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  • Trips & Tours
    • The Cotswolds
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    • Events: Group Walks
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  • The Howell Way
    • The Howell Way
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Adobe Express – file (10)

By Emma Surridge / March 21, 2025

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On our journal

Exploring a new route in picturesque Dorset

February 14 brought vivid blue skies and lots of early spring sunshine to the South West of England. David and

The charm of the Cotswolds away from the tourist hotspots

The beauty of the Cotswolds is deservedly world renowned: charming cottages, rolling hills, classic market towns and history stretching back

A winter’s hike in the Cotswolds

Grey skies and the threat of rain – in many ways a typical February day in the South West. Even

Life on Instagram

Last Saturday brought vivid blue skies and lots of Last Saturday brought vivid blue skies and lots of early spring sunshine to the South West of England. David and I (Alison) were doing something we love: creating a new hiking trail for Foot Trails, a task we often take on in winter and early spring. Recceing a new route is always a little unpredictable. We know the distance we’re aiming for, but we never know if the path will work in practice or whether we’ll need to retrace our steps, add a section, or abandon the idea entirely. Saturday’s walk was glorious. Everything came together, resulting in an 8.5‑mile trail filled with snowdrops, manor houses, a stunning village, and quaint churches. This new route will feature in our Country Houses trip in rural Wiltshire and Dorset. If this kind of off-the-beaten-path hiking speaks to you, visit our website (link in bio) or send us a message here on Instagram. We'd love to talk through your plans. #visitengland #visitdorsetofficial #SouthWestEngland #VisitWiltshire #visitsomerset #visithecotswolds #englishcountryside #winterwalks #walkuk #hikeuk #englishcountryside #ruralengland #swisbest #walking #hiking #ukwalking #ukhiking #walkingholidaysengland #walkingholidays #hikingengland #hikingadventures #traveluk #visituk
Away from the crowds, on a cloudy day in February, Away from the crowds, on a cloudy day in February, there was still so much to see in the landscape. The peace and tranquility was wonderful - apart from a few dog walkers, we were the only ones on the trails. If this sounds like a side of the Cotswolds that you'd like to explore, visit our website (link in bio) and browse our trips. Or send us a message here on Instagram. We'd love to chat through your plans. #CotswoldLife #CotswoldWalks #cotswolds #cotswoldsliving #CotswoldWay #exploreengland #englishcountryside #ukwalkingholidays
A winter's hike in the Cotswolds 2/2 As we walked A winter's hike in the Cotswolds 2/2 As we walked, I could feel the gentle rhythm of the countryside working its magic. The simple action of placing one foot in front of the other helping to calm both body and mind. The stresses of everyday life drifting away on the breeze. From the escarpment, we continued along a mix of the Cotswold Way and local footpaths, weaving through fields and trees until our trail led us down into a bustling market town with Roman origins - a wonderful end to a restorative day in the Cotswolds countryside. Visit our website (link in bio) to find out more about walking the Cotswolds away from the crowds. #cotswoldsway #cotswolds #hikecotswolds #thecotswolds #discover_cotswolds #hikebritain #hikeuk #hikingbritain #hikeengland #britainhiking #AuthenticEngland #WinterInTheCotswolds #EnglishVillages #RuralEscape #EnglishCountryside #DiscoverEngland
A winter's hike in the Cotswolds 1/2 Grey skies a A winter's hike in the Cotswolds 1/2 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. Starting at a 12th century Norman church and heading out over the fields until we climbed to the very edge of the Cotswolds - the dramatic escarpment with views across the plains into Wales. To find out more about our hiking & walking trips in the Cotswolds, visit our website (link in bio). #Cotswolds #CotswoldLife #CotswoldWalks #CotswoldHills #CotswoldWay #WalkingInEngland #HikingUK #CountrysideWalks #SlowTravelUK #EnglishCountryside #RuralEngland #EnglishVillages #RuralEscape #AuthenticEngland #EnglishFootpaths
Even when the clouds draw in on a winter’s day, th Even when the clouds draw in on a winter’s day, there’s still a lot of beauty to be seen in the countryside. On our hike in the Cotswolds last week, the trees were definitely the stars of the show. Like living sculptures in the landscape. #winterwalks #EnglishCountryside #Cotswolds #CotswoldsWalks #CotswoldWay #HikingUK #CountrysideWalks #ExploreOnFoot #UKHiking #LoveWalking #walkingholidaysuk #CotswoldsLife #CotswoldsUK
Here's another look at our Dorset walk at the end Here's another look at our Dorset walk at the end of January. Sunny skies, a sea breeze and the sound of the waves on the shore. A perfect day's walking on the Jurassic Coast 🥾🥾 If you'd like to know more about our walking & hiking trips on the Dorset coast, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure. #DorsetCoast #CoastalWalking #EnglishCoast #SlowTravelUK #walkingholidaysuk
Back on the Dorset coast IV The final part of our Back on the Dorset coast IV The final part of our route took us inland again, past fields of sheep, isolated farm houses and skeletal trees casting long shadows in the winter sun. When we entered the village at the end of our hike, I was struck at just how pretty this place was: the grey stone cottages, some thatched, some with stone tiles, looking like they had grown out of the ground rather than been built. The ancient village pub, a cosy cafe and above it all, the towering castle ruins. This stunning walk is a new addition to our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip. If you’d like to explore this beautiful landscape in 2026, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure. #slowtravel #HikingAdventuresUK #dorsetcoast #dorsetcoastline #jurassiccoast #coastalwalking #southwestcoastpath #coastalhike #coastalscenery #coastalpathsuk #coastalwalks #walkuk #hikeuk #ukwalks #ukhikes #selfguidedtour #hikingengland #visitengland #slowtraveling #thisprettyengland
Back on the Dorset coast III On our walk back in Back on the Dorset coast III On our walk back in January, we'd wandered the rolling fields and hills so typical of the Dorset coast all the way to the edge of the land. A secluded cove lay directly below us and we spent a good few minutes just standing listening the waves crashing on the shore. #ukcoast #ukcoastline #coastalwalks #ukcoastalwalks #dorset #england #visitdorset #weloveengland #swisbest #visitengland #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidaysuk #hikingvacation #hikingbritain #coastalwalks #coastwalk #ruralengland #southwestcoastpath #coastalscenery #selfguidedtour #ukwalkingholidays
Back on the Dorset coast II Soon the countryside Back on the Dorset coast II Soon the countryside opened up, showing us the rolling green hills so typical of the Dorset coast with the sea glimmering in the distance. #UKHikingAdventure #WalkingHolidaysUK #coastalwalks #ukholidays #dorset #visitdorset #visitdorsetofficial #hiking #walking #coastpath #coastalwalking #ukhikingadventures #ukcoast #ukcoastpath #traveluk #travelinspiration #visitengland #landscapeuk #jurassiccoast #visitengland #ukwalking #hikingengland
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Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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