If you’re a parkrun enthusiast looking for a new challenge, or you’ve been looking for an excuse to lace up your trainers and explore the great outdoors beyond your local park, you’ve come to the right place.
The UK is home to some of the most picturesque parkrun locations that offer not only a great workout, but a feast for your eyes and senses.
We’re talking serene lakesides, historic gardens, ancient forests, and royal estates.
And, a lot of them are National Trust, so expect wonderfully maintained areas of beauty.
We bet you’ll be reaching for your camera as much as your water bottle.
So, run, jog, or walk to tick these picture-perfect trails off your bucket list with our ultimate list.
Most picturesque running routes in the UK revealed
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
A Unesco World Heritage site, the spectacular ruins of Fountains Abbey and water mill date back to the 12th century and are truly something to marvel at.
The nearby Jacobean mansion of Fountains Hall, the Victorian masterpiece St Mary’s Church, and one of the most magnificent Georgian water gardens ever created don’t make for bad viewing after you finish either.
Course map can be found here.
Whinlatter Forest Park, Lake District
Live your best life with Metro's parkrun partnership
This year Metro has partnered with the iconic charity parkrun to bring you a thriving new content series.
In a coming together of two game-changing powerhouses, Metro has been chosen as the first official media partner for parkrun as it celebrates its 20th birthday in 2024.
It's not just for the runners, though - it's for everyone.
Come with us as we embark on a series of boundary-pushing wellbeing content designed to elevate and champion, but also to support mental health and societal cohesion. Whether you run, walk, jog or strut...
Read the stories of those who have found their calling, their community or had their lives changed through the simple act of lacing up their trainers (not that you have to do parkrun in trainers...as we'll show you later on).
Get ready to be empowered, inspired, and energised!
Register for parkrun here. The best part is that it's free and you only need to register once.
Whinlatter Forest is England’s only true mountain forest, perfect if your idea of a good workout is getting in some rugged terrain and breathing in the fresh, fruity smell of the Sitka spruce trees that dominate the area.
Expect dramatic lake views, calls of birds, and sightings of other woodland residents like roe deer and red squirrels, the latter are actively protected.
Course map can be found here.
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Wimpole Estate landscape is as ancient as it is pretty.
Throughout history, this running route has been trodden by Anglo-Saxons, Iron Age settlers, and early Romans, and soon, you. How’s that for company?
Course map can be found here.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project started life as a china clay quarry; safe to say it’s come a long way since then, its massive geometric biome domes housing thousands of the world’s plant species.
You’ll know you’ve finished the course once you reach the big bee outside.
Course map can be found here.
Sheringham, Norfolk
This running route in Sheringham is a good pick if you like your paths smooth and your vistas magnificent, but word of advice, it can get a bit muddy when wet, so it’s worth taking your trail running shoes.
It includes a 1.5 km clockwise loop at the midway point which takes in stunning views towards Weybourne windmill, the North Norfolk railway, and breathtaking coastal scenery.
Course map can be found here.
Faskally Forest, Perthshire
When you run without headphones you’re said to be running ‘naked’. You might long for distraction on a typical run, but trust us, you’ll want all your senses free for Faskally Forest.
The sounds of birdsong, the wind whistling in the branches, the gentle patter of rain off the leaves (weather permitting). This route is beautiful and suitable whether you’re a complete novice or a pro.
Course map can be found here.
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Lyme Park is 100% trail, with lots of variation. While it’s far from flat, you mustn’t let the mud and hills keep you away from the wildness of the moor and the more than spectacular views down to Manchester and out across to the Peak District National Park.
Course map can be found here.
Bolberry Down, Devon
The route at Bolberry Down is a nice flat plateau of grass, gravel, and tarmac, and one of the best places to come for a coastal run with breathtaking and far-reaching inland and sea views. With that said, you’re really exposed to the elements here, so do wrap up warm.
Course map can be found here.
Sandringham, Norfolk
The location of this course requires no further introduction, but if you didn’t know, Sandringham Royal Park, yes, as in the Royal Family’s Sandringham estate, covers over 600 acres of woodland and parkland with soft grass and well-marked and maintained trails and it’s open to the public. After all, if it’s fit for a king.
Course map can be found here.
Dulwich Park, London
This accessible course in leafy, green, south London is suitable for just about anyone, including wheelchair users and little ones (if you happen to be pushing a pram) as it is completed entirely on smooth tarmac.
As well as a wide variety of flora and fauna, including water birds and rose-ringed parakeets, the inclusive nature of this course means everyone can take part and that’s what parkrun is all about.
Course map can be found here.
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Did we mention it's free (tick) and you only need to do it once (tick tick).
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