Foot Trails (2025)

26/01/2025

David and I are out & about in the Cotswolds, exploring new routes and trails.

It's so good to be back in the Cotswolds.

David grew up here and several of my cousins and an aunt and uncle farm here. So it's very familiar ground.

We started today's 10-mile walk with an explore of a new rural food hall! Here we stocked up on filled rolls and hand cooked crisps for lunch. The pork pies on the butcher's counter looked amazing! We resisted the cakes and pastries....

Soon we were out amongst green pastures and fields. Wildlife and nature felt close. In the woods we spotted deer and we heard several woodpeckers.

Today's walk was interesting and varied. We walked through several stunning Cotswold villages where tourists do not tread. Here we admired large manor houses with smoke furling out the chimney tops and smaller English country cottages. Playing a game of choosing which one we'd live in!

It is fun to be off the beaten track and oh so peaceful.

Us English always like to talk about the weather! It is January. Rain was the picture until lunch time and then the cloud cleared and out came the sun. Everything instantly glowed in the sunshine. The cream coloured Cotswolds stone, the stained glass windows in the 12th century church.

We paused in the porch of an ancient church to enjoy our lunch, mulling over the thousands of pairs of feet who had walked before us over the centuries.

It is difficult to sum up 10 miles in a few sentences, but as the miles passed we chatted and decompressed.

Soon, as dusk was falling we saw the welcome sight of our destination village for the night. Twinkling lights greeted us at our country inn and in the sky the first stars were appearing.

The pedometer told us we had walked 10 miles, 25,000 steps so we had no guilt tucking into our beef bourguignon and glass of red wine. We'll sleep well tonight.

Alison

23/01/2025

‘In Europe, the best wool is English and in England the best wool is Cotswold’
(12th century saying)

The Cotswolds needs no introduction. Famed for its rolling green countryside, beautiful villages, vibrant market towns and golden Cotswolds stone cottages. It’s the quintessential view of England.

But the reason both the landscapes and the buildings look the way they do can be largely traced back to an industry that has been at the heart of this region since time immemorial: Wool

The wool industry in the Cotswolds boomed in the Middle Ages. At this time, wool was the single most important industry in England, and the Cotswolds was one of the most important wool trading centres. This status brought with it a lot of wealth. Rich local merchants spent huge sums on lavish town and country houses. They also made large donations to the church, resulting in the magnificent wool churches we see up and down the region in ancient wool towns like Chipping Campden, Northleach and Cirencester (all highlights on our Cotswolds tours, naturally 🙂).

But it’s not just the grand buildings that owe their existence to wool. More humble structures like weavers cottages and mills were also originally built to serve the industry. Many of the picturesque villages can also trace their roots back to sheep and wool.

Wool is everywhere you look in the Cotswolds. Which is why we weave it into our trips and trails. The walks we curate for this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) showcase what we feel is the best and most beautiful of the Cotswolds. Treading quiet, idyllic paths, far from the crowds, to explore the most beautiful landscapes, views and vistas. Wandering past honey-coloured stone cottages, admiring the pretty gardens, standing in centuries old market halls almost sensing the hustle and barter of trade in years gone by. All the while staying in authentic, cosy Cotswolds inns that provide the perfect rest and relaxation after a good day’s walking. It’s the perfect way to experience rural England.

If you’d like to hike the Cotswolds and explore this unique landscape, simply visit our website or send us a message here on Facebook.

https://foottrails.co.uk/walking_holidays/the-cotswolds/

19/01/2025

The ninth century may have been a long time ago, but as any fan of medieval history (or Bernard Cornwall’s Last Kingdom series) will know, it was a crucial period in English history. It was the time of the Anglo-Saxons vs. the Danes, and the time of the seven kingdoms that would, eventually, go on to form the realm of England. It was also a time of fighting. An awful lot of fighting.

Anglo-Saxon history runs like thread through our inn to inn trail Wessex Ancient Kingdom. Reflecting David and Alison’s love of history, stories and beautiful landscapes, this Foot Trail traces the story of Wessex and, arguably, its ‘greatest’ ruler Alfred the Great.

It starts in Wiltshire, the scene of many a battle between the Anglo-Saxons and Danes, and a county that played an important role in key moment’s of Alfred’s life. The stunning Alfred’s Tower, for example, was built in the 1700s near the site where Alfred is believed to have rallied his troops before his decisive victory over the Danes. A little further away lie a string of villages and churches, again believed to be points where Alfred rested, prayed and rallied his troops en route to battle.

As your trail weaves down into Dorset, through rolling chalklands, the landscape owes much to the Anglo-Saxons. The bustling market town of Shaftesbury (and its abbey), for example, was founded by Alfred as one of the fortified towns he created across his kingdom in the late 800s AD. Then there’s the town of Sherborne and its magnificent abbey, which is thought to be one of the most important places in King Alfred’s time and where two of his brothers are said to be buried.

Finally, Wessex Ancient Kingdom ends at the edge of the Somerset Levels, a beautiful, flat and mysterious land. Back in Alfred’s day, it was a marshy inland sea punctuated by islands of dry land where villages and communities were established. Isolated and difficult to navigate, it proved to be the perfect refuge for Alfred as he retreated from the Danes, gathered his troops, and prepared for the greatest battle of his life….

Wessex Ancient Kingdom provides a fascinating glimpse of old England, taking you through an ancient, beautiful landscape in the footsteps of King Alfred the Great himself. If you’d like to know more about this fascinating Foot Trail, visit our website or send us a message here on Facebook.

https://foottrails.co.uk/holidays/wessex-ancient-kingdom/

15/01/2025

Wessex… an ancient, beautiful and utterly rural part of South West England. Once one of the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that made up England in the Middle Ages, this region is steeped in history. It’s where Alfred the Great ruled, battled and laid the foundations that led to the very idea of England. It’s also where the idea of Foot Trails took shape.

Alison and I started exploring this area nearly 30 years ago and were immediately struck by it's beauty, and peaceful escape from modern life. The desire to share with others the beauty of nature, and the benefits of walking, led to creation of Foot Trails. Our first walks were here in Wessex and it's still as close to our hearts today as it was all those years ago.

If I had to sum up Wessex Ancient Kingdom in a single word, it would be ‘landscape’. It’s a region that is amazingly diverse. Rolling green hills of chalk grasslands, sweeping 360° views with not a single road or electricity pylon in sight. Shady, intimate river valleys with tiny villages, little changed since they were first recorded in the Domesday book. Norman and Saxon churches, romantic ruined castles - quintessential ‘Old England’ at its best.

Then there’s the one of the region’s most stunning Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the Cranborne Chase. Offering views over classic Thomas Hardy country: patchworks of small fields with villages, hamlets and churches dotting the landscape. A place where you could easily imagine bumping into one of Hardy’s characters - Bathsheba Everedene on her way to market, Michael Henchard going about his mayoral duties or Gabriel Oak tending to his sheep.

But the Anglo-Saxons are never far below the surface in this part of the world, tales of Alfred the Great weave their way into every footstep through the countryside, villages, towns, castles and abbeys of this beautiful corner of England. The unique mix of unchanged landscapes, ancient history, and tranquility immediately captivated Alison and myself, sowing the seed of Foot Trails as we know it today.

If you’d like to experience the magic of Wessex Ancient Kingdom, visit our website or simply send us a message here on Facebook.

https://foottrails.co.uk/holidays/wessex-ancient-kingdom/

David

11/01/2025

An interesting article from the New York Times, listing South West England as the number one place to visit in 2025 (topping a list of 52 locations). We couldn’t agree more 🙂

The article lists Bath and Stourhead as two of the main attractions of the region. And with this year being the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, the stunning Georgian city will be offering even more cultural events to mark the occasion. So 2025 is definitely a great time to visit. And with both Bath and Stourhead taking a starring role in a number of our trips, who better to show you the sights than Foot Trails?!

If you’d like to experience the beauty and culture of Bath and the grandeur and horticultural delights of Stourhead this year, simply send us a message here on Facebook.

You can read the New York Times article here:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/travel/places-to-travel-destinations-2025.html

09/01/2025

Happy New Year and all the very best for 2025 from all of us here at Foot Trails.

This is a time of year that we love. There’s always a great sense of energy and anticipation as we help guests arrange their walking adventures for 2025. The feeling of new beginnings and fresh adventures is hard to beat.

It’s also a time of reflection as we look back at the past year and the memories we created—helping our guests experience their own memorable trips in the English countryside and being out & about ourselves, meeting guests, checking existing routes and exploring new trails. 2024 was a great year and we’ve plenty to be looking forward to in 2025.

We have a BRAND NEW Foot Trail in north Somerset: Wild Coast & Wild Moor. We’ve also REFRESHED our Complete Cotswolds walking & hiking holiday, adding new trails and inns so that our guests can experience even more of the timeless beauty of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape)—from the northern tip of the Cotswolds to the stunning Georgian city of Bath in the south.

We’re also launching King Arthur’s Trail, a NEW journey through the wonderfully rural landscape of Somerset and Dorset, a region shaped by the myths and legends of King Arthur and his knights.

We’ll be telling you more about these NEW and REFRESHED Foot Trails here on Facebook over the coming weeks. We can’t wait to hear what you think.

But for now, the days are getting longer; spring is just around the corner. New life and new adventures await, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful corner of England in 2025.

Browse our 2025 brochure for inspiration, or visit our website to explore our walking trips & tours and find your next adventure.

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/434938850/

27/12/2024

At Foot Trails, we’re passionate about walking in South West England. It’s our home patch, and there’s nothing we love more than sharing the paths less travelled with our guests from all over the world.

We’ve lots to be excited about 2025, with NEW trips, trails and inns that we’ll be launching. And we’re already getting the new year off to a great start with a NEW walking holiday for 2025: Wild Coast & Wild Moor.

This inn to inn trail takes you from the rugged coast of North Somerset to the wild heart of Exmoor. It’s everything you don’t expect of South West England; heather-covered moors, prehistoric stones, rocky rivers where the white water tumbles, and the coast - rugged, steep, wooded and remote. It’s both dramatic and beautiful.

Weaving from pebble beaches echoing with the wash of the sea, through steep-sided river valleys to the open wild moor with its big views and coastal backdrop. Ancient fishing villages, Victorian resorts, prehistoric standing stones and tucked-away farming communities are just some of the highlights of this fascinating trip.

We've long been drawn to the rugged beauty of this little corner of Somerset, and we’re very excited to be now sharing it with our guests.

If you’d like to find out more and request a brochure, simply visit our website or send us a message here on Facebook:

https://foottrails.co.uk/holidays/wild-coast-and-wild-moor/

23/12/2024

The Christmas holidays are about to begin and we’re looking forward to some restful days with friends and family. We hope you are too.

With the winter solstice just gone (21st December), the days are now officially getting longer, and we’re looking forward to the slow return of spring breathing life back into the countryside here in the South West of England.

Our office will be closed from 24 December to 26 December (inclusive), however our trip consultants will be available from 27 December onwards (including the weekend), so please do send us an email or message here on Facebook if you would like more information on any of our walking trips.

On a fittingly festive note, we thought we’d share with you some photos and words from Foot Trails team member Emma, who, in the pursuit of some traditional festive cheer, went for an evening wander around the historic market town Sherborne:

‘Twas the week before Christmas…' and I had a hankering for some festive cheer and Christmas carols. And what better place to find that than at a carol concert held in the magnificent Sherborne Abbey?'

You can read about the concert and Emma's winter wander around Sherborne on the Foot Trails blog here:
https://foottrails.co.uk/christmas-in-sherborne/.

May we take this opportunity to wish you all festive cheer, good tidings and a happy New Year.

14/12/2024

"To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum."
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Famous regency novelist Jane Austen wasn’t just a gifted writer, she was also a keen walker. So it’s no surprise that this fondness for perambulation (🙂) often found its way into her novels.

Many of her heroines caused consternation amongst their peers by striding for miles through the countryside in South West England. In Pride and Prejudice, the waspish Miss Bingley may have disapproved of Elizabeth Bennet’s habit of walking, but we at Foot Trails certainly don’t!

Jane Austen has strong ties to the South West, and Bath, in particular, having lived in the country city for five years in the early 1800s. Today, it’s still easy to imagine Ms Austen meandering through the well-preserved streets of Bath, passing by the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge or the Assembly Rooms. It’s one of the reasons why we love Bath so much and why it’s one of our favourite places to start and finish a good day’s hiking in and around the River Avon Valley.

Whenever I can, I try to get out and spend a few hours meandering next to the still water, cocooned by trees and wooded valleys, taking in the sights and the sights and sounds of wildlife—coots, moorhens, swans and ducks, not to mention countless other birds flitting from branch to branch above my head. Once or twice, I’ve even been lucky enough to see the bright blue flash of a kingfisher speeding past. On cool spring evenings, I love walking past the colourful, cosy barges on the canal, wood burners warming those inside and spreading the wonderful smell of woodsmoke through the air.

Arriving on foot in Bath puts the perfect finish on the day. Walking down from the wooded hills gives you stunning views of the city. As I wander past some of its most well-known landmarks, I like to think that I’m seeing the same sights that Jane Austen saw when she lived here in the 1800s 🙂

Now is the perfect time to book for a refreshing spring adventure in this wonderful corner of England. To find out more simply message us on Facebook.

08/12/2024

I've been walking in The Cotswolds all my life and yet I'm still finding new paths and places to explore, sometimes in areas I thought I knew well. This past week I headed to an area just a few miles from where I grew up. Under a wintry pastel sky with a less than favourable forecast I laced up my boots and struck out to explore.

A narrow lane led me steeply down to a ford, the water deep, I was thankful for the ancient clapper bridge that crossed the stream. A white egret startled by my presence scuttled away before gaining flight.

Crossing the rolling wolds, a landscape that has been inhabited since at least Bronze-age times, I found myself strolling into a remote Cotswolds village. Charming cottages set around the green, dressed with its Christmas tree in anticipation of the upcoming festivities.

The sheep grazed the meadow beneath the perfectly proportioned manor house, a scene unchanged for centuries. I plunged through the woodland and happened upon two happy pigs foraging the ground looking for hidden gems.

As I arrived at the ridge the wind was quickening, the weather was on the change just as forecast. Red Kites (birds of prey) danced on the gusty winds, swooping low to check on me as I passed. Stunning views before me, descending the hill, the end of my trail was in sight.

Strolling into this medieval market town the glow of the fire through the window lured me in, time to sit beside the fire and refresh just as many a pilgrim may have done before me.

A day hiking on the 'Journey Across The Cotswolds' trail, by David

04/12/2024

This Autumn I’ve been lucky enough to be exploring new paths and trails which form a NEW inn to inn trail (can’t wait for you to all see!).

It felt great to be out on the trails again in this part of the world, and in my favourite season too. It’s an area I’ve wanted to share with our guests for a long time—rugged, dramatic and very beautiful. The landscape here always takes my breath away with its striking coastal vistas, intimate river valleys and wild moorland. There are lots of fascinating tales and history to discover, too, as well as some wonderful inns to stay overnight. I can’t wait to unveil this new trip very soon. But until then, I couldn’t resist sharing some photos with you from my most recent trip. 🙂

David

01/12/2024

We’ve been talking a lot about spring here at Foot Trails HQ as we’re helping many of our guests plan their spring walking adventures. All of which got me thinking back to a brilliant walk I did along the coast in the south west last spring. It really stuck in my mind and felt like a proper sunny spring day, so I thought I’d share it here on Facebook.

As I arrived at my startpoint, I immediately knew I was by the coast. In fact, I’d have known this even if I’d had had my eyes shut. The wind was blowing in off the sea, bringing with it the smell of the ocean. Waves were crashing against the rocks, sending salty spray up into the air, and gulls were wheeling and shrieking above my head, presumably on the lookout for some unguarded fish and chips.

It was all very familiar but also very exhilarating. Because I knew I was in for an adventure—with big skies and a landscape that would take my breath away (literally and figuratively 🙂). As I moved through the countryside, I was delighted by the bursts of colour I saw—white hawthorn lining the narrow path, contrasting sharply with the dark skeletons of the still-leafless trees. In fact, one of the things I love about spring by the coast is that the landscape is muted but still really beautiful. The views in all directions were spectacular, a patchwork of farmland to my left, the sea shimmering off to the horizon on my right, and cliff after cliff stretching out in front of and behind me.

The paths are less frequented at this time of year, which meant that I only met a few other walkers out on the trail. The sunshine was a welcome reminder that spring was underway. The first small fishing port I visited, I even dared to sit outside for a coffee and a slice of cake, letting the sun warm my face. I think it was my first al fresco ‘meal’ of the year.

Tempting as it was to stay and soak up the rays, I kept walking, past thatched cottages and back out onto the path. The trail took me inland and out, through shaded woodlands and villages that look like they’d clung to the coast for centuries.

When I reached my destination, I was windswept but very happy. And, much like the gulls that accompanied me on this walk, I was also on the lookout for some fish and chips!
Emma

Now is the perfect time to book for a spring walking and hiking adventure in South West England. If you’d like more information, simply send us a message on Facebook.

28/11/2024

Earlier this month, I was out & about in Somerset on one of our walks in our Bath & Avon Valley trip.

In addition to checking the footpaths (and enjoying the autumnal landscape), I extended the existing route to take in an ancient long barrow from the early Neolithic period. Built between 3800 and 3400 BC, this prehistoric tomb is open to the public, and visitors can enter through a 13-metre passage.

I’m always fascinated by these ancient monuments and think this will be a great addition to our Bath & Avon Valley trip. 🙂
David

22/11/2024

O dandelion, rich and haughty,
King of village flowers!
The Dandelion, Vachel Lindsay

From the first stirrings of nature after winter’s grip, spring unfurls, dressing the countryside in bounteous floral colour. Joyful spring meadows are alive with life - bright wildflowers, bees, butterflies and birds lifting our hearts and spirits with every step through the lengthening grass.

Even the humble buttercup and dandelion can transform the most unassuming of fields into a magnificent carpet of yellow, white and green. Hiking through these swathes of colour is a simple yet exhilarating experience, making spring one of our favourite times of year to explore the South West.

For the best choice of arrival dates and bedroom options, now is the perfect time to make your plans for April and May 2025. If you’d like more information, simply send us a message on Facebook.

19/11/2024

A walk in the woods is a joy any time of year. But there’s something extra special about spring. As you pass from field to woodland, it’s like stepping into a different world. Enveloped by the fresh green leaves starting to unfurl on the trees, the welcome sound of birdsong rising in intensity as males start to outdo each other in the search for a mate. And all around, the signs that life is returning to the countryside.

The woodland floor teems with delicate yet hardy spring flowers: snowdrops, primroses and red campion to name but a few. But for me, bluebells and wild garlic are the real stars of the show.

Bluebells are arguably one of the most eagerly anticipated harbingers of spring here in the South West. There is something uniquely magnificent and joyful when you happen across a swathe of these deep violet blooms whilst out walking in a forest. Standing amongst the trees and taking in this wonderful display of nature is an experience that’s hard to beat.

For me, wild garlic has a similar effect. Perhaps not as iconic as bluebells, but no less impressive, these delicate white, star-shaped flowers suddenly burst onto the scene from mid-April onwards. Bringing a heady, unmistakable garlicky scent to the air. I love seeing this luxurious mass of white, that appears like a fresh coating of spring snow, providing an impactful contrast to the deep greens of the forest.

We’re blessed here in South West England with such a diverse landscape - rolling hills, grand country estates, idyllic river valleys, dramatic sea cliffs, and, of course, lots of different woodlands.

If you’d like to start planning your spring walking adventure with Foot Trails, send us a message here on Facebook.

16/11/2024

We're delighted to be featuring in today's edition of The Guardian's Travel section. Foot Trails has a great write-up in the print edition (the digital version will be available a bit later on). So naturally, I've bought myself a copy to read at my leisure with a nice cup of tea and some biscuits - the only way to read a Saturday newspaper :)

13/11/2024

As the chill of winter arrives on the breeze and the cosy warmth of log fires beckons, it’s naturally a time when thoughts turn to the adventures we might enjoy when the days lengthen and the warm sunshine returns next spring.

I love walking in an English spring.

In the countryside, life is bursting forth in dramatic fashion. Everything wakes up. Beneath the growing woodland tree canopies, beautiful carpets of wild indigo-coloured bluebells fill the air as you walk with a delicate scent.

Wild garlic, with its more pungent smell, is another springtime favourite. Its small symmetrical white flowers look striking against the mild green coloured leaves. And green is the colour of the moment in an English spring.

As you walk, myriad shades of green jump out at you from the vibrant almost luminous shades of the growing new leaves to darker hues.

Spring is a time of reawakening. A time of new life.

Walks at this time of year evoke great feelings of happiness within me and are refreshing and bright. The noticeable sound and chatter of bird song and mild, warm spring sunshine after winter's cool chill are particular favourites. Walks in spring put a smile on my face.

If you’d like to start planning your spring walking adventure in South West England, simply send us a message on Facebook.

With warm regards,
Alison Howell

10/11/2024

'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.’
For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon, 1914

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