Country Houses & Gardens

Country Houses & Gardens is an enchanting hiking & walking trip best enjoyed over 6 or 9 nights designed to showcase some of the great homes & gardens in South West England.

From 18th century country houses and landscaped gardens through Elizabethan houses, castles and hunting lodges, to the stunning architecture of the city of Bath, there really is something for every house and garden enthusiast.

Karen, USA
“The directions were amazing and we especially enjoyed the historical notes. The lodging was wonderful and the food delicious.”
Mara, USA
“Clearly much time and energy goes into tailoring a trip to meet the needs and desires of a given group. That effort is much appreciated.”
Elizabeth, USA
“You provide something bespoke that I know, with all the research in the world, I could never duplicate.”
Sharah, USA
“We found our service from the Foot Trails staff to be exceptional. They were very responsive to our individual questions and needs.”
Kalah, USA
“It was amazing. Well curated with perfect weather. This has become my favorite way to take a relaxing holiday”
Pat, USA
“Our trip was very relaxing and everything we expected it to be and more. We had a wonderful time.”
Amy & Adam, USA
“The countryside was beautiful and we were happy to experience truly off-the-beaten-path places.”
Peter, Canada
“We had a fantastic time. The hiking brought us to a variety of interesting places with amazing views.”
Joan, USA
“Wonderful hiking in the peace and tranquility of the Cotswolds. The views were stunning. Great way for us to reset and get back to nature.”
Linda, USA
“Absolutely perfect! Relaxing, rejuvenating and entertaining-it was one of the best vacations we’ve ever had.”
Catherine, USA
“The Cotswolds Walking Tour was delightful. I was so impressed by the organization of all the materials to guide us on our daily walks.”
Sigrun, Norway
“I’ve tried three different companies for my walking trips in England, and I have to say, Foot Trails truly stands out.”
Andy & Kay, USA
“We would recommend your services to anyone who wanted an active vacation but still wanted someone to arrange everything.”
Molly, USA
“So many of the paths felt like secret passageways into a simpler time. The variety of landscapes we passed through was nothing short of amazing.”
Jacquelyn, USA
“Slam dunk! Home run…out of the park…FABULOUS! This holiday went well beyond our expectations–it was so well organized from start to finish.”
Stacey, USA
“The entire trip was filled with delightful inns, charming towns, and incredible scenery.”
Michelle, USA
“Wonderful holiday of rambling through gates, stiles, paths, and magnificent countryside, and beautiful old quaint villages.”
Ann & Mark, USA
“This was our third Foot Trails adventure. We keep returning because it is a great experience.”
Beth, USA
“It was a perfect walking holiday for a family of 4… tailored to our desires. It was great.”
Stu, USA
“An active and relaxing and supported immersive experience of a way of life different from our own.”
Katy, Australia
“We had a wonderful experience in Wiltshire and on the foot trails walk that was especially designed for us.”
Krista, Canada
“It was very clear to us that the routes organized by Foot Trails were significantly more interesting (and significantly less busy) than the “national” trails.”
Devrey, USA
"Perfect way to disconnect and see the beauty of England. We saw views, locations, and areas that only locals know.”
Stephen, Canada
“This family owned company went above and beyond to make our entire trip so worthwhile. We handed them a wish list of exactly what we wanted.”
Julie, USA
“The inns chosen by Foot Trails are charming, well-appointed and very comfortable. The food at each inn was without exception superb.”
Mark, USA
“Clear written directions matched with maps for our daily walks, efficient transport of our luggage from inn to inn, excellent overnight accommodation and quality food selections in quintessential English pubs.”
Melanie, Canada
“It was fantastic. Foot Trails is a quality, well-organized, and highly customer-oriented service. I felt taken care of long before I even arrived in the UK!”

Example Itinerary

Here’s a quick flavour of the hiking tour. For a fully detailed guide to the Country Houses & Gardens trail fill out the form below and we’ll email one over to you.

Country Houses & Gardens


A self-guided independent explore style walking tour. 7 to 10 day tour options available. Choose your preferred arrival day & date.

Day 1
Time to settle in at your country inn with an optional short walk if you’d like to explore.

Day 2
Explore Salisbury Cathedral and Cathedral Close with its ancient buildings and gardens before heading out into the wider city.

Day 3
A day of walking through charming hamlets and discovering romantic 14th century castle ruins and poetic gardens.

Day 4
Explore a world-renowned country estate and gardens with famously landscaped lakes, walkways, trees and views.

Day 5
Walking the landscape through ancient castles and an old deer park to finish at a spectacular abbey.

Day 6
Elizabethan magnificence as you walk through tranquil valleys with breath-taking views and a legend of the Holy Cross.

Day 7
Explore wooded river valleys and the abandoned ruins of an industrial past before arriving in Bath.

Day 8
A customised trail through Bath to showcase the city in all its glory.

Day 9
Wander from a ruined 14th century castle to an Italianate marvel before finishing in a bustling Saxon market town.

Day 10
Time for your onward journey, taking memories of your adventures with you.

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Accommodation:
Read about our food and accommodation here.

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Itinerary additions:

  • Arriving straight to your walking tour from a long-haul flight can leave you feeling a little tired. Many of our guests choose to add an additional night at the start of their trip to adjust before they start walking.
  • Add a unique guided day at Stonehenge & Avebury with one of the Foot Trails team.  
  • Fancy a few days to tour further afield? Take a look at our sister over at ‘Drive & Stroll’ for private guided tours where we journey by car and take short strolls to admire the landscape & history.

At a glance

  • Explore style tour
  • 6 or 9 night stays suggested
  • Stays in quality country inns
  • Time to visit places of interest
  • Trail drop off service included
  • Screen-free walk & explore pack

Walks
Typically 5 to 7 miles + walking in the gardens (8 to 11 km)

Prices
You will receive a bespoke itinerary & personalised price quotation. Country Houses & Garden tours are typically between £270 – £320 per person, per night, based on 2 sharing a bedroom. Solo’s & groups welcome.

Find out more?

Request a full guide for this tour with detailed daily descriptions and tour options. Simply add your details below and we’ll send one directly to your inbox.

Our food & Accommodation

The country inns, pubs and hotels of South West England are the perfect partner to your days in the countryside. Each of our trails leads to a warm welcome, a good meal, and a room where you’ll feel at home.

About our food & accommodation →

Self-guided hiking

Foot Trails’ Self-guided hiking & walking trips offer the perfect balance of achievement, curiosity and relaxation. They’re for individuals, couples, families & friends who enjoy exploring on their own terms.

About Self-guided walking →