self guided walking tours uk

Self-guided walking holidays in the UK, with expert advice, daily accommodation and luggage transfers.

https://www.contours.co.uk/

Self-Guided Walking Holidays in the UK

Winter price freeze.

Our Annual Price Freeze is back: book your holiday for 2025 before 31st December and lock in the current cost of your getaway !

Booking plenty in advance also helps us secure the very best accommodations for the perfect outdoor retreat. Find your holiday today.

Explore the British Isles

The British Isles are home to a vast range of incredible scenery. From high peaks with panoramic views to unspoilt coastline tussled by the sea breeze, the landscapes of the UK are some of the most beautiful in the world.

There are hundreds of fantastic walking trails criss-crossing all over Great Britain, allowing walkers from all backgrounds to experience everything from our rare wildlife to our rich history dating as far back as the Stone Age.

Begin your adventure by selecting a region to explore on the map, or use our search function to find the perfect walking holiday for you. If you require further help, simply click the link below or you can contact our friendly team .

Contours Walking Holidays

Customer reviews, book your late-season walking holiday.

There's still time to explore the countryside at your own pace with Contours Holidays.

Check out our favourite late-season trails, plus our top tips for getting the most of the cooling autumn days.

Find a Walk for the Late Season

If you're new to walking holidays

Here's how it works:

• With maps and guidebook, you'll lead the way along established routes.
• Your nightly accommodation is prebooked for you.
• Each day, we carry your heavy overnight luggage to the next stop.

Find out more and discover our top trails for new walkers, from National Trails to Stile-Free options.

All about walking holidays

Walking inspiration

Find your ideal walking holiday by type or topic, from short breaks to ambitious challenge hikes , remote rambles to National Trails , via our inspiration pages .

Castles and Military Monuments

Circular Walking Holidays

Coastal Trails

Short Daily Mileages

Dog-Friendly Holidays

Walking Holiday Inspiration

New trails for 2024

Explore estuary banks, famous heathland, pilgrim pathways, seaswept clifftops and limestone dales.

For 2024, we've launched a host of walking holidays across six new trails, with short breaks and full-route adventures to choose from.

Browse Contours' new trails for 2024.

Our Featured Holiday: White Peak Way North

The northern sweep of the White Peak Way connects Buxton and Bakewell along some of the most impressive paths of the Peak District, taking in the incredible Great Ridge Walk over Mam Tor and the famous limestone outcroppings that house the ruin of Peveril Castle at Cave Dale. It's well-worth setting aside some time to explore the extensive grounds and halls of Chatsworth Country House, too, or browse the independent shops that bookend this pretty tour.

Choose from our flexible itineraries, spanning four- to seven-night options, to enjoy the northern leg of the White Peak Way in full.

Walk the White Peak Way

From our blog

Carrying Food on Your Walk

Choosing what food to carry on your walk is an important part of planning. We suggest hardy lunches and great on-the-move snacks in this article all about the joys of eating.

Read more...

More from our blog

Useful links

Gift Vouchers

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Offers

Enter Our Photo Competition

Loyalty Scheme

With so many brilliant trails all around the UK, it's hard not to accumulate a long walking holiday wishlist. If you're planning to get out and start ticking off each trail, you can really cut costs with Contours Holidays' loyalty scheme. You'll start saving from your third walking holiday onwards.

Find out more about our bronze, silver and gold loyalty discounts.

Contours Holidays on Social Media

Please be aware that this website uses cookies to give you the best possible experience. We value your privacy and treat your data with care. Learn more .

For more information, please refer to our privacy policy.

Strictly necessary cookies which are essential for navigating a website and using its features and functionalities. These temporary 'session' cookies are required for basic services such as logging in or making a booking.

Marketing cookies which are used to monitor our marketing & advertising efforts, enabling us to personalise content and enhance results.

Analytics cookies track website usage data, including traffic numbers, page views, and user interactions. This information helps us improve website performance and understand user behavior.

User experience cookies enhance the browsing experience by enabling features like heatmapping and chat functionalities, allowing us to better understand user behavior and improve website usability.

• Walker's Area

Walk The Trail

• Send us an email Click Here
• Speak to an expert on +44 01326 567252

UK Walking Holiday Experts

Welcome to walk the trail. we provide self guided walking holidays throughout the uk, including the south west coast path, pembrokeshire, cotswold way & wainwright's coast to coast..

We've created getaways especially for couples, friends, families and those who like to travel alone. Whatever pace you walk, we can tailor a holiday to match your needs. That's why, over 50 per cent of our customers have had two or more holidays with us, and continue to introduce friends to Walk the Trail. We'll take all the hassle out of making arrangements, and provide you with the complete self guided walking holiday experience. Have a look at over 50 itineraries on our website, or contact us via phone or email to speak to our small team of holiday specialists.

• Non Coastal
• Southern England
• Northern England
• Short Breaks
• SWCP Holiday Finder
• Long Distance

• Last minute guaranteed trips

Any UK Region

British isles, any country, united kingdom, czech republic, switzerland, the netherlands, türkiye/turkey, any activity, any duration, any grading, advanced search, walking or cycling tours | uk or europe | guided or self-guided.

At Walkers' Britain, our mission is to introduce you to the UK's best walking trails, and Europe's most celebrated hiking experiences, on a highy quality walking tour or cycling trip.

Choose from an unrivalled range of high quality guided walking trips, as well as flexible and affordable self-guided inn-to-inn walking and cycling trips right across England , Scotland , Wales , the  British Isles  and even throughout Europe . All the necessary logistics, like luggage transfers, detailed route notes, GPX files, accommodation bookings, maps and pre-departure information are arranged by our dedicated team. All you'll need to focus on is the road ahead.

On the continent, choose from a range of European hiking holidays in the Mont Blanc region, Italian Dolomites, and Swiss Alps, but also the classic Amalfi Coast and the Canary Islands . Or explore both the classic or less travelled pockets of Europe while cycling or even on boat based tours.

Why travel with Walkers' Britain...

United Kingdom Walking & Cycling Trips

Europe Walking & Cycling Trips

Wainwright's Coast to Coast NEW Trips in 2024

Tour du Mont Blanc NEW 8-Day trek & more

South West Coast Path Walking Tours

Madeira Walking Tour

Scotland Walking Tours

England Walking & Cycling Trips

Give us your feedback

What Others Say

Amazing staff- organized and professional. Food exceeded expectations and accommodation (hot and powerful showers) was comfy after a long hike.

N. Blain Ontario, Canada

A great trip all round.

Amy Beeton United Kingdom

The accommodation was clean and comfortable with friendly and helpful hosts.

J. Sinclair Melbourne

Everything was very well organised, all we had to do was enjoy the walk.

K. Pickering Bradwell, United Kingdom

Enjoyed our Cotswolds Walk enormously. We will have a wonderful store of happy memories.

Joanne Horan Spence, NSW, Australia

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed eget risus porta, tincidunt turpis at, interdum tortor. Suspendisse potenti. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Fusce ante tellus, convallis non consectetur sed, pharetra nec ex. Aliquam et tortor nisi. Duis mollis diam nec elit volutpat suscipit.

John Smith CEO & Founder

What Others Say:

Featured video.

Best UK Long Distance Walking Trails

Cotswold Way

A lovely introduction to long distance walking. 102 miles / 164 km passing through many picturesque villages from the beautiful Cotswold town of Chipping Campden to the World Heritage City of Bath.

South West Coastal Path: Marazion to Mevagissey

Walk along the southern section of the Cornwall Coastal Path

Hadrian's Wall Walk From Whitley Bay - 10 Days

Discover Roman history in northern England on this 10-day self guided Hadrian's Wall hike from East to West

Isle of Arran Coastal Way

Discover the spectacular Isle of Arran off Scotlands west coast on foot

The Cumbria Way: Crossing the Lake District

Hike through the heart of the Lake District National Park linking the historic towns of Ulverston and Carlisle

The Full Pennine Way

Walk the full length of the Pennines from the Peak District to Scotland

Challenging

West Highland Way - 10 Days

An extended version of the 8 day walk with shorter days to discover the stunning Scottish Highlands from Loch Lomond to Ben Nevis

Offa's Dyke Path

A walk back through history to King Offa’s Mercia on the border of England and Wales

Coast to Coast Rambler - 18 Days

A comfortably paced self guided walk along the Coast to Coast trail across England

Moderate to Challenging

West Highland Way

Walk through the stunning Scottish Highlands from Loch Lomond to Ben Nevis on this iconic route

The Great Glen Way

Walk through the heart of the Scottish Highlands at your own pace

Introductory to Moderate

John Muir Way

A symbolic walk linking Dunbar, Loch Lomond and Helensburgh creating a Scottish Coast to Coast walk

The South Downs Way

Enjoy the coastal towns and rolling landscapes of Southern England

Rob Roy Way

Follow in the footsteps of the MacGregor Clan on this stunning trail through some of Scotland's greatest scenery

South West Coastal Path: St Ives to Penzance

Walk on the Cornwall Coastal Path West from St Ives to Penzance

Guernsey Islands - Channel Island Way

A stunning walk taking in sections of The Channel Island Way around the islands of Guernsey

Popular Walks in Europe

Madeira Island Walking

Follow the Levadas to discover the dramatic and rugged mountain scenery on the island of Madeira

Walking in the Dolomites

Self guided walk beneath the dramatic limestone peaks of the Italian Alps

Hiking Norway's Fjordland

Walk through the natural wonders of western Norway's pristine fjords, fells and moorlands

Walking in Haute Provence

Walk from the Southern Alps to classic Provence towns for a contrasting week in Haute Provence

Hiking the Vermillion Coast

Discover the coast and mountains along the edge of the Pyrenees on foot

Highlights of the Dolomites

Enjoy the highlights of the Dolomites as you walk beneath the dramatic limestone peaks of the Italian Alps

Exploring Crete

Discover Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands, on foot

Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Hike the essential trails of the Tour du Mont Blanc on this semi-self guided walking tour while staying in comfortable accommodation

The Alpine Pass Route

One of Europe's most spectacular alpine walks showcasing Switzerland's most famous peaks

Classic Amalfi Coast - 8 Days

An unrivalled Italian coastal walk following in the ‘Footpath of the Gods’

Exploring La Gomera - 8 Days

Experience the lush plantations, mountains and whitewashed villages of exotic La Gomera

Classic Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Relaxed, hotel-based trek around the highest mountain in Western Europe (Mont Blanc) following the classic full circumnavigation

Hiking in Tenerife

Discover cloud forests, volcanoes and plantations on this exotic Spanish island

Zagori Villages & Vikos Gorge Hiking

Explore on foot the stone-built Zagoria Villages in the Pindus Mountains of Greece and enjoy home-made food & traditional

Walking the Côte d'Azur & Golden Isles

Relaxed walking along stunning coastal paths of the Cote d'Azur and Golden Isles discovering authentic towns on the French Riviera

Introductory

The Bernese Oberland and Reichenbach Falls

A fantastic introduction to the delights of Swiss Alps hiking including stays in famous Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Zermatt

Meiringen: Panoramas of the Swiss Alps - 8 Days

Walk beneath the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau for unrivalled panoramas of the Swiss Alps

The Haute Route

Walk along stunning sections of one of the world's most iconic mountain trails in the Swiss Alps

Hill Top Villages of Medieval Tarn

Explore some of the magnificent and historical hill top medieval villages in the Tarn region of France

Kandersteg & the Wildstrubel Circuit

A quieter classic Alpine walk in Kandersteg and around the Wildstrubel Circuit between the Valais (French speaking) and Bernese Oberland (German) staying in hotels

Exploring Cinque Terre Villages

A coastal walk on the Italian Riviera with a centre based stay in Monterosso

Hidden Treasures of the Dordogne - 8 Days

A shorter walk in the Dordogne Valley and surrounding hills

Austrian Lake District and Dachstein Alps

Self guided, hotel-based walk exploring the peaks and passes of Austria's stunning Lake District

English Lake District Self Guided Walks

Highlights of the Coast to Coast Walk

For those with less time, complete Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay in 12 days

The Cumbria Way - 8 Days

A delightful walk in the English Lake District.

Coast to Coast Guided Explorer - 17 Days

Walk the famous Coast to Coast trail guided from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay

Coast to Coast: Classic Walk - 15 Days

Travel at a steady pace along this classic Coast to Coast walking route from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay

Keswick: Lake District Centre Based Walking

Centre Based walking holiday in the georgous market town of Keswick in the English Lake District

Coast to Coast Classic Guided Walk

Follow in Wainwright's footsteps on a guided walk along England's famous Coast to Coast trail

Coast to Coast: St Bees to Kirkby Stephen - 8 Days

Follow the Coast to Coast Walk from St Bees towards the historic villages and beautiful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales

Coast to Coast: Walk Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood's Bay - 11 Days

Walk the second section of the Coast to Coast through the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors at a more comfortable pace

Why Travel with Walkers' Britain

Personal Experience

W e've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike .

Great Value & Quality

O ur well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday .

Self-Guided Specialists

W e have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility .

Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30; Sat 09:30 - 13:00

Office hours: East Coast USA: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (04:00 - 12:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (04:30 - 08:00) West Coast USA: Mon - Fri 09:00 -17:30 (01:00 - 09:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (01:30 - 05:00)

Office hours: Ottawa: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (04:00 - 12:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (04:30 - 08:00) Vancouver: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (01:00 - 09:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (01:30 - 05:00)

Office hours: Canberra: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (20:00 - 04:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (20:30 - 24:00)

Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (22:00 - 06:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (22:30 - 02:00)

Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (check internet for local time equivalent); Sat 09:30 - 13:00

NEW! Cilento National Park

Coast, mountains and historic villages.

Stone villages of Zagori

Hiking greece's vikos gorge.

From Zahara to Ronda

Off-season walking in andalucia.

Castles of the Rhine

New upgraded route.

La Gomera - the magical island of eternal spring

Autumn and winter hiking in the canary islands.

Self-guided walking holidays in an unspoilt Europe

Introducing the… On Foot Holidays Companion App

On Foot’s exciting new app provides navigation and all the information you need for your holiday, making self-guided walking easier, safer and more environmentally friendly. It’s like having your own private tour guide!

Everything is just a quick screen-tap away, keeping you safely on the path and leaving you to focus on enjoying the walk. You can choose to carry just the app with you, going paper and plastic free. Available on all routes from 2025, or test it on selected routes now.

Self-guided walking in unspoilt Europe

Seek the still-vibrant rural soul which infuses the lesser-known areas of southern and central Europe and the UK with On Foot Holidays. Find the beauty that arises from the harmony of man, history, culture and landscape. Our mission is to give you the freedom of discovery, walking at your own pace, exploring quiet footpaths and villages along the way.

You will normally stay in small, family run accommodation and will fortify the inner man as the locals do – with home grown foods and the best local wines. And we carry your luggage, so that you can concentrate on enjoying the mountains, meadows and coasts. Our routes are designed by locals, and have a goal – somewhere great to arrive at. Search here for holidays for all walking abilities and tastes.

But most of all, we love to talk to you, so contact us for the best and most personal service you will get from any walking holiday company. We can advise on the routes that will suit you best, and if you’re thinking of combining two holidays as part of a longer tour, see our recommendations for ‘route pairing’ and suggested rail connections here .

You can find more about how we work and answers to the most frequently asked questions on this website, or give us a call.

New to Walking Holidays?

Sign up to the newsletter, need inspiration use the arrows....

Walking in remote landscapes

Winter hiking on La Gomera

Explore ancient archaeology

Hiking in Slovenia

Fantastic coastal walks

Walking holidays with interesting wines

Walking the Rhine Gorge

Routes easy to reach by car

Read our Travellers' Blog

NEW ROUTE – Cilento National Park

Wednesday 21st August | Posted by On Foot Staff

Our brand new walking holiday explores the Cilento National Park in Campania - gateway to southern Italy. This is traditional Italy to its core, with unspoilt medieval villages, green vistas, and a pretty coastline dotted with sunset-soaked fishing villages. And ...

New Entry/Exit System (EES) and visa waiver (ETIAS) for travellers in Europe

Monday 17th June | Posted by On Foot Staff

Entry/Exit System (EES) A new digital system for recording entry and exit by non-EU citizens comes into force on 10 November 2024 (previously announced as 6 October 2024). This will replace the manual addition of passport stamps. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will ...

Walking in hot weather

Tuesday 4th June | Posted by On Foot Staff

At the height of summer it's great to see the wonderful landscapes bathed in sunshine, but it is important to know how to stay safe and well and still enjoy your holiday in very hot weather. Check the weather forecast every day, and take note of the hours when the ...

Travellers' Reviews

To review your experience with us visit aito.com ..

Holiday Rating:

Cornwall (Land's End Circuit)

By Blondie on 19 September 2024

A pleasant walking holiday in an amazing area

We walked in a circuit near Lands End in Cornwall over 6 days.

Rating for On Foot Holidays:

They're called On Foot Holidays.

Galicia: Lighthouse Way

By Jane H on 18 September 2024

The Lighthouse Way - An exhilarating journey of discovery

Galicia is a wonderful place, reminiscent of Spain in the 1970’s before mass tourism and commercialism took hold. My sister and I chose this holiday b...

Galicia is a wonderful place, reminiscent of Spain in the 1970’s before mass tourism and commercialism took hold. My sister and I chose this holiday because we wanted to explore the dramatic coastline of the Costa da Morte and liked the idea of walking for hours without meeting another soul. Our route took us through varied landscapes; from pine and eucalyptus-scented forests to remote beaches, unspoilt villages and along wild coastal paths. We stayed in a different location every night, our bags transported daily by a local courier service to our next destination. We ate simply cooked fresh fish or seafood every day, sometimes in our hotel, other times in a recommended restaurant. We walked according to our planned itinerary, occasionally missing out sections of the route at the suggestion of our local guide, due to issues with overgrowth of gorse or simply to shorten what might have been a particularly onerous route. On these occasions, we took a taxi to a different starting point on the route and carried on as usual. Having the freedom to decide how much or how little walking to do on a particular day, gave us the feeling of being in control of how we spent each day, albeit in a thoroughly supported way. With the exception of our last day in Santiago, when it rained continuously, the weather for our trip was perfect – warm without being unbearably hot, and as we were walking very close to the sea for the most part we had the refreshing off-shore breeze to keep us cool. Spending a week with my sister brought us closer as we learned to work together, from trying to communicate with our hosts (note to self: must learn some Spanish next time!) to exercising patience when one of us was struggling with sore feet or just feeling a bit tired. It has taught us our limitations as well as our capabilities and we surprised ourselves with what we achieved. The trip was amazing and we came home buzzing with energy and enthusiasm and looking forward to booking our next one (with On Foot Holidays, of course!).

I was apprehensive about our fitness to undertake a trip of this nature, which we understood to be fairly challenging in places. Having spoken at length to Mary, a member of the On Foot Holidays team, before booking, I was reassured by the fact that she had walked the same route herself and therefore fully understood the terrain. She was able to answer all my questions and convince me that we would be up to the task. This level of support and attention to detail is typical of the service provided by On Foot Holidays. What struck us both was how every element of the trip had been meticulously researched and every potential issue addressed in advance; from what to pack to what to expect each day, so that we didn’t need to worry about anything or get caught out because we had forgotten to organise something ourselves. Throughout our stay we had the support of a local guide, Aznar, who was on hand each day to provide advice on weather or terrain conditions and to resolve any local issues (we only had one, relating to a misplacement of our bags on one leg of the journey, but this was quickly resolved). The accommodation was excellent, too, with super-comfortable beds and great showers and friendly hosts. There were also plenty of recommendations for eating out during our stay - we tried many of them and were never disappointed. As well as being provided with comprehensive walking maps and directions, we were given the opportunity to try out the Company’s new walking app. This turned out to be an invaluable tool providing amongst many other things, a day-by-day itinerary with maps, eating out suggestions and interesting information about the area. It was so good that we decided that we would use this exclusively rather than rely on paper maps. Although the route itself is generally very well-marked the walking app provided the additional confidence that we were heading in the right direction. Our overwhelming opinion of On Foot Holidays is that it is committed to providing the very best possible experience for its customers. All the staff with whom we interacted were passionate about what they do and unfailingly helpful. No detail was overlooked. We cannot recommend the Company more highly and will definitely be booking with them again.

Ligurian Hills

By Dog and Beans Italian Adventure on 15 September 2024

A Beautiful Challenging Adventure: from the mountains to the sea.

The Ligurian Hills was a fantastic, beautiful and at times a challenging hike. We enjoyed the stunning, vast views, the fabulous food, and super host...

The Ligurian Hills was a fantastic, beautiful and at times a challenging hike. We enjoyed the stunning, vast views, the fabulous food, and super hosts. The weather was perhaps our biggest challenge.

If Greta was our tour operator, she was fantastic. She helped to coordinate an extra taxi at the start of our adventure, answer all of our questions, and gave sound advice for our upcoming legs of the hike. If the employees of OnFootHolidays are the operators, they have been fantastic. They are so well organized, efficient, and responsive. This was our third hike with OnFootHolidays and we are looking into completing a fourth hike next year.

By Edie on 12 September 2024

A Trip Of Lifetime

My husband and I decided to take a (somewhat last minute) trip to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and our joint 50th birthdays while our kids ...

My husband and I decided to take a (somewhat last minute) trip to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and our joint 50th birthdays while our kids were away at summer camp. We reached out to On Foot Holidays with only about a month before our possible departure, and they managed to put together the most wonderful itinerary for us. We did an inn-to-inn walking tour of the Cornwall coast, beginning and ending at St. Ives. We couldn't have been happier with our accommodations in each sweet little seaside town we visited. We walked long days and then were so happy to land in each new setting every evening for a lovely meal and good rest. I wish we could do it all over again right now :)

Everyone we dealt with at On Foot - Mary, Bea, Andy (all of them) were so immediately responsive to any questions we had and to helping us put things together so last minute. I can't recommend them highly enough.

Lake Maggiore

By Jumbo on 12 September 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed our first-time visit to Lake Maggiore and surrounds. It is a pristine walking area and the walks and accommodation were well cho...

We thoroughly enjoyed our first-time visit to Lake Maggiore and surrounds. It is a pristine walking area and the walks and accommodation were well chosen and of a high standard.

On Foot were very organised and their communication was excellent at all times. They run a streamlined operation and the walker's packs that they provide are well thought through and extremely helpful.

Amalfi Coast with On Foot

By Kings on tour on 10 September 2024

Brilliant holiday walking the Amalfi coast

6 days self guided walk from Amalfi to Sorrento

Communication was first class. We had a pack that gave us every bit of information we needed including all transport links, eating out suggestions and detailed walking instructions. We also had an App that had all the information. Hotels were all excellent and luggage service worked brilliantly

Alpes Maritimes

By Sarahc on 26 August 2024

Challenging but doable

A 5 day walk in the Alpes Maritimes Demanding walk but it was an adventure. It we had needed help we were confident that it was available. the two of ...

A 5 day walk in the Alpes Maritimes Demanding walk but it was an adventure. It we had needed help we were confident that it was available. the two of us were self guiding with excellent maps, printed and on our phones. Stunning scenery and we hardly met another soul until we reached our destination at the end of each day. My companion, a 16 year old granddaughter is hoping we will do another trip

Efficient and friendly

Welsh Borders

By ShazzaTea on 13 August 2024

Wonderful walking in the Welsh border countryside

Fabulous organisation and communication from On Foot Holidays. A great route with lots of variety in terms of walking and accommodation. We had a fabu...

Fabulous organisation and communication from On Foot Holidays. A great route with lots of variety in terms of walking and accommodation. We had a fabulous trip!

Very organised with an attention to detail which was very welcome.

By Drjohn on 11 August 2024

An amazing walk along the coast of Galicia

This was a seven day walking holiday starting at Laxe and ending at Finisterra, we did this in June 2024. The holiday itself was exceptional, with gre...

This was a seven day walking holiday starting at Laxe and ending at Finisterra, we did this in June 2024. The holiday itself was exceptional, with great coastal walking and attractive places to stop and stay. The walking was moderately challenging but the effort was well worth it. The seafood of Galicia is justly famous and the people are friendly and helpful.

On Foot Travel offer a high quality service, we have used them before and likely will again. The website is easy to use and helpful with easy access to information. On Foot offer a wide range of options in a number of countries, our main challenge was choosing from so many. They are very ready to make changes or variations to the itinerary. The service from the staff is very good, they are always friendly and helpful and are knowledgeable about travel and the places they include in their itinerary. They were always up to date with our own plans, when we called we never had to explain again what we’d said before (even though we often ended up speaking to different agents). Communication was very good throughout . The walk itself was carefully planned and we were given detailed information on all aspects, they have just introduced an app which covered just about all aspects of the holiday from travel, through accommodation and places to eat to a very good GPS app for the route. The price for the holiday competitive.

By Mrs K A 24 on 4 August 2024

Excellent holiday experience

We really enjoyed our holiday; all the walks were as described and very beautiful. Accommodation was all wonderful and worked seamlessly.

We can't recommend On Foot Holidays enough. They were incredibly organized, efficient and helpful. They responded to all our queries really quickly, and the local holiday guide in Spain was invaluable when we had an issue.

By Jeanne on 1 August 2024

England: Cornwall (Lands End Circuit)

We had an amazing holiday in Cornwall. On Foot did such a great job of setting up everything we needed to have a great trip. The route was so beaut...

We had an amazing holiday in Cornwall. On Foot did such a great job of setting up everything we needed to have a great trip. The route was so beautiful and we appreciated learning some history along the way. It was easy to prepare for each day using the information On Foot provided.

On Foot is the best. The attention to detail in our trip plans made our trip so enjoyable and stress free. All of our accommodations were clean, comfortable, and run by friendly staff. The maps, GPS, and written directions were flawless. When we set up our trip they were very helpful and responded quickly to any questions we had.

Bohemian Paradise

By Joe and Monica on 31 July 2024

Great adventure, no problems

We did a five-day walk through northern Czechia, averaging 12 to 13 miles per day, visiting beautiful medieval castles and castle ruins and the famou...

We did a five-day walk through northern Czechia, averaging 12 to 13 miles per day, visiting beautiful medieval castles and castle ruins and the famous "rock towns" and staying in nice hotels each night.

They were great at communicating and supplying us with all of the resources needed. We had no issues checking into any of our hotels or with baggage transport between them. The accommodations ranged from good to excellent, as did the meals provided in the hotels. The tour operator also gave us recommendations for restaurants in the towns when those were accessible.

By Two Old Aussies on 29 July 2024

Beautiful Bohemia

We loved our self guided five day walk through Bohemia with Onfoot Travel. There were towering rocks, ancient castles, beautiful forests and quaint ...

We loved our self guided five day walk through Bohemia with Onfoot Travel. There were towering rocks, ancient castles, beautiful forests and quaint villages. The information, maps and app provided were excellent, and made it stress free and really enjoyable. It was great to arrive at our hotel to a warm welcome after a long day of walking. The cold Czech beer was pretty good too!

OnFoot were fantastic. Their maps, information and app of the area were very comprehensive and provided all the detail we needed. It was reassuring too, that they had a local person to contact us with weather advice and to assist if we had needed it The staff were fantastic and very responsive. Simon helped us load the maps onto the app, via a What's App chat to Australia and all the staff responded immediately to our emails. Dealing with an agent in another country could potentially be challenging but with On Foot it was seamless.

By Carol on 26 July 2024

Beautiful hiking and a wonderfully organised holiday

We hiked the spectacular Dolomites and loved the hotels and towns that we stayed in each night.

On Foot is first class. Their choice of walks is superb, as is their choice of hotels along the way. Their service and helpfulness is unmatchable. We have used them many times and will do so again and again.

By Devenishgirl on 25 July 2024

Camino dos Faros - coastal walking at its' best

Along with my niece, we hiked the 200km Camino dos Faros - a self guided trip booked through On foot holidays. We absolutely loved the coastal walking...

Along with my niece, we hiked the 200km Camino dos Faros - a self guided trip booked through On foot holidays. We absolutely loved the coastal walking, the scenery, the views, the stunning beaches and the sense of being privileged to hike a route virtually unspoilt and unknown to many. At times we thought we were walking along the Causeway coast back home on Northern Ireland!

From our initial enquiry, to departure, the On foot holidays team were so helpful, efficient and ensured the trip was tailored exactly for us. Every aspect of the trip - from route info, the app, our local guide, the accommodation and the stages ensured a memorable hike.

By NickD on 23 July 2024

Excellent introduction to hiking in the Dolomites

Our five-day tour of the Dolomites gave us the chance to explore a variety of beautiful hiking routes, staying at delightful hotels and enjoying the T...

Our five-day tour of the Dolomites gave us the chance to explore a variety of beautiful hiking routes, staying at delightful hotels and enjoying the Tyrolean vibe. Routes included river valleys, alpine meadows and rocky plateaux, with a range of optional alternatives to choose from.

Excellent - thoughtful, personalised, friendly and efficient service with quick and comprehensive responses.

Coastal Exmoor

By R&S on 22 July 2024

Our self-guided walking tour was 7 nights (5 days of walking) through Exmoor National Park primarily in Devon. Most of the walking was coastal with ma...

Our self-guided walking tour was 7 nights (5 days of walking) through Exmoor National Park primarily in Devon. Most of the walking was coastal with massive views but also provided nice variation; farm, woodland, river valleys. Each days route was easy to follow. We primarily used the GPS app on our phone but occasionally used the printed instructions. We enjoyed each of the accommodations and the food was excellent throughout. This is our 3rd trip with On Foot Holidays and we highly recommend them.

This is our third self-guided walking tour with On Foot Holidays. They are very attentive to our needs as we choose and customize our walking tours. In addition, they are supportive during our holiday although to be honest, everything is so well prepared that they are not needed during our trips. Still, it is nice to get a call from a local contact at the start of our holiday should any needs arise. I also appreciate how On Foot follows up with our experience post holiday. I always get the impression that they use our feedback to improve future walkers' experiences.

By Susan on 22 July 2024

Dordogne - beautiful scenery, historic buildings, peaceful surroundings

A 6 day walk, with daily walking distances (after a taxi ride on some days to lessen the walking distance) of 13 - 18 km. Interesting geology and arch...

A 6 day walk, with daily walking distances (after a taxi ride on some days to lessen the walking distance) of 13 - 18 km. Interesting geology and archeology. Hot and humid, which made the hotel swimming pools on two days an enticing goal. Excellent hotel accommodation with good food and wines

On Foot sent me an app with a GPS tracker, which I found very helpful - I would have been lost without it! They also have an English speaking local contact at the start of the walk, who made time to meet me, and who wrote excellent notes on the history and culture of the places I walked through. The luggage transfer, hotel bookings and taxi service at the start and end of the walk, as well as a couple of taxi rides to lessen the total walking distance on a couple of days, went without a hitch.

By PJ on 20 July 2024

A satisfying experience

A 5-night walking holiday in south-east France. Organisation was first-class, and provision of walk guidance was very good. Generally the accommodatio...

A 5-night walking holiday in south-east France. Organisation was first-class, and provision of walk guidance was very good. Generally the accommodation and food provided were excellent, although not always.

We had not come across On Foot Holidays before, but we were very impressed with their efficient and yet personal service. A large amount of useful information was provided to help us enjoy our holiday to the full.

By JaneP on 20 July 2024

Walking in the Ligurian Hills, Italy (The Salt Route)

This was 6 days of walking in the Apennines, on the Salt Route from Montalto Pavese in the high hills to Camogli on the coast, The walking was tough b...

This was 6 days of walking in the Apennines, on the Salt Route from Montalto Pavese in the high hills to Camogli on the coast, The walking was tough but worth ever step, the views were amazing and the countryside totally unspoiled. We stayed at small hotels/B&Bs where the welcome was always warm and the food lovely and plentiful. It was nice to walk meeting only the very occasional other traveller and we didn't hear another English voice until we reached Camogli. We stayed at a lovely boutique hotel in Camogli for 3 nights after the walk, a fitting reward after a our fantastic walk.

This was our 5th On Foot Holidays walk and we wouldn't go with any other company. They provide assistance in choosing a route and where to stay. They are always available for questions and everyone is so friendly whoever picks up the phone. The pack that is provided for the walk is really excellent, with clear travel information and timetables, the daily walking notes are clear and accurate, so we never go astray (but we do download the gps route that On Foot provide to our phones just in case- a good backup) and additional information is available about the towns/local history in the pack. I would recommend On Foot Holidays to anyone and frequently do. We are already planning our next walk with them.

Sign up to our Newsletter

Email me route pdf.

Thank you for contacting us. We will respond within the next working day.

Due to a loss of power in our area, please be aware that our response to email and website enquiries will be delayed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Despite the loss of power we are still in the office and have access to our phones. If you have an enquiry please call us on +44 (0) 1722 322 652 and we will be happy to help.

Self-Guided Walking Holidays in the UK & Europe

Find Your Holiday

At celtic trails we believe that there is no better way to see and appreciate the world around us than through walking it., explore the beautiful countryside.

New Walking Destinations for 2024

Short Break Walking Holidays

Our Walking Holiday Destinations

Why Choose a Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Walking Holidays for Beginners

Choosing The Right Walking Holiday

Explore the most breathtaking locations

A Rewarding Holiday Experience Like No Other

Bespoke Walking Packages to Suit You

Recent client experiences.

Why Celtic Trails?

Proud to be AITO Tour Operator of the Year

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

Walking Holidays

Our self-guided walking holidays are a wonderful way to discover the UK & Ireland at your own pace.

Explore unspoilt coastline, majestic mountains and incredible historic sites on some of the world’s most spectacular long-distance walking trails.

Self-Drive Holidays

Our self-drive holidays are tailor-made for you using our wealth of experience and local knowledge.

W e’ll help you create your perfect road trip to experience stunning landscapes, distinct cultures and wonderful hospitality.

Train Holidays

Travel by train through awe-inspiring scenery and experience some of the world’s greatest railway journeys.

Small Group Tours

Enjoy the company of an expert guide and a small, friendly group on these award-winning experiences.

What our clients say about us

We are proud to be members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) who represent Britain’s leading specialist tour operators. Our overall company rating of 99% is based on independent reviews from our clients.

Coast to Coast (2023)

“The C2C was brilliant, fantastic, unbelievably stunning, just w-o-w every second I was walking. The perfect arrangements of Absolute Escapes allowed me to focus on the walks, absolutely well done. Fantastic tour operator.”

Dingle Way (2023)

“We hiked the Dingle Way around the Dingle peninsula in Ireland. Stayed at many wonderful guest houses, and had great food and drink! Absolute Escapes was extremely helpful in all of the planning and our numerous questions and changes.”

Scotland by Train (2023)

“The Absolute Escape Scotland by Train tour was just what we were looking for. Having arranged train travel, bed and breakfast lodging, and wonderful destinations to explore was really a great way to experience Scotland for the first time. Thanks so much for helping us to have a once in a life trip.”

Great Glen Way (2023)

“Glorious Great Glen Way. So many gorgeous paths, awesome views and moments of complete stillness. Professional, incredibly easy to communicate with. Managed to put together a brilliant holiday for us with professionalism and care for every detail.”

West Highland Way (2023)

“I can wholeheartedly recommend Absolute Escape. Everything, without exception, was planned carefully and there was not one single problem from beginning to the end. The always friendly, supportive and fast emails is a major contribution to this good experience.”

Isle of Skye & the Outer Hebrides (2023)

“We felt well-equipped as soon as we arrived in the UK. Every interaction was warm and informative. We felt we were in very good hands.”

“Carefree walking through beautiful countryside. Their selection of accommodation, their itinerary brochure and their helpful hints for the holiday were first class. We did not have to worry about any aspect of the holiday.”

Highlights of Scotland (2022)

“Absolute Escapes planned a driving holiday for us from Edinburgh through the Highlands. It was PERFECT!!! They curated a perfect amount of drive times, wonderful hotels, and fabulous meals. I have nothing but the highest praise for this company.”

Escape to the Highlands (2023)

“Our 10 days in Scotland were perfect! The guest houses chosen could not have been any better and the custom part of our itinerary was wonderful! Absolute Escapes was wonderful, we will book with them again!”

Book your 2025 holiday now

Uncover the hidden gems of the UK, Channel Islands, and Ireland at your own pace with our expertly crafted holidays. From rugged coastlines to misty mountaintops, we’ve handpicked the best destinations to explore in 2025.

We’re excited to announce that our full collection, including our new tailor-made Ireland itineraries and classic walking holidays, is now open for 2025 bookings. The breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way is a popular road trip year-round, and we’d love to help you secure your spot early. Fancy experiencing the West Highland Way ‘s springtime magic? May dates are highly sought after – don’t miss your chance! Start planning your 2025 escape with us today.

West Highland Way

Shetland & orkney: escape to the edge, south west coast path – padstow to penzance, highlights of ireland, hebridean island hopping, great british road trip, north coast 500, coast to coast, hadrian’s wall path, isle of skye & outer hebrides, complete wild atlantic way tour, where we can take you.

From spectacular Shetland to the sun-soaked Channel Islands, we arrange meticulously planned holidays throughout the UK & Ireland.

View all Scotland

Shetland & Orkney

Outer Hebrides

Isle of Skye

Scottish Highlands

Edinburgh & Glasgow

Mull & Iona

View all England

Devon & Cornwall

Bath & The Cotswolds

Lake District

Hadrian's Wall & Northumberland

Jurassic Coast

View all Ireland

South West: Cork & Kerry

North West: Sligo & Donegal

Belfast & Northern Ireland

West: Galway & Mayo

Causeway Coast & Glens

View all Wales

Pembrokeshire

North Wales & Eryri Snowdonia

South Wales

Channel islands.

View all Channel Islands

Read our travel blog

Looking for inspiration? Our specialists have a genuine love of exploration and the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for must-see highlights or hidden gems, you can guarantee that we have first-hand experience.

Complete Guide to Walking Holidays in England

Whether you are drawn to the rugged Lake District, historic Hadrian's Wall, or the charming Cotswolds, our expert team is dedicated to crafting unforgettable walking adventures in England. Join us as we explore the finest trails, share essential tips, and inspire you to embark on your next great adventure. Read more

How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip in Ireland

Discover Ireland with our new self-drive tours. This comprehensive guide covers everything from Ireland's history and geography to travel tips, best times to visit, and top attractions. Plan your perfect Irish adventure with expert advice on exploring the Emerald Isle. Read more

A Foodie’s Road Trip on Scotland’s West Coast

From world-class fine dining restaurants to tiny lochside cabins serving unimaginably fresh seafood - the west coast of Scotland is full of wonderful culinary experiences. Not sure where to begin? Join us on a food-themed road trip around Scotland's beautiful west coast ... Read more

18 Beautiful Places to Visit on the West Coast of Scotland: In Pictures

With breathtaking beaches, ancient castles, and sparkling lochs, the stunning west coast of Scotland will always hold a special place in our hearts. Join us as we explore some of our favourite spots. Read more

Travel inspiration

The latest photos from our Instagram feed. Tag us in your own adventures #AbsoluteEscapes.

Join us ...

Expertly planned by our specialists

We love planning

We will ensure that every element of your holiday is meticulously planned down to the last detail.

First-hand knowledge

We love the opportunity to use our local knowledge to plan and deliver the perfect experience for you.

Always personalised

We don’t believe in ‘off the shelf’ packages. All of our itineraries are tailor-made into something completely unique to you.

Tripadvisor 5* Rated

Last Minute Trips

5* tripadvisor rated, book now for 2025, lake district walking tour - self-guided, at a glance.

• 6 days, 5 nights
• Self-Guided
• Pickup: Keswick
• Carbon: 82kg CO2e
• Difficulty: Moderate

Journey through the Lake District at your own pace with this Self Guided Valleys and Villages walking tour

Journey through the Lake District at your own pace with this Self Guided Valleys and Villages walking tour. Hike up towering fells, wind through hidden valleys and experience first-hand the stunning Lakeland landscape that inspired famed English poet, William Wordsworth.

Explore the vibrant market town of Keswick and marvel at the mirror-like surface of Derwentwater. Feast on fantastic local cuisine and rest up at the end of each day in the comfort of one of our handpicked hotels and B&Bs. Setting your own pace and with all the support you might need for the perfect self-guided walking tour, Active England promises an unforgettable adventure into the Lakes.

Longer walks and guided hikes up higher fells are of course available, for guests eager to take on more challenging terrain. Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

• Challenge yourself to climb the height of Helvellyn!
• Explore Derwentwater by ferry
• Wander the bustling market town of Keswick
• Soak up the magical atmosphere at Castlerigg Stone Circle
• Climb the famous Catbells and enjoy spectacular views of Borrowdale and Derwentwater
• Local bed and breakfast accommodation

Your Itinerary

Our friendly local guide will meet you at your accommodation at 10am. Once you’re settled in you can head into Keswick for lunch. After refuelling, your first afternoon in the Lake District takes you to the atmospheric ancient stone circle of Castle Rigg. With views of the mountains, Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop, you’ll not be disappointed by your introduction to the Lake District. Enjoy your first night in Keswick at our recommended hotel.

Starting from Keswick you’ll make your way to the ferry where you can have an enjoyable boat ride across to Derwent Water where you’ll begin your hike up Catbells. The windy hike up Catbells will lead to an opportune photo stop at the summit and breathtaking views. The total hike is expected to take approximately 3-4 hours. We recommend stopping at a local deli in Keswick and purchasing freshly made sandwiches for a packed lunch to enjoy as a pitstop while hiking. After completing your summit, you’ll return to Keswick for a hearty British dinner.

6 miles – 1200ft elevation

Leaving Keswick on foot, you’ll head for the Skiddaw mountain range. Today’s hike is approximately 7 hours. With unrivalled open views, this is one of the best places for mountain walking in the northern Lake District. There is the option to do a shorter hike of Little Man Mountain which gives superb views of Kewsick with a less challenging climb. After a busy day, enjoy your evening in Keswick and relax at your accommodation.

9 miles – 2500ft elevation

Today you’ll tackle the highest mountain on this tour and the third-tallest mountain in England. You’ll catch the short bus from Keswick to Thilmere. Helvellyn is known for harbouring rare species of flora and fauna. Apart from our beloved Herdwick sheep, there are lots of birds who frequent the mountain. It’ll take you approximately 4 hours to complete the total climb and descent back down. We again recommend having lunch with you to enjoy the summit. Following your climb you’ll have time to explore the smaller town of Thilmere before returning to Keswick for the evening.

6.5 miles – 2500ft elevation

For your last day in the Lake District, you can enjoy a gentle lowland walk around Grasmere followed by exploring the town. Grasmere is famous for gingerbread so it’s well worth finding a local tearoom and sampling some delicious local produce. Another point of interest is the Wordsworth Museum. If you’d prefer to round off your trip with one final challenge then there is the option of climbing Blencathra which is approximately a 5 hour hike. It is your final evening in Keswick to sample some delicious local cuisine or enjoy the classic British pub atmosphere.

4 miles – 400ft elevation

After breakfast, check out from your accommodation and depart the Lake District at your own leisure. The Lake District is well positioned to continue onward travel further North into Northumberland or Scotland. Equally there are regular train connections to London and Southern England.

Handpicked Accommodation

The George Hotel The George Hotel is in the centre of Keswick and is one of the oldest Inns in the Lake District. Built in 1655 it is full of wonderful character with exposed beams & sashed windows. The dining room offers legendary pub classics, with delightfully fresh modern twists. An anthology of expertly crafted cask ales adorn the bar, juggling with expertly distilled gins and plenty of wine.

What our guides say...

High fells, hidden valleys and some of the most stunning landscapes in the UK, all explored at your own pace.

What’s Included

• All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
• All baggage transportation

Accommodation Types

We have handpicked the best family run, independent and country hotels, pubs and guest houses. Cosy and with informal dining, these country hotels are friendly and relaxed, with great menus with locally sourced food and ales. Our handpicked accommodation is 3* with the option to upgrade to 4* for an additional cost.

Difficulty Level

This tour is rated moderate , meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk and can handle an incline or two. We cover varied terrain, enjoying some rolling hills and a few steeper walks which are slightly more demanding. Daily distances range from 4-10 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!

Equipment Provided

We’ll provide walking poles if required.

Pre & Post Tour Travel

Pick-up location:   Keswick. Penrith is the nearest station to Keswick. Penrith is a direct train journey from London Euston. Penrith can also be reached via other major UK cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle. Once you have reached the Lake District we recommend using a local taxi service to your accommodation in Keswick. Alternatively, there are bus services that run from Penrith to Keswick.

End-of-tour location: Keswick. Penrith is the nearest train station for onward travel.

Where is the Lake District? The Lake District is in the North West of England, with rugged mountains (fells), dramatic lakes (meres) and deep valleys formed by Ice Age glaciers. It contains England’s highest mountain, and deepest lake, and is both a National Park and a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its natural wild beauty and cultural significance, having inspired generations of poets, writers and artists.

What is the best way to get to the Lake District? The best way to travel to the Lake District is by train, approximately a 4 hour direct journey from London Paddington to Penrith.

You can also fly into Manchester and transfer to the start of the tour from there. We can also arrange pre and post accommodation at a range of different locations so you can arrive relaxed, refreshed and ready to start your tour.

Alternatively we can arrange a private transfer for you from London – the drive is approximately 5 hours.

How hilly is the Lake District? The North of England is hillier than many of the other regions of England. However the Lake District has a variety of routes which makes the regions great walking country and suitable for those who are moderately fit and active. There are many hills, fells and moors but the incredible views from the top more than make up from the ascents! However, you will be able to miss out some of the steeper inclines – or add in some hillier walks for those looking to stretch their legs. There are routes for everyone and we can tailor your tour to your specific preferences.

Make this trip private

Our private tours are based on our tried and tested group departures with two key differences. They offer you the freedom to travel when you wish and with whoever you’d like to holiday with.

Similar Tours

Walk the uk – grand tour.

• 11 days, 10 nights

Walk the Cotswold Way – Self-Guided – 12 Days

• 12 days, 11 nights
• Self-guided

Walk the Cotswold Way – Self-Guided – 10 Days

• 10 days, 9 nights

Walk the Lake District Summits – Guided

Walk hadrian’s wall and northumberland – guided, devon wellness retreat – guided, carbon footprint.

What’s the Number? Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…

What does the number mean? We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?

• Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
• Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
• Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
• Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.

We’ve got a long way to go but we’re on our way to net-zero We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.

What people are saying

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Find out more about our latest tours, destinations, activities and stories.

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Proud to be partnered with

In choosing Active England you are travelling with a company that takes its commitment to sustainable tourism very seriously. We have partnered with ecollective to help us measure and reduce our carbon footprint, and we work closely with our suppliers to make small changes that have a positive impact on our planet. 

Quick links

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Enquiry Form

Download itinerary.

Simply enter your details below to receive the tour itinerary via email.

By submitting your details you consent to Active England Tours emailing you news of the latest tours and offers. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Dates & Prices

Sorry, there are no current departures.

18 May 25 – 23 May 25

08 jun 25 – 13 jun 25, 22 jun 25 – 27 jun 25, 13 jul 25 – 18 jul 25, 31 aug 25 – 05 sep 25, 14 sep 25 – 19 sep 25.

• Book a walk

Walk With Williams

Walking Holidays in the UK

Specialists in uk walking holidays.

With extensive experience of walking the length and breadth of the UK, we are passionate about crafting memorable hiking holidays that showcase the history, beauty, and adventure that the UK has to offer. Choose from our range of featured walking routes or request a custom itinerary that meets your needs and preferences. Our in-depth knowledge of the selected footpaths means we can offer advice and insider knowledge of local history, recommendations of the best local accommodation, and hidden gems of natural beauty.

Featured Walk

There are several hundred long distance walks in the UK. Choosing the right one can be a difficult decision. To help you with this choice, we have selected a number of tried & trusted walks, including some of the popular National Trails.

The Hereward Way was created in the mid-1980s. It is 110 miles long and links the Viking Way with the Peddar’s Way. It runs through Rutland, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, from Oakham to Harling Road near Thetford. It is named after Hereward the Wake who was an 11th Century Anglo-Saxon nobleman. Hereward led resistance to […]

Our Walking Holidays

If you’re yearning for an invigorating walking holiday in the UK , you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of Scotland, the rolling hills of England, the enchanting landscapes of Wales, or the allure of the Channel Islands, there’s a walking adventure waiting for you. Click on a location or walking type below to see our walks.

North of England (12)

South of England (7)

Scotland (1)

Self-guided walking holidays uk.

Our featured walking holidays and custom-made routes are all self-guided. This means that we provide you with your personalised maps, accommodation recommendations, and detailed information about landmarks and landscape features you will pass along the way. This makes for a rewarding and challenging experience full of discovery and adventure.

CRAFTING THE BEST CUSTOM UK HIKING HOLIDAYS

Our custom walking holiday packages include pre-planned kit lists, so you can be prepared with the right equipment, supplies and snacks. With our 24/7 helpline, you can contact our team for assistance at any time, should you need directions, or a quick recommendation.

Walking Holidays

Our trails have been tested with our Walk With Williams pioneers to bring you the best UK walking holidays.

DEDICATED TO CREATING THE BEST UK WALKING HOLIDAYS

From your itinerary to accommodation, we know what it takes to arrange a successful walking holiday.

EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN UK LONG DISTANCE WALKS

Personal knowledge of the best UK walking locations. Experts in arranging different and varied walking tours.

KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS

What to pack and all the essentials for your hiking holiday, Our help is available while planning and during your trip.

5 STAR REVIEWS FROM PAST CLIENTS

Check out our Trustpilot reviews to see many happy clients who have trusted us to create there walking adventures Walkwithwilliams Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of walkwithwilliams.com (trustpilot.com)

What Our Clients Have to Say

Get in touch.

Ready to lace up your boots? Fill out the form below, and our friendly team will be in touch to tailor your dream walking holiday. Let’s make your next adventure unforgettable!

Ready to experience the great outdoors?

• Privacy Overview
• 3rd Party Cookies
• Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

More information about our Privacy Policy

• Connect With Us
• GUIDED HOLIDAYS
• SELF GUIDED HOLIDAYS
• TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS
• HERITAGE TOURS

Footpath Holidays has been organising top quality walking holidays (hiking vacations) in England, Scotland and Wales for the past 35 years. We provide a range of guided, self-guided and bespoke walking breaks in the UK and have built up an enviable reputation for professionalism, customer care and (above all) enthusiasm, friendliness and approachability.

For those guests who enjoy walking as part of a small and friendly multi-national group Footpath Holidays offers guided walking holidays with all of the walks led by an experienced British leader.   More....

Footpath Holidays' self-guided walking holidays are ideal for guests who are keen to walk independently but prefer to have the planning and organisation for their walking holiday taken care of.  More....

We always welcome the opportunity to quote for tailor-made holidays. Whether you are an overseas hiking club or a group of friends we are happy to organise holidays in any of Britain's walking areas.   More....

Footpath Holidays , 16 Norton Bavant, Nr Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7BB . © Footpath Holidays 2014

Website design by Bennett Design

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Free Self-Guided Walking Tours London

We offer several fully guided walking tours in London ; they run on a regular set schedule, which means you might not always be able to join us.

That's why I've compiled this list of free self-guided London walks, including self-guided food and theme tours, such as Harry Potter film locations. These self-guided walks were written by me, a London guide for over 12 years!

I've broken up these tours into the following categories.

• Neighbourhood
• Themed Tours
• GPS-Guided Audio Tours
• Other Free Things to Do in London

And if you are considering a London hop-on-hop-off bus tour, then these self-guided tours will come in handy when you are off the bus. Read my reviews of the best London bus tours .

Self-Guided Neighbourhood Walking Tours

Though I love showing guests around London, I realise that not everyone has the time to take a guided walking tour.

If our tour schedule doesn't work for you, or if you would rather explore on your own, then take advantage of our totally free self-guided tours!

The free tours we offer below cover:

• City of London
• Royal London
• Piccadilly & St James
• River Thames

Searching Availability...

Self-Guided City of London Tour

In London, we have a city within a city: The City of London. Covering just one square mile, this is one of the oldest and most interesting parts of our capital! On this tour, you will find big London sights like St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge - but you'll also find some hidden gems that I've chosen because they tend to be favourites with the guests on my tours (like Hodge!).

I think this tour really encapsulates the spirit of London; I will walk you through the oldest parts of our city, but you will also see some of the newest (and most controversial) buildings in the UK - like The Shard. The walk will take you through 2,000 years of history, from Roman London straight through to the Blitz of WWII and even touches on what the future might have in store for us!

Sites Covered: St. Clement Danes, Fleet Street, Royal Courts of Justice, Temple Bar, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, St Bride's, Bank of England, Royal Exchange, the Monument, London Bridge, the Shard, Tower Bridge, Tower of London

Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours

Difficulty Level: This tour covers a fair amount of distance and will see you walking up two hills. There are only a handful of opportunities to sit down so I would describe this as Moderate.

My Top Tip: Take time to enjoy a pint - or a bite - at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese . It's one of the oldest and best-known pubs in the city and is one of my favourites.

You can even watch a condensed virtual version of this tour right now that my colleague Sinead made.

Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone

I also have a GPS-enabled audio tour version  (sample below) and a pay-what-you-wish live guided tour option . 

Royal London Self-Guided Walking Tour

In my opinion, this is THE London Tour! I've included all the major sights you would expect like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben but with additional stories and anecdotes you won't find in your guide books. I specialised in the history of the British Monarchy at University, so if you are a royal lover then this is the tour you'll want to take! I wanted to include tales of stories and scandals dating back centuries as I introduce you to some of the most important people who have shaped our city today.

I'll also take you to the centre of our UK government to visit politicians and prime ministers as you see the locations where the country is governed - and I include some beautiful landscapes along the way.

Sites Covered: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Clarence House, St. James's Palace, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square, St. James's Park, Horseguard's Parade, Downing Street, Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben

Duration: Around 2 hours, if you don't include the ceremony.

Difficulty Level: This is a casual stroll, so you can really take your time and you won't be covering too much ground. Although there are not many opportunities to sit - you can take a break in St. James's Park or Trafalgar Square should you choose. I would describe this as Easy.

My Top Tip: Try to plan to start your tour around 10:00am, as that will get you onto the Mall just in time for the Changing of the Guard ceremony! I love to take my guests there on our Royal Westminster Tour so if you see me - say hello 🙂

Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone .

I also offer a pay-what-you-like live-guided Royal London Tour option  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Camden Town

Camden Town's history is linked with the history and evolution of music in London. Various venues in this eclectic area have played host to greats like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Amy Winehouse, and The Sex Pistols (just to name a few). So on this tour, I've tried to include a number of these iconic music venues toggle you a real feel of the spirit of this London neighbourhood.

However, as a historian, I always want to include some classical stories and architecture so I've also included the home of George Orwell, the historic Camden Market, and the stunning Regent's Canal. I wanted to put some street art into the tour as well but the street art in London is ephemeral - so the art that I saw when I wrote this tour may now have been replaced by something different. If it was changed for better or for worse, however, is up to you!

Sites Covered: Electric Ballroom, Arlington House (George Orwell home), Camden Lock, Regent's Canal, Camden Market, Primrose Hill

Duration: 2 Hours

Difficulty Level: The optional walk up Primrose Hill is a difficult one as it's quite steep. Aside from that, this tour does cover a lot of ground and, again, there are not too many places to sit. Be aware that parts of the Market have cobbled stones. I would describe this one as Moderate.

My Top Tip: Take this tour in the later half of the week, and late in the afternoon so you can finish off at a pub and enjoy some live music! I like The Dublin Castle and The Blues Kitchen.

Piccadilly and St. James Walking Tour

London's West End is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. In this walk, I wanted to include some tourist hot spots like Leicester Square, where Londoners never actually go but where visitors might like to visit to tick it off their list. But I also wanted to include some off-the-beaten-track locations like St. James's Square/Church and the beautiful Piccadilly Arcade.

I finished the tour in Berkeley Square as I feel like there is something there for every one: the most haunted house in the city, the birthplace of the late Queen, the home of our first Prime Minister and a clandestine meeting location from the book/tv series Good Omens (one of my favourites!). I like to have a coffee and relax in the square at the end of the tour - I'd suggest you do the same.

Sites Covered: Leicester Square, Swiss Court, M&M's World, Piccadilly Circus, St. James's Square, St James's Church, Fortnum & Mason, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly Arcade, The Ritz, Berkeley Square

Duration: 1.5 Hours

Difficulty Level: This walk doesn't cover too much ground and there are many opportunities to stop and sit. I would say this is an Easy one.

My Top Tip: Go inside Fortnum & Mason! This is one of my favourite stores in all of London. It's got history, it's beautiful, and the ground floor sells some of the most delicious treats you will find anywhere in the city. Definitely take the time to go inside and grab yourself something tasty to eat or drink.

We also offer two guided walks that correspond to this self-guided tour, our guided tour of Soho and our Rock N Roll London Tour . 

River Thames Self-Guided Walking Tour

I don't think there's much better than a casual stroll along the River Thames! I put together this walk as a way to enjoy some stunning backdrops, world-famous attractions, and some fascinating history all rolled into one. I cover both the north and the south side of the river in this walk and I've set it to finish at Borough Market so you can enjoy a bite to eat at the end!

And, if you love taking photos, I will direct you to some of the best locations to get some iconic and picturesque shots.

Sites Covered: Houses of Parliament, County Hall, London Eye, Cleopatra's Needle, Somerset House, Temple Gardens, Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, Globe Theatre, Winchester Palace, the Golden Hind, London Bridge, Borough Market

Difficulty Level: Although this walk covers a fair amount of distance, there are many places to sit and relax. All the pavements are smooth and there are step-free paths all along so I would describe this one as Easy.

My Top Tip: Travel back on a boat! I always recommend a boat ride along the river to my guests. Many of the buildings you will have passed on this walking tour were designed to be seen from the river so I think a boat journey is a great way to make the most of the sights. Plus, you can take the Thames Clippers with your roster or contactless card so it's a convenient way to travel through the city.

Here's a sample of my audio tour for you:

Self-Guided Royal Borough of Greenwich Walking Tour

I always say that Greenwich is like a village inside of a city. I always encourage a visit to this area of London as it is filled with some quintessentially English charm. On this walk, I've tried to balance out the history of this area along with some gorgeous views across the river and throughout the park. I recommend going inside of the buildings where you can - most are free to enter and all are worthwhile!

Sites Covered: Greenwich Foot Tunnel, Cut Sark, Royal Naval College, National Maritime Museum, Queen's House, Greenwich Park, Royal Observatory

Difficulty Level: This is a gentle stroll that does not cover a long distance. However, if you wish to go to the Royal Observatory at the end, there is a steep hill to climb so keep that in mind. I would describe this as Easy without the climb, Moderate with the climb included.

My Top Tip: Look out for a plaque in the courtyard of the Old Naval College. There's a commemoration marker here that sits on the site of the former Palace of Greenwich, where Henry VIII and his daughters, Mary I and Elizabeth I, were born.

A great way to get to Greenwich is by boat cruise .

And check out my audio tour version. Here's a sample.

Hyde Park and Kensington Walking Tour

I put together this walk as a way to have a bit of an organised wander through some beautiful landscape. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are both gorgeous green spaces in the centre of the city, and each hold a number of little charming gems. I have included all of the most picturesque locations (like the Italian Gardens), some interesting additions (like the Peter Pan Statue), and some locations that definitely require further investigation (like the Galleries or Kensington Palace).

Sites Covered: Henry Moore Statues, Kensington Palace, The Sunken Garden, The Italian Gardens, Serpentine Galleries, Albert Memorial, The Long Water, Peter Pan Statue, Queen Caroline's Temple, Diana Memorial Fountain

Duration: 1.5 Hour

Difficulty Level: This is an Easy walk, with plenty of places to sit and smooth pathways throughout.

My Top Tip: Finish your walk with a visit to Kensington Palace! I always think it's worth a visit both for the history and the architecture.

SELF-GUIDED THEMED TOURS

In this section, I list several tours based on individuals, bands, movies, or ghosts. We offer free self guided tours covering:

• Harry Potter
• Jack the Ripper
• Downton Abbey
• Roman History
• Literary London - Hampstead Heath
• Jimi Hendrix
• David Bowie
• Haunted London
• Queen (the band, not the royal!)

Harry Potter Self-Guided Walking Tour

I am a huge Harry Potter fan so this was one of the first self-guided walks I ever wrote. I tried to include a mix of filming locations, as well as places mentioned in the books. I'll show you more than one Diagon Alley, lead you over the bridge destroyed by the Death Eaters, and help you catch your train to Hogwarts as you traverse through the city.

Because these sites are relatively spread out, I do make use of the London Underground so make sure you have a travel card or a contactless card ready before you head out.

Sites Covered: Borough Market/Leaky Cauldron, Millennium Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Whitehall/Ministry of Magic, Godwin's Court/Diagon Alley, Platform 9 3/4

Duration: 3 Hours

Difficulty Level: This tour covers a LOT of ground and you'll definitely need stamina to see it all. I would cider this to be on the moderate to Difficult side, depending on your mobility and endurance. We offer a slightly simpler version of this tour as a paid experience which you may prefer - and it even comes with a bottle of Butterbeer!

My Top Tip: Go late, if you can! Places like Borough Market and Platform 9 3/4 get so busy during the day so making this an evening walk will help you avoid the crowds and also give you some atmospheric vibes in places like Godwin's Court.

Click on the map to enlarge or download to a smartphone

We also offer a guided Harry Potter Tour  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Guide to Beatles in London  

Although John, Paul, George, and Ringo hailed from Liverpool, there are plenty of London landmarks for Beatles-lovers to get their fix! In this walk, I tried to compile the most complete list of Beatles related London locations. I'll show you the famous ones like Abbey Road Studios and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, some lesser known but iconic locations like the site of their final rooftop performance, and some curious spots you wouldn't necessarily have thought of, like the British Library!

Sites Covered: British Library, Buckingham Palace, The Dorchester, Saville Row, Masons Yard, Old Compton Street, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

Duration: 3 - 4 Hours

Difficulty Level: This is a comprehensive journey through London. There are not too many places to sit down when exploring areas like Soho and St. John's Wood, but you will get a chance to take the tube or use a bus which will give you some respite. I would describe this walk as Moderate to Hard, depending on your mobility.

My Top Tip: Take a photo at Abbey Road. Just outside the studios is the famous road crossing where the Fab Four shot a photo for their iconic album cover - and you can do it, too!

There are many guided tours of Beatles sites with live tour guides and other fans. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour, and Rock n' Roll cab tours , too!

I also have a post on how to get to the Abbey Road Crosswalk .

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jack the Ripper Sites  

After Harry Potter, I probably get asked the most question about Jack the Ripper when I'm chatting with guests on my tours. This self-guided tour I've put together will take you to all 5 canonical murder sites as I share with you all the horrifying details of the most famous unsolved murders in the world. I'll also give you a few theories on who the perpetrator may be...and who knows, maybe you will be the one to finally crack the case!

Sites Covered: Whitechapel, Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, The 10 Bells

Duration: 1 - 1.5 Hours

Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled stones in a few locations, and not many opportunities to sit down, the short duration of this tour means I would describe it as Easy.

My Top Tip: End your tour with dinner at a traditional curry house on Brick Lane!

We also offer a live-guided option for Jack the Ripper , run by our fantastic partners at Rippervision, as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version that I put together.

Downton Abbey London Sights  

Downton Abbey exploded onto our screens in 2010 and people from all over the world watched the lives and exploits of the Crowley Family and all the characters surrounding them. Just like with the Harry Potter tour, I've tried to include a mix of both filming locations as well as places mentioned or referenced in the series. I wanted to keep the list as inclusive as possible so I've added some sites that die-hard fans might want to visit, but casual fans may not find the extra travel time worth it (like Syon House and Kingston Town Hall).

Sites Covered: King's Cross, Temple, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Rules, The National Gallery, Criterion (now a Masala Zone, sadly), Lancaster House, St. James's Park, the Albert Memorial

Difficulty Level: This is another walk that spans the length of the city centre so you'll need stamina to see the full list of sites. However, there are opportunities to sit down and have a break on public transport so I would describe this one as Moderate.

My Top Tip: Take your time at Temple. There's plenty to explore there, and I particularly recommend a visit to Temple Church (a bonus for any da Vinci Code fans).

Roman London Walking Tour  

Many visitors on my City of London Tour are surprised to hear that our capital city was a huge trading up and stronghold for the northern reachers of the Roman Empire. On this walk, I'll take you through some of the oldest streets in London to uncover what remains of the once mighty city of Londinium. I like this tour in particular because I'll take you inside a few locations (like the Guildhall), not just the exteriors which is the standard for most of my self-guided walking tours.

Sites Covered: Amphitheatre, Temple of Mithras, Roman Wall, Museum of London (currently undergoing a move to new premises as of writing in 2024), Southwark Cathedral, Roman Baths

Duration: 1.5 - 2 Hours

Difficulty Level: This is a relaxed walk, although you will find yourself traipsing up and down a few hills. Note that there are not too many options to sit, so you'll be on your feed for the duration. I would say this is a Moderate walk.

My Top Tip: Book your Temple of Mithras tickets! The temple ruins are free to visit and are incredibly fascinating - but in the busy season the tickets book up quickly so make sure to snap up yours in advance.

We actually now offer this as one of our pay-what-you-like walking tours , led by the brilliant Canice!

James Bond Tour  

I put together this walk in response to the many questions about James Bond-related London locations that I get from guests on my tours. Again, I've gone with a mix of filming locations as well as places mentioned in the original books. You'll notice that the SIS Building is a bit removed from the rest of the itinerary but I wanted to include it as the scene with the MI6 building blowing up tends to be the one I get asked about the most!

Sites Covered: Somerset House, National Gallery, Whitehall, Dukes, Buckingham Palace, SIS/MI6 Buildings

Difficulty Level: This walk covers a lot of ground but there are plenty of areas to have a seat (and a drink). I would describe it as Moderate.

My Top Tip: Have a drink at Duke'. Once a favourite haunt of Ian Fleming, Dukes is worth a visit in its' own right as a charming place to have a relaxing drink. It's not cheap - but I think you'll find that its' worth it!

Literary Walking Tour - Hampstead Heath  

Hampstead is my favourite part of London so I am always recommending it to my guests. I think it's worth it to just head up and spend an entire day wandering along the charming streets, popping into independent shops, and taking a stroll across the Heath - followed by a drink and a bite at one of my favourite pubs (Spaniard's Inn or Holly Bush).

However, the focus on this walk is literary London. I've included as many locations as possible that once housed famous authors - or, in some cases, their characters.

Sites Covered: Hampstead Heath, The Spaniard's Inn, the Mary Poppin's House, birthplace of Dracula, Keates House, Orwell's House, etc etc

Difficulty Level: This route covers a vast distance so, again, you'll need stamina to complete it all. Although there are plenty of benches to sit on, the walk through Hampstead will have you walking up cobbled pathways and up/down hills. I would describe this one as Moderate to Hard.

My Top Tip: As I mentioned above, the Spaniard's Inn and the Holly Bush are two of my favourite puts in the entire city so definitely make sure to visit at least one!

Jimi Hendrix Sights  

Although Jimi Hendrix was American, London played host to some important moments throughout his life, and, sadly, his death. I put together this walk as a way to showcase Hendrix's rise to fame, which played out here in our city. Many of the venues he played in are no longer there but I've taken you to the sites where they once stood.

We offer a Rock N Roll London walking tour, and a Rock n' Roll London cab tour !

Sites Covered: Bag O'Nails, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Royal Albert Hall, The Cumberland Hotel

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Difficulty Level: This tour spans a great distance, but that means there are opportunities to sit on public transport as you travel. I would describe this as Moderate.

My Top Tip: Book a tour of the Royal Albert Hall! A lot of my visitors know the Hall as a music venue but not everybody realises that they do guided tours as well. I went on one just this past month and had a great time - I even learned things I never knew before, which is a rare thing to experience as a London tour guide!

David Bowie Sights  

A born Londoner, David Bowie put Brixton on the map when he rose to fame in the mid-20th century. Although Brixton isn't next to any of the other sites on the tour, I wanted to include it as Bowie's birthplace as I think it gives an insight into his background. Just like with the Hendrix tour, some of the locations where Bowie played in Soho no longer stand, but the vibe of that eclectic neighbourhood remains.

Sites Covered: Bowie's birthplace, David Bowie Mural, Heddon Street, Trident Studios, The Wallace Collection, Toy Museum

Difficulty Level: This walk doesn't cover too much ground, and the tube ride to Brixton means there's a nice break included. I would describe this as Easy.

My Top Tip: Definitely take the time to go inside Pollock's Toy Museum! It's a fascinating place to explore.

London Ghost Tour  

I love a good ghost story and, thankfully, London has quite a few! This spooky walk is a mix of my favourite ghost stories as well as the bone chilling true history of our capital city. I like to share the darker side of history with my guests and I think this is a fun way to do it.

Only for those bold enough to take a ghost tour on their own! Want some company? Join us for a guided ghost tour of London.

Sites Covered: St. Paul's Cathedral, Newgate, Old Bailey, St. Andrew by the Wardrobe

Duration: 45 Minutes

Difficulty Level: This is a short walk, with not much distance covered so it is fairly Easy.

My Top Tip: Finish the walk at the Viaduct Tavern and ask them to take you into the cellar...

Wizards of London Game

This self-guided walking tour app puts you in the shoes of a wizard to solve a mystery while discovering some of the most notable sites in the city. I've done this with my friends in the past and we had a blast! I like that you can stop/start at any time which means I could take my time to explore some of the areas on the journey (like Temple).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Questo Experiences (@questoapp)

Haunted London Game

Discover the more frightening side of London's history as you attempt to solve a mystery during this haunted self-guided exploration game. As I said, I love a ghost tour so this game was right up my street! It also included a stop at what is said to be the most haunted house in London (although I admit that the staff who work there ow told me they've never experienced anything creepy).

Queen: The Quest Must Go On Game

Fans of the band Queen may want to consider taking part in this self-guided exploration game which will task you with solving a mystery based on their music. I am a casual fan of Queen so I was excited to do this walk, but my friend who is a devoted fan was even more enthralled. I don't think I would've solved the clues without her knowledge but it was a fun way to explore the city together.

SELF GUIDED LONDON FOOD TOURS

Wandering the streets of London can make you hungry so why not learn some history, trivia and find some good snacks along the way.

We offer free self-guided food tours covering:

• East London
• Soho, Chinatown, Piccadilly
• Covent Garden

Borough Market

East london food tour  .

I like to say that in London, you can travel the world by taste and nowhere in our city encapsulates this theory better than the East End. I've been leading tours in the East End for over a decade now and I still love it every bit as much as I did when I started! For this food tour, I tried to showcase the history of this ever-evolving neighbourhood through the food that I love most. You'll get to try classics like fish and chips, modern favourites like salt beef beigels, and have the opportunity to sink a pint in a charming Victorian boozer.

Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled streets, this tour is relaxed and doesn't cover too much ground. I would describe it as Easy.

My Top Tip:  Bring your appetite!

Be sure to check out our pay-what-you-wish  tour guide-led version  (watch video above).

Soho, Chinatown, and Piccadilly Food Tour  

I get asked about Soho a lot when I am speaking with my guests about their trips to London, but most of the questions are related to the night life there. So I wanted to create this tour to showcase the delights that Soho has to offer during the daylight hours, too! I've included a broad range of different cuisines - as well as price points so there's a little something for every one.

Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled streets, this tour is relaxed. It covers a fair amount of ground but there are chances to sit at most of the locations so I would describe it as Moderate.

My Top Tip: As I mentioned above, it's always worth it to take the time to visit Fortnum & Mason! Add a little money to your. budget so you can buy something tasty to take with you after you've visited.

Exmouth Market Food Tour

I'm a bit biased as this is local to where I live! I always recommend a venture out to Exmouth Market, as it's a lovely little piece of “real” London, tucked just far away from other touristy parts. It showcases some amazing street food and is particularly popular with locals (like me) and those who work in the area. I also consider it one of the more affordable food markets in the city.

Duration: 30 Minutes

Difficulty Level: The hardest part of this tour, is getting to the start point. Otherwise, it is a casual stroll along the market street. Very Easy.

My Top Tip: There are a number of independent shops along the market street so consider some retail therapy while you're there!

Covent Garden Food Tour  

Covent Garden is another area that I think people associate with nightlife and the theatre, rather than with food. So with this tour, I am trying to change your perceptions! Although these locations are a little more expensive than the other food tours I've put together, you'll have the option to enjoy little plates/tastes at most of the locations so I think you'll find it's still budget-friendly.

My Top Tip: If you can, go during a weekday! Covent Garden gets wildly busy on evenings and the weekends so you'll find it a much better experience to go when the crowds are thinner.

I don't know if there's anything I can say about Borough Market that would do it justice...just go! It's iconic, I love it, and I never leave hungry. On this walk, I've highlighted my usual go-to stalls and shops but I recommend you do some exploring on your own to uncover your own favourites.

Difficulty Level: This walk doesn't cover much ground, but seats are at a premium so you may not find many places to sit down if it's busy. There are narrow passages and cobbled streets to be aware of but, otherwise, this is an Easy one.

My Top Tip: The crowds here can be unbelievable so, if you can, I'd recommend visiting during the week!

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

North America

United kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

WE'RE A 2024 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELLERS' CHOICE AWARDS WINNER - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT !

WELCOME TO COTSWOLD WALKS

We are a local, independent, family run company, specialising in self-guided and guided walking and cycling tours. we strive to showcase the best the cotswolds has to offer. your walk, your way., p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px lora; color: #24252a} find your adventure.

Based in the heart of the Cotswolds we are a local company who pride ourselves on our friendly, personable service and an attention to detail that is second to none. We hope our choice of self-guided or guided walking and cycling tours will inspire you. We can also customise a tour to suit your needs and provide all levels of accommodation from family run B&B's to luxury hotels. Whether you need a walking or cycling guide for a day or the independence and freedom of a self-guided tour, let us help make those dreams a reality. We are proud to be in Rick Steves book for recommended hiking companies in the Cotswolds. The majority of our clients come from the USA and Canada by word of mouth referrals.

Self Guided

Luxury & Tailor-made

Cycling Tours

P.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px lora; color: #24252a} our most popular tours.

Cotswold Walks give you choices. We offer a variety of self-guided and guided walking and cycling holidays suitable for all abilities and interests. We specialise in customised walking tours.

Best of the Cotswolds

From £1,075

Bath & Wiltshire

From £855

The Cotswold Ring

From £945

Classic Cotswolds Cycle Tour

80.75 miles

From £675

Oxford to Bath Walk

From £1,440

Cotswold Scenic

From £2,245

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px Lora; color: #24252a} How booking works

Choose your tour and start date, customise your ideal walking tour, let us take care of the details.

You can trust us to organise and coordinate every little detail of the proposed tour. We will provide you with a comprehensive confirmation and quotation.

Only when you are happy with all the details will we ask for a deposit payment to secure your booking; subject to terms and conditions.

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px Lora; color: #24252a} We take pride in providing a gold standard service

Living and working in the Cotswolds is an essential part of what makes Cotswold Walks different from our competitors. We are out walking every day with our dog, Clover and know the area almost as well as she does. 

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px Lora; color: #24252a} What our customers say…

I can honestly say that it was the best vacation of my life! We loved every minute of it and with your planning it went without a hitch! We did manage to get turned around twice during the walk, which we put down to our own error by misreading the map instructions, but were easily able to get back on track. All of the accommodations provided friendly owners, great breakfasts and locations.

We just came back from a 4 day hiking trip of the Cotswolds Triangle. We had a fantastic time! Everything was very well organised and attention was paid to every single detail (e.g. luggage tags, a plastic cover for our booklet with directions, good suggestions for wining and dining). Communication with the company leading up to our trip, also went very smoothly. I would definitely use Cotswolds Walks again and would highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to explore the beautiful Cotswolds.

We all agreed that we had a wonderful time in the Cotswolds and thank you so much for making it a very special holiday.  Our days were planned so well and it was nice to have everything taken care of ahead of time for us.  You live in a special part of the world and it was a great experience to visit it.  A big thank you to Robert as well - such a pleasure to walk around with him for a couple of days.

My wife and I were initially circumspect for the need of such detail your guide provided and we laughed at the thought and at some of the guide’s vocabulary, but a chance meeting with an American couple the night before our first day on the Walk quickly dispelled any doubt. They had just used your services for their Walk and said to follow the guide and we wouldn’t go wrong. We did, and they were right! Again, thank you for taking good care of us.

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px Lora; color: #24252a} Follow us on Instagram

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px Lora; color: #24252a} Our Blog

Cotswold Gardens

2023: Three Decades of Cotswold Walks

Rick and Lissie’s Cotswold Adventure - The Best of the Cotswolds

P.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 40.0px lora; color: #24252a} our walking tours have been designed to offer the best possible walking routes throughout the cotswolds., guided tours, self-guided walking,  and cycling tours, luxury & tailor-made.

Cotswold Walks

• Register | Login

Travelling this year? There are still many trips available for 2024 .

Active Travel Led By You

Self-guided travel with Macs Adventure is for independent, active people who don’t want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules. Go at your own pace, with the people you choose, without the worry of planning routes or arranging trip logistics. We take care of all that for you. It’s active travel, led by you.

The best trips for late season sun, cooler temperatures in classic European destinations, and quieter trails. Make the most of Autumn 2024 on one of these adventures.

Walking on Malta & Gozo

Walking Sintra to Cascais

Cycle Sicily's South

Madeira: The Flower Island

All of our trips, including the most popular routes, are now available to book for 2025 . The incredible Tour du Mont Blanc sells out every year, so get to the front of the queue. Planning to experience the delights of May on the  West Highland Way ? We can’t emphasise the urgency enough—spots fill up fast! Start writing your 2025 story now by planning ahead for a year filled with achievement. Secure your adventure today!

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Huts

West Highland Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights

Walking Portofino and the Cinque Terre

Cycling the Canal du Midi

A walking holiday gives you time to immerse yourself in the landscape and culture. No timetables, just one foot in front of the other. Explore a  classic UK trail for a warm welcome, or slow things down to truly discover your chosen destination on a Slower Adventure .

The Kerry Way - 11 Days & 10 Nights

Walking the Catalan Coast

Pennine Way Complete (21 Days & 20 Nights)

Best of the Northumberland Coastal Path

Cycling lets you explore more, but still at a pace that suits you. Browse the most popular cycling holidays for inspiration.

Cycling Portugal's Atlantic Coast

Cycling in the Heart of the Cotswolds

Venice to Porec By Bike

The Moselle Cycle Path

Walking with added spirituality. Walking ancient routes, pilgrimages like the Camino de Santiago allow you to connect with the land, its history and with yourself.

Camino del Norte

Camino Frances Final Stage - Sarria to Santiago - 7 Days

Camino Portugués Coastal Way

Camino Invierno

Classic routes.

If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Elbe Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Pilgrimages

For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Slower Adventures

Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

The Biggest Choice

Around since 2003, 21,000+ customer reviews, positive impact.

At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided walking or cycling adventure.

This is active travel led by you.

You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.

We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.

We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.

Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.

Macs Adventure are delighted to partner with the Hebridean Baker, Coinneach MacLeod, who will be joining us in championing self-guided as the best way to travel.

At Macs, we focus on four key areas where we can make a real difference. Measuring our carbon footprint, maintaining and restoring trails, becoming B Corp certified, and advocating for low impact self-guided travel.

We love finding the unique, out of the way locations for our trips, but sometimes you just want to walk the bucket list trips. This collection of trips are the big hitters, the ones that are busting with scenery, local flavour and are just waiting for you to come and visit.

There is a network of outstanding trails that crisscross England, protected, waymarked and showcasing the very best scenery the country has to offer.  To enjoy world-class hiking, there is no need to leave the country.   

Follow us on social media

• twitter-x-logo@2x