England’s Footpaths: From Coast to Castle
Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes Last updated on 8th December 2024
England’s extensive network of trails reflects centuries of connection between people and landscape. From the epic South West Coast Path to historic routes following ancient pilgrim ways, these paths traverse a remarkably varied countryside. Village-to-village walks cross pastoral landscapes little changed since medieval times, while more challenging routes tackle the rugged hills of the Pennines and Lake District. Each trail celebrates England’s unique heritage of public access and the enduring relationship between its historic built environment and natural landscapes.
The Coleridge Way is a 51-mile (82 km) long-distance trail through Somerset and Devon’s picturesque landscapes, inaugurated in April 2005. Named after the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, this route connects significant sites related to his works, such as The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan. Hikers traverse heathland, moorland, woodlands, farmland and valleys while discovering charming villages like Quantock Hills, Brendon Hills and Exmoor National Park. Notable stops include Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey (the poet’s former residence), Porlock Village, Watersmeet and Lynmouth (trail endpoint). With a mix of natural beauty, historical significance and literary connections, this moderate-level hike offers an immersive experience for both casual walkers and literature enthusiasts alike.
The Dales Way is a long-distance footpath approximately 80 miles long located in northern England. This scenic trail follows riverside paths from the urban area of West Yorkshire to the Lake District. The trail can be completed by families in about a week and passes through numerous villages with lodging options.
The Gritstone Trail in Cheshire, England is a challenging route that spans from Disley to Kidsgrove. This trail, named for the 300 million-year-old millstone grit rock formations in the area, offers stunning views of the Cheshire plain. The trail is divided into three sections and while there are few facilities along the trail itself, pubs, cafés and shops are found in nearby towns.
The Jack Mytton Way is a nearly 100-mile trail that goes through the Shropshire countryside. The trail utilises rural byways, bridleways and country lanes to guide walkers, cyclists and horseback riders through market towns, villages, moorland and past ancient earthworks. The trail can be completed in 5–7 days on horseback.
Lady Anne’s Way is a 100-mile long-distance walk that travels from Skipton to Penrith. The trail begins at Skipton Castle and passes through the Yorkshire Dales before entering Cumbria and the Upper Eden Valley. Inspired by Lady Anne Clifford, who owned vast estates in the area during the 17th century, the route incorporates many of the castles she owned, some of which are now in ruins. While the trail was originally designed as a six-day walk, a nine-day option is also available.
The Lyke Wake Walk is a renowned long-distance challenge taking place in the North York Moors National Park, England, with a total distance of approximately 40 miles (64 km) from Scarth Wood Moor near Osmotherley to Ravenscar on the North Sea coast. Established in 1955 by local farmer Bill Cowley, this iconic trail features a mix of heather moorland, rugged paths and occasional roads, known for its challenging conditions due to weather and terrain. The route is named after old Yorkshire dialect meaning ‘corpse’ (lyke) and ‘vigil’ (wake), reflecting the trail’s historical connections to ancient burial mounds found along its path. Hikers may encounter diverse wildlife and experience folklore and traditions, including the ‘Lyke-Wake Dirge,’ an old Yorkshire song about mortality and afterlife. This challenging trek can be completed in around 16 to 24 hours depending on fitness levels, with sections from Scarth Wood Moor to Lion Inn Pub (approximately 18 miles), Lion Inn Pub to Eller Beck (about 12 miles) and Eller Beck to Ravenscar (final 10 miles). The walk has fostered a community spirit among participants, attracting hikers of all backgrounds for adventure and connection to North Yorkshire’s natural beauty and rich history.
The Mendip Ring is a 117-mile (188 km) long-distance walking trail that encircles the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England, typically divided into nine days and 13-mile (21 km) legs. With moderate difficulty, it offers diverse landscapes including limestone hills, woodlands and valleys. Highlights include a National Landscape, Cheddar Gorge, ancient burial sites and opportunities to observe various wildlife species. The trail is well-marked with signs and waymarkers for easy navigation, recommended between late spring and early autumn due to favourable weather conditions. Accommodation options are plentiful along the route, including bed & breakfasts (B&B’s), hotels and campsites.
The 75-mile National Forest Way in England goes from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire. The trail, which is divided into twelve stages, highlights the diversity of the National Forest, including Charnwood and Sence Valley.
Shakespeare’s Way is a long-distance footpath in southern England that connects William Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon to his Globe theatre in London. It is approximately 235 km long and traverses varied landscapes, including the Cotswolds, the Chiltern Hills and the Thames Valley. The route was designed to trace a potential path Shakespeare may have taken when travelling between these two locations, providing walkers with a sense of the landscape he would have known. While the exact route Shakespeare took is unknown, this path offers a blend of historical interest and beautiful English countryside, allowing walkers to explore both rural and urban landscapes associated with the famous playwright.
The Sheffield Round Walk is a 14-mile trail that begins and ends at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, England. The trail travels through the Porter Valley to Ringinglow before descending into the Limb Valley. From there, it passes through Whirlow Brook Park, Ecclesall Woods, Ladies Spring Wood and Chancet Wood to reach Graves Park. The trail then continues through the Gleadless Valley, Meersbrook Park and Chelsea Park.
The South West Coast Path is England’s longest National Trail, stretching 630 miles (1,014 km) along the southwest peninsula’s coastline. Beginning in Minehead, Somerset, it passes through Exmoor, North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset before concluding at Poole Harbour. Featuring diverse landscapes and experiences, this 630-mile trail has its highest point of 318 m (1,043 ft) and an elevation gain of 114,931 feet (35,031 m). Established as a patrol route for coastguards to combat smuggling in the past, it attracts over 8.9 million visitors annually, contributing £520 million per year to the local economy and supporting over 10,400 jobs. The South West Coast Path Association, a charity maintaining and protecting the trail, receives funding from Natural England. Suitable for various skill levels, the path offers both easy day walks and challenging long-distance hikes, with sections featuring steep ascents and descents.
St. Oswald’s Way is a historic long-distance walking route in Northumberland, England, following the path of St. Oswald, the 7th-century King of Northumbria. The trail spans approximately 97 miles (156 kilometres) from Holy Island (Lindisfarne) to Heavenfield, near Hadrian’s Wall. This scenic journey covers coastal paths, rural landscapes and historical sites, including ancient castles, picturesque villages and remnants of Roman history. The route is divided into six main sections, with highlights such as the natural beauty of the Northumberland coastline, St. Oswald’s historical significance, diverse wildlife and nature and cultural landmarks like Bamburgh Castle, Warkworth Castle and Hadrian’s Wall. Suitable for hikers of varying abilities, St. Oswald’s Way offers a rich blend of history, culture and natural beauty, typically completed in 6 to 9 days. Shorter walks along different sections are available for those unable to tackle the full distance.
