Our Story

Many years ago Alison & David (Foot Trails founders) gave up their jobs, house and car, and boarded a boat for France. They carried with them an appetite for adventure, a small two man tent, a few essential clothes and a calor gas stove to make tea and cook supper.

Together they walked & hiked 680 miles across France, doing what they loved most, being close to nature and exploring.

They got up when the day turned light, sometimes to the sight of stars, and went to bed as the light fell.

They lived in harmony with the rhythms of nature. They wandered fields of sunflowers, lavender and vines, crossed plains and travelled through ancient villages.

And they not only discovered countless stories, they made many of their own. Returning to the UK they lived for a short time on a campsite in Therese the tent and pondered the future.

Foot Trails was born.

Inspired by the journey they had made, Alison & David had a desire to help others take their own adventures, experiencing the beautiful but also local, all through the simplicity of walking & hiking.

Frustrated by the image of walking & hiking, at the same time Alison wanted to show walking didn’t have to be about distance or objectives, but that a walk could be enjoyable, fun, relaxing, and finish with creature comforts; quality bedrooms and food.

In 2002 Alison launched Foot Trails, determined to avoid formulaic mass tourism and focusing instead on people and their experience. The mission, to help our guests discover a different way to travel, slowly, authentically, at nature’s rhythm, amongst the landscapes and history of South West England.

Rooted in our own love of South West England Alison created Foot Trails with the value of doing good and punching above our size. To take our guests to genuine villages, using local independent inns and drivers, bringing value to the communities our trail pass through.

Over 2 decades Foot Trails has grown into a small dedicated team who share Alison’s passion for helping our guests discover the very best of South West England, slowly, on foot.

A challenge.

In 2015 Alison had a medical setback, it would take over 3 years of health challenges before she was diagnosed with Bipolar. Supported by David, Alison continued to be the front face of Foot Trails. And in 2018, in recognition of her work, she was awarded an honorary degree ‘Master of Business Administration’ by Solent University. Commenting on her award, Alison said;

“Life doesn’t come without its setbacks, but these tough moments are what makes us who we are, and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Alison took a break from Foot Trails for a few years, working in the charity sector and giving back to some of those that helped her own recovery.

During this time, David and the Foot Trails team took Foot Trails forward, overcoming the challenges and closures of Covid-19 to build Foot Trails back stronger than ever before.

Today.

Alison has returned to Foot Trails to lead our business planning, and Alison & David run Foot Trails together. Supported by an amazing team of people based here in Somerset & Dorset we’re all dedicated to giving you the best possible walking experience.

Thank you for reading our story.