Behind the scenes as a new Foot Trail is created

‘The bluebell is the sweetest flower That waves in summer air; Its blossoms have the mightiest power To soothe my spirit’s care.’ Emily Brontë  With spring starting to show its welcome face here in South West England, our thoughts are turning to spring walking. As the weather starts to warm and the first wildflowers emerge, […]

This January, David and I spent a few days in the Cotswolds exploring new routes and trails. It’s been wonderful having the time to explore this region that we know so well (and which never fails to surprise us with new views and experiences). David grew up here and several of my cousins and an

‘In Europe, the best wool is English and in England the best wool is Cotswold’ (12th century saying) The Cotswolds needs no introduction. Famed for its rolling green countryside, beautiful villages, vibrant market towns and golden Cotswolds stone cottages. It’s the quintessential view of England.  But the reason both the landscapes and the buildings look

A sunny day in Winter is always a joyful gift. The day after the winter solstice the skies cleared, and whilst the gusty wind brought icy blasts, it was joyous to take a few hours to walk. Alison and I headed to Dorset to enjoy it’s stunning coastal scenery.  Wrapped up, and with hats &

‘Twas the week before Christmas…’ and I had a hankering for some festive cheer and Christmas carols. And what better place to find that than at a carol concert held in the magnificent Sherborne Abbey? I arrived early to have a wander through the town and look at the seasonal decorations and window displays. It

I’ve been walking in The Cotswolds all my life and yet I’m still finding new paths and places to explore, sometimes in areas I thought I knew well.  This past week I headed to an area just a few miles from where I grew up. Under a wintry pastel sky with a less than favourable

We’ve been talking a lot about spring here at Foot Trails HQ as we’re helping many of our guests plan their spring walking adventures. All of which got me thinking back to a brilliant walk I did along the coast in the south west last spring. It really stuck in my mind and felt like

As the chill of winter arrives on the breeze and the cosy warmth of log fires beckons, it’s naturally a time when thoughts turn to the adventures we might enjoy when the days lengthen and the warm sunshine returns next spring. I love walking in an English spring. In the countryside, life is bursting forth

A couple of weekends ago, I ventured across the border from Somerset into Wiltshire to explore the chalk downs around the town of Mere. The morning had been cloudy, but bright sun and  clear skies were forecast for the afternoon. Not wanting to miss the opportunity for some October sun, I set off. Walking through

‘There are some heights in Wessex, shaped as if by a kindly hand…’ a quote from Victorian author Thomas Hardy, who set all of his novels in an imaginary region in South West England that he called Wessex.  Wessex is a wonderful part of the world – off the beaten track and far from the

To celebrate National Apple Day, which is held here in the UK every year on 21st October, Alastair and myself (Emma) set off to check one of The Foot Trails hikes in the Somerset Levels, a region steeped in legends, mystery… and cider. The weather was stunning: bright, sunny and crisp. Perfect for wandering through

This month, I had the pleasure of descending into the heart of Dorset to revisit and refresh one of our ‘Landscapes and Seascapes of Dorset’ walks. The weather was nothing short of extraordinary—unseasonably warm, with sunlight spilling across the land. I couldn’t resist visiting the old church at the trail’s start, where I was greeted