Walking Routes in England
England is covered with hundreds of well signed walking paths and trails passing through some of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of the country.
We have organised these routes by county with an overview map also available.
Please use the links below to view the currently mapped routes.
National Parks, AONB and Other Regions Walking Routes
Dog Walks
Latest Walking Routes
| Royston Heath | 2 miles (4 km) | This large area of heathland is located just to the south west of the town of Royston in Hertfordshire. Also known as Therfield Heath it's a good sized area of common land on which sheep are still regularly grazed. The heath is in an elevated position, with some small hill climbs and great views over the Cam Valley countryside. Therfield Hill is the high point at 168 m (551 ft), with a water tower sitting on the summit. This circular walk starts from the car park off the Baldock Road, just west of Royston. From here you can pick up the trails heading west towards Jubilee Wood and Fordhams Wood. You then pass Church Hill before returning to the car park on different trails on the northern side of the heath. On the walk look out for several bronze age round barrows and lots of pretty wildflowers in the spring and summer months. Also look out for wildlife including the Chalkhill Blue butterfly fluttering around the flowers. |
| Mousehold Heath | 2 miles (2.5 km) | This area of heathland and woodland in Norwich, has miles of nice footpaths to try. It's located just to the north east of the city centre and train station. You can park at the car park on Gurney Road to start your walk. From here you can pick up trails heading along the heath on both sides of the road. The common is elevated above the city so there are fine views towards the Norwich skyline. You can clearly see landmarks such as the cathedral, the city hall and the castle from here. To extend the walk you could climb to St James Hill at the south eastern corner of the heath, for more nice views. The heath is also a nature reserve so you can look out for a variety of flora and fauna on your walk. Keep your eyes peeled for frogs around the Vinegar Pond and muntjac and roe deer, red fox and rabbits on the heath and in the woods. There's lots of pretty wildflowers to see in the summer including Trailing St John's-wort and Bell Heather. |
| Cobham | 6 miles (9 km) | This village in Kent has some fine walking trails to try. This circular walk takes you to some of the highlights of the area including Cobham Park, Jeskyns Park and Shorne Woods Country Park. The walk starts in the village and heads east into Cobham Park. The area is run by the National Trust and includes woodland pasture and an 18th century Darnley Mausoleum. It was designed by James Wyatt for the 4th Earl of Darnley of Cobham Hall according to detailed instructions in the will of the 3rd Earl of Darnley. The site includes a tree trail with a collection of ancient and veteran trees which were formerly part of the Darnley Estate and deer park. The route then bends round to the north to visit Shorne Woods Country Park. Here you will find hundreds of acres of rolling woodlands, wetlands and meadows which can be explored on a variety of waymarked trails. After exploring the park, the route heads south past Ashenbank Wood before branching off to the west to visit Jeskyns Park. Here you'll find woodlands, ponds, orchards and wildflower meadows to explore. After leaving the park it is a short stroll back to Cobham village where the route finishes. The route passes close to Ranscombe Farm Country Park at the eastern fringes. There's 560 acres of attractive meadows and woodland to explore here. |
| Hearsall Common | 2 miles (3 km) | This area of common land is located just to the west of Coventry city centre and is a nice place for a peaceful afternoon stroll. There's a series of nice footpaths to follow to woodland, grassland and ponds. The area is also a nature reserve so you can look out for a variety of woodland birds as you make your way along the paths. The larger eastern section of the common is a large open area of mowed grass that attracts dog walkers, sunbathers and kite flyers. It is often used for fairs in the spring and summer months. Also look out for the plaque to Frank Whittle, the aerospace engineer and jet pioneer, who was born in Coventry. He was apparently inspired to pursue a career in engineering after seeing an aircraft land on Hearsall Common in 1916. |
| Northampton Canal Walk | 5 miles (8 km) | This easy walk follow the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal from the town centre to the countryside near Milton Malsor. It runs for a distance of about 5 miles along a nice flat path with views of the River Nene and the surrounding Northamptonshire countryside on the way. The walk starts the Towcester Bridge which runs over the River Nene and the canal in the town centre. Follow the towpath west and it will take you past Briar Hill Meadows and Duston Mill Reservoir. The canal continues south towards Rothersthorpe before coming to Gayton Junction where there is a nice marina at the end of the route. The village of Gayton is a short stroll from here so you could head there for refreshments. |
| Rugby | 10 miles (16 km) | This circular walk takes you around the Warwickshire town of Rugby, taking in the Oxford Canal and the Grand Central Walk Nature Reserve. Starting at the train station you head north east to pick up the canal. You then follow the towpath south toward Hillmorton where you'll pass the impressive Hillmorton Locks. It's a very picturesque area with a series of locks and nice views of the surrounding countryside. The route continues along the Barby Straight to Wood Bridge. Just after passing the bridge you leave the canal to pick up the trackbed of a dismantled railway line known as the Grand Central Walk. The trail is also a nature reserve with wildlife including a variety of butterflies and birds to see along the path. Follow the trail north and it will take you back into the centre of Rugby and then onto the train station where the route finishes. |
| Coventry | 9 miles (15 km) | This long circular walk uses a mixture of waymarked footpaths and minor roads to take you to some of the highlights of the city. You'll visit interesting historical locations, various attractive parks, two areas of common land and also enjoy waterside stretches along the River Sherbourne which runs through the city. The walk starts at Coventry Cathedral in the city centre. The new cathedral sits beside the ruins of the old 14th century cathedral which was bombed in the suring the Second World War. From here the route picks up the Sherbourne Valley Way waymarked trail to take you south east along the River Sherbourne to Lower Stoke and Whitly Common. You then pick up a section of the A Coventry Way Circular Walk to take you north west through Stivichall to the War Memorial Park. The large park was opened in July 1921 as a tribute to the 2,587 Coventrians who died between 1914 and 1918 fighting in the First World War. It includes the 90 feet (27 m) high war memorial monument which is the most prominent construction in the park. There's also large open green areas with many trees and shrubberies. After exploring the park the route continues north west to visit Hearsall Common. The larger eastern section of the common is a large open area of mowed grass that attracts dog walkers, sunbathers and kite flyers. The common includes nice woodland areas, a nature reserve and lots of wildlife to look out for. After leaving the common the route heads east through Spon End to return to the cathedral, where the walk finishes. |
| Bowood House | 2 miles (2.5 km) | This Georgian country house is located on the edge of the North Wessex Downs, near the Wiltshire town of Calne. It's surrounded by lovely parkland with some nice walking trails to follow through woodland and to the large lake. In the park you will also find English landscape gardens designed by Lancelot "Capability" Brown. The house itself was designed by Robert Adam in the 18th Century. Highlights include the Italianate terrace gardens, the Doric Temple folly, waterfalls, sculptures and the rhododendron walks. Access to the house and gardens requires a fee but there are also public footpaths running through Bowood Park and along part of the lake. You can follow these from the nearby town of Calne to the park. To continue your walking in the area head into Calne and pick up the Chippenham to Calne Railway Path. The shared cycling and walking trail includes lovely riverside sections along the River Avon and the River Marden. If you head a few miles west of the house you could visit Lacock Abbey and Village. It's a fascinating area with nice walks along the River Avon and the woodland in the abbey grounds. |
| Blewbury | 3 miles (5 km) | This walk from the Oxfordshire village of Blewbury visits the Iron Age Hillfort at Blewburton Hill. The hill is located a short distance to the east of the village and the walk includes a visit to the nearby village of Aston Tirrold. It's a 3 mile walk with a small climb and some nice views over the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside to enjoy on the way. The walk starts in the village of Blewbury, located just to the south of Didcot in the North Wessex Downs. From here you can pick up footpaths heading east up to Blewburton Hill. The univallate hill fort may have been occupied from the 4th century BC to the 1st century BC. Interesting finds at the site include Neolithic or Early Bronze Age flints recovered during excavations, and a polished stone axe found in the ditch near the entrance. Although there was no Roman occupation of the hilltop, a number of fragments of Roman pottery were recovered, dating to the 1st century AD, and the 3rd–4th centuries AD. After exploring the hill the walk descends to the village of Aston Tirrold where you could stop for refreshments at the local pub. The walk then returns to Blewbury on the same paths. To continue your walking in the area head south and pick up our Streatley Circular Walk which uses part of The Ridgeway National Trail. You could also head to nearby Goring and enjoy a riverside walk along the Thames Path. |
| Streatley | 10 miles (16 km) | A circular walk from Streatley, climbing onto the Ridgeway Hills to the west of the town before looping round across Cholsey Downs and returning via the River Thames. There's fine views over the Chiltern Hills, a visit to an ancient Roman Temple and a nice easy riverside stretch to finish. Much of the route takes place on country lanes or bridle paths so could be completed on a cycle as well. The route starts in the village where you can pick up The Ridgeway National Trail. Follow the waymarked footpath north west and it will take you up to Thurle Down. Head west along the path and it leads to Warren Farm where you can turn north to Dean's Bottom and Lowbury Hill. The hill is notable as the site of a former Roman temple. After passing the temple the route turns north east along the Fair Mile which is a former Racehorse Gallops. Follow the trail east across Cholsey Downs and you can then descend to the riverside village of Moulsford. The final section then picks up a nice footpath along the River Thames to take you back into Streatley. Back in the village you can enjoy refreshments at the riverside Swan Inn. It's a great place to sit outside and enjoy river views and refreshments in the summer months. |
| Goring | 11 miles (18 km) | This riverside village in South Oxfordshire is ideally located for walking with two National Trails passing through the area. Both The Ridgeway and the Thames Path head through the village and are a great way to explore the river and the surrounding countryside. The noteworthy village was named Oxfordshire's Village of the Year in 2009 and also has an interesting church with parts dating from the 13th century. This circular walk uses both waymarked trails to take you along both sides of the River Thames. You'll pass through two counties as in this area the river bisects Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Starting on the eastern side of the river at Goring Bridge, the route first heads north along the Ridgeway to South Stoke and North Stoke. At Mongewell you cross to the other side, although you could continue to nearby Wallingford if you prefer. On the western side of the river you pick up the Thames Path and follow it south. You'll pass the Berkshire settlements of Moulsford and Streatley, before crossing Goring Bridge to return to Goring. At Streatley you will pass the lovely riverside Swan Inn, which is a great place to sit outside and enjoy refreshments in the summer months. To continue your walking in the village you can pick up the The Swan's Way long distance trail. The shared cycling and walking trail starts in Goring and runs all the way to Salcey Forest. |
| The Hangman Hills | 5 miles (7.5 km) | A challenging circular walk visiting Little Hangman and Great Hangman Hills near Combe Martin in Devon. The walk starts in Combe Martin and heads east to Little Hangman Hill via Lester Point. You continue by climbing the 1044 feet (318 metres) high Great Hangman Hill. It is England's highest sea cliff and the highest point on the South West Coast Path. At the summit you wil find a cairn and can enjoy fabulous views over the surrounding coast and countryside. The route then descends through the countryside to Knap Down, before returning to Combe Martin. Here you can wander through the pretty village, admire the beautiful Combe Martin Bay and reward yourself with refreshments at one of the excellent pubs. There's also fine views over Holdstone Down and towards Lundy Island. In the summer months look out for pretty flowers such as primroses and violets and wildlife including warblers and various coastal birds. If you would like to extend your walking in the area then you could head east along the coast to the lovely Heddon Valley. Here you will find riverside walking trails and the imposing cliffs of Heddon's Mouth. |
| River Cherwell | 2 miles (4 km) | Enjoy a nice waterside walk along the River Cherwell in Oxford. The circular route takes you from the University parks to Summertown before visiting nearby Marston. The walk starts from the Rainbow Bridge, a distinctive curved footbridge over the River Cherwell in the University Parks. The parks are a large parkland area slightly northeast of the city centre in Oxford. From the Rainbow bridge you can see punts travelling along the river in during the summer. On the eastern side of the arched bridge you can pick up a footpath heading north toward Wolfson College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. There is a footbridge across the river which leads into the college grounds here. After passing the college you have the option of continuing north toward Cutteslowe where there is a nice pubic park. This route heads east toward Marston where you head south through the Oxford suburb. A path then follows the Marston Brook across the meadows before returning you to Rainbow Bridge. |
| Brent Knoll | 3 miles (5 km) | This nice circular walk climbs to a prominent hill on the Somerset Levels. The route runs for just over 3 miles, providing fine views to the coast. There's also a visit to the two villages at the foot of the hill which both have interesting old churches to see. The walk starts at the village of Brent Knoll which lies a short distance to the west of Brent Knoll. From here you can pick up footpaths heading north east to the 137 m (449 ft) summit of the hill. Here you will find the noteworthy Brent Knoll Camp an Iron Age hill fort, with multiple ramparts (multivallate) following the contours of the hill, broken only by the main entrance on the eastern side. It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is now in the care of the National Trust. There are great views over Burnham-on-Sea and Brean to enjoy from here too. After exploring the hill top the route descends north to the village of East Brent. Here you can visit the interesting 15th century church which is Grade I listed. It's also a good place to stop for refreshments at what is roughly the half way point on the walk. The Brent Knoll Inn has a good menu and a lovely beer garden to relax in. You can find it just to the east of the village at postcode TA9 4JG. After exploring East Brent the route then picks up footpaths on the northern side of the hill. These bend round to the west to return you to the finish point back in the village. |
| Hardwick Wood | 5 miles (7.5 km) | This walk takes you from the Cambridgeshire village of Hardwick to the nearby Hardwick Wood Nature Reserve. The route uses part of the Harcamlow Way long distance footpath to visit the site before continuing to the village of Toft. Start the walk, just south of Hardwick where you can pick up the waymarked Harcamlow Way. The path runs west toward Caldecote before turning south to reach the site. The medieval woods are full of interesting flora and fauna such as hazel, hawthorn, early-purple orchid and yellow archangel. Look out for birds including willow warblers, marsh tits and blackcaps. After passing through the woods you can continue on to the pretty village of Toft. Here you will find a noteworthy 14th century church while just to the west of the village is Cambridge Meridian Golf Club, which has the Prime Meridian running through the 14th fairway. You can also stop here and enjoy refreshments at a cafe before picking up footpaths to take you north to Wood Farm. Other public trails then return you to the Harcamlow Way which you can follow back to Hardwick. |
| Oxford River Walk | 8 miles (13 km) | Enjoy a nice easy stroll from Oxford to Abingdon on this walk along a nice section of the Thames Path. It's a lovely area with the University College boathouses, a series of pretty islands, rushing weirs and some historic locks. The walk starts from Folly Bridge next to Christchurch Meadow. The bridge was erected in 1825–27, to designs of a little-known architect, Ebenezer Perry (died 1850), who practised in London. From here you pick up the river path on the south side of the bridge and head south along the Isis. The Isis is the name given to the part of the River Thames above Iffley Lock which flows past Christ Church Meadow and is the focal point of rowing for Oxford University. On this section you will pass several of the University rowing clubs including Trinity College Boat Club and The Queen's College Boat Club. On the other side of the river you can see Christchurch Meadow and the area where the River Cherwell meets the Thames. You continue towards Donnington Bridge, passing the Long Bridges Nature Park on the way. The next stage passes Iffley Meadow before coming to the noteworthy Iffley Lock. The original lock was built by the Oxford-Burcot Commission in 1631 and the Thames Navigation Commission replaced this in 1793. The lock has a set of rollers to allow punts and rowing boats to be moved between the water levels. It's a very picturesque area with the lock and the 19th century lockhouse. After passing the lock the route continues south past the Rivermead Nature Reserve, Isis Bridge, Hinksey Stream, the tree covered Rose Isle and Fiddler's Elbow, the largest of the pretty set of islands on this section of the Thames. Near here you'll also come to another notable lock at Sandford. The lock has the deepest fall of all locks on the Thames at 8ft 9in (2.69m) and is connected to a large island which is one of three at this point. You continue past Nuneham Park where there's some nice trails to be found in the delightful Harcourt Arboretum. The final section runs past Radley Lakes before coming into Abingdon and finishing at Abingdon Bridge. You can return on the same paths or catch a bus back to Oxford. Radley train station is also nearby so you could also catch a train back if you prefer. |
| Ingleborough Walk from Clapham | 7 miles (12 km) | This walk climbs to Ingleborough Cave and Ingleborough Mountain from the Yorkshire village of Clapham. It's a challenging 4 mile hike to the top of the mountain from the village centre. The walk starts in the village and heads north on a nice footpath running along Clapham Beck. There's also a pretty artifical lake and some peaceful woodland trails on this opening section. The route then passes the famous Ingleborough Show Cave before ascending to Gaping Gill. This natural cave is one of the unmistakable landmarks on the southern slopes of the mountain. The cave is a striking 98-metre (322 ft) deep pothole with the stream Fell Beck flowing into it. The next stage takes you past Little Ingleborough before continuing to the Ingleborough summit. At (723 m or 2,372 ft) it is the second-highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales. It's located in the south-western corner of the Yorkshire Dales, at the highest point of a triangle of land with corners at Ingleton, Ribblehead and Settle. The hill is connected to its nearest higher neighbour, Whernside, by a low col or mountain pass at Ribblehead at approximately 971 feet (296 m). On the summit you will find an Ordnance Survey trig point at the highest point, near the western corner. Just to the north is a well-built windshelter (cross-shaped to provide shelter whichever way the wind is blowing) with a toposcope built into its centre. This shows all the landmarks you can see from the summit including Wild Boar Fell, Great Shunner Fell, Great Whernside, Ilkley Moor, Kinder Scout and Scafell Pike in the Lake District. After taking in the wonderful views the route descends back to the village on the same paths. |
| Clapham Yorkshire | 2 miles (3.5 km) | The popular village of Clapham makes a great base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales. The village is accessible by public transport via Clapham railway station which is situated 1 mile (1.6 km) south-west of the village. Since the 18th century Clapham has been home qto the Farrer family who established their Ingleborough estate. The family owns, and is responsible for, much of the land, walls, woods, fields and moors of the village, surrounding countryside and farms. The village is a popular start point for climbing Ingleborough Mountain and the fascinating glacial erratic boulders at Norber Erratics. This short walk takes you from the village to Ingleborough Cave which is situated just over a mile to the north of the village. It's a lovely area with the pretty Clapham Beck running past Clapham Lake before a peaceful woodland section through Clapdale Wood. The footpaths eventually lead to Ingleborough Cave (formerly known as Clapham Caves), a show cave adjacent to where the water from Gaping Gill resurges. That part of the cave which is open to the public follows a fossil gallery for some 500 metres (1,640 ft). The passage is spacious, and well decorated with stalagmitic formations. After exploring the cave the route returns to the village along the same paths. |
| Whernside Ingleborough Circular Walk | 13 miles (21.5 km) | This challenging circular walk visits two of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks. You'll climb to Ingleborough before heading up to Whernside from the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. The route runs for a distance of just over 13 miles, rising to a height of well over 2000ft at the high points. Start the walk from the car park and visitor centre at the Ribblehead Viaduct. From here you pick up footpaths taking you up to Park Fell and Simon Fell, before ascending to Ingleborough. The mountain stands at a height of 723 metres (2,372 ft) providing fabulous views over the surrounding Yorkshire Dales countryside. The area surrounding the mountain is also designated as a National Nature Reserve. The limestone habitats promote a range of interesting wildflowers including Yorkshire primrose, limestone pavement with bloody crane's-bill, calcareous grassland with common rock-rose and limestone rock outcrops, cliffs and scree with juniper. Wildlife also thrives with the northern brown argus butterfly, curlew and roe deer to look out for in the area. The route then descends to Humphrey Bottom before continuing north to Highwood Pasture and Philpin Lane. You then ascend to Bruntscar and High Pike before reaching the summit of Whernside. The mountain stands at a height of 736 m (2,415 ft) making it the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. From here there are fantastic views over the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and Morecambe Bay. After taking in the views the route then descends to Knoutberry Hill and Grain Head. You then turn south toward Slack Hill, passing a series of waterfalls on the way. The final section takes you along the Blue Clay Ridge before returning to the viaduct and the car park. |
| Dovestone Rocks | 6 miles (10 km) | This walk climbs to a series of wonderful viewpoints overlooking Dovestone Reservoir in the dark peak area of the Peak District. The challenging route runs for just over 6 miles, visiting the Ashway Stone, Dean Rocks, Great Dovestone Rocks and Chew Reservoir. Start the walk from the car park at the northern end of Dovestone Reservoir. From here you can pick up a path running east between the reservoir and the adjacent Yeoman Hey Reservoir. The path then climbs to the Ashway Stone before turning south to Dean Rocks and Great Dovestone Rocks. This section climbs to a height of over 1550ft with magnificent views over the surrounding reservoirs and peaks. There's also a series of striking rock formations so be sure to have a camera handy here. The route continues south past Bramley's Cot before descending to Chew Reservoir. There's nice views across the water as you skirt the western edge. The route then turns north west to climb toward Dish Stone Rock and the Chew Hills. Here you pick up the Oldham Way long distance trail to pass along the eastern edge of Dovestone Reservoir. This will lead you back to the northern end of the water and the car park. |