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

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By Sarah / December 15, 2025

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

A perfect winter’s day in the Cotswolds

One of the privileges of researching and creating new walks is that it gets me (David) out and about in

Peaceful riverside walking in the Cotswolds

Towards the end of last year, our Senior Itinerary consultant Alastair and his wife were out testing one of our

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

Life on Instagram

Walking in the footsteps of England’s ancient king

Walking in the footsteps of England’s ancient kings…

English history is a treasure trove of stories & legends. Nowhere is this felt more strongly than in Wiltshire, Dorset & Somerset. These three English counties were at the heart of the ancient Kingdom of the West Saxons (Wessex). It’s a region where King Arthur is rumoured to have roamed, where Alfred the Great once ruled, and where Alfred’s descendent, Athelstan became the first ‘King of the English (AD 924).

It’s also the place where Foot Trails was born. David and I spent a decade here hiking and exploring here, and we couldn’t believe that this rural idyll was being overlooked as a destination.

Wonderfully crowd-free, you can enjoy a wide variety of landscapes over just a few days. Not forgetting some of the most charming villages in South West England (it’s home, we’re biased!).

Over the next few days we’ll be showcasing some of the highlights of our trips in this wonderfully rural region.

To find out more, visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure.

Alison

A golden glow on the horizon, the ground frozen, w

A golden glow on the horizon, the ground frozen, whited by frost. It was the perfect winter morning as I stood in The Cotswolds at daybreak…

One of the privileges of researching and creating new walks is that it gets me (David) out and about in all seasons and weathers. Last weekend, I was in the Cotswolds putting the finishing touches on a new walk along the river Coln.

Beautiful old churches, thatched cottages, a Roman Road and ancient clapper bridges were just a few of the highlights on this tranquil walk. To read more, visit our Journal page on our website (link in bio).

#cotswoldslife #visitengland #cotswolds #beautifuldestinations #footpaths #englishcountryside #walkuk #hikeuk #countrysidewalks #winterwalks #WalkingUK #outdoors #thecotswolds #walkinginthecotswolds #walkingholidaysuk #hikinginengland #hikingadventures #hikinginthecotswolds #visitcotswolds #traveluk #travelinspiration #igengland #igtravel #weloveengland #thisprettyengland #landsacpe #landscapephotography #englishscenery #capturingbritain

Last year, our Senior Itinerary consultant Alastai

Last year, our Senior Itinerary consultant Alastair and his wife were out testing one of our new walks for 2026 in The Cotswolds.

From a grand country estate into quintessential English countryside—pretty Cotswolds cottages, rivers teeming with wildlife, meadows, woodland and open farmland. And then finishing the day in a cosy country inn, oozing Cotswolds charm.

You can read Alastair’s full report on our Journal (blog) page (link in bio).

To find out more about our walking & hiking trips in the Cotswolds, simply visit our website (link in bio) and request a brochure.

#cotswolds #CotswoldsLife #CotswoldsEscape #cotswoldsgetaway #hikeuk #walkuk #walkinguk #exploremore #walkingholidays #hikingadventures

When you hike with Foot Trails, you can be sure ev

When you hike with Foot Trails, you can be sure every trail leads to a warm welcome, a good meal and a room where you’ll feel at home.

We carefully select our inns to ensure they give our guests the authentic experience of staying in the English countryside. Cosy, welcoming and friendly service—the kind of places that Alison & I would want to stay at (and often have in over 20 years of hiking South West England).

To find out more about about our self-guided walking & hiking trips in South West England, visit our website (link in bio) or send us a message at enquire@foottrails.co.uk.

#England #hikeuk #walkuk #hikingengland #englishcountryside #rur#CozyPubalengland #loveengland #leavethecity #CountryPubs #leavethecity #EnglishCountryside #explore_britain #southwestengland #visitthecotswolds #visitsomerset #visitdorset #visitwiltshire #visitexmoor #walkingholidaysuk

It was the perfect winter day in South West Englan

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.

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Contact us

enquire@foottrails.co.uk
+44 (0) 1747 820 626

The Welsh Mill, Frome, BA11 2LE

Credits & small print

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

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