An English Summer
Golden tones of ripening grasses, evocative pink and purple meadow flowers, swooping swallows & swifts and hazy views, a few of the things that typify the English summer.
The season drifts in almost unnoticed but is unmistakable in feel and look. Walk with us in this headiest of seasons, swaying grasses on a warm breeze, a time of plenty, nature content and happy. Harvest is about to start and long summer days for making hay!
Top Trips for Summer Walking
Summer is a wonderful time to wander in the footsteps of the legendary King Arthur. The rolling landscapes are bursting with life and colour, offering views that stretch for miles. Traditional cottage gardens and landscaped country house grounds are at their best, and the ancient apple orchards common to this part of England are heavy with leaves and growing fruit. This is the heart of rural England, where mystery, legend & myth entwine with ancient history and country traditions.
The South West of England is home to some of the most treasured country houses &Â Gardens. And what better time to visit them than in summer, when their landscaped grounds are a riot of life and colour. 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.
The long days of summer are ideal for exploring 6,000 years of history in South West England. Prehistoric monuments, ancient cathedrals, ruined castles and quaint cottages wait at every turn. The crowning glory is Stonehenge, a magnificent Neolithic structure that has fascinated humans since time immemorial. With the option of a guided tour from Foot Trails Co-Founder David, this history-rich trip is perfect for embracing summer in all its glory.
We love sharing our passion for southwest England with our guests. Every trip we create is custom made to you and can be enjoyed whatever the season. Explore below to see all of our trips in the beautiful southwest.
Top tips for Summer walking
‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’
William Shakespeare
There’s a reason why Shakespeare chose summer as the ultimate form of flattery in his famous sonnet 18. It’s the fairest season here in England. A time when you can expect the warmest weather and the longest days. But this is England, after all, and our weather is famous for being enormously variable, switching from very warm and sunny to cool and cloudy, breezy or rainy at a moment’s notice. Which is why our first recommendation for summer walking is to dress in several thin layers. Take a waterproof, warm fleece and sun hat with you to ensure you’re prepared for all conditions and can easily adjust a thin layer or two to be warmer or cooler.
Be prepared for sun and heat by carrying sun cream and block with you, and also a sun hat. Check yourself whenever you pause to drink and add more block if needed.
Walking is thirsty work at any time of year, but especially in summer. So, take plenty of water, about 1 litre per person. You will be exerting yourself and exercising so you’ll need to stay hydrated. In warm weather, you should drink a cup of water every half an hour or so.
Always take a mobile phone with you and have the contact numbers you may need for an emergency.Â
It may be summer but we still advise wearing waterproof walking boots. If you are set to be walking during a prolonged dry spell, you might consider a training shoe with a strong sole. However, we still recommend bringing walking boots with you. During summer, overnight dews or passing rain showers will leave long summer grasses wet, so you will appreciate having a pair of waterproof boots. If your feet are happy, then you’ll be happy!
Last but not least, don’t forget to take photographs to capture the memories you make in the stunning landscapes of South West England.
Summer walking, Alison Howell shares her favourite things about an English summer
Summer is a wonderful time of year here in England. It truly is a feast for the senses with its own particular sounds, sights and smells. The distant hum of combine harvesters, the echoes of bright birdsong and laughing children out from school. The fizz and crackle of drinks poured over ice.
Then there are the wonderful smells of the countryside in summer: cut grasses, meadow flowers and the unmistakable scent of the sea (inextricably linked to memories of childhood holidays for me 🙂).
Summer also means an abundance of taste: home-made ice creams, chilled white wine, the freshest of salads paired with fresh crusty breads and creamy yellow butter.
Walking in the warm sunshine and shady trees is another joy. We may not get sunshine every day, but when the sun is out it’s wonderful. As is the dappled shade of an English wood.
Summer is also the season of al fresco dining. There’s nothing I love more than a fine picnic with local fare such as pork pies & chutney, scones with strawberries and cream and more besides. Or a spot of lunch or dinner in the garden of one of our hand-picked country inns. Everything tastes better outdoors.
Then there are those hazy views and never-ending horizons. Vistas of rolling landscapes: grasses and crops swaying in the breeze, slowly turning golden as harvest approaches. The long, late evenings and chilled out dusks, and the feeling that summer will just go on for ever . It really is a wonderful time of the year.
When is summer?
Summer is a wonderful time for walking in South West England. But when exactly does this season start and finish? Meteorologically, summer always starts on 1 June and ends on 31 August. As is always the way with the weather, though, there’s no hard and fast rule. We tend to take a more nuanced approach, and like to think of summer in three clear phases: early, high and late summer. Each has its own characteristics and benefits.
Late May and June are what we call early summer. A time when trees and shrubs are in leaf, roses and many other flowers are in bloom, and gardens are generally at their best. The countryside is fresh, green and echoing with the sound of birdsong and buzzing insects. Hedgerows and woodlands are full of colour.
By July (high summer), landscapes are slowly turning golden as crops ripen ready for harvest. This is a time of hazy-blue summer skies and long, balmy evenings. Crickets grasshoppers are at their most active, their chirping a common sound on warm summer evenings. As is the swooping of bats out for a late night bite to eat. Many birds will be busy raising their first or second batch of chicks, and wildflower meadows are in their prime during this phase of summer.
August and early September herald the start of a gentler pace in the countryside as we enter the last throws of harvest. In August, heather on heathland and moors comes to life with colour, painting the ground with delicate pink and purple blooms. The weather is warm and the light is wonderful. Migratory birds start leaving for their winter residences; orchards and hedgerows are heavy with fruit. Though still long, the days start to get shorter, the beginnings of a chill are in the air. Autumn is just around the corner 🙂
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