If you love idyllic small towns, stunning landscapes, and unique adventures, have you ever considered a self-guided walking vacation for your next getaway? Specifically, walking holidays in England offer an exploration of the great outdoors and you don't need to plan a thing.
When choosing an England walking vacation, there are tour companies that can make the process of planning and traveling a total breeze. Orbis Ways is one such company. Their team of experts have designed hiking routes throughout England and Europe.
All you need to do is show up and enjoy some of the most beautiful places in England. Follow the specified walking route each day. Every night, you'll rest in a comfortable accommodation, and they'll arrange that your luggage is transported from place to place.
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England Walking Holidays with Orbis Ways
By choosing to take an England walking holiday with Orbis Ways, you'll be in good hands. Their self-guided walking itineraries are tried and tested, and they're always at your disposal throughout your trip. Over 45,000 travelers have taken their trips, and they have a 4.7/5 rating on Trustpilot.
- Over 200 Itineraries: Whether it's a walking holiday in England or other destinations in Europe, Orbis Ways offers over 200 carefully designed routes. There's something for everyone.
- Excellent Customer Service: Orbis Ways offers 24/7 customer assistance in multiple languages. It's possible to always reach out before, during, or after your trip.
- Supporting Local Businesses: They contribute to local communities and small businesses for a sustainable trip. Orbis Ways supports local businesses and family-owned accommodations.
The Best Walking Holidays in England
So, you've decided to take a self-guided walking holiday in England. Which destination, route or itinerary should you choose? Here are a few of my top recommendations for the best places to walk or hike in England.
South West Coast Path in Cornwall
Taking a walking holiday in Cornwall ranks right up there with my favorite trips of all time. Imagine a path along the rocky coastline with gorgeous views connecting adorable seaside villages.
A self-guided walking tour of the South West Coast Path may involve a few carefully selected sections of the path at a time. The entire trail is 630 miles around the coastline of England's southwestern peninsula.
All in all, there's 115,000 feet of ascending and descending sections of trail that's equivalent to climbing Mount Everest four times!
Aside from the trail itself, some features to discover on the South West Coast Path include castles and historic sites, pretty fishing villages, and beautiful gardens.
The Lake District
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and England's largest national park, Lake District National Park is home to many picturesque walks past mountains and lakes.
Catch glimpses of Scafell Pike, its highest mountain, as well as Wastwater, its deepest lake. Visit Ullswater, the inspiration for poems by William Wordsworth, and Derwent Water, featured in several scenes from Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Whether its history, natural beauty, or connections to film locations, The Lake District has some of the best hikes in England to enjoy.
Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall Path is a 135km trek across northern England from coast to coast. Walk alongside an ancient monument and follow in the footsteps of the Romans.
Admire lush, rolling hills and the remains of ancient Roman forts. Hadrian's Wall was constructed in the 2nd century AD, and Hadrian's Wall Path is the only coast-to-coast trail that follows a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This national trail meanders across the countryside and through cities like Newcastle and Carlisle where you can break up your walks with museum visits.
The Cotswold Way
The Cotswold Way is a dreamy journey through the English countryside. Starting in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire and ending in Bath, Somerset, this 102 mile trip ventures through charming villages and rolling pastures.
It's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. On your walk, you can discover Neolithic burial barrows and historic battlegrounds. There's no shortage of magical little towns and darling rural landscapes.
It can take anywhere from 10 to 12 days to complete the Cotswold Way, depending on how active or leisurely you decide to tackle the trail.
Coast to Coast
Coast to Coast, also known as the Coast to Coast Path National Trail, is a lengthy 192 mile journey from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. This is a challenging, long distance walk through three national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors.
You can hike these parks in sections, as I've mentioned in other parts of this blog post, or in one giant long distance walk. If you decide to walk the Coast to Coast in one trip, it takes about 18 days or up to three weeks.
This is one of the best walking holidays in England. It's estimated that about 6000 people complete the trek each year.
The Cumbria Way
The Cumbria Way is a walk through Lake District National Park. This long distance path stretches between Ulverston and Carlisle. It mainly follows low level trails without too much elevation, making it a great choice for beginners.
On the way, admire gorgeous mountain peaks, sparkling blue lakes, and deep valleys. These are some of England's most amazing natural scenes. And what would an English walk be without stopping in some picturesque villages along the way?
The Pennine Way
The Pennine Way is the first national trail in England and one of the most famous walks, dating back to 1965. It's 268 miles in length and follows a route through England's wild northern uplands.
This is one of England's longest and more difficult trails. It can be completed in about 21 days or three weeks. Its combined ascent exceeds the height of Mount Everest.
Often called the "Backbone of England", the trail starts in the Peak District and ventures all the way up to the Scottish Borders.
The Ridgeway
The Ridgeway is a prehistoric route on Britain's oldest road, and it's certainly one of the most scenic walking trips in the country. It's 87 miles long in the south of England from Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon.
The entire trip can be completed in 10 days. Travel across fields and meadows, walk through traditional villages, and even venture alongside the River Thames. The path is well-marked and easy to follow.
Northumberland Coast Path
The Northumberland Coast Path is 62 miles and follows the coastline of northeastern England. It's one of the shorter routes in this guide to the best walking holidays in England, and can be completed anywhere between three and seven days.
I suggest making a leisurely journey of it, taking your time to enjoy the small villages and seaside wonders. Visit landmarks like Bamburgh Castle, the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and Cuthbert's Cave.
The Dales Way, Yorkshire Dales
The Dales Way is an 80 mile walk through Yorkshire Dales National Park. Located in the north of England, it runs from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere.
It's possible to walk the entirety of The Dales Way in about eight days. Check out Whernside, Yorkshire's highest peak, along with other magnificent landscapes.
Enjoy riverside walks, ancient villages, and stunning moorland and meadows. There's no shortage of historic and natural wonders on this majestic English walk.
What is the Best Time of Year?
When should you take a walking holiday in England? It is generally possible to go hiking in England anytime between March and October, though I think that anytime between May and September is best.
July and August will be the warmest times of year to go for a walking vacation in England. At the same time, expect that there will be some rainfall.
May and June are a little bit cooler, but the temperatures are still lovely to go for a spring stroll. This time of year is typically a bit drier than July or August.
September and October are a little bit cooler than the summer months, and it's possible that it could be rainy. At the same time, the autumn colors are quite brilliant to witness.
Packing List
- Comfortable hiking shoes (waterproof if possible)
- Layers, layers, layers! (Especially a waterproof or water resistant outer layer)
- Rain jacket
- Hiking poles
- Snacks or a packed lunch
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Day pack with a waterproof cover
No matter where you decide to take your walking holiday in England, I know that you're going to love it. There's nothing better than making a journey on your own two feet, slowly absorbing the landscapes.
Do you have any questions about walks in England or the UK? Please feel free to ask them in the comments below or you're always welcome to connect with me on Instagram!
Don't forget travel insurance!
Heading out of the country? Don't forget to get travel insurance. It's best to be covered in case of an emergency, cancellation or accident.
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