thousands of visitors every year, it offers something for everyone, including water sports for the adventurous, a wonderful scene for artists to capture and the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely cruise.

In fact, cruises are one of the most popular activities to take place on the lake, with trips ranging from 45 minutes to three hours.

While Lake Windermere holds the title of the country’s longest lake, it is not regarded as the most scenic.

That accolade belongs to Wastwater, which lies at the foot of England’s highest mountain –Scafell Pike.

It has been voted Britain’s Favourite View, with the roads alongside it offering breathtaking sights of the surrounding mountains, of which there are plenty.

Majestic mountains

The aforementioned Scafell Pike is the most famous.

At 978m tall, it is considered the most challenging mountain to climb in the UK, however, reaching the top is worth it for the spectacular views of Langdale Pikes and Wastwater it provides.

Blencathra is another of the region’s most-renowned peaks, with Sharp Edhe widely regarded as one of the most difficult of all ridges in the mountaineering world.

Get back to nature

While many come to the Lake District to scale the mountains and boat on the lakes, just as many come with their paintbrushes and pastels to capture the area’s natural beauty on paper.

There are several sites which are popular with artists, including the Packhorse bridge at Wasdale Head, Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick and Yew Tree Yarn near Consiton.

The various private and public gardens are also popular spots with visitors.

Brantwood garden, set in a 250-acre wood estate with spectacular views, is one of the most impressive and is considered a paradise for hill walkers.

Holker Hall, home of Lady and Lord Cavendish, is another green expanse open to visitors, who can enjoy its flowers, terraces and walking routes.

While the natural environment is the major factor which attracts visitors to the Lake District, it is not all the region has to offer.

Explore the area

Dotted around the countryside are quaint villages boasting white cottages and country inns serving the finest pub food.

The George and Dragon in Penrith is one place where visitors can sit down to a hearty meal.

This beautiful country estate pub serves seasonal produce from the nearby Lowther estate, with organically-reared chicken, beef and lamb all served with fresh vegetables.

Another watering hole popular with visitors is the award-winning Tweedies Bar in Grasmere, with a rich and varied menu and quaint surroundings making this a favourite place to enjoy a relaxing pint.

Rest and relaxation

With so much to see and do, it is unlikely that visitors will see all they need to in one day.

Thankfully, there a number of places to stay, from the four-star Low Wood Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere to the iconic Midland Hotel, which was a favourite of Coco Chanel and Lawrence Olivier.

Others choose to enjoy the great outdoors 24/7 and decide to camp, with various sites and lodges dotted around the countryside.

The Lake District has something to offer everyone, with its rugged terrain just waiting to be explored.

With such variation in the terrain, it is essential that walkers bring the correct walking or hiking boots with them and invest in a map for peace of mind.

Follow these tips and prepare for a truly wonderful walking holiday.

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland is urging people in the country to take part in the annual Walk in the Park in Newtownabbey.

The charity stated that the event – which takes place in Hazelbank Park on May 22nd – is a great chance for people to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, with plenty of walking routes to enjoy, the Newtownabbey Times reported.

There are routes available for pushchairs and wheelchairs, giving everybody the chance to sample the natural beauty the area has to offer.

Jennie McGivern, national fundraising manager at the charity, told the newspaper that walking is a very effective way of maintaining one’s health.

“Living a healthy lifestyle is important for good diabetes control and walking is a great way to become more active and help to prevent Type 2 diabetes. I would urge anyone who is available on the day to come and join us,” she added.

Hazelbank Park offers some of the best shoreline walks and cycle paths around Belfast Lough, according to Discover Northern Ireland.

A sustainable transport charity is urging people in Edinburgh to take part in a clean-up day to improve walking and cycling route in the city.

Sustrans has organised a spring clean of Route One of the National Cycle Network on March 28th and is encouraging local people to get involved with the operation.

The volunteers will remove litter and debris from the route, which is very popular with both walking fans and cyclists and runs from Dover to the Shetlands, making it an important part of the Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge.

James Hatfield, one of the Sustrans volunteers who organised the event, said the popularity of the route means it needs to be kept in good condition.

"2010 is a special year as it marks 15 years of the National Cycle Network, which now covers more than 12,000 miles across the UK, so there couldn’t be a better time to clean up the route and help make walking and cycling here a more pleasant experience," he added.

The National Cycle Network is made up of more than 12,000 miles of traffic-free walking and cycling routes.