We meet at the train station in Penrith before transferring to our first destination, Hadrian's Wall, approximately an hour away. Our walk takes in one of the most scenic sections of this ancient Roman structure to eventually reach Vindolanda - one of the best preserved roman fortresses in Britain. After completing our circular walk, we then return to our transfer and on to the Northumberland Coast to settle into our hotel at Bamburgh for the next three nights.

Today is split into two halves depending on tide times. At low tide we'll make the pilgrims crossing to the 7th Century priory on the holy island of Lindisfarne. We'll explore the site of one of the first Viking raids on English soil, and learn how St Cuthbert established this as his home over 1,400 years ago. The other half of the day is spent walking the St Oswald's Way along the sweeping white sands of Bamburgh beach eventually reaching the castle walls that were built to keep guard over this stretch of coastline. Return to our hotel in Bamburgh.

We'll start our walk today, after a half hour transfer, in the rural market town of Wooler, soon leaving the streets behind for the northern end of the Cheviot Hills. Comprising grassy tops, swathes of windswept heathland, and steep sided glacial valleys, this corner of the county is a departure from the coastline of yesterday's walks. Humbleton Hill is our first target, where a bloody battle took place between the English and the marauding Scots in 1402, the latter being defeated by the superior English long bow. We continue, heading for the craggier top of Watch Hill. Noticeably hillier than the first two days, this route is a proper English hill walk with huge views to boot. Return to our hotel in Bamburgh.

After three days walking some of the key highlights of this breath taking county, we'll have a more relaxed day in Alnwick. There is no planned walking route today, but plenty of opportunity for sightseeing. After checking out of our hotel in Bamburgh we'll spend the morning discovering Alnwick Castle, home to the Percy family for the majority of the last 950 years. We'll also have time to visit the gardens which surround the castle, highlights including the majestic cascade water fountain, a bamboo labyrinth, and the intriguing poison garden. We'll round out our exploration of Alnwick with a visit to Barter Books, the incredible bookstore seamlessly knitted into the many nooks and crevices of a former train station. In the afternoon we'll board our transfer which will take us across the Pennines to the Lake District and our accommodation in the Borrowdale Valley for the final three nights of our trip.

Today we take a short transfer across Honister Pass through the jaws of the Honister Slate Mine to the stunning mountain bowl of the Buttermere valley. The route will be chosen by our guide based on weather and ground conditions and the desires of the group. A mountainous route will likely include the rocky Scarth Gap Pass, and the summit of Haystacks, one of Alfred Wainwright's favourite fells. A lower level route may take in the lakeshore path, skirting the picture perfect line of scots pines that feature in one of the most photographed views of this corner of the lakes. Round out the day with a pint on one of Buttermere's two excellent pubs if time allows, the perfect end to a day hiking in this spectacular valley.
The numbers below denote the highest, furthest option, lesser options would limit the numbers to:
Ascent/Descent: 610m
Distance: 8km
Time: 6 hrs walking

Starting in Keswick, we'll stride out along the lakeshore to reach the foot of Catbells, our summit target for the day. A classic fell walk, this hill combines breathtaking views and rolling cols with steep open fellside and a couple of hand to rock sections. Short in size but mighty in interest, you'll feel like you've been alpine ascending on a micro scale. After topping out and admiring one of Lakeland's most revered views, you'll descend a steadily stepped path back to the lakeshore and board the launch all the way back across Derwentwater to Keswick. Once back in the town you'll have time to potter around the plentiful shops, cafes and pubs or perhaps visit the Moot Hall, the front door providing the start and finish line for the infamous Bob Graham Round fell running challenge. We'll then return to our accommodation in the Borrowdale Valley for our last evening and a celebratory dinner to round off a great week in the North of England.

We depart our accommodation and make our way East to Ullswater, the Lake District's second biggest lake, surrounded by some of its highest and more precipitous fells. Our final walk of the week is full of drama, starting out ascending adjacent to Aira Force, a powerful waterfall picking its way through the rocks into a gorge with a teetering pack horse bridge over. We then leave the torrent behind and head for higher ground and the eventual knolly top of Gowbarrow. A smaller fell amongst some mighty neighbours and with the sweep of Ullswater below, this summit is a suitable grand finale view to round out a great week of exploring. We'll enjoy a traditional cream tea at the end of our walk before our final transfer returns us to Penrith station for our onward journey.