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

David silhouette Dorset Chapman’s Pool

By Emma Surridge / August 21, 2026

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

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On our journal

Above the Waves: Hiking Dorset’s coastline

At the start of September, Foot Trials’ Senior Itinerary Consultant Alastair and I (Storyteller Emma) were out checking a section

Capturing the first signs of autumn on our Country House trail

Last week, Foot Trails Senior Consultant Alastair was out meeting guests at one of the country house gardens in our Kings

A blustery day on the coast

There’s something special about the coast; where the land falls dramatically away to meet the sea. Especially on blustery day

Life on Instagram

Another look at our hike along the Dorset coast la

Another look at our hike along the Dorset coast last week. Quiet trails, Neolithic monuments, beachside walking and stunning coastal views. 🌊

If you'd like to explore this beautiful landscape in 2027, visit our website or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We'd love to hear from you.

https://foottrails.co.uk/holidays/coastal-seascapes-of-dorset/

#CoastalHikes #englishcoastline #dorsetcoast #ruralengland #SlowTravel #getoutside

Can there be anything more joyous that spending a

Can there be anything more joyous that spending a moment sitting on a bench in a beautiful country garden in June, watching roses, cornflowers, sweetpeas, irises, and oxeye daisies bob in the breeze, listening to insects buzzing from one bloom to another as the early summer sun warms your face? This is exactly what I did in June of 2025 at a local manor house that had opened its doors to the public for one day only as part of the Open Gardens scheme.

I spent a wonderful couple of hours wandering the grounds, ambling from walled garden to kitchen garden on flagstones and beautifully manicured lawns. The perfect way to spend a summer’s afternoon 🌹

Emma (Foot Trails Storyteller)

You can find out more about our Country Houses & Gardens trip by visiting our website (link in bio) or sending emailing us at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#OpenGardens #SimpleJoys #SlowLiving #CottagecoreAesthetic #EnglishCountryGarden #WalledGarden #ManorHouse #HikingUK #Cottagecore #GardenInspiration #QuietMoments #HistoricHouses #WalkingHolidays #WeLoveEngland

Last week, Senior Itinerary Consultant Alastair an

Last week, Senior Itinerary Consultant Alastair and I (Storyteller Emma) checked a section of our Foot Trails route along the Dorset coast.

A key highlight for me was the climb to an abandoned coastguard hut. To get there, we followed a trail that wound its way through bright yellow gorse with beautiful sea views stretching off to the left. Continuing on, we reached an Iron Age hillfort with stunning 360-degree views, the sea on one side and undulating farmland, river valleys, and chalk downlands on the other.

After pausing at the trig point, we carried on to the hut perched on the hill. Now abandoned, it serves as a breathtaking lookout point. We rested on an old stone bench outside, watching a bird of prey effortlessly hover in the wind with the coast stretching off into the distance. Inside the tiny building, we discovered a visitors' book and read messages left by previous hikers. After adding our own words, we set off again, leaving this lovely place, somewhere that makes you feel a million miles from anywhere yet also connected to those who walked here before you.

Emma

This trail is part of our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip. If you'd like to hike in the stunning landscape of Dorset's Jurassic Coast, simply visit our website or drop us a line at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We'd love to chat chat through your plans.

#CoastalHikes #CoastalWalks #EnglishCoast #JurassicCoast #ChesilBeach #VisitDorset #RuralEngland #SlowTravel #Hiking #EnglishCountryside #WeLoveEngland #HikeBritain #dorsetcoastline #dorsetcoast #WalkingHolidays #SelfGuided #HikingVacations #ExploreEngland

A perfect winter's morning in the Cotswolds "A go

A perfect winter's morning in the Cotswolds

"A golden glow on the horizon, the ground frozen, whited by frost. As I passed the village pond a great egret took off, circling, waiting for me to pass so it could wait again on its fishing perch. The sun crept higher and golden shafts of light illuminated the Cotswolds stone. The frost glistened and ancient trees stood like sculptures silhouetted by the sun. I imagined what the trail would be like on a summer's day, the trees in leaf, the fields verdant, the warmth of the sun."

David Howell

Our Cotswolds trips are curated to show you the trails that we love, far from the crowds and the tourist hotspots. To find out more, visit our website or drop us a line at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#CotswoldWalks #QuietTrails #OffTheBeatenPathUK #CotswoldStone #CountrysideWalks #UKHiking #WalkingInTheUK #ExploreUK #CountryWalks #EnglishCountryside #GetOutside #WalkingHolidays #SelfGuidedWalks #OutdoorUK #SlowTravelUK

Last week, Foot Trails' Senior Itinerary Consultan

Last week, Foot Trails' Senior Itinerary Consultant Alastair was out meeting guests at one of the country house gardens in our Kings & Kingdoms and Country Houses & Gardens trips. He took these wonderful photos of the lake and its surroundings. There's already a hint of autumn in the air and it won't be too long before these green leaves start to take on their autumn colours!

#stourhead #englishcountryhouse #englishgarden #gardeninspiration #VisitEngland #WalkingHolidays #WeLoveEngland #VisitEngland #ExploreEngland #VisitWiltshire #ntstourhead #uk_scenery #stourheadnationaltrust #stourheadgarden

Something special happens when you step onto a foo

Something special happens when you step onto a footpath and leave the world behind. When all you can hear are the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, the babbling & gurgling of a stream making its way through the countryside to the sea, and the chattering of birds in hedgerows and woodland.

At Foot Trails, we curate every trip and every trail to capture these beautiful, peaceful moments. Away from screens, apps and notifications. Just you, your step-by-step trail guides and the great outdoors.

To find out more about our self-guided walking & hiking trips, visit our website (link in bio) or drop us a line at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We’d love to share our corner of South West England with you.

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#SouthWestEngland #VisitEngland #UKCountryside #Dorset #Wiltshire #Cotswolds #EnglishCountryside #WalkingInNature #CountrysideWalks #NatureLovers #SlowTravel

A moment to sit and take in a seasonal spectacle…

A moment to sit and take in a seasonal spectacle…

“On a still, sunny Sunday morning in April, I went for a wander in a bluebell woodland. The only sounds were the crunch of my boots on the path, the rustle of the wind in the trees and the bright spring birdsong.

I found a spot to sit awhile and take in my surroundings, soaking in the peace and quiet and the sounds of nature all around. It was relaxing, refreshing, inspiring and invigorating. Everything that a spring walk in the woods should be.” 🪻

Emma (Foot Trails Storyteller)

https://foottrails.co.uk/

#bluebellwoods #SpringInEngland #SouthWestEngland #WalkingHolidays #SelfGuidedWalking #EnglishCountryside #HikingUK #SlowTravel #VisitEngland #CountryWalks #SpringHiking

There’s something special about the coast; where t

There’s something special about the coast; where the land falls dramatically away to meet the sea. Especially on blustery day in winter!

Back in January this year, David and I started a coastal hike in a small community on Dorset's coast. Idyllic cottages and a great pub. From here, our route hugged the coastline cliffs closely. The views of the swell on the sea were incredible. On top of the cliffs the wind was strongest and the coastguard waved to us out of the window of the glass fronted lookout. My hair blew out wildly from beneath my hat!

This powerful force of nature was awesome. Throwing up spray onto us on the cliffs, buffeting our faces and threatening to take our breath away! I find it a complete tonic. Not just for my fitness but for my mental health too. It's pretty tricky to let other thoughts fill your head when you're out on the trail, gorgeous views and wonderful nature surrounding you!”

Alison

If you’d like to hike Dorset’s Jurassic Coast in 2027, you can find out more by visiting our website or sending us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

https://foottrails.co.uk/hol.../coastal-seascapes-of-dorset/

#SouthWestCoastPath #CoastalWalksUK #CoastalAdventure #EnglandCoastPath #CoastalHiking #UKCoastline #SeaViewsUK #ExploreTheSouthWest

A moment on an Iron Age hill fort “On a vibrant s

A moment on an Iron Age hill fort

“On a vibrant spring day in Dorset, we walked through countryside bursting with wildflowers and birdsong toward an ancient Iron Age hill fort. At the summit of the hill, we gazed out at the views: rolling green hills stretching out in all directions, the sea a thin line of bright blue in the distance. No apps, no notifications, just us, our trail guides and the beautiful Dorset countryside.”

Emma (Foot Trails Storytelelr)

#findingstillness #quietmoments #EnglishCountryside #JurassicCoast #VisitDorset #DorsetWalks #WalkingHolidays #SelfGuidedWalks #SouthWestEngland #OutdoorsUK #SlowTravel #FootTrailsUK #CoastalWalks #EnglishCountryside

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Credits & small print

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

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