Behind the scenes as a new Foot Trail is created

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

There is something timelessly romantic about exploring a grand country house. Wandering rolling green countryside and quiet country lanes, through picturesque villages with traditional cottage gardens before you approach a grand manor on foot, seeing it as a traveller would have centuries before. On our Country Houses & Gardens trip, you’ll experience some of the

One of the joys of hiking the English countryside and exploring villages in June is the chance of happening upon an Open Gardens event. Held under the National Open Gardens Scheme, usually during June, these events give private houses the chance to open up their gardens to the public. It’s a great way to get

Earlier this week, Emma from the Foot Trails team was out in north Dorset checking part of one of our trails in our Thomas Hardy’s Dorset trip that takes you out to one of the most impressive chalk downs in the county. “I arrived early at my startpoint to be greeted by an overcast sky

Summer is here! In England the season officially starts on June 1st and runs through until 31st August, according to the meteorological calendar. We love summer hiking. The long daylight hours are one of the joys. With the sun setting between 21:00 and 22:00, there’s time to linger and enjoy the beautiful English countryside. And