Hidden Gems of the UK Lowlands: Explore More
At RAW Adventures, we love a peak, and the Welsh uplands are where we are happiest. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the Lowlands now and again. While the UK has some truly spectacular mountainous regions, much of England (not so much Scotland and Wales) is relatively low-level.
Lowland areas are excellent places to hone your walking and expedition skills so you are ready to apply them in mountain environments later. It’s why our Lowland Leader courses are the first step on the path to becoming a qualified Mountain Leader and taking charge of expeditions that culminate in successful summit climbs. Of course, lowland landscapes are also often incredibly beautiful, biodiverse, and culturally and historically fascinating. With this in mind, we wanted to create a quick guide to five of our favourite lowland gems and explore what makes them such great places to explore on foot.
1. Anglesey, North Wales
Though the RAW team spends much of our time at a slightly higher elevation, we absolutely love the North Walian coast. We particularly love Anglesey, where beautiful coastal walking routes expose you to diverse landscapes and wildlife, as well as fascinating history and mythology. The Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path is a great way to explore the island, as it covers approximately 95% of its coast and runs for 200 km.
A nature lover’s paradise, Anglesey offers opportunities to see puffins and other rare seabirds, as well as marine animals like bottlenose dolphins, grey seals and porpoises. It’s also home to one of the last red squirrel populations in the UK. History-wise, Anglesey is known for its ancient connection to Britain’s druidic past and as a centre of Celtic resistance to Roman invasion. All of this makes crossing the Menai Strait feel like a real adventure.
2. The New Forest, Hampshire
Famous for its free-roaming horses, Shetland ponies and Highland cattle, the New Forest is one of the most spectacular regions on the south coast. Predominantly flat, the area is home to ancient woodland, expansive heathland and picturesque villages. It also butts up against the Solent, guaranteeing access to some excellent beaches and coastal walks. While the New Forest gets busy in the summer, it’s large enough that you can easily escape and quickly find quiet trails and forest roads away from the larger tourist hubs.
It’s also a pretty special place for history lovers. The coastal stretch between Calshot and Milford was once a haven for smugglers and remnants of that history remain in pub names and secret tunnels, while the village of Burley has a long association with witchcraft. Brockenhurst was home to Brusher Mills, the New Forest’s famous snake catcher, and Traveller communities have also played a significant role in Forest culture and history.
3. The Somerset Levels, England
With Devon to the south and the Wye Valley a little way north, walkers often overlook the Somerset Levels. However, this low-lying wetland area is packed with intriguing history and plenty of wildlife. The Avalon Marshes, in particular, are magical. Here, you’ll find remnants of some of the UK’s most ancient history in the form of the Post Track – a series of wooden plank walkways that date back to 3800 BC.
Of course, there is also a whole heap of Arthurian history and legend to enjoy, with the iconic town of Glastonbury playing a central role in the region’s claim to the much-fought-over king. However, if there’s one thing we really recommend catching, it’s the winter murmurations. The sight of thousands of starlings wheeling across the darkening sky is staggering.
4. The Fens, East Anglia
The Fens are one of the most unique lowland regions in the UK – an entirely flat area of reclaimed marshland given over to agriculture and crisscrossed with drainage channels and man-made waterways. Whereas the Norfolk Broads are all colourful pleasure boats and wide rivers, the Fens are stark and utilitarian, though no less spectacular. The night skies are among the darkest in the UK and the sunsets are out of this world.
The region is rich in medieval history and extraordinary wildlife and there are plenty of long-distance walking routes to explore. We suggest checking out Wicken Fen, one of the last remaining areas of undrained fenland if you’re into your birdwatching. Alternatively, the Ouse Washes, another wetland treasure and RSPB reserve, attracts thousands of migrating birds in winter and makes for a fascinating visit.
5. The Yorkshire Wolds, East Riding of Yorkshire
Finally, the Yorkshire Wolds are often overshadowed by the more dramatic beauty of the nearby Dales and Moors. But they offer visitors a wealth of scenic lowland walking opportunities. The rolling chalk hills are a unique landscape – particularly this far north in the UK – and have inspired many artists, most notably David Hockney.
If you’re looking for a long-distance walking route to enjoy, the Wolds Way is approximately 127 km long and encompasses charming villages, ancient woodlands, and historic sites like Wharram Percy, one of the best-preserved deserted medieval villages in England.
Explore the Lowlands with RAW Adventures
Of course, there are plenty of other lowland areas we would love to mention but just don’t have the space for. Northumberland’s Cheviot Foothills and Hadrian Wall trails are unforgettable, while the Wye Valley on the Welsh Borders has inspired some of this isle’s most famous poets and stoked the fires of the Industrial Revolution. The UK doesn’t get much more beautiful than the lowlands around the Gower Peninsula or the beaches of Pembrokeshire, either. Wherever you look in the UK, there are lowland areas to explore and enjoy. We recommend taking the opportunity to do so whenever possible.
And what better way to start than by signing up for our Lowland Leader course and refining your group leadership abilities? From developing map reading skills and enhancing your decision-making abilities to learning how to communicate important information to those you are responsible for, our Lowland Leader course can prepare you for a career in the outdoor sector or simply enhance your enjoyment of the natural environment.
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