Julia Bradbury’s five things to do in spring

We asked television presenter and co-founder of The Outdoor Guide Julia Bradbury to share her top tips for things to do in spring. As someone who’s explored the length and breadth of the English countryside in all weathers, we can’t think of anyone better placed to advise us!

1. See newborn lambs in the Peak District

Number one on Julia’s list of top things to do in spring is to head to the Peak District to see lambs gambolling in the Peak District. She has fond childhood memories of being there with her dad. And who doesn’t love to see all the new life bounding around at this time of year? Interesting aside: it was here that Julia’s dad first told her about Alfred Wainwright, capturing her imagination and setting her on her way to a later passion project...

Three places to see spring wildlife

• Watch feisty badger cubs emerge from their den near Devon Badger Watch’s purpose-built hides.
• See, hear – and perhaps smell – around 250,000 seabirds (including puffins from mid-April) nesting at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire.
• Head to Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk, to see the resident population of brown hares at their mad-March best!

2. Visit a country pub in the Cotswolds

Something that goes hand in hand with the warmer days is a pleasant countryside walk – preferably followed by a drink in a country pub. And if there’s a view involved, even better! The view that prompted Julia to give this springtime tip can be seen from The Rising Sun on Cleeve Hill, on the edge of the Cotswolds.

Three Cotswolds pubs with views

• The idyllic beer garden of The Trout Inn, Lechlade, overlooks the weir pool of the first lock on the River Thames.
• Perched at the top of the village of Bourton on the Hill, with glorious views of the surrounding Cotswold countryside, is the Horse and Groom.
• Take in views of a picture-perfect Cotswold village green, complete with a burbling stream, from The Kings Head Inn, Bledington.

3. Sample scallops in Rye

A new season means a raft of fresh seasonal foods to gorge on, and in springtime England, that means delicious produce such as asparagus, crab and watercress – and a diary full of corresponding food festivals. Julia was lucky enough to try some plump scallops in Webbe's at The Fish Café, Rye, which this year came into their prime in early spring.

Three spring food festivals

• Porthleven Food Festival (April) is a 3-day fest of food, music and drink in Cornwall.
• In East Sussex, Rye’s restaurants shine the spotlight on Rye Bay scallops with the annual Rye Scallop Week (February/March).
• The British Asparagus Festival (April-June) celebrates Vale of Evesham asparagus with the famous asparagus auctions, ‘Asparabus’ coach tours and the Asparagus Express from Broadway to Cheltenham.

4. Admire the views of the Wainwright fells

In 2007, years after her dad first introduced her to the iconic fellwalker Alfred Wainwright, Julia filmed the first of two popular series for the BBC: Wainwright Walks. So when she says the views and sunsets from the trails are spectacular, we trust her completely!

Three short walks with springtime views

• Admire carpets of bluebells as you wander through the Blickling Estate, Norfolk.
• See wild spring flowers drifting across chalk downland on this circular walk from Winchester Cathedral.
• Lap the peaceful shore of Ennerdale Water in the Lake District.

5. Walk the Dorset coast

The ever-changing views and abundant wildlife between Shell Bay and Studland Beach propelled Dorset’s epic coastline into Julia’s top 5 things to do in spring. Forget the blustery wintry walks of the last few months – springtime by the sea has an entirely different charm: gentle breezes, buzzing bees and, in Dorset, hours whiled away unearthing the fossils of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Three great coastal walks for spring

• See dune flowers and the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle in the springtime sun on the 6-mile walk between Craster and Low Newton, Northumberland.
• Shake off the last of any winter blues with a clifftop walk along the instantly recognisable Seven Sisters, sublime in the springtime sun.
• Take an evening stroll along Crosby Beach on England’s north west coast to see Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ statues silhouetted by the setting sun.

See the offers and events happening for English Tourism Week, snap up a bargain and get out and about in England this spring.