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Trips & Tours
The Howell Way
Our Journal
Talk to an expert

Trips & Tours
The Howell Way
Our Journal
Talk to an expert

Path up to Pilsdon Pen Ridgeway thirstily

By Emma Surridge / April 1, 2026

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We don't follow the national trails.
We follow the Howell Way.

Our way of walking, our way of caring.
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A new video for Foot Trails

24 years ago, Alison & David Howell launched Foot Trails, determined to avoid formulaic mass tourism and focusing instead on

Your reviews and feedback, why do they matter so much?

At Foot Trails we believe that the true measure of success isn’t just the miles you’ve walked, but the memories

We take care of the details

“Perfect. As though Foot Trails had been inside our heads and curated the trip in ways we didn’t even realize

Life on Instagram

What are we loving right now? Walking through fiel

What are we loving right now? Walking through fields of golden buttercups.

#Buttercups #ButtercupField #Wildflowers #SpringFlowers #SpringMagic

Earlier this month, Alison & I spent a day in the

Earlier this month, Alison & I spent a day in the Cotswolds making a short film about The Howell Way - our set of values that shapes everything we do here in Foot Trails. In it, we talk about all things Foot Trails, explaining what you can expect on one of our bespoke, self-guided walking holidays.

We loved spending the day in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, filming in some of our favourite villages and inns. We hope you enjoy the video!

David Howell

If you'd like to explore the paths less trodden in South West England, simply visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We’d love to chat through your plans.

#UKHiking #UKWalks #WalkingUK #HikingUK #HikingEngland #visitengland #DiscoverEngland #walkingholidaysuk #walkingholidays #GetOutside #DiscoverEngland #selfguided #slowtravel

Your reviews and feedback, why do they matter so m

Your reviews and feedback, why do they matter so much?

At Foot Trails we believe that the true measure of success isn't just the miles you’ve walked, but the memories you’ve made along the way, and the quality and richness of your experience. That's why reviews and feedback are not just welcome; they are the lifeblood of Foot Trails. They enable us to maintain our high standards and to continually evolve.

In the world of travel, trust is paramount. Guests considering a self-guided walking holiday often rely on the experiences of others before committing to a journey. Authentic reviews provide proof and transparency. They offer an unbiased look at what it's truly like to walk with Foot Trails, helping prospective guests to feel confident in choosing us.
The stories, photos, and heartfelt praise shared in reviews are incredibly powerful. They inspire others.

Over the years, guest feedback has helped to make Foot Trails the experience it is today. We have tweaked walking routes, the contents of our Walk and Explore Boxes and customer service due to feedback.

When you take the time to share your experience, you are helping us create more meaningful and memorable walking holidays for everyone. Thank you for making Foot Trails better, one step and one review at a time.

Alison Howell

#walkinguk #countrysidewalks #walkinguk #naturewalk #traveluk #englishcountryside #weloveengland #england #britain #british #explore #hiking #hikeuk #ukhiking #walking #walkingholiday #hikingholiday

“Perfect. As though Foot Trails had been inside ou

“Perfect. As though Foot Trails had been inside our heads and curated the trip in ways we didn't even realize we wanted.”
Nora, USA

At Foot Trails, we take care of the details for you, creating a bespoke itinerary tailored exactly to your needs: What you want to see, how many days you want to hike, how many miles you want to walk each day and more. This tailor-made document contains all the times and details for each day of your trip, including breakfast times, departure times, luggage transfer details, meeting times for cars, walk start points, lunch and refreshment advice, places of interest and dinner reservations. Leaving you free to hike care-free with just a day pack and a few essentials for the trail.

If you feel inspired to explore the quieter paths in the Cotswolds and South West England, visit our website or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

https://foottrails.co.uk/

#hiking #england #greatbritain #uktravel #walking #trails #activetravel #selfguided #summertravel #UKHiking #UKWalks #WalkingUK #HikingUK #BritishOutdoors #ExploreUK #visitengland #ruralengland #slowtravel #leavethecity

Where we walked in April... April was a month of

Where we walked in April...

April was a month of colour and brightness with the countryside springing back into life. Bluebells, wild garlic, wisteria and tulips burst onto the scene, adding spectacular colour to woodlands and villages up and down the region. We continued to welcome guests to our corner of England to explore the lesser-known trails and paths from the Cotswolds down to the Dorset and Exmoor coast.

We were also out in the countryside ourselves, exploring our favourite bluebell and wild garlic spots. Checking trails in Wiltshire and the Cotswolds and meeting up with guests out on walks.

If you’d like to know more about booking a hiking trip in the tranquil countryside of South West England, simply visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#visitengland #hiking #walking #england #ruralengland #getoutdoors #cotswoldsliving #visitwiltshire #visitdorset #visitsomerset #englishgardens #englishcountryhouse #englishcountryside #hikeuk #walkuk #seekthepositive #leavethecity #RuralEngland #countrygarden

"We had a fantastic time on our Wessex walk and ap

"We had a fantastic time on our Wessex walk and appreciate all the support along the way. It truly was a memorable experience for the six of us."
Margaret, Canada

More wonderful words from guests who completed a bespoke Country Houses & Gardens tour in April. We created a tailor-made itinerary that took our guests through an ancient landscape with a distinctly medieval feel: Castles, charming villages, magnificent country houses and beautiful gardens, just some of the highlights of the trip.

If you'd like to explore of the South West's most iconic country houses & gardens on trails that take you away from the crowds, visit our website or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

https://foottrails.co.uk/holidays/english-country-houses-gardens/

#englishcountryhouse #historichouses #englishgardens #england #walking #slowtravelling #gardensofengland #englishcountryside #walkinguk #hikinguk #selfguided #activetravel #UKtravel

We don’t need an excuse to lace up our boots and g

We don’t need an excuse to lace up our boots and get out in the countryside at any time of year. But in May, the countryside is particularly inviting. The winter months now seem long forgotten as the countryside bursts with greens, whites and yellows - hawthorn, cow parsley and swathes of buttercups. The promise of summer is in the air and everything seems bright and fresh. May is simply a wonderful month to be out and about.

If you’d like to explore the paths less trodden in South West England this summer, visit our website (link in bio) or simply send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We’d love to share our corner of England with you.

#hikeuk #walkuk #swisbest #spring #countrysidewalks #ruralengland #cotswolds #visitwiltshire #visitengland #visitsomerset #visitdorset #slowtraveling #seekthepositive #selfguided #englishcountryside

In South West England, we're blessed with a wonder

In South West England, we're blessed with a wonderful variety of cottages, each shaped by its landscape and local history.

In Somerset and Wiltshire, for example, you find chalk‑stone farm cottages, their thatched roofs peeking out above hedges along quiet lanes or rolling farmland.

Over in the Cotswolds, the character changes to stone-slate roofs and honey‑coloured limestone.

Down in Dorset, thatched cottages are again more common - sweeping roofs and whitewashed walls, often surrounded by cottage gardens full of flowers and buzzing insects.

In Exmoor, sandstone cottages are nestled in the wild coast and moor, buffeted by sea breezes and the salty sea air. Each type of cottage is rooted in its region, reflecting the different unique characteristics and history.

Wandering quiet country lanes and footpaths to discover these hidden gems is one of the joys of hiking in South West England.

If you’d like to discover these hidden gems for yourself this summer, visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#EnglishCottages #SlowTravelUK #CotswoldCottage #hikingengland #walking #visitengland #cottagecore #hikethecotswolds #VisitWiltshire #visitdorset #visitsomerset #visitexmoor #hikingengland #hikeuk #getoutdoors #englishcountryside #RuralEngland #countrysidewalks #leavethecity

Throughout winter and spring, David, the team and

Throughout winter and spring, David, the team and I are often out checking trails. This work is essential for keeping our walking routes updated and our instructions accurate and easy to follow.

On a recent sunny weekend, David and I were in Wiltshire checking our Great Ridge trail. We set off from the inn with a spring in our step, beneath bright blue skies and pleasantly warm early‑spring sunshine. Soon we were leaving the village behind and heading into magnificent countryside. We followed paths between crops and saw vivid yellow oilseed rape glowing in the distance. Out here, with wide views all around, we felt a real sense of space and freedom. Using Foot Trails’ robust, waterproof Trail Card, we followed our step‑by‑step written instructions with ease.

Halfway along, we met some local walkers out with their dog. You may meet the occasional dog walker or hiker on our routes, but you certainly won’t find crowds, even in summer. Our local knowledge helps us guide you off the beaten path, away from busy A‑to‑B national trails.

Later, the trail descended into a pretty valley where a hare sprinted across a field and a kite called overhead. After 4.5 miles, we returned to the village, walking past its attractive cottages—ready for a well‑earned drink.

If you'd like to explore the beautiful countryside of South West England away from the crowds, visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We'd love to hear from you.

#visitwiltshire #visitengland #hikeuk #walkuk #ruralengland #countrysidewalks #hikingengland #walkingengland #UKHiking #UKWalks #WalkingUK #HikingUK

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+44 (0) 1747 820 626

The Welsh Mill, Frome, BA11 2LE

Credits & small print

Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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