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Trips & Tours
The Howell Way
Our Journal
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Trips & Tours
The Howell Way
Our Journal
Talk to an expert

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By Emma Surridge / December 18, 2024

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We don't follow the national trails.
We follow the Howell Way.

Our way of walking, our way of caring.
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On our journal

The festive season in rural England

We’re entering the last weeks of autumn ahead of the winter solstice and the festive season is gathering pace here

A perfect day for a photoshoot in Wiltshire

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So with this in mind, after refreshing the Foot Trails brand

The joy of exploring the countryside without screens

“Not all who wander are lost”The Riddle of Strider, JRR Tolkein We love a good wander, taking time to explore

Life on Instagram

We're now entering the last weeks of autumn ahead

We're now entering the last weeks of autumn ahead of the winter solstice, and the festive season is gathering pace here in rural England.

Walking in this season requires a little weather flexibility but the rewards can be lovely. A sun-pierced frosty morning, statuesque trees looming in a mist; on some the last autumn leaves hang like golden jewels. Woodsmoke furling from cottage chimneys, drifting on the air in the afternoon dusk. I love wrapping up and getting out for an earthy wander at this time of year.

Step inside the village pubs and log fires are ablaze, the scent of warm spiced wines and ciders linger on the air and then there’s always the promise of a warmed mince pie.

Here are a few images from our winter wanderings over the years. We love getting out and about at the this time of year - there’s still so much beauty in the countryside even in the deep midwinter. We hope you enjoy our photos.

David

#christmas2025 #countrysidewalks #ruralengland #naturetrail #naturewalks #winterwalking #hikingadventures #travel #england #walking #quietinthewild #seekthepositive #leavethecity #embracingtheseasons #countrysidewalks #englishcountryside #slowtravel #landscape_lovers #swisbest #visitengland #selfguidedwalks #walkingengland #winterlandscape

As the day of our photoshoot drew to a close, the

As the day of our photoshoot drew to a close, the countryside was bathed in a wonderful golden light. We carried on to our next stop, a 17th century packhorse bridge over a beautifully tranquil river. It’s a stunning setting that feels almost like stepping back in time—worn cobbles, an ancient stone fulling mill, and a grand country house standing testament to the wealth generated by the cloth-making industry.

We spent a wonderful day immersed in the countryside that is so special to us. There’s nothing we love more than sharing this region with our guests.

If you’d like to book a bespoke walking holiday in South West England, visit our website (link in bio)

#hikeuk #walkuk #slowtravel #seekthepositive #slowtraveling #landscapecaptures #villagelife #countrywalks #hikingtime #walkingadventures #getoutside #ukwalkingholidays #takeintheview #englishwalks #hikingvacations #visituk #leavethecity #weloveengland #ruralengland #walkingholidayuk

#travelinspiration #ruralengland #swisbest #thispr

#travelinspiration #ruralengland #swisbest #thisprettyengland #travelinspiration #travelengland #beautifulengland #countrywalks #explorethecountryside #weloveengland #britainoutdoors #countrysideadventures #cottages #englishcottages #englishvillages

Back in late September, David & myself spent a day

Back in late September, David & myself spent a day visiting locations from some of our walks in Wiltshire and Wessex with photographer @mattlincolnphoto. We were blessed with a chilly but beautifully bright day. Perfect for wandering the wonderful countryside of Wiltshire.

We're thrilled with the results and hope you enjoy looking at them too.

Alison

To find out more about our walking & hiking trips in the Cotswolds & South West England, visit our website (link in bio).

#hikingengland #hikeuk #ukwalking #walkuk #visitwiltshire #countrysidewalks #thisprettyengland #visitengland #hikingtrails #ukhikers #ukwalkingholidays #landscapesofbritain #chalkdownland #visitsomersetuk #visitwiltshire #visitthecotswolds #ifordmanor #landscapecaptures #slowtravel #walkingholidaysuk

Earlier this year, on a beautiful day in June, the

Earlier this year, on a beautiful day in June, the Foot Trails team was out and about in the countryside of Wiltshire exploring some of the trails in our Kings & Kingdoms trip. It was the perfect day to be walking the hills, paths and lanes of this stunning corner of South West England.

Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: BC3OLDNMAUON9FTS
Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

#wessex #england #visitengland #wiltshire #visitwiltshire #wardourcastle #walkuk #hikeuk #selfguide #selfguided #adventures #slowtravel #leavethecity

Midsummer, around 20 June, marks the longest day o

Midsummer, around 20 June, marks the longest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere. A time early sunrises and lingering sunsets. Of village fetes, midsummer festivals and open garden weekends, when private individuals open up their gardens to the general public, giving you a fascinating glimpse of beautiful cottage gardens as well as the grounds of grand manor houses, not normally open for public viewing.

To find out more about our bespoke walking & hiking trips in South West England, visit our website (link in bio).
https://foottrails.co.uk/

#midsummer #summersolstice #VisitEngland #visitengland #summer #summerday #summerhike #summerhikes #Summer2026 #summer2026 #summerwalks #summerwalk #summerwalking #england #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidaysuk #walkingholiday #englishcountryside #ruralengland #hikingadventures #southwestengland

June and July are the longest, lightest months of

June and July are the longest, lightest months of the year. The countryside is green, rich and full of colour and life. Classic English garden flowers - foxgloves, lupins, delphiniums and lavender - are also in full bloom. There’s no better time to wander the countryside and explore some of England’s finest country homes.

#englishcountryhouses #countryhouses #cottagegarden #cottagegardens #englishcountryside #englishcountrysideholiday #englishcountrysideadventures #englishgardens #englishgardenstyle #historichouse #statelyhomes #mansion #mansionhouse #hikingadventures #visitengland #traveluk #walkuk #hikeuk

“Sweeter than roses was the face For whom I pluck'

“Sweeter than roses was the face
For whom I pluck'd the flower;'
John Clare, 1793 - 1864

Rambling over stone walls, hedges and timber frames; mingling with hollyhocks, foxgloves and lavender, their fragrant scent drifting on the air. What could typify an English country garden more than a rose?

#englishvillages #englishvillage #englishvillagelife #walkingengland #ruralengland #englishcountryside #englishcountrysideholiday #roses #rosesofinstagram #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidays #walkingholidaysuk

In May and June, cottage gardens are transformed w

In May and June, cottage gardens are transformed with colour in England. At this time of year, they feel like spaces where time moves at a gentler pace. Where you can wander winding stone pathways between towering foxgloves, losing yourself in the heady scent of lavender, honeysuckle and roses. Where bees buzz lazily by and busy gardeners are always willing to stop for a chat.

To find out how you can book a bespoke walking holiday through the villages and gardens of South West England, visit our website (link in bio).

#EnglishGarden #BritishGarden #englishcottagegarden #cottagegarden #cottage #cottagecore #cottagelife #hikingvacation #hikinguk #walking #englishcountryside #countrysidewalks #england #englandtravel #uktravel #walkingholidays #walkingholidaysuk #walkuk #hikeuk

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Credits & small print

Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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