Behind the scenes as a new Foot Trail is created

24 years ago, Alison & David Howell launched Foot Trails, determined to avoid formulaic mass tourism and focusing instead on people and their experience. Our mission, to help our guests discover a different way to travel, slowly, authentically, at nature’s rhythm, amongst the landscapes and history of South West England. Today, we’ve formulated this commitment […]

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

“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,

“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

One of the joys of walking in South West England is seeing how the landscapes and architecture change from region to region. We are lucky to have an extremely varied landscape over a relatively small area. Cottages in particular have their own local look and feel as these rural homes were built from the local

Throughout the winter and spring months, David, the team and I are often out checking trails. This work is vital for keeping our walking routes updated and instructions accurate and easy to follow. On a recent sunny weekend David and I were in Wiltshire checking our ‘ Great Ridge’ trail. This walk is one of

David and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with a group of our guests recently who were hiking our Country Houses & Gardens tour, exploring the beautiful countryside, gardens and estates in Wessex. It’s always a joy to put a face to a name and it’s great to hear directly from our guests how they are finding

Last week, I (Foot Trails Storyteller Emma) took myself off to one of my favourite country houses, nestled in a tucked-away river valley in Wiltshire. I absolutely love the setting of this estate, approachable by a single-track road and surrounded by gentle rolling countryside with a beautiful river running through. What really drew me out

Going on a hiking adventure to England and wondering what to pack Foot Trails Co-Founder Alison Howell shares her experience and top 10 tips on what to bring with you. 1) Comfortable and waterproof walking or hiking boots With a wide choice of leather and Gore-Tech boots available, the key is finding a pair that

“We’ve been rambling all this nightAnd some part of the day,And now returning back againWe have brought you a branch of May”Traditional May Day Carol Today is the 1st of May. Or May Day. A festival rich with traditions and celebrations stretching back to the Roman festival of Floralia. 1 May is also the date

We’re always thrilled to hear from our guests when they are out on the trails, exploring the different regions of South West England. We recently received some lovely comments and photos from a group of guests who have just completed our Journey Across the Cotswolds trip. “We had an excellent trip and loved every trail.

We’ve been treated to some wonderful bluebell displays these past weeks, and while the delicate indigo blooms may be starting to go over, the spring countryside is still looking glorious here in the South West. Last weekend, Foot Trails Storyteller Emma decided to make the most of wild garlic season and go foraging for some