The Pennine Way is celebrating its 50th birthday and to celebrate BBC2 is featuring the trail on four nights next week.
Explorer Paul Rose follows the trail’s 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire through the Yorkshire Dales and Teesdale to the Scottish Borders – a challenging route which would take at least two weeks hard walking if tackled in one go.
Break the Pennine Way, like the BBC has, into four parts and it’s easy to enjoy scenic walks by day and return to a comfy holiday home at night, according to Sykes Cottages.
Marketing manager Tom Lowes says: “The Pennine Way crosses Britain’s most spectacular, but rugged countryside. Break it into manageable sections and you’ve got four relaxing holidays and a real sense of achievement.”
For example, 10 minutes’ walk from the start of the Pennine Way in Edale, Midfeather Cottage is one of two 17th century barn conversions on a working farm. This is a perfect base from which to tackle Bleaklow Head, Black Hill and Blackstone Edge. A week from £379.
Beech House in Gargrave has an attractive courtyard in which to enjoy a drink after a day in the Calder Valley, at Malham Cove or walking Great Shunner Fell. A week from £410.
From Wellhope View Cottage in Alston, walkers can scramble up Cauldron Snout and follow the river through Teesdale up onto the high fells. This simple barn conversion offers views over the Nent Valley and immediate access to the moors. From £282 for a week.
And for the final section of the Pennine Way, The Stables at Bellingham is a comfortable base with a farmhouse feel. From here walkers can reach Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots to journey’s end at Kirk Yetholm. A week from £480.
See Sykes Cottages
The Pennine Way is on four consecutive nights next week (Monday 27, Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday July 30, BBC2 7.30pm).
