Welcome to our complete guide to the UK and Ireland, a land of ancient paths, dramatic coastlines, and breathtaking scenery.
From the wild, mystical highlands of Scotland, the romantic scenery of the Lake District, Cumbria and the rugged mountains of Wales to the rolling green hills of Ireland, this is a region that begs to be explored on foot.
Here, we’ve gathered all of our first-person travel stories, detailed walking guides, and hidden gems into one place to serve as your ultimate starting point.
Whether you’re planning a challenging multi-day hike or looking for inspiration for your next weekend escape, our guides are here to help you discover the very best of these incredible islands.
The best time for walking is generally from late spring (May) to early autumn (September) when the weather is milder and the days are longer. However, winter walking can be incredibly rewarding, especially on crisp, clear days, but requires more preparation and gear.
While basic hiking gear is similar, the terrain and weather can vary significantly. For the mountainous regions of Scotland and Wales, waterproofs, layers, and sturdy boots are essential year-round. For coastal paths in places like Cornwall, lighter gear might be sufficient in summer, but good footwear is still crucial.
In England and Wales, the “Right to Roam” gives the public access to walk freely on certain areas of open country, like mountains, moors, and heaths. In Scotland, access rights are much broader, allowing walking on most unenclosed land, provided you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
There is something undeniably magnetic about a waterfall. The distant rumble that grows into a roar, the moisture hanging thick…
There is a specific kind of silence you only find in Great Langdale. It’s a valley carved by glaciers, guarded…
There are two ways to experience Windermere. There’s the bustling, ice-cream-and-ferry energy of the shoreline, and then there’s the quiet,…
If you mention walking in the Brecon Beacons—or Bannau Brycheiniog as we should rightly call it—most people immediately picture the…
There is something undeniably special about the gritstone edges of the Peak District. They offer that perfect ratio of reward…
Whenever I find myself wandering through the rolling landscapes of Carmarthenshire, I am constantly reminded of how layered the history…
It’s always a good idea to head down to Devon for a holiday, whether with your soul mate, your friends,…
One thing I have learned from travelling this big blue, beautiful and beguiling world of ours, is that you really…
If you ask any walker to sketch the skyline of the Shropshire Hills, they will likely draw the long, flat…
There is a specific kind of joy in unfolding a map of the British Isles and spotting a name that…
We all love a walk that gets the heart pumping, don’t we? Sometimes it’s the steep climb that does it,…
We live on an archipelago of confusing labels. Are we British? English? Citizens of the UK? And why does a…