England walking holidays advice
Cultural tips
“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
Cumbria Way walking holiday, Lake District
Walking Holiday in England's Lake District The Cumbria Way
Thames Path walking holiday, Cotswolds to London
Follow the Thames river from its source in the Cotswolds
Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims way
Walk the Pilgrims Way from Winchester to Canterbury
York to Fountains Abbey walking holiday, England
The Prior Richards way self-guided 12th century walk
Thames Path walking holiday, Oxford to Windsor
Self guided walk along the River Thames Oxford to Windsor
Northumberland coast walking holiday
Self Guided Walking Holiday in Northumberland Coast Path
Shakespeares Way walking holiday, Cotswolds to London
From Stratford-upon-Avon to The Globe Theatre
Shakespeares Way & Thames Path walking holiday
Two fantastic traditional English walks.
Dartmoor & Exmoor walking holiday, England
Self guided walking between the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.
Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath walking holiday, England
Canal walking holiday in Southern England
Cotswolds Way self guided walking holiday, England
Hike through one of Britain's most popular regions
South West Coastal Path walking holiday, England
The South West Coast Path and Isles of Scilly
Dales Way walking holiday in Yorkshire, England
The Dales Way self guided walking holiday
Thames Path walking holiday, England
Self-guided walk along the River Thames Path
Cumbria Way walking tour in England
Classic walks with high passes & remarkable views
Yorkshire dales walking holiday, James Herriot Way
This beautiful 50 mile circular walk in the Yorkshire Dales
England coast to coast walking holiday, Wainwrights
Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorks Moors
Lake District challenging walking holiday
-challenging hiking conquering the major peaks & high ridges
Shropshire walking holiday
Nature and history combined producing a landscape of beauty
The Great Stones Way walking holiday, England
52 miles long and is one of the newest UK walking trails
Malvern Hills walking holiday
Walk the Malvern Hills 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'
South West Coast Path walking holiday, England
Bude to Newquay along the South West Coast Path
South West Coast Path Minehead to Barnstaple walk
Self guided walking tour of South West Coast Path
Navigation course holidays, Lake District
Learn the skills to keep you safe in the hills!
The Cumbrian Way walking holiday in England
Discover the charms of English Lakeland on foot
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.”
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.”
“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.”

“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.”
“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
This holiday can be booked from the 1st March to 31st October each year.
Health and safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
England walking holidays tips
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.


“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


“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