Vivienne Crow
Travel and outdoor writer
Vivienne Crow has been exploring the UK countryside on foot since leaving London at the age of 18 and has been writing about it since casting off the shackles of deskbound journalism in 2002. She has a particular passion for Cumbria, her home for more than 25 years, and has written nearly 20 books about the Lake District. One of her most recent titles was Joss Naylor’s Lakes, Meres and Waters of the Lake District, published by Cicerone. A regular contributor to Countryfile, she also writes for a number of other national magazines and has won several awards for her work.
Recent articles by Vivienne Crow
10 classic routes in the Lake District by Britain’s greatest hill walker, Alfred Wainwright
Discover 10 of the very best hill walks in the Lake District, from Scafell and Hay Stacks to Blencathra and Great Gable.
Grisedale and Helvellyn walk, Lake District
A dramatic walk through Grisdale Forest, over Dollywaggon Pike to the summit of Helvellyn – one of the most iconic peaks in the Lake District.
Isle of Skye accommodation: 15 breathtaking hotels, campsites and cottages
Discover some of the best accommodation on the Isle of Skye with our pick of the island's top 15 places to stay, from luxury hotels and holiday cottages to perfect camping grounds and cosy inns.
Coast to Coast walk: your ultimate guide to the epic long-distance trail
Alfred Wainwright’s breath-taking Coast to Coast walk passes through England’s three most spectacular National Parks and climbs the equivalent height of Everest. But far more than that it is chance to slow down and absorb the nature and stories of the land; to live the simple life for two blissful weeks.
Portscatho walk, Cornwall
A gentle coastal walk along the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall from Portscatho to beautiful Town Beach.
Isle of Skye guide: accommodation and things to do
The Isle of Skye is the jewel in the crown of Scotland’s 790 islands. Discover the very best of the Inner Hebridean island, including hotels and campsites, things to do and must-visit distilleries with BBC Countryfile Magazine's guide to Skye.
Isle of Skye distilleries: 4 must-visit whisky makers
There are four distilleries of note on the Isle of Skye, including the world-famous whisky distiller Talisker and the independent Torabhaig distillery. Drink them in with BBC Countryfile Magazine's guide to Skye distilleries.
Castlerigg Stone Circle walk, Lake District
This 4.5-mile circular walk from Keswick to Castlerigg Stone Circle offers magnificent fell views of Skiddaw, Blencathra and the mighty Helvellyn range
Castlerigg Stone Circle: explore one of the Lake District's most enigmatic landscapes
Exploring Castlerigg Stone Circle presents many questions: how was it built? How old is it? Was it created for religious reasons, or perhaps as a trading centre?
Yordas Cave walk, Yorkshire Dales
This 6-mile walk in North Yorkshire winds through Kingsdale among limestone boulders and pavements, great chasms and bustling becks to reach Yordas Cave - don't forget to bring your torch if you're keen to explore inside...
Helvellyn walk, Lake District
When it comes to pure exhilaration, few walks in the Lake District can compete with an ascent of Helvellyn via the tapering ridge of Striding Edge.
Crummock Water walk, Lake District
This dramatic circular walk follows the shores of Crummock Water beneath some of the Lake District's most spectacular fells.
Place Fell walk, Lake District
Catch the boat from Glenridding across Ullswater to nearby Howtown, then enjoy a 7-mile hill walk back via the 657m summit of Place Fell.
Sedgwick to Natland walk, Cumbria
This 3.7-mile walk between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District follows the abandoned Northern Reaches canal before returning along the bustling River Kent
West Lomond, Fife walk
Climb to the highest point in Fife, relish epic views and explore a mossy vale on this exciting circular walk to the summit of West Lomond in Scotland
Skiddaw walk, Cumbria
Climb to the 931m summit of Skiddaw, one of the Lake District's most iconic mountains, with this 7.6-mile circular walk
Walk: Mull of Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway
Enjoy an easy 3-mile walk around the tip of the Mull of Galloway in Scotland, seeking out a historic lighthouse, soaring cliffs and spectacular seabirds
Walk: Dentdale, Cumbria
This magical circular walk through Dentdale begins at the village of Dent, passing through Gawthorp before returning along the banks of the River Dee.
Walk: Beinn Eighe, Highland
Leaning over the island-strewn waters of twinkling Loch Maree is Britain’s oldest National Nature Reserve, a sweep of glacier-carved mountains three million years in the making. Explore this stunning landscape on the 4-mile-long Mountain Trail.
Walk: Coombe Hill, Buckinghamshire
Epic views are an obvious lure of this hilltop walk, but with flocks of fieldfares, peculiar ant-hills and ancient woodland, there’s plenty more to inspire a day out at Coombe Hill.
Walk: Tarn Hows, Cumbria
Of all the Lake District’s many breath-taking walks, this loop of tree-banked, mountain-flanked Tarn Hows has to rank among the very best.
Walk: Seatoller to Keswick, Cumbria
Catch the bus from Keswick to Seatoller then return on foot through Borrowdale alongside the glorious River Derwent and Derwent Water.
Walk: Aira Force to Raise, Cumbria
This glorious Lake District walk is as diverse as they come, taking you from Ullswater’s waterbirds to the yews of Aira Force and the soaring peregrines of Helvellyn’s northern mounts
Day out: Geltsdale Nature Reserve, Cumbria
Spring arrives late in this northerly reserve, but when it does these meadows and moors erupt with an eclectic mix of piping birds