Best Walking Holidays In The UK: The Ultimate Guide
When planning a UK walking holiday, it’s hard not to be drawn to the promise of an amazing mountain view, a relaxing river walk or being engulfed by the trees and wildlife that the UK has to offer.
There’s nothing better than delving into the countryside after a long working week. Escaping on a UK walking holiday for the weekend offers you the time you may feel you lack in the working week.
It offers you the space to be more mindful and not feel guilty in taking that time to heal yourself.
Walking is my favourite form of exercise. I’ve always been a sporty person, enjoying high impact sports and I’m a (possibly seasonal) gym goer! I’ve found solace in nature and have been spending my well-earned weekends travelling the UK, finding the most calming and relaxing walks.
In this article, you’ll find my top tips for creating your own, personalised walking holidays to help you relax and unwind after a stressful working week. Whether you opt for a full two-day trek through the highest mountains or a calming 1-hour stroll through the woods, this article will give you everything you need to know to feel energised and revitalised from your weekend away.
“Keep close to nature’s heart and break clear away once in a while and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods, wash your spirit clean’ John Muir
What To Consider Before Your Trip
The most obvious of the decisions you need to make is where you’ll be going on your next UK walking holiday. Considering it’s just for 2-3 days, you may decide to travel between 2-4 hours.
One of the great things about the UK is that everything is relatively close. No matter where you are, you’ll be able to reach a wide selection of locations to explore with your next walking holiday.
You may decide that you want to stay within your county, or venture even further to a different region or country. My expertise mostly stems from England and Wales and the drives themselves can be so peaceful and relaxing.
Traffic is often the most rubbish thing about travelling! Just bear in mind that you’re not in a rush. The journey is part of the holiday. Take the traffic time to appreciate the uninterrupted karaoke session or play ‘spot A-Z’ and appreciate the sky, trees (and other people) around you!
It’s surprising how different each region is. The north of England has the most incredible mountains and lake views. The south has quintessential villages and historical coastlines just waiting to be explored. Wales offers high mountains that are a bastard to climb but offer the most amazing views.
Where you go will be determined by the type of walk you’re craving.
Types of UK Walking Holidays
There’s something so serene about getting ‘lost’ whilst walking in the UK countryside. There are plenty of guided walking tours. Personally, I like to be very organised and my anxiety means I like to plan. However, since I’ve put my faith in the trails, nature (and The National Trust! No pun intended), I find that it’s so much more relaxing.
This sense of not necessarily knowing where I’m going is helping to shift my perspective and let go a little, so if anxiety is also something you struggle with, I’d highly recommend this way of walking!
In this post, I’ve separated the types of walk not only by the geographical landmarks but by the way they make you feel. When you really take the time to be mindful and appreciate how you feel whilst walking, you’ll start to notice that each walk offers a variety of healing factors.
Weekend Mountain Walks
Get motivation and celebrate your achievements.
“The mountains are calling & I must go” John Muir - Although written about Yosemite in California, I relate so much to this quote.
If you’re feeling a little unmotivated and are craving inspiration, a walk in the mountains is just what you need!
The sheer cliffs with breathtaking views offered up by UK walking holidays in the mountains are well worth the additional effort required to find the best views!
The higher you climb, the more the mountains grow. You get that immediate feeling of gratification and achievement like you’re top of the world. This feeling is infectious and it’ll give you the motivation to kick procrastination in the butt!
Standing on top is the perfect time to take a moment to consider all the metaphorical mountains you’ve climbed in your personal and professional lives. You will climb back down feeling driven and ready to climb the next mountain!
The Shropshire Hills Walking Holidays
My birthplace, home and the place I returned to after 8 years in the city: Shropshire is the place closest to my heart.
From Ludlow to Oswestry, Telford to Craven Arms, Shropshire offers so much! You’ll certainly find plenty of places to escape when spending the weekend walking in Shropshire.
This incredible county boasts an impressive 32 castles and 25 hillforts. Many can be found along the routes of The Shropshire Hills walks.
Walks in Shropshire offer more than idyllic rural scenes and an abundance of wildlife. Shropshire has a rich geological and cultural history just waiting to be explored!
The Shropshire Hills cover over a quarter of the County and are protected as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). The endless hikes, trails and walks offer something for everyone. This makes The Shropshire Hills a MUST on my list of the best UK walking holidays.
Ludlow is up there as one of my favourite places in the world. This is a very bold statement, I know! This gorgeous town can only be described as a gorgeous chocolate box of incredible views, rich history, great food and lovely people!
“Ludlow: a gorgeous chocolate box of incredible views, rich history, great food and lovely people!”
The Peak District Walking Holidays
Having lived in Sheffield for just under 4 years, The Peak District became my escape.
The thing I love about walking in the Peak District is the diversity of the landscape. The iconic sandstone, limestone and gritstone scattered throughout the hills make each and every walk unique. The Peak District is the ideal location for your next UK walking holiday!
My personal favourite is the Dovedale Circular Walk at the very south of the Peaks. Follow the INCREDIBLE 4-hour route we took through the valley, woodland and mountains (spoiler alert! It’s one of my top 3 walks in the UK: so far!)
The Cotswolds Walking Holidays
With the most quintessentially English villages and endless rolling hills, the Cotswolds offers a fantastic walking holiday for a serene weekend break.
The 800 plus square miles of scenic countryside runs through 5 cities, making it one of the most accessible locations for your next UK walking holiday.
Challenge yourself to experience the best that the Cotswolds has to offer by walking the Cotswolds way; a National Trail with more than 100 miles of routes. This will take more than a weekend, so gives you a great excuse to keep going back or even extend your stay!
UK Woodland Walks
Feel closer to nature and appreciate the delicate balance of life
Woodland walks are ideal for escaping the stresses of everyday life. Walking holidays amongst the trees become a feast for the senses: the sounds of the birds, the sight and smells of the forest. It’s the best way to reconnect with nature and feel more grounded.
The best weather for a woodland walk is just after heavy rain or a thunderstorm (if you don’t mind the mud!). Your weekend walk feels so much more alive; the wildlife emerges; the rain is still trickling between the leaves of the trees whilst the sun shines and glistens on the dew. It’s absolute bliss!
The Best Woodland Walks For Your Wellbeing
You won’t need to look far to find a good walk if you’re heading off on a walking holiday in the UK. Woodland makes up 13% of the total land area. That’s huge! Most long walks in the UK offer an element of a woodland walk for this reason.
One of my favourites is Comer Woods within the Dudmaston estate in Shropshire. There are 6 tranquil trails of varying distances which lead you through the ancient forests and meadows.
Cannock Chase is also a fantastic, more elevated woodland walk. Cannock Chase is the smallest designated AONB in England! I’ve been so many times and have nearly always seen the ancient herd of wild fallow deer.
This little gem is easily accessible from the M6, making a quick and simple location for your next UK walking holiday.
Great British Coastal Walks
Escape the chaos and breathe in the open air
When you spend more than 70% of your week being bothered by your colleagues or surrounded by the people of bustling towns and cities, weekend walking holidays offer an escape. Coastal walks in the UK are in abundance as the coast is one of the longest in Europe!
The Aberystwyth - Borth Coastal walk in Wales is a 5-mile stretch (around 2 hours one way) and offers incredible views over the Irish Sea. This place is one of my favourite inspirations for a bit of acrylic painting.
Walks in the English Rivera also offer some fantastic coastal views.
See the Cold War Bunkers at Berry Head and stop for refreshments at the award-winning Guardhouse Cafe.
If you want to make the most of your walking holiday, why not walk a number of the 17 suggested routes along Britain’s longest marked footpath around the West Country! I haven’t done this yet but it’s 100% at the top of my list once our campervan is finished.
Brixham had some fantastic walks. One of my favourites for beginners is the Brixham Breakwater walk. Check out my guide here!
River & Stream Walks
Feel more grounded.
I don’t know about you, but I often find myself stuck in a rut of feeling highly sensitive and having multiple thoughts running through my mind at one time. I find that stopping for 10 minutes along a stream or river walk, listening to the flowing water, gives my mind something to concentrate on. The only word that comes to mind is that it ‘calms’ me. As the river trickles past your feet and the ground beneath you stays still, it’s hard not to appreciate the stillness.
Choosing Your Walking Route Difficulty
TOP TIP: Be wary of the subjective ‘difficulty’ terms: easy, medium and hard. When these UK walking route comparison websites label the routes, they may not reflect what you would consider being easy or difficult.
This is why I have chosen to describe my walks based on a variety of factors. I’ll always give my opinion as to how difficult I personally found the walk and try not to generalise. The keyword here is ‘personally’. It’s personal and everyone has different fitness levels so just bear this in mind!
I’m always willing to take on any type of walk. I’m not particularly fit but even those considered to be ‘hard’ catch my eye. If there is a promise of an incredible view, a fantastic experience, or some good pub grub along the way, then I’m all ears!
You should centre your decisions for the UK walking holiday around the following:
1) How hard has the week been?
This isn’t something you’ll see written in other ‘UK walking holidays tips’ blog posts but I appreciate the positive impact of walking on your mental health. When my week has been long and crappy, my mind is telling me no but my body’s telling me YESSSS! This is when you should choose a moderate walk. What? Well, it’s easier to set off because you know it’s not going to be a beast, but you’re still able to push yourself and I’m a sucker for a sense of achievement!
2) How often do you want to walk over the weekend?
You may choose to head off on one long walk so sometimes it’s good to opt for a location with a number of smaller, easier walks. This could be a town or village where the walks are in close proximity to where you’re staying. I’ve reviewed my favourite locations for easy UK walking holidays here.
It may be that you’re planning to explore the whole time! This calls for a super long walk. In this case, you could try The Shropshire Way or The Cotswolds Way. There’s also LOADS in the Lake District. These long walks are often described as difficult due to the endurance required to complete them.
3. What is your fitness level like at the moment?
Let’s be real here, we all have our ‘not-so-gym-goer-CBA’ moments from time to time. Although it’s great to push yourself, it’s smarter to be realistic. Choosing a difficult walk could have a negative effect on your mind and body.
If you choose the higher difficulty walk, you may feel like sleeping come Monday morning rather than feeling energised and ready to go!
Opting for a smaller, more relaxed walk means you’ll still be able to get that workout and positive sense of achievement!
Where To Stay On Your UK Walking Holiday
Your walking holiday is only magnified by remaining close to nature and supporting the local communities. There is no better way to experience the great outdoors than to lay your head down for an amazing night’s sleep at a unique stayover.
We are in the process of converting a campervan (Insta @bigbobbytheboxer if you’re interested!). I’m in love with the idea of being able to close my eyes and randomly choose a spot on the map. This also works so well if you have a tent. You can make it as comfortable and as ‘glampable’ (new word alert) as you deem fit. It’s a great way of making the whole weekend walking experience a little cheaper, too.
If ‘Vanlife’ or camping isn’t your style, that’s ok! There’s an absolute abundance of quirky places you can stay, whether this is via Air BnB or direct.
In each walking tips blog post, I’ve made sure to include a selection of my top picks for where to stay on your UK walking holiday.
Author’s note: I am pretty biased when it comes to where to stay on your walking holiday. We are converting a campervan so my experiences will be reflected in my recommendations. However, this will not stop me from recommending some beautiful Air BnB’s and unique places to stay to make your weekend even more relaxing and unique.
What To Take On Your Walking Holiday
So you’ve chosen the location of your next walking holiday in the UK. You’ve selected a few trails and know where you’re staying. How do you make sure you have everything you need? What do you take on your walk to be comfortable, prepared for all occasions and prevent injury? All without taking too much or being too hot. It’s a delicate balance and fine art!
10 essentials you should never walk without (what to take on a long walk)
Coat
Now, this is pretty obvious. However, as we all know, the weather in the UK is temperamental at best. How do you know what coat to wear, or even if you need to wear one?!
I’ve written a post to help you decide which coat to wear for which walk in what weather (what a tongue twister!)
Bag
I tend to switch bags depending on the nature and difficulty of the walk. I mostly use my North Face Backpack (which I absolutely love!), but often switch between this, a bum bag, or even just my coat pockets! To say it as it is, I am a cheapskate and hate spending money where the value isn’t matched. I did a LOT of research before buying my backpack so have saved you a lot of time and energy by summing up my favourites here!
Shoes
A good pair of walking shoes are undoubtedly the most important element of a walker’s arsenal. Walking, particularly long distances, can put immense pressure on your feet. If you’re hiking up a mountain or navigating rough terrain, you may find that the day results in blisters, aching heels or shin splints. Over time, ill-fitting footwear can also cause problems for your spine.
Bear in mind that the best walking shoes for you to take on your weekend walking holidays is a pretty subjective topic. There are a variety of great walking clothing brands out there that offer good value for money.
As mentioned, I’m a stingy git, but I honestly believe that my Merrel walking boots were an incredible purchase. They’re really light, offer great support and keep my feet dry and clean. Read my full review of my Merrell walking boots here.
Wellness
I don’t go on extreme hikes or camp along a walk overnight so I don’t tend to take a full-on first aid kit with me. However, there are some MUST items that help to make your walk more comfortable and help you be prepared for any occasion.
Here a summary of the things you can’t go on your UK walking holiday without:
Water! And plenty of it
A good quality sun cream
Energy snacks containing glucose
Lip balm (preferably with an SPF)
Bug spray
Paracetamol
Plasters
Mini Savlon (or anti-septic cream)
Hand Sanitiser
Tissues
Wet wipes (you can get a mini travel pack which is handy)
Contact lenses/glasses
Spare pair of socks
Maps & Apps For Your UK Walk
Although there are plenty of apps available on iOS and Android that offer support whilst on your walks, it’s wise to ensure that you’ve got an alternative off-line method of making your way around.
If you’re not particularly confident in your navigation skills, you should always choose a walk that is ON the beaten track. You’ll find that every UK walk you venture on will have trails that are well signposted. As long as you have taken, even just a little time, before your walk to ensure you’re aware of where you’re heading, make note of key landmarks along the way and have told someone where you’re heading, you’ll be sure to have a tranquil adventure!
GPS Maps: Google Maps/Apple Maps
Set the route before you go and you’re well on your way! Make sure the phone is on loud and pop it into your pocket or bag. Siri may make you jump every time she shouts an instruction but these GPS maps will help to support your journey if you’re feeling unsure at any point along the way. If you have iOS, you can put the route into your phone and your Apple watch will talk to you and tell you where to head.
These GPS maps are also useful to get your bearings. They work like a sophisticated compass. Point the phone in the direction you’re heading and the little icon will light up the direction you’re facing. If you’re heading toward a specific town or on a circular walk, you’ll see the direction you need to head to make your way back.
Specialised Walking Apps
While the skills and knowledge associated with navigating a paper map are undeniable, there are so many sophisticated apps available at your fingertips to support your adventures.
There are varying interfaces used for these apps. It may take a trial of a few before you find the one that works best for you.
I would recommend that you mostly use the apps to track walks, find new routes and take a look at how far you went upon reflection of the weekend. It’s better to rely on the posted signs and paper maps to make your way around the actual walks.
Orienteering (the dummy’s guide)
If you don’t want to pay for a subscription to an app or are concerned about losing signal/running out of battery along the way, try my go-to technique for staying on track.
It’s simple, easy, and a fool-proof way to walk the right route without having to rely on that pesky device. Read my ‘top tips for staying on the walking trail’ here.
Take a picture of the map - National Trust usually has this on the car park at the start of the route. Choose a colour based on the route.
Follow the coloured brick road! No matter which trail you choose, there will be small signposts to tell you which direction to take. This is the case whether you’re on a national trust, national trail, public path etc.
If you ever go off your chosen track, you can easily find your bearings by reviewing the new colours on the signs. For example, we were following yellow and ended up on a blue/red track. I got out my picture of the map and could tell where we were based on the tracks that showed as being blue/red with no yellow. We managed to get back on track pretty easily.
Check for signs hidden in wild growth every time you get to a junction.
Where To Rest
I’m not sure it would be a walking holiday in the UK if it didn’t involve dipping into a local, country pub! Tucking into a hearty winter meal or refreshing summertime drink after a long walk is a welcome treat.
To be honest, I don’t often plan which pub I’m going to visit. There are so many incredible chocolate box pubs throughout the UK that you’ll be sure to stumble across one.
You could even go one step further and go on a designated pub walk! There are so many incredible pubs with fantastic views. They make for a motivational destination.
TOP TIP: Plan your final pub around sunset. There’s nothing better than reflecting on a fantastic walk with a cold pint (or lemonade: I’d recommend Fentimans Pink Lemonade!), whilst watching the sky change colour. It’s absolute bliss.
If you want to remain outdoors, or the pub-life just isn’t for you, there are some absolutely stunning picnic spots scattered all over the UK.
One thing to note is that places like the National Trust and a few others have specific restrictions on where you are able to eat along your walk so make sure to check the regulations. I have also detailed this in each of my walking holidays’ posts to give you a bit of a heads up!
On the topic of supporting local businesses, you’ll find thousands of traditional quintessentially British tea and coffee shops dotted around the UK. No matter which location you choose for your walking holiday, you’re found to find a few diamonds scattered throughout the historic towns and villages.
Top UK Walking Holiday Tips
Here are a few of my top tips:
Car parking
This always seems to be the part of the weekend that triggers the most anxiety. Where do you park within close proximity of your walk? How do you know your car will be safe? Do you need change to pay for parking?
In small towns and villages off the beaten track, you’re likely to find plenty of free parking options. You’ll find plenty of recommendations for parking in each of my location-based articles.
Before opting for the ‘free’ parking, consider the fact that you are only able to enjoy and appreciate your walking holiday thanks to the remarkable work of the trusts that manage the area. The funds received from parking go toward the conservation of the area that you are enjoying. It’s great to give back so I always recommend using these designated car parks.
Staying safe on your walking holiday
Although many of these points have already been covered, I wanted to highlight some key tips for staying safe whilst walking. These tips apply to both hiking alone and with others.
Hike at a fitness level appropriate to you
Take and drink plenty of water (the tissues are there for a reason)
Wear the proper gear
Avoid the midges by wearing bug spray
SPF
Take a portable phone charger
Be wary and respectful of wildlife
Free walks
The geography of the UK is an astonishing free resource.
You’ll often find that many national trails and public footpath walks are 100% free!
This is one of the best things about a UK walking holiday. If you’re like me and you sometimes want to splash out on a fancy pub meal or treat yourself to an amazing Air BnB, then the fact that your main activity is FREE is an amazing perk!
Clear your mind and renew your energy without spending a single penny - score!
Wherever you choose to go on your UK walking holiday, you’re sure to find plenty of incredible spots to take a moment and relax.