“We took a charming walk to Charlcombe, sweetly situated in a little green valley”
Jane Austen, 1799
Alongside her writing, Jane Austen was famous for her love of walking. She referenced it often in her letters to friends and acquaintances, and walking always seems to find its way into her novels – her heroines can often be found striding out across the English countryside, much to the horror of the more genteel members of Regency society.
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth (16 December 1775), and Bath is arguably the city most associated with the famous 18th century novelist. In fact, her novel Persuasion is littered with references to streets and buildings that visitors would still recognise today.
Here at Foot Trails, we can fully understand why Ms Austen was so taken with this beautiful city and the countryside on its doorstep. Surrounded by wooded hills with the river Avon meandering through its heart, this Georgian city is a real gem. The countryside around it is also very special: quiet valleys, tucked-away villages, stories of mills and canals. It’s the perfect place to wander and explore.
All of our trips in and around Bath have been carefully curated to give a sense of connection between the city and the surrounding countryside, uncovering the history and stories of the area as you go. Walking from the serene tranquility of the countryside, through the stunning parklands of Bath, along the canal towpath and into the heart of this vibrant, bustling city is a wonderful experience. And spring is a wonderful time to experience this, with footpaths and verges bursting with bright spring flowers, trees in blossom and clear bright skies offering up magnificent views of the countryside and city.
Now is the perfect time to start planning your 2026 hiking adventure in South West England. We’re already taking bookings for our spring 2026 arrival dates. So if you’d like to explore the beautiful country city of Bath and its surrounding countryside, simply visit our website or send us an email. We’d love to help you plan your 2026 countryside escape in South West England!