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Foot Trails logo
  • Trips & Tours
    • The Cotswolds
    • Coastal Hikes
    • Land of Kings
    • Heritage and Gardens
    • Family & Friends Groups
    • Events: Group Walks
    • All Trips
  • The Howell Way
    • The Howell Way
    • Our Values
    • Our Story
    • Sustainability
  • Our Journal
  • Talk to an expert
    • Booking Enquiry
    • Book a Video Appointment
    • Our Team

countryside with cow parsley

By Emma Surridge / October 31, 2024

Rolling green landscape with cow parsley in foreground

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

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On our journal

Why we love hiking 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

Crowd-free hiking in South West England

At Foot Trails, we avoid the crowds. When we plan a new trail, we start with where David and I

Life on Instagram

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
Back on the Dorset coast I Some days are made for Back on the Dorset coast I Some days are made for winter walking. Exploring a new route for our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip, we set off under a sunny sky with whisps of cloud. Following streams and valleys to the sea. The tumbling water and crunch of gravel under our feet the only sounds to hear. #GreatBritishWalks #HikingUK #VisitEngland #EnglishNature #CountryWalking #walking #SlowHiking #TrailSeekers #DorsetCoast #DorsetWalking #DorsetWalks #LoveWalking #ExploreOnFoot #ruralengland #countryside #walkinguk #hikeuk #hikinguk #ukoutdoors
Experience the England others miss. At Foot Trail Experience the England others miss. At Foot Trails, we avoid the crowds and design our routes around the places we truly want to share — quiet villages, beautiful views, country houses and other hidden corners you’d never find alone. On these peaceful paths, you can slow down, wander at your own pace and really feel a place. With no rush and no noise, there’s space to talk, connect, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. Our step-by-step written trail guides lead you to tucked‑away inns, cafés and village shops for lunch, and in the evenings you’ll relax and refuel at a welcoming local inn, centuries old and at the heart of its community. To find out more, visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. #countryside #britishcountryside #rurallife #discoverbritain #countrysidewalks #GetOutdoors #walkingholidaysuk #WalkingHoliday #hikeuk #UncrowdedEngland #QuietPaths #UncrowdedEngland #QuietPaths #CountryEscape #TimeInNature #WalkingEngland #WalkUK #HikingUK #CountrysideWalks #SlowTravelUK
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Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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