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Walkers in England
Are you an avid walker who likes to don your walking boots and take a hike when on holiday? Looking for inspiration on some of England’s best destinations for rambling on holiday? Read on for some great inspiration and ideas. We have curated a list of some of the very best places in England for invigorating walks and happy hikes!
For accommodation and places to stay
Our list of best destinations for walking holidays in England includes:
• South West England – Hike sections of the South West Coast Path, wander through the Tamar and Camel Valleys, or explore the wild beauty of Dartmoor and Exmoor.
• Norfolk – Stroll along wide sandy beaches, follow the Norfolk Coastal Path, and enjoy unforgettable seal-watching at Blakeney Point and Horsey Gap.
• Northumberland – Discover historic castles like Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh, walk the Northumberland Coast Path, or trek through Hadrian’s Wall Country.
• Shropshire Hills – Climb to stunning viewpoints at Carding Mill Valley and Long Mynd, or explore the dramatic Stiperstones Ridge.
• Suffolk – Ramble through Constable Country, follow riverside trails, and uncover medieval gems such as Lavenham and Sudbury.
Explore the Coastline, Countryside and River Valleys Along the South West’s Trails
Exmoor trails
The South West of England covers valleys, farmlands, moors, woodlands and coast, making it an absolute joy to explore.
Options include:
• South West Coast Path – Covering some 630 miles, the South West coastal path is so long you’ll need to choose just one section to cover. The footpath guides you to some stunning coastal scenery including cliffs, coves, pretty fishing villages and sea views.
• Tamar Valley – Following the River Tamar, this beautiful valley sits between the hills of Devon and Cornwall and is so stunning that it’s a national landscape (former AONB). For tranquillity, wildlife watching and wonderful riverside walks, the Tamar Valley is a great place to discover on a walking holiday.
• The Camel Trail – Enjoy walks by the River Camel, and follow the track along a disused railway line which takes you through some stunning scenery, and passes through Bodmin and ends in Padstow. If you prefer to cycle or horse ride, you can do this along the traffic-free Camel Trail.
• Dartmoor National Park – With its wide open skies, moorlands, river valleys, wild ponies, ancient stone circles and pretty villages, Dartmoor is perfect for more adventurous walkers.
• Exmoor National Park – Covering both moorland and coastal path and taking in dramatic scenery including the Valley of Rocks, Exmoor is a wonder to explore on a walking break, and is home to a number of good circular walks.
Walk Along Quiet Beaches under Big Skies in Norfolk and Enjoy Wildlife Watching Galore
Wells next the Sea, Norfolk
Norfolk is home to some of East Anglia’s best beaches which are a joy to walk along. Don’t forget to stop for a paddle in the waves too, to cool your tired feet.
Norfolk Coastal Path – If you are a proud owner of a dog, you are in luck with Norfolk as there are also lots of dog-friendly beaches including Brancaster, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Great Yarmouth, to name just a few. Amble along the Norfolk Coastal Path, and let this National Trail guide you to some of the best of Norfolk’s coastal scenery.
Along the Norfolk Coastal Path are Blakeney Point and Horsey Gap too; both great places to see seals. Remember when there are seal pups around to keep dogs on a lead and well away from the pups. Winteron on Sea is another great spot if you want to enjoy seal watching as part of your walking adventure.
Trek Along Northumbria’s Stunning Coast and Visit Historical Castles Enroute, or Explore Hadrian’s Wall Country
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Northumberland is a real delight to explore on a walking holiday and is particularly appealing for history lovers, with numerous historical castles found in this part of Northern England, as well as Hadrian’s wall country with its Roman forts.
Northumberland Coast Path – Enjoy walks along Bamburgh beach where you can marvel at the magnificent historical castle that looms above it. Visit for a taste of history. Another good walk takes you along the coast to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, where you can then hike to the charming fishing village of Craster nearby.
If hiking is more your thing, you’ll want to visit Hadrian’s Wall Country which takes in some of the best of Northumbria’s countryside and invigorating uphill hikes too. Visit fascinating Roman forts whilst on your treks.
Take a Hike in the Shropshire Hills and be Rewarded with Glorious Views
Shropshire Hills, Shropshire
Escape to the Heart of England and to the Shropshire Hills National Landscape is a real treat for walkers and hikers alike. One of the most spectacular areas, which requires a real hike to the top is the glorious Carding Mill Valley and Long Mynd with its superb valley and panoramic views. This area is protected by the national trust and trails guide you to some of the best of the landscape.
Another famous walk in Shropshire is along the Stiperstones Ridge, in the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve. This trail takes walkers over striking quartzite tors, and is rightly so, is one of the most photographed areas in the Shropshire Hills.
Stride in to Constable Country and Stumble Across Beautiful Medieval Villages
Constable Country, Suffolk
Suffolk is so very beautiful that it inspired the artist Sir John Constable who painted many of the county’s inspiring landscapes. Follow the National Trust’s Flatford and Constable Country walk and discover some of the best of the Dedham Vale, and enjoy meandering along Flatford Mill with its links to Constable, by rivers and streams. Don’t forget to stop off at the tea rooms for some much deserved refreshments.
For medium to long walks, the Suffolk coast path, runs through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape, by heaths, rivers and coast.
If you are a history buff there are some great walks around medieval villages such as Lavenham with its timber-framed houses. The county town of Sudbury too is very pretty with many historical buildings, and prettily painted pastel-coloured houses. There are various good walks in Sudbury including the Gainsborough trail; Meadow walk, the Sudbury Water Meadows walk and the Talbot trail heritage walk.
Planning Your Walking Holiday
Search walking holidays on Country Cottages Online.
Each of these stunning areas of England offers a wide range of self-catering holiday cottages, perfect bases for days out on the trails. Whether you’re looking for a cosy rural retreat, a pet-friendly stay for walking with your dog, or a luxury cottage with a hot tub to relax after a long hike, you’ll find plenty of choice across England’s walking destinations.