Author name: Emma Surridge

Autumn (fall) draws in from September to late November. This seasonal change is glorious. September brings seasonal mists to the valley floors. Mid to end of October the trees transform with their burnt oranges, reds and yellows. All of which makes September and October wonderful months to walk in southwest England. But with the weather […]

This is a question we often get asked. Our answer? Autumn is a fantastic season for hiking in South West England. It doesn’t arrive dramatically but is a wonderfully slow transition. September to November, each month is distinct from the other and has something special to offer walkers and hikers. September hiking September brings misty mornings,

David and I (Alison) have enjoyed hiking and walking all week with 8 guests, on our guided Kings and Kingdoms trip in south Wiltshire and north Dorset.  Saturday, our final full day, arrived, and temperatures had cooled relative to previous days.  We jumped aboard the vans with Kevin and Andy and made our way to

All this week David and I (Alison) have had the pleasure of walking and hiking with guests on our guided Kings and Kingdoms walk in south Wiltshire and north Dorset. It’s a little known area that is stunningly beautiful with connections to Thomas Hardy and some beautiful rolling hills and ancient villages and towns. On

Day three of our guided Kings & Kingdoms Foot Trail brought villages, cottages, a stunning castle ruin and a delicious picnic! To keep everyone safe in the heat, David modified our planned route, shortening the walk to 3.75 shaded miles toward Wardour Castle. We began our adventures in a beautiful little village in south Wiltshire.

“Day 2 arrived on our guided Foot Trail, Kings and Kingdoms led by David and myself (Alison). By early morning temperatures had already reached 26°C (79F) and it was clear that we would need to be sensible and smart to beat the heat. (Today was to be the hottest June day on record). As we

Our first guided trip of the year started on Monday of this week. David and I (Alison) are spending the week guiding guests around the stunning landscapes, villages, scenery and sites of South Wiltshire and North Dorset on our Kings & Kingdoms hiking trip. David and I welcomed the guests on Monday evening with a

Stonehenge has been standing tall on the plains of Wiltshire for around 5,500 years. Why was it built? No one knows for sure. We do know that it is perfectly aligned with the sun at two key times of the year: The summer and winter solstices. Leading some to theorise that it is a giant

Nestled in the heart of rural Wiltshire is an ancient Neolithic henge containing three stone circles, one of which is the largest megalithic stone circles in the world. This isn’t Stonehenge, however. It’s the lesser-known but equally impressive Avebury Henge. With the summer solstice happening this weekend (21 June), I (Foot Trails Storyteller Emma) thought

As any outdoor enthusiast knows, there are real benefits and joys to be had exploring the countryside whatever the weather. Last week, Foot Trails Co-Founder David Howell was out checking one of our routes in Wiltshire. Despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, David had a wonderful time exploring this beautiful corner of the South West: “It’s

Glastonbury Tor rises like an island above the flat, agricultural wetlands of the Somerset Levels. Before the 18th century, the Levels were a frequently flooded saltwater marsh with isolated hills rising up out of the mists. Glastonbury Tor is one of these hills and has been a magnet for pilgrims and wanderers for centuries. It’s

There are few better ways of spending a summer’s day (in our opinion) than wandering the quiet footpaths and country lanes of South West England, walking from village to village past humble cottages gardens bursting with colour and life. And stopping, of course, for a cream tea or spot of lunch at country inn or village