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Foot Trails logo
  • Trips & Tours
    • The Cotswolds
    • Coastal Hikes
    • Land of Kings
    • Heritage and Gardens
    • Family & Friends Groups
    • Events: Group Walks
    • All Trips
  • The Howell Way
    • The Howell Way
    • Our Values
    • Our Story
    • Sustainability
  • Our Journal
  • Talk to an expert
    • Booking Enquiry
    • Book a Video Appointment
    • Our Team

05_Photo

By Emma Surridge / September 1, 2024

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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

Foot Trails Wins Bronze Award – International Tourism

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve won a bronze award at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards. Alison &

Hiking to a king’s stronghold

Well known for its geological wonders, the Dorset coast also has some alternative, and surprising, landscapes to wander in. Last

Icons of the Dorset coast

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, known worldwide for their natural beauty, are two of the most iconic locations on the

Life on Instagram

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve won a br We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve won a bronze award at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards.

Alison & David, Foot Trails founders, attended a prestigious gala event in Bath yesterday evening to receive the award on behalf of the Foot Trails team.

"We're overjoyed to win this prestigious award and to be named in tourism's international top spot. Foot Trails attracts guests from all across the world to visit our beautiful West Country, and to travel slowly on bespoke hiking & walking tours. This award is a credit to the hard work of our team in making and delivering these award-winning experiences, as well as welcoming and caring for our guests.”

Thank you to all of our guests who make this possible, and for your kind words of feedback and encouragement, we can't wait to welcome you back. And for those considering a Foot Trail, welcome, we look forward to helping you explore the paths less trodden in our beautiful corner of England.

#BBSTA25 #tourismawards #awardwinners #awards2025 #winner  #hikingengland #walkingholidaysuk #bestwalkingholidays #walkuk #hikeuk #slowtraveling #englishcountryside #swisbest
An island rising out of the mist rumoured to be th An island rising out of the mist rumoured to be the final resting place of King Arthur… The Isle of Avalon is a mystical place at the heart of Arthurian legend. And for centuries, it was thought to be located in Somerset, in the mysterious Levels.

As early as the 11th century, the Levels were suggested as the place where Arthur was laid to rest. And when monks at a local abbey claimed to have found Arthur & Guinevere’s grave in 1191, its link to Arthur and his knights was cemented in popular imagination.

The Somerset Levels have always been a favourite of Foot Trails’ Co-Founders Alison & David, combining their love of landscapes, history, legend and, of course, cider. To find out more about booking walking holiday in this fascinating region, visit our website (link in bio).

#somerset #history #greatoutdoors #england #britain #countryside  #glastonbury #glastonburytor #somerset #Avalon #mistsofavalon #VisitSomerset #southwestengland  #walkingholidaysuk #walkinguk #hikeuk #hikeengland #hikebritain #walkengland #walkingholidaysuk #walkingholidays
The Somerset Levels, a land of cider, legend and t The Somerset Levels, a land of cider, legend and timeless rural life. This low-lying wetland in the heart of Somerset, is a true hidden gem of the South West. A place suffused in history, myths and legends, where King Arthur was said to have lived, ruled and died.

Our King Arthur’s Trail trip immerses you in all the different facets of this region - stunning natural landscapes, delightful villages, historic ruined abbeys, vintage cider orchards and breathtaking views. To find out more, message us here on Instagram or visit our website (link in bio)

#somerset #glastonburytor #walkingholiday #walkinguk #england #naturelovers #naturevibes #walkingtour #hikeuk #walkingengland #KingArthur #alfredthegreat #somersetlevels #glastonbury #glastonburyabbey #somersetlevelsandmoors #somerset #visitsomerset #somsersetlevels #somersetwest
#thisprettyengland #walkingholidaysuk #visitenglan #thisprettyengland #walkingholidaysuk #visitengland #walkingholidays #hikeuk #somerset #offthebeatenpath #slowtravel #foottrailsuk #visitsomerset #hikingengland #beautifulengland #medieval #KingArthur #travelinspiration #travelengland #ruralengland #swisbest #walkuk #walkingadventures  #countrysidewalks #countrywalks #hikingtime #landscapesofbritain #walkingholidaysuk
South West England was indelibly shaped by Alfred South West England was indelibly shaped by Alfred the Great and his descendants. From the small characterful that dot the landscape and the winding lanes that connect them, to the small enclosed field systems that are still in place today, to the miles of hedgerows that still mark boundaries between the patchwork of farmland. The south west is also where Alfred built his fortified settlements (burhs), many of which are now beautiful market towns.

So many features that make the landscape here so unique, rural and captivating can be traced back to Alfred and his descendants. If you’d like to know more about booking walking holiday in this tranquil corner of England, visit our website (link in bio).

#walking #hiking #ukwalking #ukhiking #hikingadventures #hikingvacations #slowtravel #swisbest #slowtraveling #leavethecity #seekthepositive #ruralengland #villagelife #rambling #walking #hiking #ruralidyll #countrysidewalks #landscapecaptures #thisprettyengland #AngloSaxon #AngloSaxonHistory #Wessex #EarlyMedieval
A timeless landscape, steeped in history. Traditio A timeless landscape, steeped in history. Traditional villages, quiet footpaths and big skies. The Cranborne Chase is a jewel in the south west. Covering an area of 379 square miles, this large chalk plateau is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) and an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Wandering the chalk tracks with no one in sight and views stretching off for miles, you may well be mistaken for thinking you’ve stepped centuries back in time. It’s quintessential Foot Trails country.

#cranbornechase #visitengland #hikingengland  #walkuk #hikeuk
When it comes to telling the story of England, the When it comes to telling the story of England, there are few things as impactful as a castle. From the time of William the Conqueror onwards, these imposing stone structures have borne witness to conquest, power struggles and social change over the centuries.

Built often for defense and as statements of power, many of these fascinating buildings are still part of the landscape of England today. 

Our Kings & Kingdoms tour takes you to a number of impressive castles in wonderfully rural settings - the remains of an 11th century motte-and-bailey castle, a 12th century fortified palace of the Bishop of Salisbury and the arguably the most romantic medieval castle ruin in southern England.

If you'd like to know more about booking a walking holiday in the landscapes and castles of ancient England, visit our website (link in bio).

#castlesofengland #walkuk #englishheritage  #HiddenGemsUK #englishcountryside #traveluk #castles #visitengland #walkingholidaysuk #walkingholidays #walkingholidaysengland #medieval #medievalcastle #medievalcastles #hikeengland #visitengland #traveluk #ruralengland #countrysidewalks #somerset #dorset #wiltshire
Hike in the footsteps of Saxon kings, through the Hike in the footsteps of Saxon kings, through the ancient kingdom of the West Saxons - Wessex. Explore stunning landscapes and crowd-free villages, ancient hill-top towns that once defended Wessex from Viking invaders, medieval castles and ancient hunting grounds beloved of an infamous medieval king.

A place where beautiful rolling landscapes give way to open plains, with no two days the same. This wonderfully rural region is steeped in history and tradition, with miles and miles of quiet, tranquil footpaths.

To find out more, message us here on Instagram or visit our website (link in bio).

#englishvillage #visitengland #visitbritain #cottages #hikeuk #walkuk #swisbest #walkingholidayuk #walkingholidays #walkingholiday #dorset #beautifulbritain #englishcountryside #southwestengland #walkuk #hikeuk #slowtravelling #visitengland #weloveengland #selfguidedtravel #offthebeatentrack
"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely s "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;"
Sea Fever, John Masefield, 1902

We never tire of walking the spaces where the land meets the shore, and Dorset is one of our favourite places to experience the rhythm of the waves, the scent of salt on the air and the cry of gulls in the distance.

#ukcoast #ukcoastline #coastalwalks #ukcoastalwalks #dorset #england #visitdorset #weloveengland  #swisbest #visitengland #hikeuk #walkuk #walkingholidaysuk #hikingvacation #hikingbritain #coastalwalks #coastwalk #ruralengland #southwestcoastpath #coastalscenery #selfguidedtour #ukwalkingholidays
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Photography credits: Alison & David Howell. Alun Callender, The National Trust, English Heritage

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