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  • Trips & Tours
    • The Cotswolds
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    • Events: Group Walks
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  • The Howell Way
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David Gunpowder walk

By Emma Surridge / March 28, 2025

Person walking up a field. There are trees on the horizon and the sun is shining in a cloudless sky.

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On our journal

A blustery day on the Dorset coast

One word defined Saturday’s hike recce for Foot Trails: Wind!  We test and check new trails quite often in the

Telling stories as we walk: An interview with David Howell

At Foot Trails, we tell stories as we walk. Which is why we place so much importance on the myths,

Foot Trails’ sister company Drive and Stroll is now live!

A brand-new English tourism offering, Drive and Stroll is set to revolutionise how visitors experience the stunning landscapes, charming villages,

Life on Instagram

A blustery day on the Dorset coast 1/3 This past A blustery day on the Dorset coast 1/3 This past weekend, Foot Trails Co-Founders Alison & David Howell travelled down to the Dorset coast to recce a new route for our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip. The weather was what we would call ‘bracing’, which made for some perfect winter coastal walking: “One word defined Saturday's hike recce for Foot Trails: Wind! We test and check new trails quite often in the winter, and Saturday was exceptionally windy. 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!" This hike is for our new 'Coastal Seascapes of Dorset' trip. It's best described as moderate due to the steep cliff climbs in places. (down and up!). You can find out more about our hiking & walking trips on the Dorset coast on our website (link in bio). #SouthWestCoastPath #CoastalWalksUK #CoastalAdventure #EnglandCoastPath #CoastalHiking #UKCoastline #SeaViewsUK #ExploreTheSouthWest #DorsetWalks #jurassiccoast #dorset #WanderBritain #UKExplorers #TrailSeekers #walkingholidaysuk #walkinguk #hikeuk #hikinguk #ukoutdoors
'The human story and the landscape of South West E 'The human story and the landscape of South West England are entwined.' Which is why we place so much importance on the myths, legends, history and folklore of the regions we share with our guests. It's why our trail guides are full of the stories of the South West (alongside step-by-step instructions). To delve deeper into the ethos behind this approach, Emma from the Foot Trails team sat down with Co-Founder & Trail Creator David Howell to ask him about his love of history and how he weaves this into every walk. To find out more about our walking & hiking trips in South West England, visit our website (link in bio) or send us a message here on Instagram. #HistoricEngland #EnglishHistory #BritishFolklore #walkingholidaysuk #walkuk #hikeuk #UKHiking #UKWalks #WalkingUK #HikingUK #EnglandWalks #WalkingInEngland #HikingEngland #WanderBritain #EnglishCountryside #DiscoverEngland #EnglandOutdoors #EnglishNature #CountryWalking #VillageWalks #HiddenEngland #GreatBritishWalks #LoveTheOutdoorsUK #VisitEngland #NatureBritain
At Foot Trails, we tell stories as we walk. And th At Foot Trails, we tell stories as we walk. And there are many tales to tell in our corner of the world. After all, the landscape of South West England has been worked and lived in by humans for millennia. We believe that to really experience it, you have to delve into the stories that lie beneath the trails and footpaths. From the truly ancient neolithic and megalithic through Roman, Saxon and medieval times to more recent histories that still shape the landscape today. This is why, in addition to our step-by-step trail instructions, all of our printed trail guides contain the history & stories of the places you’re exploring. Not just the big historical events, but the smaller, local tales. The scandals that shocked society centuries ago; the tales of smugglers and ‘ne’er do wells’; of great lords and their follies. There are many stories to tell :) David #walkingholidaysuk #GetOutside #ExploreOnFoot #walkuk #hikeuk #DiscoverHistory #ExploreHistory #EnglandWalks #WalkingInEngland #DiscoverEngland #EnglandOutdoors #CountrysideWalks #HiddenEngland #WalkingUK #HikingUK #BritishOutdoors
“But man was less and less, till Arthur came.” Idy “But man was less and less, till Arthur came.” Idylls of Arthur, Tennyson King Alfred wasn’t the only legendary king to roam the South West. Somerset is rich with tales of King Arthur — the ‘once and future king’. Glastonbury was long rumoured to be his resting place, and a nearby ancient hillfort was said to be Camelot itself. Some even whisper that Arthur and his knights still sleep beneath the hill, waiting for England’s hour of need. Whether or not he lived, the myths endure — just like the landscapes, villages and quiet beauty of this rural corner of England. It’s a place where stories drift across hilltops and life slows to 2 miles per hour. Discover our walking & hiking trips in this legendary region via the link in our bio. #KingArthur #leavethecity #visitsomerset #welovesomerset #visitengland #englishcountryside #lovegreatbritain #escape #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidaysuk #stayandwander #travelengland #englishheritage #HiddenGemsUK #englishcountryside #traveluk #castles #walkingholidays #walkingholidaysengland #medieval #hikeengland #visitengland #traveluk #ruralengland #countrysidewalks #somerset #dorset #wiltshire
'Drive and Stroll' launch: New tourism initiative 'Drive and Stroll' launch: New tourism initiative combines the best of scenic driving and gentle walking in South West England Foot Trails' sister company @driveandstroll is now live! www.driveandstroll.co.uk A brand-new English tourism offering, @driveandstroll (www.driveandstroll.co.uk) is set to revolutionise how visitors experience the stunning landscapes, charming villages, and historic market towns of the South West of England. Launching today, Drive and Stroll provides private guided driver tours and curated itineraries that pair beautiful, scenic drives with short, manageable strolls, perfect for those who want to explore the heart of the countryside without committing to long, strenuous hikes. For more information about @driveandstroll visit the website (link in bio). #driveandstroll #PrivateDriver #PrivateDriverTour #DriverGuide #BespokeTravel #CountrysideTours #HiddenGemsUK #ExploreEngland #EnglishCountryside #RuralEscape #OffTheBeatenPathUK #SmallGroupTravel #YourTripYourWay #TravelUK #VisitEngland #ExploreMore #visitsomerset #visitdorset #visitwiltshire #countrysidewalks
Ruling Wessex from 871 to 899, Alfred the Great re Ruling Wessex from 871 to 899, Alfred the Great remains one of England’s most influential English kings. When he took the throne, Wessex was the last stronghold against the Danes. After a major defeat in 878, he retreated, regrouped and ultimately triumphed over Guthrum, securing the future of Anglo‑Saxon England. Alfred reshaped the South West, creating fortified towns that later became thriving market towns, and championing learning and culture. His reforms laid the groundwork for England’s unification under his grandson Athelstan. Though Wessex has vanished, Alfred’s legacy endures across the landscape. To book a hiking trip in this legendary region, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure. #ruralengland #englishcountryside #ukwalking #ukwalks #hikebritain #visitwiltshire #visitdorset #visitsomerset #visitexmoor #hiking #walking #outdooradventures #exploreuk #yourhikes #ukcountryside #walkingholidaysuk
Foot Trails wins prestigious UK business award We Foot Trails wins prestigious UK business award We’re thrilled to announce that Foot Trails has won the UK Business Excellence Award 2026! Organised by UKBEA, this prestigious recognition highlights our dedication to quality, innovation, and outstanding service within the industry. UKBEA takes immense pride in celebrating excellence and recognising outstanding businesses across the United Kingdom, and we are honoured to have received this recognition. #foottrailsuk #Travel #Tourism #theukbea #ukbea #BusinessDirectory #UKBusinessCommunity #BusinessExcellence #BusinessGrowth #SupportLocalBusiness #BritishBusiness #ExcellenceAward
Here's another look at our new walk in the Cotswol Here's another look at our new walk in the Cotswolds. A crisp frosty morning of walking, checking and finalising another fantastic trail in this wonderful region of the South West. To find out more, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure. #cotswoldslife #visitengland #cotswolds #beautifuldestinations #footpaths #englishcountryside #walkuk #hikeuk #countrysudewalks #winterwalks #WalkingUK #outdoors #WanderBritain #UKExplorers #TrailSeekers #HikingAdventuresUK
Stepping through time in Wiltshire... Earlier thi Stepping through time in Wiltshire... Earlier this week, David, Alastair and myself (Emma) from the Foot Trails team were out in wonderful Wiltshire, updating a walk steeped in history. Starting deep in the countryside, our trail took us through woodlands and over rivers, meadows and fields. Taking in an ancient Iron Age hillfort occupied well into the Middle Ages before being abandoned in the 1300s. After spending some time exploring the ruins, we continued on our way. The spire of Salisbury emerging in the thinning mist, dominating the skyline as it has done since the 14th century. We followed our route into the city, keeping to the course of the river until we reached the cathedral square, where a welcoming bowl of warm soup and a hot drink were waiting for us. This trail is part of our Kings & Kingdoms hiking trip. To find out more, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure. #hiking #walking #ukwalking #ukwalks #ukhiking #ukoutdoors #SalisburyCathedral #cathedrals #visitwiltshire #hikebritain #visitengland #hikingadventures #getoutside #hikinguk #walkinguk #walkingholidays #walkingholidaysuk #visitwiltshire #visitengland #swisbest
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Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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