Walking Vespers

Thirteen walks across Britain and Ireland, each about the length of Liz Lawrence’s Vespers. Press play at the start, and let the record carry you round.

13 walks · about 37 min each · tap a number to open the walk

How it works

  1. 1

    Go

    Pick a walk and get directions to the start.

  2. 2

    Play

    Headphones in, Vespers on, from track one.

  3. 3

    Share

    Send a photo from the path for that walk’s gallery.

The walks

England

6 walks · incl. 2 in London
1

Sandy Heath & Pergola Trail

Golders Hill Park, Hampstead Heath · London
Time
~45 min
Distance
2.7 km
Shape
Loop

Heath woodland and parkland past Golders Hill Park and Kenwood’s Hill Garden & Pergola. Hard paths throughout, quieter once you’re in among the trees.

No photos yet
2

Roehampton Gate Walk

Richmond Park · London
Time
30–40 min
Distance
2.1 km
Shape
Loop

One of Friends of Richmond Park’s official short nature walks — parkland, White Lodge Plantation woodland and a crossing of Beverley Brook.

No photos yet
3

Radnor Trail

Bolderwood, New Forest · Hampshire
Time
~50 min
Distance
3.2 km
Shape
Loop

Ancient and modern woodland crossing Bratley Water, with a deer-viewing platform along the way. Ponies and deer are a common sight.

No photos yet
4

Haytor Quarry Loop

Haytor · Dartmoor, Devon
Time
45–60 min
Distance
3.2 km
Shape
Loop

Open granite moorland circling a flooded historic quarry, with wide panoramic views the whole way. A little rugged underfoot near the quarry itself.

No photos yet
5

Padley Gorge & Burbage Brook

Longshaw Estate · Peak District, Derbyshire
Time
~1 hr
Distance
3.7 km
Shape
Loop

National Trust route through ancient sessile oak and birch woodland, a wildflower meadow, and a crossing of Burbage Brook. One short steep, stepped section.

No photos yet
6

Tarn Hows Circular

Near Coniston · Lake District, Cumbria
Time
~1 hr
Distance
3.2 km
Shape
Loop

A wide, firm gravel path circling a scenic tarn, with benches along the way. Gentle slopes throughout — the most accessible walk on the list.

No photos yet

Wales

2 walks
7

St Davids Head Loop

Whitesands · Pembrokeshire Coast
Time
45–60 min
Distance
4.4 km
Shape
Loop

Rugged coast path along dramatic cliffs, passing a Neolithic burial chamber. Exposed to the wind — bring a layer even in summer.

No photos yet
8

Craig-y-Nos Country Park

Penycae · Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Time
~30 min
Distance
2.2 km
Shape
Loop

Former Victorian pleasure gardens — lawns, woodland, lakes and riverbank on flat, solid, barrier-free paths with benches throughout.

No photos yet

Scotland

2 walks · incl. 1 in Glasgow
9

Pollok Country Park

Pollokshaws · Glasgow
Time
45–55 min
Distance
4.0 km
Shape
Loop

Riverside path along the White Cart Water, past Pollok House, its walled garden, and the Burrell Collection. Good surfaced paths throughout.

No photos yet
10

Uath Lochans Trail

Feshiebridge · Cairngorms National Park
Time
~30 min
Distance
2.4 km
Shape
Loop

Woodland and wetland lochans thick with dragonflies in summer, on a firm gravel path with boardwalk sections. About 20 minutes’ drive from Aviemore.

No photos yet

Northern Ireland

1 walk
11

Castlewellan Lakeside Walk

Castlewellan Forest Park · Co. Down
Time
45–55 min
Distance
3.9 km
Shape
Loop

Wide, flat, well-maintained forest paths circling Castlewellan Lake, passing an old Ice House with views back to Castlewellan Castle.

No photos yet

Ireland

2 walks · both within reach of Dublin
12

Killiney Hill Park

Killiney · Co. Dublin
Time
~50 min
Distance
2.5 km
Shape
Loop

Wooded stone steps rise to an open hilltop heath at the Victoria Obelisk, with sweeping views over Dublin Bay to the Wicklow Mountains.

No photos yet
13

Green Road Walk

Glendalough, Upper Lake · Co. Wicklow
Time
~50 min
Distance
2.7 km
Shape
Loop

Easy track and boardwalk through oak woodland above the Lower Lake wetlands, with some of the best valley views in Wicklow — quieter than the paths near the monastic site.

No photos yet
Vespers album cover: a graphite drawing of an elephant balancing on a ball

Listen

Vespers, the fifth album from Liz Lawrence, is out now on Chrysalis Records. Download it before you set off; signal can be patchy on the moors.