Behind the scenes as a new Foot Trail is created

The beauty of the Cotswolds is deservedly world renowned: charming cottages, rolling hills, classic market towns and history stretching back to the Romans and beyond. It’s quintessentially English and popular the world over. Alison and I have long family ties in the area, and we have spent many years exploring its lesser-known lanes and footpaths. […]

Grey skies and the threat of rain – in many ways a typical February day in the South West. Even with low cloud hanging over the landscape, it felt exciting to be out in the Cotswolds, checking and updating one of our walks. We began at a 12th‑century Norman church in the heart of a

At Foot Trails, we avoid the crowds. When we plan a new trail, we start with where David and I would like to show you and then design our route around this. Guiding you to beautiful villages, stunning views, country houses and more. To the places you’d never find on your own. Exploring these quieter

Some winter days feel made for hiking, and the last Wednesday in January was one of them. As David and I (Foot Trails Storyteller Emma) set off from a picture-perfect village of grey Purbeck stone cottages it was under a sunny sky with a gentle breeze. We made our way into open fields and I

Nearly 25 years ago, when Alison and I founded Foot Trails, we set out to change how hiking was viewed. In 2002, walking was often seen as all about distance and A‑to‑B goals with only basic accommodation. We wanted something different: walking tours shaped by our own beliefs and rooted in the rural South West

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

At Foot Trails, we tell stories as we walk. 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

A brand-new English tourism offering, Drive and Stroll 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 (a sister company of Foot Trails) provides private guided driver tours and curated itineraries that pair beautiful, scenic drives with

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,

Last week, David, Alastair and Emma from the Foot Trails team were out in wonderful Wiltshire, updating a walk steeped in history. As we started our hike in a small Wiltshire village, we were met by a chill in the air and a countryside wrapped in early morning mist, creating a wonderfully wintry atmosphere. Passing

One of the privileges of researching and creating new walks is that it gets me (David) out and about in all seasons and weathers. Today was the perfect winter morning as I stood in The Cotswolds at daybreak. A golden glow on the horizon, the ground frozen, whited by frost. As I crunched along the

Towards the end of last year, our Senior Itinerary consultant Alastair and his wife were out testing one of our new walks for 2026 in The Cotswolds. Here are his impressions of his day on this new Foot Trail. “Starting at the edge of a grand country estate, the first thing I noticed was the