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  • Trips & Tours
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Country inn

By Emma Surridge / October 19, 2023

Country inn

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On our journal

Blue Skies & Chalk Paths: An end of August hike

This past Monday, Foot Trails Storyteller Emma headed out into the Wiltshire countryside to climb a favourite hill close to Foot

Hello autumn!

The first of September is officially the meteorological start of autumn here in the UK. And the countryside is already

Hiking through heather on Exmoor

The heather on Exmoor is in bloom again. August and September is heather season on the moor. Making it the

Life on Instagram

Crisp mornings, warm days and golden trails… autum Crisp mornings, warm days and golden trails… autumn has officially arrived in the English countryside! There’s a subtle shift in the air: hedgerows laden with fruit, swallows gathering on overhead wires ready for their migration south, and the countryside coming to rest after a busy summer. Autumn is the perfect time for long hikes through beautiful English landscapes. We’re already looking ahead to misty mornings and crisp trails over the coming weeks and months. If you’d like to explore the quiet side of the English countryside in autumn 2027, click the link in our bio to visit our website, or email enquire@foottrails.co.uk to chat with our team. Are the seasons starting to change where you are? Let us know in the comments below. #EnglishAutumn #RuralEngland #BritishCountryside #AutumnIsComing #WalkingInEngland #UKHiking #MistyMornings #CountryWalks #EnglishCountryside #ExploreBritain #HikingAdventures #WalkingHolidaysUK #SelfGuided
Yesterday, Foot Trails Storyteller Emma headed out Yesterday, Foot Trails Storyteller Emma headed out into the Wiltshire countryside to climb a favourite hill close to Foot Trails HQ. “This has always been a favourite spot of mine. An unassuming hill that offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Especially on a day like today: Blue sky, sunshine and white fluffy clouds blown across the sky on a lively breeze. I set off along the familiar chalk path and slowly made my way up along the ridges on the hill’s slopes. Right from the start the views are breathtaking, especially out to the northeast where you can look out over the amphitheatre-like curve of the hill and surrounding farmland. It was here, half way up, that I stopped to sit a while, watching the shadows of the clouds skimming across the fields. The countryside has already taken on a distinctly autumnal feel. The heat of the summer has subsided, and while the days are still warm, there is a subtle shift in colour, atmosphere and light that tells you autumn is definitely on its way. I continued up to the trig point, enjoying the 360-degree views before heading out further into the countryside, stopping occasionally to pick delicious blackberries from the hedgerows. A perfect way to see out the last day in August.” If you'd like to explore the countryside of South West England in 2027, follow the link in our bio to visit our website, or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. #walkingholidaysuk #EnglishCountryside #AutumnWalks #FootTrailsUK #UKOutdoors #GetOutdoors #Autumn #VisitEngland #CountrysideWalks #TheCotswolds #VisitWiltshire #VisitSomerset #SlowTravel #WeLoveEngland
Here's another look at the day we spent at an agri Here's another look at the day we spent at an agricultural show in Dorset last week. We spent a wonderful few hours watching prized livestock and rare breeds exhibitions as well as vintage tractor and steam engine parades, ferret racing and gundog displays. And put the perfect finish on the day by enjoying some tasty food while listening to a local brass band play. The perfect day in the Dorset countryside 🐑 🐄 #GillinghamAndShaftesburyShow #CountryShow #BritishFarming #RuralLife #walkinguk #HikingUK #englishcountryside #slowtravel #VisitEngland #SouthWestEngland #WeLoveEngland #Sheep #VisitBritain
The heather on Exmoor is in bloom again! August an The heather on Exmoor is in bloom again! August and September is heather season on the moor. Making it the perfect time of year to get out walking in this breathtaking landscape. Our Wild Exmoor, Coast & Moor hiking trip takes you through this wild & remote landscape - from the moor to the coast. Guided by our step-by-step trail guides, you’ll discover the beauty of this unique landscape - big skies and sea views, wooded river valleys where you can follow the tumbling water as it makes its way to the rugged coast. All self guided, on quiet paths, with luggage transfers and stays in hand-picked country inns at the heart of local communities. If you’d like to know more about Wild Exmoor, Coast and Moor, click the link in our bio to visit our website or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you. #Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #VisitExmoor #DiscoverExmoor #HeatherInBloom #PurpleHeather #HeatherSeason #SelfGuidedHikes #WalkingHolidays #UKHiking #HikeUK #OutdoorsUK #MoorlandWalks #CoastalHike #VisitSomerset #VisitDevon #LoveGreatBritain #CountryInns #SlowTravel #FootTrailsUK
When we arrived at the country show last week, we When we arrived at the country show last week, we immediately made our way to the livestock pens. We wanted to see the prize sheep and cattle that the farmers were prepping for competition. Even before we got there, we could hear the hairdryers being used to put the final touches on the well-groomed beasts :) We then waited for the animals to be lead out into the rings under the watchful eyes of the judges. To use, the uninitiated outsiders, the judging criteria seemed mysterious (correctness, structural soundness, long wide toplines and round hindquarters), but the experts certainly knew what they were doing and were soon awarding first, second and third rosettes. Livestock exhibitions have always been at the heart of agricultural shows and it was a real joy to see breeders of all ages proudly showing their livestock at this popular show 🐑 🐄 #GSShow #RuralEngland #CountrysideStories #WalkingEngland #SlowTravelUK #VisitEngland #VisitDorset #RuralTraditions #BritishAgriculture
Last week, David, Alison, and Emma from the Foot T Last week, David, Alison, and Emma from the Foot Trails team spent a day at a local agricultural show in Dorset! Agricultural shows have been a vital part of UK rural life for centuries. Evolving from traditional harvest festivals and country fairs, they’ve always been an important place for farming communities to gather, trade, and celebrate the harvest yields. Today, they remain just as important, drawing crowds from near and far. Here are a few highlights from our day out: 🐄 The livestock pens: Arriving early, we made a beeline to see the sheep, cattle, and heavy horses being prepped for competition. 🏅 The Main ring & demos: We loved the pony racing, vintage tractor and steam engine parade and heavy horse display. 🐑Tradition and heritage: The traditional sheep shearing demo was fascinating and we could have spent a lot longer listening to the tales of a lifetime traveling the world shearing sheep! 🍏 Horticulture & handicrafts: We loved wandering through the competition tents, admiring local entries and seeing who earned top spots for their fruit, veg, baking and crafts. In a world where it's easy to feel disconnected from rural traditions, these shows are a wonderful reminder of where our food comes from and the incredible hard work and skill that goes into producing it. When we create a bespoke Foot Trails itinerary for you, we recommend local events like this so you can experience the authentic side of the South West and explore like a local. If you’d like to walk the best of rural South West England, simply send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. We’d love to create the perfect itinerary for you. #Dorset #DorsetLife #AgriculturalShow #CountryShow #SouthWestEngland #VisitDorset #SlowTravel #UKCountryside #RuralLife #DiscoverEngland #WalkingHolidays #FarmToFork #GillinghamShaftesburyShow #RuralEngland #BritishFarming #hikeUK #WalkUK
Tranquil moments and beautiful views When you wal Tranquil moments and beautiful views When you walk with Foot Trails, it’s never just about getting from A to B. We curate every trail to show you the very best of the countryside that we know and love. On a Foot Trails walking & hiking trip, you’ll explore the places that we’ve discovered over a lifetime of walking here, taking in beautiful views, pausing at quiet places, where it’s just you, nature and the rolling countryside of the South West. If you’d like to hike the quiet side of South West England, we’d love to share our corner of England with you. To find out more, visit our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk, #FootTrails #SouthWestEngland #WalkingHolidays #HikingUK #EnglishCountryside #SlowTravel #UKWalking #VisitEngland #CountrysideWalks #QuietPlaces #NatureTherapy #OffTheBeatenTrack #ExploreSouthWest #GetOutsideUK #LandscapeLovers
Accessible only on foot, this secluded bay on the Accessible only on foot, this secluded bay on the Dorset coast is the perfect place to pause and watch the world go by. Unlike other more popular coastal highlights, this beautiful bay remains tranquil and crowd free even in the height of summer. Once you make your way down from the cliffs above, you can hunt for fossils, marvel at the geology, lose yourself in rock pools or just sit and listen to the wash of the sea on the shore. We love it because it’s such a great place to switch off and immerse yourself in the stunning Jurassic Coast. What's your favourite place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? This stunning bay is part of our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip. If you’d like to hike Dorset’s Jurassic Coast away from the crowds in 2027, simply send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk or visit our website (link in bio). We’d love to help you explore this part of the world. #FootTrailsUK #Dorset #VisitDorset #JurassicCoast #DorsetCoast #HikeUK #UKWalking #GuidedWalkingTours #WalkingHolidays #HikeBritain #SlowTravel #CoastalWalking #OffTheBeatenTrack #QuietPlaces #EscapeTheCrowds
In the heart of Thomas Hardy country lies a bustli In the heart of Thomas Hardy country lies a bustling market town with a remarkable history and a steep cobbled hill. It’s a timeless view looking down from the top of this hill. The buttressed stone walls of the ancient abbey on one side and the picturesque cottages on the other, ancient cobbles running down the middle. Even in the present day, you can easily imagine a character from one of Hardy’s novels slowly making their way up the hill. It’s definitely worth the short, sharp climb to the top for the view over the cottage roofs into the countryside beyond. And if the view wasn’t reward enough, there are some lovely cafes to rest and refresh before you continue on your journey through Dorset’s rural landscapes. This stunning spot is just one of the highlights on our Kings & Kingdoms tour. If you’d like to know more, take a look at this trip on our website (link in bio) or send us an email at enquire@foottrails.co.uk. #UKWalkingTours #HikingInEngland #UKWalkingTours #ActiveTravelUK #EnglishCountryside #VisitEngland #StorybookVillages #ClassicEngland #TravelEngland #FootTrailsUK #EnglandHiking
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