Helen Moat
Travel and nature writer
Born in Northern Ireland, Helen spent her childhood exploring the island in the back of her father's Morris Minor. Wanderlust remains in her blood but these day she prefers to travel at a slower pace by bike or on foot. She is the author of Slow Travel The Peak District, Bradt and A Time of Birds, Saraband, a memoir and travelogue describing her journey across Europe to Istanbul on her sit-up-and-beg bike. Helen is often found wandering the Peak District, her adopted home, exploring new pathways. A freelance travel writer, she has written for various national newspapers and magazines. She's a regular contributor to Countryfile magazine.
Recent articles by Helen Moat
Still not got your pumpkin? Here are the 10 best patches to visit right now
Looking for pumpkin patch near you? Here are 10 of the very best in the UK...
I fought seasonal depression with a winter trip to the Arctic – and what I learned blew my mind: Here's why Laplanders don't get winter blues
Overcome by annual anxiety, Helen Moat set out on a quest to dispel her low winter mood. Via Lapland, Japan and Britain’s remote and rugged landscapes, she discovers how nature itself has the answers.
Did you know there's cursed petrifying well that literally turns objects to stone? Discover it — and more — in Britain’s most mysterious caves
From Thor's and Smoo to Fingal's and Mother Shipton's, we take a deep dive into 10 of the UK's most remarkable caves.
25 for 2025: Fill your summer with exciting outdoor adventures and challenges, from shark spotting to conquering fears
Expand your horizons with our pick of the best outdoor adventures.
Are these the most rejuvenating places in the UK? The best destinations to beat the winter blues
If you're in need of a mood boost this winter, head out to the great outdoors and enjoy some of the best scenery the UK has to offer
Get outdoors this Christmas: best activities, walks and experiences
Whether stargazing somewhere magical or roasting chestnuts over a bonfire, here is a selection of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the British countryside over the festive season.
Clapham village in Yorkshire Dales: what to see and do in this beautiful part of Yorkshire
Sleepy Clapham is not only one of the Yorkshire Dales's prettiest villages, it's also the gateway to the wonders of Ingleborough's limestone landscape
Grassington, Yorkshire Dales: What to see and where to go in the heart of James Herriot Country
Visit the pretty market town of Grassington to browse traditional shops, learn about life in bygone days of the Yorkshire Dales, and explore lovely rolling countryside
Masham, Yorkshire Dales: what to do and where to go
Visit Masham for a pleasant mooch around the market square, take a riverside stroll, and taste a pint or two fresh from the town's two breweries.
Kirkby Lonsdale, Yorkshire Dales: what to see and where to eat
Kirkby Lonsdale is a handsome market town in the Yorkshire Dales, famed for its pretty cobbled streets, independent shops and delicious hot pies, saysHelen Moat
Hawes, Yorkshire Dales: what to see and where to stay in the market town of Hawes
Learn about the Yorkshire town of Hawes ... and watch the experts make Wensleydale cheese – Gromit's favourite.
Wyming Brook walk, Peak District
Explore the beautiful rivers, forests and dams of Wyming Brook Nature Reserve on the edge of Sheffield with this two-mile walk.
Wyming Brook, Peak District
Discover Wyming Brook, a gorgeous nature reserve on the outskirts of Sheffield in the Peak District National Park
Book review: The Bridleway by Tiffany Francis-Baker
Saddle up for a fascinating ride though the history of horses in Britain and how they have shaped our countryside, says reviewer Helen Moat
Peak District guide: where to stay and eat, things to do and best walks
Discover the best things to do in the Peak District, gorgeous country walks and beautiful cottages and hotels to stay in with our visitor's guide to the national park
The Yorkshire Dales' prettiest villages to visit
The landscape of the Yorkshire Dales is famously idyllic, from the rugged limestone hills to the lush green pastures of the dales, where old stone villages and market towns still thrive. Helen Moat chooses five of the best to visit.
Carsington Water walk, Derbyshire
Play wildlife detective, spot waterbirds, wander gentle trails or just mess
about in boats at this family-friendly reservoir
Danes Dyke walk, East Riding of Yorkshire
This varied walk on the Yorkshire coast includes Iron Age earthworks, enchanting woodland and a glorious chalk-white beach, perfect for a summer swim
Walk: Curbar Edge, Derbyshire
Explore stunning Curbar Edge and the River Derwent with this 4.2-mile walk in the Peak District
Walk: Cressbrook Dale, Derbyshire
This five-mile walk explores gorgeous Cressbrook Dale, one of five valleys in the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve in the Peak District.
Walk: Derwent Reservoir and Howden Reservoir, Derbyshire
A 10.5-mile circular walk around the majestic reservoirs and through the mixed woodland of the glorious Upper Derwent Valley in the Peak District.
Walk: Birchover, Derbyshire
The Peak District National Park is home to dozens of mysterious rock formations and stone circles – discover some of the best on this prehistoric five-mile walk
Walk: Linacre Reservoirs, Derbyshire
A few miles south of Sheffield, this waterside walk through spectacular wetlands is perfect for wildlife lovers.
Day out: Spurn Head, East Riding of Yorkshire
Ever-changing sands and a bounty of wildlife make this pendulum-shaped Yorkshire nature reserve one of the most dynamic in Britain.