If the stresses of modern life are getting in the way, then it might be time for you to head to one of Britain’s most remote spots, but you need to be quick, as they are becoming few and far between.
Off the beaten track areas are under attack, as new research has found that we are never further than six miles away from a road whilst on mainland, as developments and infrastructure keep destroying the bliss of the British countryside.
According to data from the Ordnance Survey the most remote spot in the UK lies in the Scottish Highlands.
The stunning wild brown trout loch near the east of Gairloch is hard to find and access is limited on the nearest minor road, 5.7 miles away. However there is also an A-road just 6.6 miles away.
Fionn Loch, pictured, is the most remote part of the UK lies in the Scottish Highlands (pictured above) which is only accessible by a minor road
In Wales, the most remote spot is in the Brecon Beacons national park, the Black Mountains
This is while in England, the most remote place is in the Yorkshire Dales on Riggs Moor
The map above shows where the most remote places of the UK are situated in relation to some of the biggest cities in the UK
This is while in England, the most remote place is in the Yorkshire Dales on Riggs Moor, which is a national park and is 2.4 miles from a restricted local-access road.
In Wales, the most remote spot is in the Brecon Beacons national park, the Black Mountains. It’s less than three miles from the village of Glynatawe which is a hamlet and parish on the upper reaches of the River Tawe.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, an explorer and former president of the Royal Geographical Society, Nicholas Crane said he thought there was ‘no genuine wildlife left in Britain’.
20-years-ago Crane walked the lengths of England for a book, ‘Two Degrees West’ and highlighted that the biggest change he has seen is the rise in traffic.
The Scottish Highlands (above) have always been popular with tourists however some have said that even the most remote places are now being rated on Trip Advisor
The superbly shaped mountain of Suilven seen here in late autumn, with its refection upon the waters of Fionn Loch
Winter sunset from Sugar Loaf in the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons National Park
‘There is no longer such a thing as a secret place. Even the most obscure Highland bothies are rated on TripAdvisor.’
He told of a trip he had taken with his wife to stay on the uninhabited Hebridean island, and said his wife had burst into tears when a sea kayaker arrived.
This is while the president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Emma Bridgewater, said that we were ‘deluded’ to think we could ‘do without wilderness’.
She added: ‘Thomas Hardy, Wordsworth, Keats described a very different landscape, which has almost entirely disappeared.’ She also mentioned Kelling Heath in Norfolk as a place where you can get back to nature and said you could still hear birds singing.
The Hebridean Islands has a small population and many visit it in order to experience solace. But some have found that that is no longer the case
Others who have explored all the countryside has to offer, have also said that there are few places which had been left untouched by roads or developments.
Mark Clarke, who penned the book ‘High Point’, about his journey to climb the highest point of Britain’s 85 historic counties said there are still some ‘honeypots’ left that people can visit.
He said on quiet weekdays, those looking to escape the hustle and bustle can still enjoy all that nature has to offer in places such as Snowdon and Scafell Pike.
He also revealed that while hiking through these places, there were times that he hadn’t seen anyone for five or six hours.
A hiker walking down towards Seathwaite, Grains Gill from Scafell Pike in the English Lake District
Scafell Pike (above) is one of the places not spoiled. Pictured above are hikers descending the during winter months
Mount Snowdon summit (pictured above) the area in Wales is still one of which has not become over run by roads and infrastructure