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

Walking in Cotswolds Villages

By Emma Surridge / October 23, 2023

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

Our way of walking, our way of caring.
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On our journal

Why we hike without screens

“I’ve always loved being able to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the countryside. Even

Where we hiked in March

March was another fabulous month of walking & hiking for the Foot Trails team. We were treated to some beautiful

Hiking in the footsteps of an exiled king

In 1651, Charles II undertook an epic six-week journey to flee England after being defeated by Oliver Cromwell in the

Life on Instagram

Nothing between you and the views I’ve always lov

Nothing between you and the views

I’ve always loved being able to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the countryside. Even as a child, I relished the freedom I had to wander the fields and lanes around the Cotswolds village where I grew up. There’s something about immersing yourself in nature that lets all other cares fall away for a while.

And when I pack my phone away, I immediately feel my focus shift to the world in front of me - to the stunning views, sights and sounds of nature. I can feel myself exhale and relax knowing that all I have to do is put one foot in front of the other, explore and wander. In a world full of screens, schedules and digital noise, the simplicity and beauty of nature is a wonderful tonic.

David Howell

To find out more about our walking & hiking trips in South West England, visit our website or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#SlowHiking #WalkWithoutTech #OfflineOutdoor #CountrysideCalm #QuietPaths #WalkingInNature #NatureConnection #StillnessInNature #walkuk #hikeuk #visitengland #exploreengland #EnglishCountrysideWalks #WalksInNature #SpringWalking #SpringHasArrived

A very happy Easter to those celebrating it from A

A very happy Easter to those celebrating it from Alison, David and the entire Foot Trails team.

#Easter2026 #easter2026 #spring #spring2026

Here's another look at the walk we did back in Mar

Here's another look at the walk we did back in March recceing a new route in Dorset. The sun was shining, the blossom and gorse were bright and the views stretched all the way to the sea.

Days like this are why we love spring hiking so much!

If you'd like to know more about walking the stunning landscapes of South West England in spring, visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We'd love to hear about your plans.

#spring #hikeuk #walkuk #ruralengland #SpringWalking #springwalks #springhassprung #springisintheair #magicalwild #walkinginature #hikinguk #walkinguk #keepitwild #exploreengland #visitdorset #visitdorsetofficial #countrywalks #hikingintheuk #beautifulbritain

Spring. As English seasons go it is one of the mos

Spring. As English seasons go it is one of the most dramatic transformations to the English countryside.

It starts slowly and builds. The rejuvenation is dramatic and breathtaking.

The up and coming Easter long weekend, starting with Good Friday today, is perfect for spending time with family outdoors.

I love a long, leisurely paced family walk on a Spring day. Hopefully there will be warm spring sunshine. There’s bound to be lambs in the field and flowers in the woodlands. The sights, signs and colours of new life reawakening are delicious and inspiring. Returning home I might enjoy a toasted hot cross bun with butter and a big mug of tea!

Have a wonderful Easter.

Alison

If you feel inspired to explore the English spring on foot, we're already taking bookings for 2027. Simply visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#EasterInEngland #SpringInTheCountryside #SpringInBloom #SpringAwakening #SpringFlowers #WildflowerSeason #SpringWalking #EasterWeekendVibes #Easter2026 #HappyEaster #NatureInSpring #ExploreEngland #SlowTravelUK

"The bluebell is the sweetest flower That waves in

"The bluebell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air"
Emily Brontë

Bluebell season is underway here in South West England. Last weekend, Foot Trails Co-Founder David Howell took this wonderful photo of a tucked-away bluebell woodland in Dorset.

#englishcountryside #bluebellwoods #bluebellseason #bluebells #spring

Ancient footpaths, dramatic holloways, spectacular

Ancient footpaths, dramatic holloways, spectacular views and picture-perfect cottages. Our hike in rural Dorset mid-March had a bit of everything 😊

If you'd like to hike the ancient, rural landscape of South West England, we'd love to help you plan an adventure. Simply visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#ukhiking #ukhikes #hikingintheuk #uktravel #beautifulbritain #scenicviews #wanderuk #slowtraveluk #VisitEngland #visitdorset #visitdorsetofficial #uktrails #englishcountryside #ukwalks #hiking

After a long winter, spring has truly sprung here

After a long winter, spring has truly sprung here in South West England and Easter is nearly upon us. The countryside is turning green again and it’s hard not to be cheered by warm spring sunshine. The clocks went forward this past weekend, meaning longer, lighter evenings. It’s the time of year when we can confidently say goodbye to winter!

Easter is a time shaped by tradition in the countryside. Village churches and cottages are decorated with spring flowers and blossoms (bright yellow daffodils and forsythia, white hawthorn) while traditional Easter egg hunts are still a staple of many village greens.

At Foot Trails, Easter is one of our favourite times of the year for walking: the paths are peaceful, the air is cool, and the countryside feels fresh, bright and full of life. It's true that some places can be busy at this time of year, but our trails lead you away from the busier hotspots and into the quiet heart of rural England: to tucked-away villages, local inns, and ancient footpaths that generations have walked before us.

If you’d like to experience a spring escape in the English countryside we’d love to help you book a hiking trip for 2027. To find out more, visit our website or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

https://foottrails.co.uk/

#spring #nature #easter #blossom #slowlife #springtime #britishcountryside #countrywalks #uktravel #exploreengland #landscape #springhassprung #easterhike #springhike #ukhikes #wanderuk #hikingintheuk #beautifulbritain #hikinguk

Why the Cotswolds matter The Cotswolds is importa

Why the Cotswolds matter

The Cotswolds is important to David and I because it is synonymous with home and family. It is the setting for countless treasured memories throughout my life: long summer days spent in the English garden at my grandparents' house in Cirencester, cosy winter evenings by a log fire in a traditional pub, time spent on farms at my aunt's or cousin's houses, or in my parents-in-law's village, and the simple joy of sharing this beauty with loved ones.

This connection makes creating experiences and trails for our guests here particularly meaningful.

For more information on these, including a brochure and example itinerary, please get in touch at enquire@foottrails.co.uk We’d love to hear from you and help you explore your plans.

By Alison Howell

#cotswoldslife #thecotswolds #englishcountryside #uktravel #cottagecore #escapetothecountry #thisprettyengland #englandtravel #beautifulengland #weloveengland #hikethecotswolds #hikinguk #walkinguk #slowtravel #walkingholidaysuk #ruralescape #visitengland #southengland #walkingUK

Off the beaten path in the Cotswolds There are ov

Off the beaten path in the Cotswolds

There are over 3,000 miles of footpaths in the Cotswolds alone. While the national trails and famous villages are deservedly popular, they are only a small part of what this remarkable region offers—there is so much more to see in the Cotswolds.

At Foot Trails, our ethos begins with taking you away from the crowds and onto the quiet ways, giving you a real sense of location, and more of an insight to the lives of the people who have walked the paths thousands of years before. We take you to traditional villages of honey-coloured Cotswolds stone with local inns, ancient churches and quiet village shops. You'll experience a journey on local paths and trails, soaking up a crowd-free, more authentic side to the Cotswolds.

If you'd like to know more about our walking & hiking trips in the Cotswolds, visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We'd love to help you explore this wonderful part of the South West.

#hikethecotswolds #cotswolds #cotswoldslife #visitthecotswolds #englishcountryside #ruralengland #traveluk #visitengland #walkingthecotswolds #walkingholidaysuk #countrysidewalks #ukwalking #ukhikes #lifeinthecotswolds #lovethecotswolds

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Credits & small print

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

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