Wessex Ancient Kingdom

This ancient and beautiful rural part of the South West was once a Saxon kingdom, and it’s where the very idea of England originates.

Explore the counties of Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, hiking through this wonderfully varied region. 

Immerse yourself in the life of old England from Saxon kings to medieval castles, all framed by bucolic landscapes, river valleys, market towns, and woodlands, staying in hand-picked country inns on the way.

 
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Example Itinerary

Here’s a quick overview of the walking tour. To find out more fill out the form (>) and we’ll send you a Wessex Ancient Kingdom brochure.

Wessex Ancient Kingdom in brief

A self-guided independent inn to inn walking tour. 7 to 11 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
Discover traditional thatched cottages, tales of Henry VIII, 19th century high fashion and a grand manor house.

Day 3
Wander the grounds of an 18th century estate with a beautiful lake and tales of a scandalous folly.

Day 4
Charming hamlets, old manor houses and a romantic ruined castle await on today’s historic trail.

Day 5
Chalk downs and medieval villages, a former royal hunting grounds once notorious smugglers and poachers.

Day 6
Stroll past cottages, ancient churches and babbling streams with tales of vampires and other mysteries.

Day 7
Explore landscapes that inspired author Thomas Hardy and soak up the views. 

Day 8
Discover an iconic Saxon town with picturesque ruins and cobbled streets.

Day 9 
Tales of Saxon invaders and Civil War battles on the trail to the next historic town.

Day 10
Villages, churches and an ancient hill fort shrouded in Arthurian legends.

Day 11
Time for your onward journey, taking memories of your adventures with you.

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Accommodation?
You can read more about our food & accommodation here.

Walks?
7 to 9 mile walk program, or 10+ miles walk program.

Prices?
Your daily itinerary will be customised to you and you will receive a personalised price quotation with your itinerary.  As a guide our walking tours are typically between £200 – £270 per person, per night, based on 2 sharing a bedroom.

Like to find out more?

Free brochure with daily walk information, accommodation details and example pricing available. To request your brochure just pop your details in below. We look forward to hearing from you.

2025 walking trips

Discover ideas for your England walking adventure in the pages of our brochure. Read our story, the values that create a Foot Trail, the source of our inspiration, and ideas for your next walking & hiking holiday.

Food & Accommodation

We carefully select every country inn and country pub where you stay. Each one is located in a traditional English village with comfortable bedrooms (with ensuite bathrooms) and delicious local food and drinks.

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