Top 10 walking vacations in England
From ancient pilgrimage routes to mountain tracks, England’s green and pleasant land holds a myriad of walking trails. Through ancient towns steeped in folklore, to panoramic coastal lookouts, by way of historic inns and superb local grub, our favourite trails will take you through some of this country’s most special places. Routes are walkable all year round (but this is England, so pack some waterproofs) and enjoy putting your best foot forward on our top 10 walks in England.
1.The Thames Path
Following the course of the River Thames from the sleepy Cotswolds to stately Greenwich, London, the Thames Path offers 290km of gentle walking on flat, riverside trails. This is a journey of contrasts; on your way, honey-coloured thatched villages and rolling countryside give way to the life and noise of central London. Historic Oxford and Windsor Castle are iconic English highlights.
Our top trip: Thames Path walking vacation, Cotswolds to London
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Read more: The Thames Path travel guide
See all our trips: Cotswolds walking vacations
Read more: The Thames Path travel guide
2. The Pilgrim’s Way
You’ll walk in the footsteps of Chaucer on this ancient pilgrimage route to Canterbury Cathedral. Steeped in folklore, the 192km long Pilgrim’s Way stretches from historic Winchester, along the entire length of the North Downs. You’ll walk between some of Kent’s oldest and prettiest villages and visit stately homes with family ties to Jane Austen, staying at historic inns en route.Our top trip: Winchester to Canterbury pilgrimage walk
See all our trips: Walking vacations in England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
3. Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath
Enjoy easy walking along a 75mile route, perfect for a relaxing week-long vacation. The Kennet & Avon Canal Towpath will take you from Reading to beautiful Roman and Regency Bath, via pretty waterside pubs, historic villages and engineering marvels. Relics of old warehouses and the impressive Caen Hill flight of locks tell tales of the canal’s industrial past.Our top trip: Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath Walking Vacation, England
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Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
4. Coast to coast
When organised by experts, this 300km walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea via the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales becomes surprisingly manageable. Start out on the Cumbrian coast, crossing the Pennines and following the River Swale to North York Moors National Park, before finishing in picturesque Robin Hood’s Bay. Family-owned hotels, traditional B&Bs and pubs ease you along your way.
Our top trip: Coast to coast self guided walk
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Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
See all our trips: Walking vacations in England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
5. The South West Coast Path
In its entirety the South West Coast Path takes in just over 1,000km of Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall coastal perfection. Tackle sections rather than the whole shebang; the 107km Cornish stretch from Bude to Newquay offers you dramatic clifftop vistas and the quaint fishing port of Padstow, or follow Dorset’s Jurassic Coast and search for fossils on its sweeping beaches.Our top trip: South West Coast Path walking vacation, England
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Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
6. The South Downs Way
The South Downs form Responsible Travel’s back garden so we have a lot of love for the steep chalk escarpments, coastal panoramas and thriving market towns that make up the UK’s newest National Park. You’ll enjoy spectacular views from the South Downs Way, the 160km trail forming the spine of the park, from Winchester to the sheer chalk cliffs of Beachy Head outside Eastbourne.Our top trip: Our top trip: South Downs way walking vacation
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Read more: South Downs National Park guide
7. Two Moors Way, Devon
This long-distance Devon coast to coast route, the ‘Two Moors Way’, is 165km from Plymouth to Lynmouth, through remote and unspoilt countryside that has inspired everyone from the Romantic poets to Conan Doyle. You won’t encounter any slavering hounds chasing around these moors, but wildlife including adders and kingfishers are frequently seen. Easygoing itineraries allow plenty of time to stop and drink in the views, as you walk between handpicked, locally owned accommodations, your bags transferred ahead of you.
Our top trip: Dartmoor and Exmoor self guided walking vacation
See all our trips: Walking vacations in south west England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
See all our trips: Walking vacations in south west England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
8. Hadrian’s Wall Path
Step back in time to Roman Britain as you walk along one of England’s most historic monuments. Stretching for 135km from Wallsend on England’s east coast to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast, the Hadrian’s Wall Path offers you relatively easy and clearly way-marked trails through remote countryside, perfect if you prefer self-guided adventures. Relics of ancient Roman forts punctuate your route.Our top trip: Highlights of Hadrian’s Wall walking vacation, England
See all our trips: Northern England walking vacations
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
9. Norfolk Coast Path
Leisurely days of wandering interspersed by lunches of delicious, locally caught brown crab, all washed down with Norfolk ale – sounds like walking heaven. The 75km Norfolk Coast Path from Hunstanton to Cromer makes for a delightful, relatively gentle week’s vacation, with superb sea views, sleepy coastal villages and some of England’s best seafood. Add on the Peddars Way from Thetford for 154km of uninterrupted Norfolk bliss.Our top trip: Norfolk Coast Path walking vacation, England
See all our trips: Walking vacations in England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
10. The Cumbria Way
This route stretches 131km from Ulverston to Carlisle, via some of the Lake District National Park’s most evocative places: Coniston, Borrowdale, Great Langdale, Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwent Water… The list of natural beauty on this trail just goes on and on. Skirting lakes and valleys, with towering fells rising above you, the Cumbria Way offers you surprisingly easy walking in a region best known for its dramatic, rocky slopes.
Our top trip: Cumbria Way walking vacation, Lake District
See all our trips: Walking vacations in England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
See all our trips: Walking vacations in England
Read more: Walking vacations in England guide
More about England walking
Our walking in England vacation guide encourages you to extend a city break into a country break, push your way up peaks, and seek long distance trails like the South West Coast Path.
If you are trying to work out the best time to go on a walking vacation in England, don’t always plump for the proverbial summer months, but remember that England is open all seasons.
We've identified some of our favourite spots to help you choose where to go on a walking vacation in England. Most trips are tailor made, so you can break them into stages if preferred.
Read about the Pilgrims’ Way, a centuries-old long-distance walking route between the cathedral cities of Winchester and Canterbury that’s all things bright and beautiful.
If you’ve always wanted to walk the fells, loop the lakes, and explore the waterways of Cumbria, walking vacations to the Lake District are just the tonic. Read our guide to for more.
Walking the Thames Path is about more than the challenge of completing a linear trail. This historic hike stretches for nearly 300km from Central London to the river’s source in Gloucestershire.
Walk the White Cliffs of Dover, one of Britain’s most impressive and symbolic landscapes, on a six-day route that meanders from Canterbury to Deal through picturesque and historic parts of Kent.
Cumberland Way walking vacations explore a bygone county along one of England’s great long-distance routes, getting you hiking across the heart of the Lake District. Read more in our guide.
Walking the South Downs Way in winter is ideal for anyone fond of stargazing, roaring pub fires and affordable accommodation. The lack of crowds certainly makes up for a bit of rain.
Walking the South Downs Way is not something to be taken lightly. The best advice is to take your time and treat yourself to a vacation rather than a route march.
Walking the South West Coast Path in its entirety from Somerset to Dorset is not for the faint-hearted. Split the path into smaller sections on our brilliant walking vacations.
We have some great advice for walking in England from our expert vacation partners who have spent years creating exciting itineraries. These are the folks who know their stuff.
It’s not just about closing gates after you – there are various things to consider when it comes to responsible tourism on walking vacations in England. Read some of our thoughts.
