When to go walking in England
KEEP CALM & CARRY ON
The best time to go on a walking vacation in England
a month by month guide
The driest season for walking in the Lake District is between March and June, but it is changeable all year round. Snow can fall here anytime between November and March, but there are still wonderful areas to be discovered on foot if you wrap up well.
The South Downs get quite busy around Easter and in July and August, as well as Bank Vacations. It is the closest national park to London so there can be a mass exodus feel about it. But there are always quiet corners to be found.
The best time to walk the Pilgrims’ Trail is April to October for dry weather. Easter is also a special time of year for anyone who wants the truly sacred experience en route, particularly at Winchester and Canterbury cathedrals.
The Lake and Peak Districts are gorgeous around April when lambing season has the fields a-jumping.
The Cotswolds love their food festivals, such as Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling in May, the Cotswold Show and Food Festival in July and the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival in June.
The Thames Path is gorgeous in spring and summer but in winter it can be prone to flooding, particularly upstream of Oxford. Bird watching is particularly good along the river in April and May, with butterflies, damsel and dragonflies at their most active June until September.
The South West Coast Path is gorgeous in summer, but can get busy in spots. However, the water stays warm here until late September and even early October. Late August and September are gorgeous when the heather and gorse come into bloom, and the coast takes on a heavenly hue of purples and yellows.
The Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations are iconic and like nowhere else in England. They take place on 5th November, and walking on the South Downs around this time promises crisp air, pumpkin filled fields and roaring fires, not just in Lewes but in every pub for miles.
December is a very popular time in the Lake District for family Christmas reunions. Head there just before the main public vacations, and you will have the hills to yourselves. The weather can vary from wet, windy and wild to clear and frosty, and temperatures can dip well below zero. Pack crampons, courage and a hipflask, and don’t stray too far off the beaten path.
If you are doing the Shakespeare’s Way and want to see theatre at the beginning and end of the journey, the main outdoor season at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London usually opens around late April.
The South Downs get quite busy around Easter and in July and August, as well as Bank Vacations. It is the closest national park to London so there can be a mass exodus feel about it. But there are always quiet corners to be found.
The best time to walk the Pilgrims’ Trail is April to October for dry weather. Easter is also a special time of year for anyone who wants the truly sacred experience en route, particularly at Winchester and Canterbury cathedrals.
The Lake and Peak Districts are gorgeous around April when lambing season has the fields a-jumping.
The Cotswolds love their food festivals, such as Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling in May, the Cotswold Show and Food Festival in July and the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival in June.
The Thames Path is gorgeous in spring and summer but in winter it can be prone to flooding, particularly upstream of Oxford. Bird watching is particularly good along the river in April and May, with butterflies, damsel and dragonflies at their most active June until September.
The South West Coast Path is gorgeous in summer, but can get busy in spots. However, the water stays warm here until late September and even early October. Late August and September are gorgeous when the heather and gorse come into bloom, and the coast takes on a heavenly hue of purples and yellows.
The Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations are iconic and like nowhere else in England. They take place on 5th November, and walking on the South Downs around this time promises crisp air, pumpkin filled fields and roaring fires, not just in Lewes but in every pub for miles.
December is a very popular time in the Lake District for family Christmas reunions. Head there just before the main public vacations, and you will have the hills to yourselves. The weather can vary from wet, windy and wild to clear and frosty, and temperatures can dip well below zero. Pack crampons, courage and a hipflask, and don’t stray too far off the beaten path.
If you are doing the Shakespeare’s Way and want to see theatre at the beginning and end of the journey, the main outdoor season at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London usually opens around late April.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS
BEST TIME TO GO WALKING IN ENGLAND
June Zaft of our supplier Country Walks: “My personal favourite time of year is spring when nature is awakening, painting trees a fresh green again. Wildflowers carpet the ground and as there's the promise of long days ahead for walking in the countryside.”Paul Day, Managing Director at Let’s Go Walking, shares his experiences of walking in England: “Winter in Dartmoor lets you explore more of the moors as the muddy, boggy areas tend to harden which allows walkers to wander a little further from the footpaths. Of course, the summer’s not bad either and if you’re a fan of wild swimming, seek out the Cullever Steps below Scary Tor for one of my favourite spots to cool off on a hot day on the moors.”
Photo credits: [Temp chart: Simon Forster]
[Helpdesk: Alan Cleaver]
[Paul Day quote - Dartmoor: Herry Lawford]
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