Skip to content

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

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

COTS_1.webp

By Sarah / October 8, 2025

← Previous Media

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

Our way of walking, our way of caring.
Find out more →

We’d love to have you as part of our community

Sign up to our E-Newsletter today to receive our hiking & travel tips and follow along our walking adventures. Plus be first to hear of new trips, trails & brochures. You’ll receive newsletters every 4 – 6 weeks. You can unsubscribe at any time.

First name

Last name

Email

On our journal

Hiking to a king’s stronghold

Well known for its geological wonders, the Dorset coast also has some alternative, and surprising, landscapes to wander in. Last

Icons of the Dorset coast

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, known worldwide for their natural beauty, are two of the most iconic locations on the

Autumn splendour

We’ve been enjoying a vibrant autumn here in South West England. It’s been a joy being out on the trails

Life on Instagram

South West England was indelibly shaped by Alfred

South West England was indelibly shaped by Alfred the Great and his descendants. From the small characterful that dot the landscape and the winding lanes that connect them, to the small enclosed field systems that are still in place today, to the miles of hedgerows that still mark boundaries between the patchwork of farmland. The south west is also where Alfred built his fortified settlements (burhs), many of which are now beautiful market towns.

So many features that make the landscape here so unique, rural and captivating can be traced back to Alfred and his descendants. If you’d like to know more about booking walking holiday in this tranquil corner of England, visit our website (link in bio).

#walking #hiking #ukwalking #ukhiking #hikingadventures #hikingvacations #slowtravel #swisbest #slowtraveling #leavethecity #seekthepositive #ruralengland #villagelife #rambling #walking #hiking #ruralidyll #countrysidewalks #landscapecaptures #thisprettyengland #AngloSaxon #AngloSaxonHistory #Wessex #EarlyMedieval

A timeless landscape, steeped in history. Traditio

A timeless landscape, steeped in history. Traditional villages, quiet footpaths and big skies. The Cranborne Chase is a jewel in the south west. Covering an area of 379 square miles, this large chalk plateau is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) and an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Wandering the chalk tracks with no one in sight and views stretching off for miles, you may well be mistaken for thinking you’ve stepped centuries back in time. It’s quintessential Foot Trails country.

#cranbornechase #visitengland #hikingengland #walkuk #hikeuk

When it comes to telling the story of England, the

When it comes to telling the story of England, there are few things as impactful as a castle. From the time of William the Conqueror onwards, these imposing stone structures have borne witness to conquest, power struggles and social change over the centuries.

Built often for defense and as statements of power, many of these fascinating buildings are still part of the landscape of England today.

Our Kings & Kingdoms tour takes you to a number of impressive castles in wonderfully rural settings - the remains of an 11th century motte-and-bailey castle, a 12th century fortified palace of the Bishop of Salisbury and the arguably the most romantic medieval castle ruin in southern England.

If you'd like to know more about booking a walking holiday in the landscapes and castles of ancient England, visit our website (link in bio).

#castlesofengland #walkuk #englishheritage #HiddenGemsUK #englishcountryside #traveluk #castles #visitengland #walkingholidaysuk #walkingholidays #walkingholidaysengland #medieval #medievalcastle #medievalcastles #hikeengland #visitengland #traveluk #ruralengland #countrysidewalks #somerset #dorset #wiltshire

Hike in the footsteps of Saxon kings, through the

Hike in the footsteps of Saxon kings, through the ancient kingdom of the West Saxons - Wessex. Explore stunning landscapes and crowd-free villages, ancient hill-top towns that once defended Wessex from Viking invaders, medieval castles and ancient hunting grounds beloved of an infamous medieval king.

A place where beautiful rolling landscapes give way to open plains, with no two days the same. This wonderfully rural region is steeped in history and tradition, with miles and miles of quiet, tranquil footpaths.

To find out more, message us here on Instagram or visit our website (link in bio).

#englishvillage #visitengland #visitbritain #cottages #hikeuk #walkuk #swisbest #walkingholidayuk #walkingholidays #walkingholiday #dorset #beautifulbritain #englishcountryside #southwestengland #walkuk #hikeuk #slowtravelling #visitengland #weloveengland #selfguidedtravel #offthebeatentrack

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely s

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;"
Sea Fever, John Masefield, 1902

We never tire of walking the spaces where the land meets the shore, and Dorset is one of our favourite places to experience the rhythm of the waves, the scent of salt on the air and the cry of gulls in the distance.

#ukcoast #ukcoastline #coastalwalks #ukcoastalwalks #dorset #england #visitdorset #weloveengland #swisbest #visitengland #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidaysuk #hikingvacation #hikingbritain #coastalwalks #coastwalk #ruralengland #southwestcoastpath #coastalscenery #selfguidedtour #ukwalkingholidays

There's a rich and wonderful story to be discovere

There's a rich and wonderful story to be discovered on the Dorset Coast by venturing a little off the coast path. Alison & David have been exploring this area over decades and design the routes to not just give you coastal views and highlights but also variety with rural scenes, tucked away villages and stories of life.

To find out more about our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trail simply message us here on Instagram or visit our website (link in bio).

#dorsetlandscape #exploredorset #beautifuldestinations #corfecastle #visitdorset #walkinguk #hikinguk #hikingadventures #coastalwalks #englandhiking #englishcoast #ukhikes #ukwalks #walkingholidaysuk #ruralengland #englishcountryside #walking #landscape_captures #englishlandscapes #countrylife #visitengland #swisbest #explore_britain #visitbritain #quietinthewild #walkinginnature #landscapelovers

Is there anything more quintessentially English th

Is there anything more quintessentially English than a cottage? But cottages aren't just beautiful to look at, they are also a living testament to the history and individuality of each area of the UK. Built using locally available material, each region has its own ‘flavour’ of cottage.

A Dorset cottage is typically made of cob (a mix of clay, straw, and earth) or stone, with a thick thatch on top (contrasting with the slate roofs typical to the Cotswolds).

Alongside stunning coastal walking, our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset hikes take you a little inland too, to wander the rolling green countryside through quiet villages, showing you the rural Dorset that we know and love.

If you’d like to know more, message us here on Instagram or visit our website (link in bio).

#coastalwalksuk #dorset #dorsetuk #englishcottages #englishcottagestyle #coastalwalking #englishcoast #englishcoastpath #englishcoastline #englishcoastalpath #ukwalking #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidaysuk #walkingholidays #slowtraveling #thisprettyengland #englishwalks #visitengland #traveluk #visituk #walkingholidaysuk #leavethecity #countrysidewalks

Perched dramatically on a hill, the ruins of Corfe

Perched dramatically on a hill, the ruins of Corfe Castle are a sight to behold. This past weekend, I (Foot Trails Co-Founder David), was out researching new routes in the region for our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip. I always love walking this dramatic landscape, with the ruins of Corfe towering in the distance. The winding paths take you through stunning countryside, bringing you slowly to the castle keep and the picture-perfect village nestling below the ruins.

If you’d like to explore the landscape and history of this iconic part of the coastline, visit our website (link in bio) or send us a message here on Instagram.

#dorsetlandscape #landscapephotography #corfe #photosofbritain #exploredorset #nationaltrust #normancastle #beautifuldestinations #corfecastle #visitdorset #ruinedcastle #walkinguk #hikinguk #hikingadventures #castlesofengland #coastalwalks #englandhiking #englishcoast #ukhikes #ukwalks #walkingholidaysuk

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, known worldwide for

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, known worldwide for their natural beauty, are two of the most iconic locations on the Dorset coast.

Walking towards the coast with these vistas opening up before you, dropping down to the beach to enjoy the sounds of crashing waves on shingle beach and the view of this arch that's so familiar to many. Simple pleasures that are hard to beat :)

These two icons can be included in your Foot Trails Coastal Seascapes of Dorset Adventure. Send us a message here on Instagram or visit our website (link in bio).

#walking #hiking #walkingholidaysuk #hikinginengland #hikingadventures #walkinguk #hikinguk #dorset #visitdorset #jurassiccoast #jurassiccoastline #durdledoor #lulworthcove #coastalwalk #ukhikingadventures #ukcoast #ukcoastpath #swisbest #swcoastpath #winterwalks #foottrailsuk

Follow on Instagram

Useful links

Hiking in South West England →
About Self-guided hiking →
Our accommodation & food →

Contact us

enquire@foottrails.co.uk
+44 (0) 1747 820 626

The Welsh Mill, Frome, BA11 2LE

Credits & small print

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

© Foot Trails 2006-2025, walking holidays UK
Foot Trails

® Foot Trails is a registered Trade Mark. This entire web site and its content is copyright Foot Trails.