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  • Trips & Tours
    • The Cotswolds
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    • Events: Group Walks
    • All Trips
  • The Howell Way
    • The Howell Way
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The Avon Valley, Bath

By Emma Surridge / October 23, 2023

Walking & Hiking In The Avon Valley, Bath

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

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On our journal

New coastal walk in Dorset

It was the perfect winter day in South West England for a hike. Dry, bright and cold. Wrapped warmly against

Our top tips for hiking in spring

‘The true nature of the human heart is as whimsical as spring weather.’ Charles Dickens Even back in the 1800s,

Where will you hike & explore in 2026?

The South West of England is our home, our local patch, a richly diverse area that we would love to

Life on Instagram

One of our new walks for 2026 takes you through th One of our new walks for 2026 takes you through the charming, historic seaside town of Lyme Regis. Nestled on the Jurassic Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lyme Regis boasts extraordinary natural history as well as dramatic coastal scenery, and a rich cultural legacy. We love this wonderful harbour town for its history, charm and its beautiful harbour—its curved harbour wall (the Cobb) has played a prominent role in Jane Austen’s novel ‘Persuasion’ and in the opening scene of the 1981 Oscar-winning film The French Lieutenant's Woman! If you’d like to know more about our walking and hiking trips along the Dorset coast, visit our website and request a brochure. David https://foottrails.co.uk/holidays/coastal-seascapes-of-dorset/ #lymeregis #dorset #englishcoast #southwestcoastpath #jurassiccoast #seaside #dorsetcoast #hikeuk #walkuk #UKHikingAdventure #WalkingHolidaysUK #coastalwalks #ukholidays #dorset #visitdorset #visitdorsetofficial #hiking #walking #coastpath #coastalwalking #ukhikingadventures #ukcoast #ukcoastpath #traveluk #travelinspiration #visitengland #landscapeuk #visitengland #ukwalking #hikingengland
One of the new walks in our Coastal Seascapes of D One of the new walks in our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip takes you a little inland through a surprising landscape on the fringes of Poole Harbour. Last November, Foot Trails Co-Founder and Trail Creator David Howell was out putting the finishing touches to this unique route. “My trail started with a slow steady climb from the village up the side of a chalk down. In the view, the gap in the hills is dominated by dramatic castle ruins, an ancient castle that was once a royal stronghold. As I descend the east side of the hill, in the distance the water of Poole Harbour reflects in the low light and the valley floor brings a little relief from the blustery wind. I pick up a slow winding lane across the valley, where the autumn colour still lingers. The habitat is strikingly different here, a heathland with gorse and fern, marshy at times with coniferous woods. Exmoor Ponies and cattle are left to roam wild, naturally managing the land. The clouds briefly part to reveal blue sky and a few rays of sunlight, as I say hello to some of the ponies. The wild gives way to grazing land and statuesque oak trees. Raised boardwalks lead through the woods, a young stag alarmed, pauses to watch me as I wander through. The smell of wood smoke drifts on the air. Approaching my journey’s end, the woodland parts and the dramatic castle ruins are revealed once more. I wander back into the village to find a warming cup of tea and slice of cake. To find out more about our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trail, visit our website (link in bio). #dorsetlandscape #landscapephotography #corfe #photosofbritain #exploredorset #nationaltrust #normancastle #beautifuldestinations #corfecastle #visitdorset #ruinedcastle #walkinguk #hikinguk #hikingadventures #castlesofengland #coastalwalks #englandhiking #englishcoast #ukhikes #ukwalks #walkingholidaysuk
We’re thoroughly enjoying helping our guests plan We’re thoroughly enjoying helping our guests plan their walking adventures in South West England for 2026. Especially as we have a range of new walks and inns to offer on the Dorset coast and in the Cotswolds. The additional walks open up new sections of the Dorset coast, from Lyme Regis to the Isle of Purbeck, and a new crowd-free region of the beautiful Cotswolds. Our carefully selected new inns provide the warm welcome, excellent food and comfortable rooms that Foot Trails guests expect. Over the next few days, we’ll be shining the spotlight on what’s new for 2026! To browse our range of walking & hiking trips in South West England, simply visit out website (link in bio). #hike2026 #outdoors #enjoynature #england #visitengland #hikingengland #walkinguk #southwestengland #naturelover #exploremore #coastalwalks #hikethecotswolds #visitthecotswolds #ukcoastpath #jurassiccoast #cotswoldslife #walkingholidaysuk #hikinginengland
Spring is a wonderful time of year to hike. But it Spring is a wonderful time of year to hike. But it is also temperamental. Here are our top tips for hiking in this vibrant season. ☀️Dress in several thin layers for spring walking. Be prepared for varying conditions by having a waterproof, warm fleece, sun hat and sun cream with you. 📞Always take a mobile phone with you and know the contact numbers for an emergency. 💧Take plenty of water. It’s a misconception to think you need to drink less in spring than other times of the year. 🥾Waterproof walking boots are essential in spring. They protect your ankles, provide support and grip and also ensure your feet stay comfortable and dry. 📷Last but not least: don’t forget to take photos! You can take great photographs in spring in different conditions. Sunshine on blossom or a breeze blowing through wild bluebells. You’ll want to capture the memories you make on your spring adventure. If you have questions about walking in spring, or about walking clothing, boots and gear, drop us a line, we love to chat.
Exmoor in May. A time when the countryside in this Exmoor in May. A time when the countryside in this corner of South West England comes alive. The green grasses, wildflowers and brackens stretch across the moor & out into the horizon—where wild ponies and red deer roam (as well as sheep and their new lambs). In spring the rivers and waterfalls of Exmoor are particularly impressive as they tumble through the steep wooded valleys to the sea, where coastal walks & stunning views await. The rugged beauty of this little corner of Somerset has long been a draw to David and I. Which is why we created our Wild Exmoor, Coast & Moor trip to take you through the heart of Exmoor to the coast. To find out more about about exploring Exmoor in May, visit our website and request a brochure. Alison #inntoinnhiking #walkingholidaysuk #hikingadventures #ukhikingadventures #ukwalking #ukwalks #somerset #visitsomerset #exmoor #exmoor4all #foottrailsuk #thisprettyengland #weloveengland #visitengland #visitgb #igengland #igtravel #travelinspiration #traveluk #adventuretravel #walkinginengland #walkingtours #hikingtour
The Cotswolds is a wonderful place to soak up some The Cotswolds is a wonderful place to soak up some of the joyful energy of spring. In April, the landscape is coming back to life, the rolling wolds (hills) take on a fresh green colour as new grasses and leaves start to grow. The patchwork of farm fields start to echo with the sounds of new life as lambing season gets underway—is there a more traditional Cotswolds sound? Warm yellow Cotswolds stone villages look magnificent in the bright spring sunshine, joyous birdsong is everywhere, and woodland floors start springing to life with bluebells and wild garlic. April is a great time to plan a trip to the Cotswolds and shows you this beautiful region from its best side. To find out more about exploring the Cotswolds in spring, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure. #spring #spring2026 #travelinspiration #traveluk #thecotswolds #cotswoldslife #cotswoldswalking #hikeuk #walkuk #hikethecotswolds #englishvillage #lambs #walkinginengland #thecotswolds #walkinginthecotswolds #walkingholidaysuk #hikinginengland #hikingadventures #hikinginthecotswolds #visitcotswolds #traveluk #travelinspiration #igengland #igtravel #weloveengland #thisprettyengland #landscape #landscapephotography #englishscenery #capturingbritain
There’s a real beauty to winter hiking. And the co There’s a real beauty to winter hiking. And the conditions recently in the South West have been perfect—cold, crisp and clear. Here are some photos from this morning, when Emma from the Foot Trails team set out early to catch the sunrise and explore the countryside on the Somerset/Wiltshire border. #WinterWalking #spacetobreathe #GetOutdoors #england #southwestengland #hiking #walking #englishcountryside #visitwiltshire #visitsomersetofficial #winterwalk #britishlandscape #walkinguk #winterlandscape #winter #wintermornings #morningwalks #englishcountryside
April is a wonderful time to explore the Dorset co April is a wonderful time to explore the Dorset coast and embrace the riot of colour and sound that is spring. It's a place where the rolling green countryside is clothed in swathes of bluebells. Where you can walk winding footpaths flanked by delicate white hawthorn blossoms and explore ancient sunken pathways where canopies of fresh green leaves tower above your head. On our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset hiking trip, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in spring, exploring all things coastal and walking the ancient footpaths a little inland in traditional rural Dorset. If you’d like to explore the Dorset coast this spring on our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset hiking trip (link in bio), visit our website and request a brochure. #jurassiccoast #seaside #dorsetcoast #hikeuk #walkuk #UKHikingAdventure #WalkingHolidaysUK #coastalwalks #ukholidays #dorset #visitdorset #visitdorsetofficial #hiking #walking #coastpath #coastalwalking #ukhikingadventures #ukcoast #ukcoastpath #traveluk #travelinspiration #visitengland #landscapeuk #jurassiccoast #visitengland #ukwalking #hikingengland
Spring turns a simple walk in the woods into somet Spring turns a simple walk in the woods into something magical. From mid-April to mid-May, the dappled sunshine falling through still-bare tree branches provides the perfect conditions for woodland flowers to thrive: Wild garlic, wood anemones and, arguably the most beloved, bluebells. Knowing the best places to see this seasonal spectacle is often down to local knowledge. Which secret little corner of ancient woodland is the perfect spot to see these wonderful flowers? Our Kings & Kingdoms hiking holiday takes you through some of our favourite woods for bluebells and other woodland flowers—peaceful, uncrowded woodlands off the beaten track. To find out more about our Kings & Kingdoms hiking holiday, visit our website (link in bio) & request a brochure. #ukwalking #walkingholiday #hikingholiday #walkingholidaysuk #ukspring #englishwoodland #bluebells #explorebritain #SpringFlowers #spring2026 #springhiking #springwalking #treemagic #woodlandwalking #wildgarlic #walkinginengland #walkingholidaysuk #thisprettyengland #vistengland #wildflowers #woodlandflowers #bluebellseason #englishbluebells
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Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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