With the icy shackles of winter finally thrown off it’s the time of year many of us begin to make plans for the summer. It can be tempting to jump on a plane and book yourself in for two weeks of sun drenched debauchery next to a swimming pool somewhere in the Mediterranean- but figures have shown that an increasing number of Britons are staying on home turf for the holiday season. We may not have the greatest summer weather but we do have nature spots in contention for the most beautiful places on earth- far more appealing than a two-week alcohol and sunstroke binge on the Costa del Sick in our lofty opinion.

The South Downs is one such place. The site of some of pre-Britain’s earliest settlers, the South Downs have been attracting visitors for aeons with the land bearing remains dating as far back as the Neolithic era. Stretching across 160km of Britain’s South coast, the South Downs national park includes the instantly recognisable ‘white cliffs of Dover’ (well, Eastbourne) that were of such strategic and symbolic importance during World War Two.

History aside, the South Downs is simply one of the most beautiful places on the face of the Earth. Running from Winchester in the West to Eastbourne in the (can you guess?) East, the South Downs Way like the Pennine Way is up there with the most talked about footpaths in hiking lore. Along its path- well beaten by the intrepid footfall of innumerable centuries- the traveller walks the fault line twixt two fundamental English mythologies: ‘England’s mountains green’ on one side and the ‘White cliffs of Dover’ (or Eastbourne) on the other. Walking this path one feels transported from the humdrum world to an imagined England which, despite existing only in the mind, feels far more strange and wonderful than the most exotic holiday destinations.

If it’s sandy beaches you’re after look no further than the Pembrokeshire coast. Those of us who enjoyed a normal childhood will have already been to Tenby- but it would take an abnormal adult indeed to think Tenby is all Pembrokeshire has to offer. Popularly referred to as the Llosta Del Sol, the Pembrokeshire coast is a land of untold sun-drenched delights with myriad sandy beaches made all the more special for their relative obscurity. Take Saundersfoot Bay for example- on a sunny summer’s day its yellow sands, warmed by the Gulf Stream, could pass for a Costa Rican beach paradise- if it weren’t for the trademark hospitality of the locals you’d never know you were in Wales.

Voted one of the world’s best coastlines by National Geographic for its biodiversity and water quality there is plenty more than beaches to enjoy in Pembrokeshire. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a great way to experience Pembrokeshire to the fullest. Taking walkers past 70 prime bathing beaches and numerous Iron Age ruins there’s something for everyone and at almost 300km long it’s a route you can really get your teeth into.  For bikers there’s Pantmaenog forest which have recently been developed to allow greater cycle access. In this ancient forest noted for its protected population of buzzards, kestrels and red kites you’ll get jaw-dropping views of the Pembrokeshire countryside not to mention some of the best woodland riding in the UK.

It’s difficult to talk about the Welsh countryside without mentioning Snowdon. Towering at over a kilometre high, Snowdon is one of the tallest mountains in the UK and casts a long shadow across Wales and its tourism industry. Although it may look nice from the bottom, the going near the top of the mountain can be challenging and should put even the most experienced walkers through their paces. On a clear day, however, Snowdon offers vantage point on the UK in all its glory from Northern Ireland in the West to Flintshire in the East- with the right atmospheric conditions you can sometimes see as far as Scotland. But most of the time you can only see clouds. If you prefer somewhere a little more off the beaten track, Snowdonia National Park has many other less famous but no less challenging mountains to climb with Y Garn, Nantlle Ridge and Moelwyn Mawr offering great walking and staggering views.

A long-time favourite destination for the Loving Outdoors team is the isle of Arran just off the West coast of Scotland. Just a quick ferry ride from Glasgow, Arran is worlds apart from the cultured bustle of the city with unfettered natural beauty and a pervasive sense of mysticism making it a popular retreat for poets- including, once upon a time, Scotland’s Favourite Son the Ploughman poet Rabbie Burns, bard of Ayrshire. It’s easy to see how one could be moved to poetry by Arran- one merely has to put onto paper what one sees with ones eyes. The poem is already written in the lapping of crystalline lochs and the Neolithic tomb stones jutting forlornly from the stark heath land and is honked into the air by the playful seals of Whiting Bay- poetry too pure for pen and paper but that imprints itself indelibly on the soul for all eternity.

Similarly steeped in myth and mystery are The Glens of Antrim, just a short trip across the water from mainland Britain in Northern Ireland. They may not as well-known as Northern Ireland’s Jewel in the Crown, Giant’s Causeway but the nearby Nine Glens are home to some beautiful scenery which their designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has made official. In ancient times, the Antrim Glens were home to some of the most feared giants in Celtic folklore including the devious Finn McCool whose widely celebrated warrior-poet son Oisin is alleged to be buried there. Just a short leap from the Causeway, the Antrim Glens, charged with their sense of mythic wonderment are not just a treat for the eyes but also for the imagination. They might not be far away but visit the Antrim Glens and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world- a world that you never fully come back from.

Tim (LO Team)

Lagos & Luz are standout choices for their coastal trail routes, inland hills, local running track and the many scenic beaches to discover on your runs. There are also pancake flat roads for cycling, an outdoor olympic swimming pool, over 30 golf courses and countless tennis courts to keep you entertained.

The Algarve is truly a place for you to take your trainers and get some amazing runs in while having a proper holiday at the same time. Embrace Sports is a local running & triathlon holiday company that offers group & individual holidays all year around. Check out their website for more information on attending a running holiday in the Algarve www.embracesports.co.uk

1) Berlin: Tiergarten Park (Germany)

Location: The Park is situated in Berlin city centre, near the German Parliament, Reichstag (parliament district of Berlin). There is 23 km (14 miles) of pathways and lots of tourist’s attractions such as Berlin Zoo, Victory Column and Bellevue Place.

Overview: This is the largest and one of the most popular parks in Berlin. It’s loved by the locals and the tourists. It was created as hunting ground for Prussian princes. It’s known as the oldest public park in Berlin. After 1944, this park was deforested as it served as a source of firewood for the city. But in 1955 the local government committed to restore the Tiergarten with new trees and plants and new attractions were added. Today the Tiergarten Park is a great place to run, have a picnic, take a walk or enjoy the tranquillity of relaxing beside the lake.

2) New York: Central Park (United States of America)

Location: The Park is situated in the centre of Manhattan.

Overview: This large public park (843 acres) is in the heart of New York City. The park has beautiful landscapes, lakes, the Central Park Zoo, theatres, ice-rinks, fountains, tennis court, baseball fields, garden, lakes and ponds. The Park Drive, length of 9.7km (6miles) is a heaven for runners, joggers, bicyclists and inline skaters. It is one of the most breathtaking places on earth, a huge park in the centre of downtown New York.

3) Melbourne: Royal Park (Australia)

Location: is located two kilometres north of the city, between Royal Parade and Flemington Road.

Overview: It’s Melbourne’s biggest park (covering 170 hectares). The park was used for the stationing of troops during the First and Second World War. Since 1984 thousands of trees and shrubs have been planted to show natural woodland. Today you can practise different sports such as cricket, football, lacrosse, baseball, tennis and golf. Royal Park also provides some footpaths to run or to walk.

4) Moscow: Izmailovsky Park (Russia)

Location: the park is situated in the Izmaylovo district of Moscow.

Overview: it’s one of the city’s oldest parks and covers an area of 322 hectares. It’s the Muscovites favourite park for relaxation and it’s also a popular tourist attraction in Moscow. The park is great for running and afterwards there are some great sites to see and restuarants to enjoy.

5) Santiago: Parque Metropolitano (Chile)

Location: it’s an urban park inside the biggest city of Santiago and one of the biggest of the world (722 hectares).

Overview: there are 75% of green areas (forest, gardens, squares and meadows) and the other part is composed by earth road. Actually thousands of people use the ways and paths of Parque Metropolitano to practise trekking or running

By Nadjib