“Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly”
Van Morrison
Walking the coast is a joy. Dramatic, exhilarating and refreshing. There’s something wonderful about the space where the land meets the sea. Coastal views, fresh salty air, the wash of the waves on the beach and the rich history and traditions of our seafaring ancestors (tales of smugglers, pirates and other, more legitimate, mariners abound!).
![Upturned boat on a shingle beach in Dorset](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Adobe-Express-file-15-1024x576.jpg)
Spring is a wonderful time to visit the coast of South West England. In the cool, clear air, the views inland and out to sea seem to stretch even further. The landscapes are alive with colour: bright yellow gorse, pink and white tree blossoms and a rainbow pallet of spring flowers. The countryside teems with new life as returning migratory birds fill the air and newborn lambs, calves and foals start to appear in the fields and on the moor.
![Coastal path in spring with stile and hawthorn blossoms](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Adobe-Express-file-1.jpg)
![](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DSCF3535-1024x768.jpg)
We are lucky here in the South West to have varied coastlines and landscapes, from the rugged cost of north Somerset and Exmoor to the rolling hills and cliffs of south Dorset. There’s so much to explore and experience. And we now offer both of these unique coastal areas as Foot Trails trips.
Our Landscapes & Seascapes of Dorset take you on a journey through the creases and folds of the rolling landscape, catching glimpses of the sea as you walk before arriving at the beach to explore all things coastal. This is where the rolling downs of Wessex meet the coast with great drama, an 18 mile long barrier beach, and a story that traces back to the Jurassic.
![Landscapes and Seascapes of Dorset walking holiday](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Photo-for-Landscapes-Seascapes-on-the-theme-page-e1727040780623-1024x611.jpg)
In our NEW Wild Coast & Wild Moor trip on the north coast of Somerset, you journey from the dramatic rocky coastline of Exmoor, through steep-sided river valleys with tumbling white water, to the evocative and moody wide open space of Exmoor. Stories of our ancestors from Neolithic times, each step opens up new sights, sounds and experiences.
![Pathway cutting through gorse in north Somerset. The sea is on then right and Exmoor is on the left.](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/727c2378-a33a-4dc2-b7ff-97ca72c89742-1024x768.jpg)
We love this variety of landscapes & seascapes. Immersing ourselves in the culture and history of the coast and coastal life; discovering characterful villages, hidden spots off the beaten path, old market towns and ancient monuments that tell of thousands of years of history.
![Steps with primroses](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/file-1.jpg)
![Path on north Somerset coast winding its way through gorse and blossom.](https://foottrails.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DSCF3688.jpg)
If you’d like to experience coastal walking in England in spring, simply send us a message, we’d love to chat with you about your plans.