England walking holidays advice
Cultural tips
June Zaft of our supplier Country Walks:
“England is remarkably rich in cultural heritage but it's not always easy to discover unless you choose companies whose self guided walking notes include cultural visits and commentaries. A leader with good local knowledge will also be able to bring the landscape to life with stories of legends, folklore and well-known personalities, famous or infamous! Charleston Farmhouse on the South Downs, for example, with its vibrant garden is a place of wonder and inspiration, transformed by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell as a refuge for the artists and writers of the Bloomsbury Group who helped shape 20th century taste. At Berwick Church, nearby, they used friends and local people as models for their colourful murals and frescoes which controversially depict the life of Christ against the background of war-torn Britain.”
“England is remarkably rich in cultural heritage but it's not always easy to discover unless you choose companies whose self guided walking notes include cultural visits and commentaries. A leader with good local knowledge will also be able to bring the landscape to life with stories of legends, folklore and well-known personalities, famous or infamous! Charleston Farmhouse on the South Downs, for example, with its vibrant garden is a place of wonder and inspiration, transformed by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell as a refuge for the artists and writers of the Bloomsbury Group who helped shape 20th century taste. At Berwick Church, nearby, they used friends and local people as models for their colourful murals and frescoes which controversially depict the life of Christ against the background of war-torn Britain.”
Our England walking Holidays
Thames Path walking holiday, Cotswolds to London
Follow the Thames river from its source in the Cotswolds
From
£763 to £1071
8 days
ex flights
Cumbria Way walking holiday, Lake District
Walking Holiday in England's Lake District The Cumbria Way
From
£675 to £981
10 days
ex flights
Yorkshire guided walking holiday, The Prior Richard Way
A guided 12th century walk, York to Fountains Abbey via Ripon
From
£350
4 days
ex flights
Shakespeares Way walking holiday, Cotswolds to London
From Stratford-upon-Avon to The Globe Theatre
From
£595 to £1980
8 days
ex flights
Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath walking holiday, England
Canal walking holiday in Southern England
From
£624 to £1104
8 days
ex flights
South West Coastal Path walking holiday, England
The South West Coast Path and Isles of Scilly
From
£459 to £899
8 days
ex flights
Northumberland coast walking holiday
Self Guided Walking Holiday in Northumberland Coast Path
From
£560 to £798
8 days
ex flights
Dartmoor & Exmoor walking holiday, England
Self guided walking between the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.
From
£269 to £639
3 days
ex flights
Shakespeares Way & Thames Path walking holiday
Two fantastic traditional English walks.
From
£595 to £1180
8 days
ex flights
Thames Path walking holiday, Oxford to Windsor
Self guided walk along the River Thames Oxford to Windsor
From
£624 to £888
7 days
ex flights
York to Fountains Abbey walking holiday, England
The Prior Richards way self-guided 12th century walk
From
£250
4 days
ex flights
Pilgrims Way guided walking holiday in Kent
Discover any of our walks with guide
From
£15
4 days
ex flights
White cliffs of Dover walking holiday in Kent, England
Superb cliff top walk along an iconic route
From
£681
6 days
ex flights
Walking holiday in Kent, self guided walks
Discover hidden Kent, its people and their history.
From
£778
7 days
ex flights
Cotswolds Way self guided walking holiday, England
Hike through one of Britain's most popular regions
From
£803 to £1122
12 days
ex flights
Barnstaple to Bude South West Coast Path walk
South West Coast Path in England walking tour
From
£560 to £798
8 days
ex flights
Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour, England
Discover Kent's history, its landscape and its people
From
£649
6 days
ex flights
The Great Stones Way walking holiday, England
52 miles long and is one of the newest UK walking trails
From
£560 to £833
8 days
ex flights
South West Coast Path Minehead to Barnstaple walk
Self guided walking tour of South West Coast Path
From
£560 to £798
8 days
ex flights
Norfolk Coast Path walking holiday, England
Self-guided walking along one of England's National Trails
From
£498 to £732
7 days
ex flights
Self guided Avon Valley river path walking holiday, England
Salisbury to Christchurch River walking holiday
From
£469 to £569
6 days
ex flights
The Thames Path Source to Oxford walk, England
Walking on The River Thames from The Cotswolds to Oxford
From
£510 to £730
6 days
ex flights
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal walking holiday, England
Northern England self guided walking holiday
From
£1246 to £1792
15 days
ex flights
Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims way
Walk the Pilgrims Way from Winchester to Canterbury
From
£1569
14 days
ex flights
Peak District self catering log cabins, England
Self-catering log cabins in the Derbyshire Peak District
From
£475 to £940
per cabin per week (sleeps 4-6)
Dales Way walking holiday in Yorkshire, England
The Dales Way self guided walking holiday
From
£657 to £963
10 days
ex flights
South West Coast Path walking holiday, England
Bude to Newquay along the South West Coast Path
From
£640 to £912
9 days
ex flights
Highlights of Hadrians Wall walking holiday, England
Self-guided walk along the Hadrian's Wall Path
From
£300 to £396
5 days
ex flights
Thames Path walking holiday, England
Self-guided walk along the River Thames Path
From
£545 to £765
6 days
ex flights
Jurassic Coast walking holiday in Dorset
Explore stunning UK coastline
From
£699 to £719
6 days
ex flights
Where to go
June Zaft, from our supplier Country Walks:“We find the Visitor Centre at Exceat a useful resource when planning our walking trips around the South Downs and Sussex coast, and the various scenic and tourist bus routes run by Brighton and Hove, Stagecoach, Compass Travel and the other local operators are useful for walkers, families and elderly or disabled people who want to explore.”
Paul Day, Managing Director at our supplier, Let’s Go Walking, shares his experiences of walking in England: “One of my favourites is the Purbeck Way which comes in from Lulworth Cove to Swanage via Corfe Castle. This is a great walk for wildlife as there’s usually deer, buzzards and rabbits around the area with loads of seabirds in Swanage as well as an occasional hare or two, if you’re lucky.”
The wonder of walking in England
June Zaft from our supplier Country Walks:“It is no surprise that walking is one of England's most popular outdoor activities. The countryside is awash with a dense network of footpaths, many hundreds of years old. Originally formed to link one village with another, they still today wind through the landscape to all kinds of hidden delights. Then there's the thrill of discovery. On foot one can enjoy the detail, discover what nature has in store, choose which path to take, wonder who will one meet on the way? All that's required is a map, compass, enquiring mind and a sense of adventure! And in England one is never far from 'civilisation' so there are no real dangers.”
Paul Day, Let’s Go Walking:
“Walking in England really helps put things into perspective and if you’ve had a bad day or are feeling a bit stressed then it really helps to make your arrangements, wrap up warm and get out the door to surround yourself with countryside.”
“Walking in England really helps put things into perspective and if you’ve had a bad day or are feeling a bit stressed then it really helps to make your arrangements, wrap up warm and get out the door to surround yourself with countryside.”
Packing tips
Paul Day, Let’s Go Walking:“My advice for walkers in England is always: do your research, wear good walking boots to support the ankles with two pairs of socks, and pack some chocolate and cereal bars to get you from one pub to the next.”
June Zaft of our supplier Country Walks:
“You should certainly not forget your camera. With 33 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an immense network of footpaths meandering through villages, forests, across hills and mountains and along rivers and coasts, great photo opportunities are endless. Walking through England's diverse landscapes armed with a camera will provide a lifetime of wonderful memories.”
“You should certainly not forget your camera. With 33 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an immense network of footpaths meandering through villages, forests, across hills and mountains and along rivers and coasts, great photo opportunities are endless. Walking through England's diverse landscapes armed with a camera will provide a lifetime of wonderful memories.”
Melanie McAnaw walking holiday expert from our supplier, Headwater:
“I always carry a small amount of talcum powder. It might sound strange but it’s good for reducing friction and redness if you find yourself with any blisters, chaffing or heat rash. It can also help your feet stay dry and keep your thighs from chafing over long distances if you use a little before (and after) your walk. A small roll of adhesive bandage/plaster (and something to cut it with) can also be a lifesaver if you do feel yourself developing a blister. It can sometimes make the difference between a nice walk and a painful slog!”
“I always carry a small amount of talcum powder. It might sound strange but it’s good for reducing friction and redness if you find yourself with any blisters, chaffing or heat rash. It can also help your feet stay dry and keep your thighs from chafing over long distances if you use a little before (and after) your walk. A small roll of adhesive bandage/plaster (and something to cut it with) can also be a lifesaver if you do feel yourself developing a blister. It can sometimes make the difference between a nice walk and a painful slog!”
Our top England walking Holiday
Cumbria Way walking holiday, Lake District
Walking Holiday in England's Lake District The Cumbria Way
From
£675 to £981
10 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about England walking or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health and safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
England walking holidays tips
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful England walking holiday travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your backpack.
We have selected some of the most useful England walking holiday travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your backpack.
It's an area where there are a lot of dog-walkers with their dogs off leads, so it helps if you like dogs and don't mind them being friendly to you.
– Isabel Clare on the Pilgrims' Way
“Walking the Cumbria Way is an exciting exploration of the history and geology of this part of England. The most memorable moment was cresting Stake Pass and descending into the remote and grand valley of Langstrathe Beck with its stone walls reaching the crags that cap the fells. The valley remains an empty and timeless wilderness… Sturdy boots and good rain gear, including a pack cover are necessary, as are sunglasses and sunscreen. The weather is variable. You'll see more if you have done some reading about the history and the area.” – Diana Staaf on the Cumbria Way
“Our holiday on the North Downs Trail in late spring was breathtaking. The bluebells, primroses and fields of rape, punctuated with the occasional pheasant and fox, while doing a self-guided hike, made us feel like Adam and Eve alone in Paradise… Be prepared to walk pretty seriously all day and have a good sense of direction. We found that following the maps and guide book (with thorough preparation from Derek) was challenging, but very satisfying and added tremendously to the experience.” – Carol R Mehler on the Pilgrims’ Way
“Recommended to families with children. Unforgettable.” – Malgorzata Jokipii in the Cotswolds
“Our holiday on the North Downs Trail in late spring was breathtaking. The bluebells, primroses and fields of rape, punctuated with the occasional pheasant and fox, while doing a self-guided hike, made us feel like Adam and Eve alone in Paradise… Be prepared to walk pretty seriously all day and have a good sense of direction. We found that following the maps and guide book (with thorough preparation from Derek) was challenging, but very satisfying and added tremendously to the experience.” – Carol R Mehler on the Pilgrims’ Way
“Recommended to families with children. Unforgettable.” – Malgorzata Jokipii in the Cotswolds
Go at your own pace and take time to enjoy every aspect of the area and speak to the locals, who all seemed proud and quite happy to tell us "inside" information
– Malgorzata Jokipii in the Cotswolds
“Bear in mind that the way marking is poor and indeed nonexistent in places. Get the Cicerone Guide and also the Rucksack Readers “Cumbria Way”; plus the biggest scale ordnance survey map and a compass. Good warm and weatherproof walking clothing is essential even in July” – Stephen Allen on the Cumbria Way
“We flew from the US, and added a pre-day in Rochester and a post-day in Canterbury. We enjoyed those days very much, and they helped to set apart the special rural quality of our trail days. Derek is very knowledgeable about the history of the area - listen to his stories and tales, they added a lot to our enjoyment of what we were viewing. He also provides an audio tour of the trail, which we listened to each night in advance of the next day’s journey.” – Ann Jensen on the Pilgrims’ Way
“During the course of the week one cannot fail to be impressed by the sights seen on the Thames Path… make sure that the daily walks are within their capabilities, even though the paths are on the level.” – Graham Stenger on our Thames Path walking holiday
“We flew from the US, and added a pre-day in Rochester and a post-day in Canterbury. We enjoyed those days very much, and they helped to set apart the special rural quality of our trail days. Derek is very knowledgeable about the history of the area - listen to his stories and tales, they added a lot to our enjoyment of what we were viewing. He also provides an audio tour of the trail, which we listened to each night in advance of the next day’s journey.” – Ann Jensen on the Pilgrims’ Way
“During the course of the week one cannot fail to be impressed by the sights seen on the Thames Path… make sure that the daily walks are within their capabilities, even though the paths are on the level.” – Graham Stenger on our Thames Path walking holiday
More about England walking
If you are trying to work out the best time to go on a walking holiday in England, don’t always plump for the proverbial summer months, but remember that England is open all seasons.
Our walking in England holiday guide will encourage you to extend a city break into a country break, push your way up peaks, and seek out long distance trails along beauties like the South West Coast Path.
We've identified some of our favourite spots to help you choose where to go on a walking holiday in England - most are tailor made too, so you can easily break them into stages if preferred.
Our top 10 walks in England will see you wander in the footsteps of pilgrims, discover our ancient Roman heritage and follow canals through some of the country's most spectacular scenery.
Read more below about the Pilgrims’ Way, a centuries-old, long distance walking route between the cathedral cities of Winchester and Canterbury - this is, quite simply, all things bright and beautiful.
Walking the Thames Path is about so much more than just completing a linear trail - this historic national trail stretches for nearly 300km from Central London to the river’s source in Gloucestershire.
Walk the White Cliffs of Dover, one of Britain’s most symbolic and inspirational landscapes, on a six-day route that meanders from Canterbury to Deal through picturesque and historic parts of Kent.
It's not just about closing gates after you - there are various things to consider when it comes to responsible tourism on a walking holiday in England - read some of our thoughts below.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Luke Porter] [St Michael and All Angels, Berwick: Bill Hunt]
[Jurassic Coast: youngie42]
[Seven Sisters: Dmitry Dzhus]
[Taking a photo - Cuckmere Valley: Joseph Pearson]
[Health and safety: Ian Cylkowski]
[Dog in the clover: gabriellaksz]
[On the boat: claire rowland]
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