Best time to go walking in England
We walked the Pilgrims' Trail right after Christmas and New Year. Celebrating new beginnings out and in the elements and discovering landscapes I never knew were on my doorstep made this a very happy new year![]()
If ever there was a group of people who can use the very British expression, Keep Calm and Carry On, it‘s walkers enjoying English countryside. Keep going, rain or shine, because there is always a pub with a roaring fire, a warming cup of tea, or something stronger, nearby. Which is why walking vacations run here all year, with wonderful seasonal differences: autumn pumpkins on the South Downs, winter snow on the Dales, spring lambs in the Lake District, and warm summer seas on the south coast. The best time to go on a walking vacation in England is, quite simply, when your boots are screaming out to be donned.
When to go walking in England month by month guide
Our England walking Vacations
Jurassic Coast walking vacation in Dorset, UK
Explore stunning UK coastline
From
£829 to £989
6 days
ex flights
Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims way, England
Walk the Pilgrims Way from Winchester to Canterbury
From
£1650
15 days
ex flights
Shakespeares Way walking vacation, Cotswolds to London
From Stratford-upon-Avon to The Globe Theatre
From
£763 to £1071
8 days
ex flights
Thames Path walking vacation in England
Self guided walk along the River Thames Oxford to Windsor
From
£744 to £1098
7 days
ex flights
Lake District hike on the Cumbria Way, England
Hiking vacation in England's Lake District
From
£891 to £1332
10 days
ex flights
South West Coastal Path walking vacation, England
The South West Coast Path and Isles of Scilly
From
£459 to £899
8 days
ex flights
Brighton and Sussex coast Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
2
7
100
FEB
1
7
64
MAR
3
9
73
APR
4
12
60
MAY
5
16
59
JUN
10
19
64
JUL
12
21
54
AUG
12
21
66
SEP
10
18
81
OCT
8
15
100
NOV
4
10
106
DEC
2
8
101
Travel Team
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RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS
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.”
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.
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.
Our top 10 walks in England will see you wander in the footsteps of pilgrims, discover ancient Roman heritage and follow working canals through some of the country's most spectacular scenery.
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.
