If your dream is to leave the busy and nosy behind to embark on a journey into the raw nature with green hills, country lanes, and ancient villages with a cozy pub, then a walking holiday in England is your best option. There you will find some of the most stunning trails with landscapes that look like the ones described in a fantasy book, and the best part is that you don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy this.
Most people think that a walking holiday is about sleeping in the woods, no comforts, blisters, and a heavy backpack, but nowadays that’s not the case, thanks to the efforts agencies like Orbis Ways make. They offer tailored packages that include booked accommodations and luggage transfers, as well as several other amenities that will make the journey even easier.
The Cotswold Way
Now, one of the most popular long-distance trails in the country is the Cotswold Way, and a walking holiday here will feel like a classic storybook. The trails are located on the southern side of England, and it’s famous thanks to its rolling hills, meadows, and stunning villages that were built from unique stones.
The terrain here is particularly soft in several sections, which makes it kind to your feet and knees. Not only that, but you won’t find mountains here or really steep hills, just woodlands and classic open fields.
On the trail, you will find historic towns like Chipping Campden or Winchcombe, which are packed with old churches, medieval buildings, and shops to explore. I highly recommend that you take a long break or all the time you need to explore Sudeley Castle, and make sure to try a plate of traditional scones and cream.
The best part is that the villages are close together, so you can easily plan short walking days that leave you a ton of time to explore around.
England Coast to Coast
This is not only a popular trail in the country, but it also welcomes a ton of people each year from all over the world. The Coast to Coast hike was created by Alfred Wainwright, and stretches 190 miles across the north of the country, all the way from the Irish Sea on the west coast to the North Sea on the east coast.
I know that you must be thinking that crossing a whole country may be too hard for a beginner, and that the 12 to 15 days the hike takes to complete may feel impossible, but the truth is that specialized agencies like Orbis Ways offer different approaches to this trail and even packages that can be done in fewer days.
For example, you can choose a shorter 14-day or even an 18-day schedule that segments the whole trail into small and more manageable daily distances.
You can start this trail in the seaside town of St. Bees, from there you will walk across easy paths that take you through national parks and stunning landscapes. You will be able to spot glacial lakes, valleys, moors, and a lot more.
The trail is completed as soon as you arrive at the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay.
The Lake District
If you want something a bit more challenging but still completely manageable for a beginner and even more beautiful, then there’s no better option than the Lake District. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s widely popular for its mountain landscapes and blue lakes.
While the area is well known as the go-to for serious climbers, it’s also a great place for beginners to hike if you stick to the trails that are found in the valley. You don’t need to climb to the top of the highest peaks to experience the region.
Here you will find Ennerdale Water, which offers some of the most breathtaking views in the country without requiring any climbing skills. On the other hand, when you walk in the lower valleys, you will be able to check the mountain scenery, visit Grasmere, which is a stunning village where the famous poet William Wordsworth lived.
The paths here are wide, well-maintained, and surrounded by sheep and stone walls.
Wrapping Up
Taking a walking holiday is a fantastic way to slow down, reconnect with nature, and see a country from a completely new angle. Whether you choose the Cotswold Way, the historic Coast to Coast path, or the trails in the Lake District, you are sure to have an incredible trip. You will return home feeling refreshed, healthy, and proud of what you accomplished.
