to think it's next to impossible to have days out in this country

[penelopeplums]

I looked on the OS map and found a lake not far from here, not close enough to walk to but close enough to drive to. 2 parking spaces according to the trust who own it so we set off. When we got there both parking spaces were at the end of a single track lane with two gates both with signs saying no parking. There were three stiles, none marked public footpath and one blocked off with barbed wire.

Never mind, we decided to go to some wildflower meadows that we'd found the details of. We got there expecting to park on the road as the website said it was possible. We did indeed park on the road but there was no indication whatsoever where these wildflower meadows were despite the details we found online (again from the owners) saying there was a public footpath along the edge of the meadows. We put the location on on my phone and sure enough we were in the right place.

Never mind again. Lets go to a water park where their web site says there is parking and lake side walks which allow social distancing. There are apparently plenty of activities for families to do even when social distancing is an issue - hiring rowing boats, kayaks etc. We get there and it's a private mobile home site as well and there is no public parking available as it's all being used for the mobile home site and parking is not allowed on the adjacent road as it's a narrow country lane.

All we wanted was to be able to go for a walk somewhere without spending a fortune but ended up driving round for three hours and not being able to do any of the things we had hoped to do.

Actually I disagree. Have just spent a week on holiday in this country. Two of those days were planned days out to “attractions” the other 5 were local walks, parks and beaches. Literally drove somewhere, parked in a car park or on the street and went for a walk. Was not THAT hard. Just go for it, you’ll find somewhere.

Google maps is useless for stuff like this. You need Ordnance Survey Explorer maps (the orange ones) or the OS app. I hike all over the home counties and these are what I use. I don't drive so I get to places by public transport, but I can't think of many place where there is no parking. Whereabouts are you OP?

If you're interested in exploring the region that you live in and are happy to walk a bit , I'd suggest a trip to your local bookshop. In mine I found two different books, written by local people - both covering various circular walking routes of different lengths. They use public footpaths, so should be read in conjunction with a map, identify places where you can park at the start, and tend to point out interesting sights along the way, and pubs where you can stop for a lunch. Local Tourist information offices sometimes have local walking routes as well, or even local councils. Some of the walks are as short as 3-4 miles, so you don't have to be a really fit walker!

@JammyHands what walks do you recommend? I've used the TimeOut guide and the Saturday walker's club website but as another non-driver (based in London), I am always looking for not-too-long walks (with pubs!) to drag take the teenagers on!

Squirrel what about the Thames Path. Runs all the way from Hampton Court to Dartford. I like the part from the Tower to Canary Wharf. Lots of interesting things to see, and pubs!

TfL has a selection of walking routes and as pp said, individual boroughs often have their own.

I’m SE and don’t have major issues with traffic , it’s just a case of being sensible ie not going near the coast on hot days because that’s where the majority of people will head .

I'm sorry you had such bad luck but I don't agree that it's difficult to have a country day out. I think you were just unlucky. Next time search you local Wildlife Trust website. Our county has at least two dozen sites managed by them with easy parking and lovely walks. Also, local County Parks have similar sites. Just a book of child friendly walks in your county will provide plenty of easy walk ideas. And if that doesn't tickle your fancy, learn to read an OS Map! I can't think of anywhere in our countryside where you can't walk for miles across footpaths- we are lucky to have so many. Best of luck next time 🙂

@GreyGardens88

Do better research next time

Helpful...NOT! What would you suggest?

We looked at the OS map, we looked at the website for where we wanted to go which clearly stated car parking, that there were public footpaths (seen on the map) and took the OS maps app with us on my phone as well (with a paid for subscription so we have the relevant maps for the area)

The parking had signs saying 'no parking', the public footpaths were not signposted and all in all it was wasted time and petrol.

Re going by train yes, we sometimes do but not when we are going is a small country walk 20 miles from a train station.

Public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways etc.) are marked on OS maps. Were there any marked on the map?

Yes, we checked first. All our choices were based on public rights of way. We had an OS maps app with us. We are used to the small wooden signs with a discreet yellow arrow or a yellow arrow on a fence post/edge of the stile but there was nothing. We weren't going to risk going through private land at the moment.

The three places we tried were (without giving too much detail) a wild flower meadow owned by a local wild life trust, a water park owned by a private company and another walk on a different wild life trust piece of land.

We're in Herefordshire.

You will have no difficulty once most children are back at school. It will never be as easy as you would like if you are in school holidays.

Op, two parking spaces is nowhere near enough for a good walk!

Where do you usually go on days out? In lockdown we have found dozens of new walks, with plenty of parking, and some within walking distance of home.

It's not hard to find somewhere nice and quiet. Granted, the South East is busy, but...

Are you a member of your local Wildlife Trust? They have dozens of reserves that are usually pretty quiet.

What about local country parks?

Do you have an OS map of your area? Shows you all the footpaths, so you can plan walks and parking.

Or google 'walks near x' and you'll see a whole lot listed. Choose ones that start in a village for more parking.

If paths are public right of way, landowners cannot close them, so you can report any that are closed.

It can be hard finding parking for footpaths you find off main roads, but looking at an OS map to find various points to access the path should work.

Sorry, op, didn't see your later message about wildlife trusts. The info on them can be dodgy and reserves can be hard to find, especially less popular ones. Sounds like you were unlucky...

@august11

You will have no difficulty once most children are back at school. It will never be as easy as you would like if you are in school holidays.

Unfortunately I'll be back in school then !

The car parking spaces at the two places (not the water park) were empty, just one was no longer parking as all the field gates (not unreasonably) said no parking in front of the gates and the other had no public footpath signs. It wasn't that there were no free spaces except the water park.

I don't understand why you are looking for signposts when you've got an OS map? the unsignposted footpaths are the ones that will be quiet, surely? The OS map marked footpaths are rights of way, whatever any signs may say.

With so many people not in work, yes, all the 'usual' places are heaving. But using OS maps to get off the beaten track is the way to go. If you have a map, you can also park anywhere convenient in the surrounding area and walk to wherever you want to start the walk - or find a lesser known path that cuts into it.

It's by no means unusual to not be able to park at a popular pathway. But I can't imagine just turning around and going home, when you can look at the map and find somewhere likely to park and walk back??

Why did you not do the flower meadow walk? Just follow the OS walk you had planned?

Or weren’t there enough flowers for your liking?

@Pikachubaby

Why did you not do the flower meadow walk? Just follow the OS walk you had planned?

Or weren’t there enough flowers for your liking?

Because, as already explained up thread, there were two parking spaces (both empty) but they were in front of a gate and to the right of a gate with a big sign hanging from it saying NO PARKING. This despite the wildlife trust website clearly stating that there were two parking spaces. I have no idea if there were enough flowers since we weren't able to go to the meadow.

@ChristmasFluff

I don't understand why you are looking for signposts when you've got an OS map? the unsignposted footpaths are the ones that will be quiet, surely? The OS map marked footpaths are rights of way, whatever any signs may say.

With so many people not in work, yes, all the 'usual' places are heaving. But using OS maps to get off the beaten track is the way to go. If you have a map, you can also park anywhere convenient in the surrounding area and walk to wherever you want to start the walk - or find a lesser known path that cuts into it.

It's by no means unusual to not be able to park at a popular pathway. But I can't imagine just turning around and going home, when you can look at the map and find somewhere likely to park and walk back??

As I said, there was nowhere to park as the two available parking spaces were not placs you were allowed to park. It was at the end of a narrow country lane which I'd have blocked if I parked anywhere on it.

I think you just had bad luck.

I live in Cumbria and there are loads of places to park up for free and go for a walk or a day out.

Sounds like bad luck

OS books of walks (green ones) are fab, even if you don't want to do the walk they tell you where you can park etc.

Or just fork out for National Trust membership - then you'll always have somewhere nice to go

That's a shame Op, but yes I don't get the flower bit. The lake had two spaces, the flower bit reads like you were parked, in the right place, found it, but didn't go.

Never mind, we decided to go to some wildflower meadows that we'd found the details of. We got there expecting to park on the road as the website said it was possible. We did indeed park on the road but there was no indication whatsoever where these wildflower meadows were despite the details we found online (again from the owners) saying there was a public footpath along the edge of the meadows. We put the location on on my phone and sure enough we were in the right place.

None of this is my experience but I’m on the Northumberland border so perhaps it’s location specific.

I'm in the overcrowded south-east and there are loads of places you can park up and go for a walk. And lots of places where you can go for a walk and hardly see a soul, especially if you avoid the South Downs Way.

This is my experience of some wildlife trust sites. The smaller reserves are designed for nature not visitors. It takes a bit of planning walking near us too.

I understand to a point. A couple of weeks ago, I drove to a local woodland trust place, which has a small car park. It's off a busy 60mph single carriageway road, with no pavement. There was a sign saying woods open, car park closed. The back and sides of this wood are private fields so I have no idea how they expect anyone to get there!

I also know of a local NT place that advises parking opposite the entrance, in a village hall car park, but when you actually get there there is a sign saying Hall users only.

I think YABU. I go on lots of days out and I’d never go anywhere where there were only 2 parking spaces.
It’s not worth taking the risk.
I use the car park as the navigation destination because it’s always that which causes the most stress.
I’m in the southeast too and just in the last couple of weeks we’ve done the beach, forest walks and country parks. No problems with parking or traffic.

Herefordshire? Are the canoe place near the Bunch of Carrots working?
Park by the old fashioned sweetshop in Hereford town and walk along the river Wye, or on the Castle hotel road and walk over the iron bridge and along.
Go to Breinton and park by the orchard/Church (free) and walk along the Wye.
Go to the Brecon Beacons! Loads of parking spots, watch out for the sheep!