A leisurely trek through Roman times

Britain’s longest monument isn’t only for hardcore hikers: spread the walking over a week and Hadrian’s Wall is leisurely rather than lung-busting – particularly if luggage is transported ahead for you.

Snaking its way for 135km across northern England, this extraordinary line of Roman stones rises and falls over the hills between Tyneside and the Solway Estuary as the backdrop switches from farmland to wilderness. Lichened farmhouses offer decent B&B along the way (book ahead).

The lowdown: Find B&Bs at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall; or contact Brigantes (01729 830463, www.brigantesenglishwalks.com) for a tailor-made package. The official guidebook, Hadrian’s Wall Path (Aurum Press, £12.99), is essential reading. Or hire a guide from www.hadrianswall.ltd.uk to take you along it. Hadrian’s Haul (07967 564823, www.hadrianshaul.com) will transfer baggage for £5 a day.

Alternatives:

* Try a two-week trip following in the footsteps of fellwalker, author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright. North West Walks (01257 424889, www.northwest walks.co.uk) can organise a coast-to-coast trail across the north of England, from £640pp, B&B, including luggage transfers.

* For a gentle introduction, trek between luxury Cotswolds hotels: Headwater (01606 720199, www.headwater.com) has five nights’ B&B from £470pp.

* Macs Adventure (0845 527 7871, www.macsadventure.com) has a week-long walking trip along Scotland’s Speyside Way, with stops in whisky distilleries and smokehouses, from £450pp, B&B.

Swimming the Inner Hebrides

It sounds intimidating: a five-day breaststroking break between the Inner Hebrides to the sweet mainland hamlet of Craobh Haven. Yet its fans are legion and its attractions clear: encounters with seals, whales and dolphins; and nights spent under canvas on little-known islands such as Scarba and Luing. Swims (which take place only in August) are anything but grim: between 0.8 and 2km per day is the norm. And the exercise doesn’t stop on dry land: also included are treks to the Paps of Jura and rambles across pristine wilderness.

* SwimTrek (01273 739713, www.swimtrek.com) has a five-day Inner Hebrides adventure from £555pp, including camping and most meals, with support boat in tow.

* For more information about open-water swimming in the UK, visit www.britishswimming.org.