Winning tip: Hedingham Castle, Essex
In the village of Castle Hedingham not only can you explore the magnificent castle but you can walk round the beautiful daffodil and bluebell-filled grounds. There are lots of events that take place here, from jousting tournaments to wedding fairs. A short walk away brings you to the village pub, The Bell. This family pub serves hearty, excellent value meals and stocks local ale and ciders. If the pub isn't your thing there is a lovely tea rooms opposite serving up light lunches and homemade cakes.
hedinghamcastle.co.uk
laurablight

North

Walking Cressbrook dale, Derbyshire
Set off from the top of the dale on the A623 near Wardlow. For the first mile or so, the valley sides are carpeted with cowslips and early purple orchids. It's an easy stroll for all ages and abilities but can be extended into a circular walk through Miller's dale, Tideswell dale and Litton.
visitpeakdistrict.com
needale

Farndale, North Yorkshire
Farndale, in the heart of the North York Moors national park, is famed for its wonderful daffodils, believed to have been first planted there by medieval monks from Rievaulx Abbey (near Helmsley). The carpet of spring flowers attracts about 40,000 visitors annually but this year they're late to bloom and should be at their peak in the middle of April. The Daffodil Walk runs alongside the River Dove for around 1½ miles, and great stop-offs are the Daffy Caffy, or the Feversham Arms at Church Houses, which does a marvellous Sunday lunch.
northyorkmoors.org.uk
troutiemcfish

The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn, North Yorkshire
This is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created in a four-acre garden in the heart of Tupgill park in the Yorkshire Dales. The temple of the underworld, the eye of the needle, a glass pyramid, paths and passages that lead nowhere, extraordinary statues – at every turn there are decisions to make and tricks to avoid. This is a day out with a difference that will challenge and delight everyone.
theforbiddencorner.co.uk, adults £11, children aged 4-15 £9, under-fours free
waynescenic

Jumbles country park, Bolton, Greater Manchester
From the main car park, a variety of routes take in paths through woodland, moorland and by reservoirs and streams. The simplest is a two-mile circuit of Jumbles reservoir, but this can be extended up to the B6391 and then to Turton Tower (a listed building dating back to the 1400s and open to the public). The track continues round moorland and drops down to Turton and Entwistle reservoir, which you can walk round, or cross the dam and walk up to the railway hamlet of Entwistle. From here it's a short walk through woodland to Wayoh reservoir. The path then leads to Edgworth with a stroll along the road through Turton Bottoms and a woodland track back to Jumbles reservoir.
unitedutilities.com/jumbles-country-park.aspx, turtontower.co.uk
gdeanouk

West

The Daffodil Way and Dymock Woods, Kempley, Gloucestershire
The meadows and woods around Kempley and Dymock offer spring country walks among wild daffodils. Prolific meadows and wood are reached by a series of circular and waymarked walks that make up the Daffodil Way. All the walks are easy and cross ancient woods and farmland where you'll find historic churches and old orchards with rare varieties of apple and pear. April is the best time to visit the daffodils – when local guides and excellent teas are offered in village church halls at weekends.
herbalwalks

Wyre Forest, Shropshire
Perched on the Worcestershire–Shropshire border, less than an hour from central Birmingham, is the Wyre Forest. One of England's largest remaining ancient woodlands, it's beautiful in spring, with bluebells, daffodils and celandines in the clearings and the smell of wild garlic in the air. There are trails for all abilities leading you through the bright oak forest. If you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of fallow deer or kingfishers along the brook. If you want something adrenaline-packed, there is Go Ape , a zip wire adventure park offering tree-top views. Round it all off with a cuppa and cake on the sofas by the fire in the forest cafe.
forestry.gov.uk/wyreforest
suziwrites

South

The Old Oaks, Glastonbury Tor
Stay for a few nights in a camping cabin at the Old Oaks touring park, stocking up on local farm produce, home-baked cakes and cider at the friendly site shop. Get up in the early hours ready for an adventure … Walk past Gog and Magog (two-thousand-year-old oaks) up the tiny tree-shrouded lane from the site that climbs towards Glastonbury Tor, and then follow the spiralling path up the famous hill. The Somerset Levels are laid out before you as the sun climbs over the horizon, wreathed in spring mist and the fire of a new day. This is how I asked my fiance to marry me, and it is a sunrise that should be on everyone's bucket list for the UK!
theoldoaks.co.uk
rodotski

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham
A favourite is Polesden Lacey at great bookham. Enjoy a walk round the grounds of this National Trust-run Edwardian house with well-defined paths and spring flowers. Take in the beautiful hillside views, let the children have fun doing a trail as opposed to "boring" walking, and finish with a lovely, well-earned tea and cake.
nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey, adults £10.80, children £5.40 (house and gardens admission)
Susan Johnson

Richmond Park, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
Richmond Park, the biggest Royal Park in London, is loved by many. Keen walkers can attempt the eight-mile round trip, while families can follow the less-challenging walking trails leading to Pen Ponds. Isabella Plantation is my favourite place for a stroll, particularly in the spring when its azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons are in full bloom. Viewing St Paul's Cathedral through a telescope located at the top of King Henry's Mound near Pembroke Lodge is also a must.
royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park
christel73

Ridgeway walk, Wendover, Buckinghamshire
The Ridgeway track descends from the Chilterns to the Thames valley, skirting Salisbury Plain and on to Avebury. It is easily walked in day-long sections. My favourite route starts near Wendover and heads to the beech woods at Coombe Hill, following the hills and valleys to Princes Risborough, before striking out across fields and then following the downland marked by distinctive chalk carvings, the Whiteleaf and Bledlow Crosses and the white triangle south of Watlington.
nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway
pennyballinger

Wales

Castell y Bere, Machynlleth
Stairway to Heaven is good mood music for a romantic journey to Castell y Bere – a cottage not far away was where Led Zeppelin started writing the song. The castle stands proud on a rock outcrop in the peaceful and remote Dysynni valley. Visitors are infrequent: climb a wooden stairway and you may be alone to tour the extensive home of Llewellyn, the last prince of independent Wales, and Lady Eleanor, first Princess of Wales.Near the castle is the start of the easiest route to ascend the 893m of Cadair Idris.

The small village, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, was also made famous by the Bible Society as the place from where, in 1800, 15-year-old Mary Jones walked 25 miles barefoot to buy a bible. To find it, head for Machynlleth ('Mach' has a train station) and check out the blue plaque marking the site of Laura Ashley's first shop. Satnavs are said to function erratically or not at all in the hills so a map is recommended to find Castell y Bere along a winding and narrow road.
castlewales.com/cybere.html
jocooper

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
Pennard Castle is a beautiful, calm and year-round treasure for this little part of Wales. Not far from Gower golf course, the stroll from the castle to Three Cliffs Bay is perfect for couples, families, dog-walkers and ramblers. During the day it's a hot surf spot and in the evenings you'll be in barbecue heaven. Known to the Sandy Lane locals as "Tub", Three Cliffs Bay is a popular landmark on Gower for geologists and geographers alike, with it's twisting headland and arches set to inspire the children that visit. I know it inspired me to pursue my career in geography. I cant wait to go back this spring when my exams are over so I can pick wild raspberries and explore this gorgeous little part of the world.
threecliffsbay.com
ksmythe

Millennium Coastal Path
Stroll or cycle the traffic-free paths of this gently rolling 22km coastal stretch between Pembrey country park and the National Wetland Centre Wales. Transformed from its industrial past, Llanelli's steelworks are now a wildfowl packed lake surrounded by sculpture dotted parkland. Carmarthenshire Woods and a giant earth sculpture replace a coal-fired power station. Salt marshes and dunes provide a wildlife haven. Bikes can be hired from the Discovery Centre at Llanelli (Merlin Cycle Tours).
snootygirl