8. Osterley Park circular walk
Location: Middlesex, London
Distance: 4.5 miles / Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Leisurely
Parking: Osterley Park National Trust car park, TW7 4RB - Charges apply
Swans and their cygnets
Osterley Park is a wonderful place to visit during spring and you'll be sure to walk beside beautiful bluebells and spot colourful spring flowers such as primroses. This leisurely route takes you through the estate and on to the Grand Union Canal which is another great spot in springtime. Here, you'll find an abundance of birds returning from their migration and flourishing flora and fauna by the water's edge.
You'll then loop back around to Osterley Park where you have a chance to admire the house up close. Please check opening times if you wish to visit the National Trust property. Not only does this route showcase the best of spring, it has quite a history dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Learn about the history of this charming spring walk within the route description on OS Maps.
Recommended by Helen Newman from the OS team. Follow Helen on Instagram.
9. Fountains Abbey circular walk
Location: Ripon, Yorks and Humber
Distance: 8.7 miles / Time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Fountains Abbey National Trust car park, HG4 3DY - charges may apply
This is a walk of great variety, especially in spring. On this route you'll roam over secluded dales, farmland and forest bordering the site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park, a National Trust location and World Heritage site. Here you can explore the atmospheric abbey ruins and learn more about the history that surrounds this area. Look out for bluebells and daffodils on your walk, especially as you enter the very aptly named 'Spring Wood' (there's two on this route!)
Recommended by Helen Newman from the OS team. Follow Helen on Instagram.
10. Embleton Coastal walk
Location: Embleton, Northumberland
Distance: 9.9 miles / Time: 3.5 hours - can easily be made shorter or longer
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Parking: Lower Newton pay and display, NE66 3EW - charges may apply
Alnmouth Beach in spring
The golden sands of Embleton Beach are a pleasent sight at any time of year, but in spring the dunes behind the beach are home to an abundance of wildlife and are a haven for wildflowers. Here you'll find cowslips, burnet roses and bloody cranesbill but there's no denying the bluebells are the stars of the show. This coastal day walk from Embleton to Alnmouth will certainly give you a big breath of fresh spring air. There are some ups and downs along the route but what's great about this walk is that you can stop and turn around at any time. Make it your mission to reach Dunstanburgh Castle at least, it's just over a mile down the coast and well worth a look.
Recommended by Helen Newman from the OS team. Follow Helen on Instagram.
We hope these routes have fuelled your excitement for upcoming spring adventures. It really is a truly wonderful time of year to get outside!
Remember to take care of the great outdoors and follow the Countryside Code at all times.