We may be approaching summer, but we’re northern, so we’ll take a Sunday roast anytime. Combine a steaming plate of meat, potatoes and gravy with a nice crunchy walk, and you’ve got the perfect Sunday – so it’s no wonder one of our favourite Peak District spots has been voted the best for a Sunday walk and a roast in the UK.
To find the best ahead of the summer, the experts at Go Outdoors have analysed popular UK walking routes that finish within easy reach of a pub, scoring each one based on walk ratings, difficulty, pub reviews, and how often roasts are mentioned in customer reviews.
Padley Gorge Circular named the UK’s best Sunday stroll
Padley Gorge Circular in the Peak District ranks as the UK’s best Sunday stroll overall, with a score of 9.87/10. The 9.5km walk starts and ends at The Grouse Inn, a 17th-century pub that reviewers describe as a ‘traditional pub with stunning views’.
Padley Gorge’s route winds through one of the Peak District’s most atmospheric landscapes, with ancient woodland, moss-covered rocks, and the flow of Burbage Brook running alongside you for much of the walk.
As you progress, the scenery shifts from the open views from Bole Hill and Owler Tor to shaded woodland paths and the rugged edges of Millstone Edge. At just under 10km with steady elevation, you’ll feel like you worked up an appetite without pushing too far.
The walk finishes at The Grouse Inn, a 17th-century pub with a strong reputation for traditional, home-cooked food and local ales. Reviews consistently highlight the roasts, with one visitor describing the beef roast dinner as “amazing… big portions and reasonably priced”, while another said, “I had the biggest roast I’ve ever had.”
A top tip from the Go Outdoors experts: Aim for an earlier start, especially on weekends, as this route is popular and parking can fill up quickly.
Northern walks make up the majority of best Sunday walks
Alongside Padley Gorge, walks in the likes of Ripon, Hawkshead, Ambleside and Malham all made the top 10 list. The concentration of beautiful national parks of course plays a part in this, but goes a long way in proving that, essentially, the north is the best.
Having said that, London’s Hampstead Heath and the stunning Cheddar Gorge also made appearances, so we do have to give props to the south of the country too.
Top 10 best Sunday walks in the UK
- Padley Gorge Circular/The Grouse Inn, Grindleford – 9.87
- Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Walk/The Royal Oak, Ripon – 9.68
- Arlington Reservoir/The Yew Tree Inn, Arlington – 9.50
- Tarn Hows Circular/The Queen’s Head, Hawkshead – 8.91
- Windermere Western Shore/The Drunken Duck Inn, Ambleside – 8.86
- Hampstead Heath Circular/The Spaniards Inn, London – 8.82
- Cheddar Gorge Trail/The White Hart, Cheddar – 8.64
- Alfriston & Cuckmere Valley Walk/The George Inn, Alfriston – 8.50
- Chess Valley and the Cricketers Circular/The Cricketers, Sarratt – 8.46
- Malham Cove and Gordale Scar Circular/The Lister Arms, Malham – 7.91