Walking in England

Many of our most popular England vacations are those that invite you to strap on your boots, take a wary glance at the weather, and hit the trail. Why? Because increasing numbers of vacationmakers, both English and from abroad, are rejecting the standard city break with its overcrowded visitor attractions, and looking to the peace, beauty and solitude that only the countryside can provide instead. England walking vacations take you through some of the most idyllic landscapes that this island has to offer; landscapes that have inspired generations of poets and writers to take up pen, and countless painters to capture them on canvas.

Of course, the iconic landmarks of London are spectacular, but why limit yourself to them? Instead you could find space and serenity on the Thames Path. And why spend your vacation on a cramped beach in Cornwall, when you could be on the barren and beautiful moors of Devon just to the east? These walking vacations are an opportunity to see a completely different side of England than you find in its cities and honeypot destinations.

They lead through ravishing scenery, historic communities, national parks and welcoming local accommodations (not forgetting many superb country pubs). Famous long distance trails pass through the Lake District that caused Wordsworth to wander lonely as a cloud, the steep ridges and valleys of the Peak District, the lush Yorkshire Dales, and the South Downs National Park, on Responsible Travel’s own doorstep here in Brighton.

Our walking vacations in England are predominantly tailor made, and designed to cover only moderate terrain. They are perfect for independent walkers looking not to push themselves physically but to enjoy a leisurely ramble through the magnificent English countryside.

‘Liquid history’, the River Thames is the longest river entirely in England, almost 300km from its source in Gloucestershire to the gleaming skyscrapers of Central London. You can walk in either direction, but many consider west to east the best option, allowing you to finish by exploring the capital’s many historic landmarks – and with the wind at your back the whole way, too. Along the route you’ll pass historic towns and cities such as Windsor and Oxford, and many picturesque villages in the Chilterns region.

A very popular route, the South West Coast Path is 1,030km from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour, taking you around both the north and south coasts of Devon, and Land’s End in Cornwall, mainland Britain’s most southwesterly point. Naturally, this walk is only very rarely completed in one go, by the most intrepid of trekkers. Vacation companies will commonly break it up into 10 sections of about a week each, so that you can choose which you want to approach.

One of the great joys of this type of vacation is the accommodation. No noisy hostels for you; instead, a selection of welcoming hotels and B&Bs, where you’ll get a hearty breakfast each day to see you onto the trail in style. On point-to-point vacations your luggage will be transferred between accommodations, so you only need a day pack. And you will always be provided with comprehensive route notes and maps with plenty of useful nuggets of information. Even though you won’t usually be walking with a local guide, it will at times feel like it.

These are usually tailor made, self-guided vacations, a pleasure for the independent walker. Your operator will work with you to create a route that suits your interests and abilities, extending or shortening it, and ensuring good quality accommodation is booked for you in advance along the way. Your hosts will also be informed of approximately when you’ll be arriving and what route you’ll be taking. Transfers to the trailhead will be included where necessary, or you’ll be given up-to-date schedules for the relevant public transport.

Lastly, you will need to be prepared to deal with rain. Yes, even in summer. The English climate is never straightforward, which is why so many conversations start with a prediction about what the weather is going to do today. Our advice? Layer your clothing, and always carry a raincoat, wrapped around a bottle of sun cream.