Three of England's most popular national parks, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Peak District can all be found in North-West England.

The beautiful Lake District
For many, the Lake District is England's premier walking area and with high mountains, idyllic lakes and picture-postcard villages it is not hard to see its attraction. Made famous the world over by writers such as William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ramsome, the area's charm remains undiminished. With a breathtaking lakeside location, Derwentwater in the Northern Lake District enjoys outstanding views and an excellent range of walks. Equally attractive is Conistonwater in the Southern Lake District where you can stay in romantic Country House accommodation, owned by the National Trust, while enjoying a guided Classic Walking holiday. With a wide range of walks the Lake District is suitable for all types of walker. For keen mountain walkers summits such as Helvellyn, Great Gable and the Langdale Pikes are the main draw and could include Scafell Pike, England's highest peak. Alternatively the green valleys, and lakeside paths allow walkers of abilities to discover what makes the area so special. Another option are the two long distance trails, the Cumbria Way and the Furness Way, which enjoy beautiful scenery throughout.

Walking through the Dales
Spanning the gap between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales are the Howgill Fells, a peaceful and much under-rated upland area with miles of unspoilt grassy ridges and an air of peace and solitude. At their foot lies the small market town of Sedbergh another base for our guided Classic Walking holidays. Now part of the modern county of Cumbria, Sedbergh sits in the north-west corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Walks here take in the Howgills and local valleys as well as Wensleydale, famous for its white crumbly cheese and the basis of the Herriot Way and A Dales Walk guided trails. Whichever holiday you choose, a deeper exploration of the area's hills and dales rewards you with unparalleled views of this hidden corner of England.

The Yorkshire Dales contains the quintessential landscape of northern England. Here high moorland fells, such as Ingleborough and Pen y Gent with their weather-beaten limestone pavements, gaze down on a patchwork of green fields and handsome stone villages. In the south of the national park is Malhamdale, situated just a few miles from Malham Cove, one of the area's geological masterpieces. Here you can stay at Newfield Hall, our grandest Country House accommodation, whilst enjoying a guided Classic Walking holiday. Whilst staying here you could also walk the Dales Way, the area's most famous long distance trail, which is also available as a self-guided holiday.

Limestone scenery of the Derbyshire Dales
The Peak District lies in the heart of England, within easy reach of the cities of Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham. In reality its name is something of a misnomer because this is an area not of high mountain peaks, but of two wonderfully different landscapes that arise because of its unique geology. In the north are the moody gritstone moors whilst to the south the fabulous limestone landscape of the Derbyshire Dales forms a pastoral patchwork of stone walls. Through this scene, rivers have carved a series of impressive valleys, of which Dovedale, with its sheer walls, caves and rock spires is the most spectacular. You could discover this scenery on a guided Classic Walking holiday, or following the Limestone Way trail.

Walking from Coast to Coast
If you want to walk through a variety of different landscapes, and are prepared for a challenge, the 190 mile Coast to Coast walk ranks as one of Britain's top walks. Walking across northern England you'll pass through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. In fact, the route is so popular we offer it as a guided or self-guided holiday, either in one go or in more manageable east and west sections. If this is too much then the shorter Alternative Coast to Coast walk is also available as both a guided and self-guided holiday.