Every walk tells a story, at least that was the premise behind our ‘Favourite Walks’ competition set in May and supported by our Walks sponsor RIAS.

Inspiration for the contest was provided by our walks, set in some of the most spectacular locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and available to all. The lure of healthy exercise, a break in one of our holiday cottage worth up to £1,000 as the prize, and a chance to impress the judges with a spot of creative writing, meant there were plenty of entries.

Walkers of all ages rose to the challenge of describing their favourite walk and the winner, selected by a panel of RIAS and Trust judges, was Julia Rand from Newcastle upon Tyne, whose evocative account of a north country coastal walk scored her full marks and high praise.

• The winning entry

Julia who is a conversation and wildlife enthusiast, chose the Craster to Low Newton coastal path in Northumberland as her favourite place for a ramble. According to Julia, its appeal lay as much in the many points of wildlife and plant interest along the way as in the spectacular scenery.

The National Trust Conservation Warden for the Northumberland coast, Kevin Redgrave, said:

'I'd have to agree with Julia, this is a great walk. It's so full of contrasts, especially in the summer, when nature is at its most vibrant. It’s an historic landscape, but one in which the wildlife and water always dominate your senses... whether its the breeding birds, colourful wildflower displays or lapping of waves on the beach.'

The Runners up

Special mention goes to entries from Ray Butler of Kent for his tale of his son Charlie’s crow-spotting at Seven Sisters on the South Downs, and to Claire Simmonds, Wiltshire, for her superb description of the family’s Woodchester Park walk in Gloucestershire.

• Crow spotting at the Seven Sisters
• Woodchester Park walk