M1 Junction 11 dog walk on the Downs, Bedfordshire

This is a fabulous dog walk on an ancient track that was once the pre-Roman highway between the Ivinghoe Beacon in Hertfordshire and far away Norfolk. It's one of the oldest known routes in Britain, and there's a helpful notice board explaining its history.

The walk starts at a high point, so there's no need to clamber up the sizeable hill. Instead, while the dog flaps his ears in the breeze you can enjoy the stunning view over the valley. There's a handily placed National Trust cafe near the car park.