The UK must surely offer some of the world's best terrain for hiking. Well-marked paths, regular pub stops and few technically challenging routes mean that almost anyone can get out and enjoy the Great British Outdoors. I recently took the long-overdue train ride from London to Dorset to explore the Jurassic coastline of Southern England. This is a dream destination for geologists and indeed we did bump into a few while walking. Most of the time however we were able to enjoy the natural beauty of this stretch of English coast in almost complete solitude. We hiked around 50 miles in 4 days and found places to stay along the route. Be warned however that on summer weekends it can be very difficult to secure accommodation at short notice. It certainly pays to book ahead. Durdle Door, Dorset
The coast is also home to an active military range, meaning that some parts can be closed during the week. Check the local tourism websites for details if you're planning to come this way. Also don't miss the chance to visit the deserted village of Tyneham - a historical treasure where time has stood still for nearly 70 years. This post is written by Andy Jarosz who owns the 501 Places travel blog.