The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
It requires 200 muscles just to take one step. This is why walking, an otherwise mundane activity, is actually considered a type of full-body exercise. So why not do it whilst exploring some of England’s most dramatic landscapes and historical trails? Break up the trekking by stopping in cosy farmhouses or take the adventure one step further and pack a tent to pitch in the middle of nature. Whatever you choose to do, you can tailor-make these walking holidays depending on your lifestyle.
While England may not be known for its reliable weather or sandy beaches, it does stand out for its underestimated coastlines and charming towns. One of the best ways to explore these areas is in the simplest form: by packing a light rucksack and setting off on foot. Don’t forget your poncho (and possibly waterproof walking shoes) because it might get a little wet. However, the sights, people and overall experiences are definitely worth it. Here are our top five walking holidays in England.
The Pilgrams’ Way is one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in the UK. Stretching nearly 200km between Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire and Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, it traverses some of England’s most ancient architecture and landscapes. If you’re somebody who likes to be transported back in time, why not try trekking through the same paths that the original pilgrims did back in the 12th century?
The specific route which the pilgrims officially took has been hard to pinpoint throughout the centuries. However, nature fanatics and hike-lovers have found a natural vein which traverses the historical landmarks. Starting in Winchester, the walk starts off by visiting a culturally-rich and spiritually important cathedral at the very start line.
Ever wondered what the West coast of England has that the East coast doesn’t and vice-versa? Well now is your chance to find out. This coast to coast trek of about 300km was established by British guidebook author and illustrator, Alfred Wainwright. Whilst the views of the coastlines may be enough to entice you to set off on this cross-country walk, this route also includes walking through two of the country’s most mesmerizing natural parks: the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
The route is designed by connecting family-owned guesthouses and quaint B&B’s dotted around the areas so everyone has a straightforward path to follow. You could do the hike on your own, carrying around a backpack with all your essentials (remember, it shouldn’t weigh more than 10% of your bodyweight). Or, you can look at trips like these which include luggage transfers so you don’t have to worry about anything but enjoying the views.
If this is one of your first times going on a multi-day walking trip then you might be a little nervous about accidentally going the wrong way. Whilst we’ve all been there, this route is a popular one and known to be clearly way-marked to make it easy for beginners to get get familiar with how these holidays work. This is one of the shortest walks of the list and should take about 9 days in total (depending on the individual of course), covering 161km from start to finish.
Being one of the UK’s National Walking Trails, it’s popular among the hiking community. Starting in Winchester and finishing in Eastbourne, the path follows the South Downs guaranteeing spectacular jagged-cliff views and dramatic sunsets across the horizon. Definitely opt for this beginner-friendly walking holiday if you’ve just started thinking of dipping your toe in this lifestyle.
This is known to be the mother of walking holidays. That is if you decide to do the entire 1,030km. However, many people opt to cut it down into bitesize pieces, only covering small tailor-made routes. Either way, this route guarantees that you zig zag along the mesmerizing coastlines of South West England. Note to self: if you decide to do the entire walk, you will have successfully completed more ascents than climbing Everest.
From the charming Padstow harbor to the jaw-dropping beaches and cliffs in Constantine and moving through the historical town of Charleston, these are just some of the stops which you make in one of the short itineraries. The best part of cutting this trek down is focusing on specific areas which interest you the most, whether that is delving into the railway history of Devon, the King Arthur Castle or even the surf beaches in North Cornwall.
Get your trekking poles and backpack ready to head on this adventure whilst its still one of England’s best kept secrets. Appreciate the lesser crowded areas of Cornwall by exploring its quiet beaches and epic coastlines via this underestimated walking holiday. It is only about 100km long and is one of UK’s long-distance way-marked trails.
Start in Cresswell and end close to the Scottish border in Berwick-upon-Tweed. This is a perfect walking route for first-timers as you get to take it easy and explore cosy seaside towns along the way. You can also expect to take the pilgrims route which guarantees not only historic appreciation but also exploring sandflats during low tide. This is one those exhilarating walks where you get to march in the footsteps of the Romans whilst savoring fresh seafood in towns such as Craster.
Whilst walking holidays are very different from resort vacations, they are just as unforgettable — maybe even more so. From beginner walks to longer and more advanced hikes, there are options for everybody. It’s not just about getting out to inhale some fresh air but its also about appreciating the views and relaxing in boutique farmhouses after a long day of getting your steps in. At then end of the day, a walking holiday in England will guarantee you feeling productive, healthy and mesmerized.
