Lady’s 29 Country Walks in Britain You Should Take

I love Britain and walking in equal measure, and I’ve had fun sharing my country walks with you over the years. Given you seem to like walking as much as I do, today I want to make it easy for you to find my countryside walks in one blog post.

Country Walks in Britain

From the time I started sharing my country walks on the A Lady in London blog, I’ve gotten feedback saying how much you’ve enjoyed getting inspiration from them.

Your support and encouragement have meant a lot to me, so thank you. I hope to share many more walks with you in the coming years, and will add any new ones to this post as I do.

If you want to bookmark it or pin it on Pinterest, you can use it as a quick reference to find all my past, present, and future country walks in Britain.

Most of the walks I’ve done have been day trips from London. One of the great things about living in the UK capital is that there are easy train connections to a lot of beautiful places in the English countryside.

But I’ve also enjoyed great walks in Scotland and Wales, and there are more walks I hope to do further afield in the future. I’d love to do one of Britain’s multi-day walks someday, too.

Additionally, some of the the walks I’ve done have been with groups or individuals who know the routes well. As such, I don’t have my own detailed maps like I do for my self-guided London walking tours (it’s a lot easier to plot a map in a city than on country walking paths anyway).

However, there are a lot of maps available online that cover the same or similar routes to the ones I’ve outlined in my blog posts. You’ll be able to replicate my walks that way if you want to do them yourself.

You can also read about more great walks and get additional details in Time Out Country Walks: 52 Walks Near London. You can get it here.

You can find details and links to each one of my country walks below.

1. Rochford Circular Walk

My first country walk is a circular one beginning and ending in Rochford, Essex. It was my introduction to British countryside rambles, and I remember how wide-eyed and excited I was to get on the path.

I didn’t give as detailed a description of the route as I now wish I had, but there’s a lot of information online about country walks from Rochford if you want to take inspiration from my post and plan a similar walk of your own.

It’s a great one if you want to get a different view of Essex than the one people normally think of. Get the details here.

2. The Cheviots

My second British country walk is in the Cheviot Hills, which straddle the border between England’s Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.

This area is full of rolling hills and woodlands, and is a great place to get outdoors up north. There’s a country pub and hotel called The Border in Kirk Yetholm that’s ideal for a mid-walk lunch, too.

I wish I had written a blog post about this one, but hopefully you remember it from my Instagram posts and stories. It starts in the College Valley, which is easy to reach by car, and can be done as a circular walk from the parking lot.

Parts of this area are covered by St Cuthbert’s Way, a long-distance trail between Scotland’s Melrose and England’s Lindisfarne, so you can even do it as part of a multi-day walk.

There’s lots of information about St Cuthbert’s Way and other College Valley walks online, so you can find more information if you want to walk in my footsteps.

3. Pen y Fan Hike

My third country walk is a challenging climb to the top of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales. This one can also be done as a circular from various points in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park.

I did it as a day hike with friends from near Talybont-on-Usk and lucked out with amazing weather. I’ll never forget the views of the peaks and the patchwork of fields below.

At 2,907 feet (886 meters) above sea level, Pen y Fan is just the thing if you want a serious climb and stunning views. You can get the details here.

4. Country Walk in the Lake District

My fourth country walk is in England’s Lake District, which is famous for its walking routes. This part of Cumbria has stunning lakes and dramatic hills, and it’s a good place to walk if you like taking in scenery while getting a workout.

I’ve done lots of walks in the Lake District, but my favorite is a short one from Ashness Bridge to Surprise View. The bridge itself is a stone beauty on a dramatic hill, and the walk to the viewpoint is full of adorable gray-and-white Herdwick sheep.

I wrote about this walk in a larger blog post about spending 3 days in the Lake District. It’s a quick walk, but does involve a hill. There’s a lot of information with the details online, so you’ll have an easy time replicating it.

5. Country Walk near Cambridge

My fifth country walk is back in Essex, but way up north near Cambridge this time. It’s a circular from Wendens Ambo, which is easily reached by train from London.

This walk is one of my favorites in that it goes through some of the prettiest villages in England. There are thatched-roof cottages and idyllic streams galore, not to mention a great pub for lunch.

This is another walk that breaks a lot of stereotypes about Essex. It’s ideal if you like starting and ending in the same place and taking in storybook scenery as you go. Get the details here.

6. Folkestone to Dover Walk

My sixth country walk in Britain is on the south coast in Kent. This one goes from Folkestone to Dover, hugging the shoreline and climbing the cliffs for spectacular views across the English Channel.

I lucked out with the weather again for this one, and I recommend trying to do it on a sunny day. If it’s clear, you’ll be able to see France in the distance.

This walk is perfect if you love the seaside and want to get some time by the water. You’ll also pass through the historic streets of Folkestone, which are full of colorful shops and cafes.

It’s good if you like a bit of a challenge, as there’s one steep hill climb in the middle. You can find the details here.

7. Arundel to Amberley Walk

My seventh country walk in the UK is full of castles and countryside. This one will take you from Arundel to Amberley, passing medieval fortresses and towers along the way.

It starts in Arundel, home to one of the most stunning castles near London, and ends in Amberley, which has a fortress of its own. It also goes through rolling hills and pretty villages, so there’s a great mix of scenery to take in.

This walk is ideal if you like history, English towns and villages, and bucolic landscapes. It’s also fairly flat apart from one hill, so it’s a good choice if you don’t want too much variation in topography. You can get the details here.

8. Ely Circular Walk

My eighth country walk is back near Cambridge. This one is a circular walk starting and ending in Ely, a cathedral city. Like most of the others, it’s an easy day trip from London by train.

There’s great countryside to walk through, including lots of fields that flower in the spring and summer. There’s also a great treat at the end, with Ely Cathedral being a rewarding place to visit after a long ramble.

This walk is perfect if you like history and classic country fields. The area around Ely is also completely flat, so it’s ideal if you don’t like hills.

I don’t have a blog post about this one, but hopefully you remember it from my Instagram stories and posts. In any case, there’s a lot of information about circular walks from Ely online so you’ll be able to do a similar one if you want to.

9. Southbourne to Chichester Walk

My ninth country walk is back down south. This one goes from Southbourne to Chichester, another cathedral city in England.

This walk will take you along the channels around Chichester, bringing you past waterfront scenery and idyllic villages alike. As with Ely, it offers a great reward at the end in the form of Chichester Cathedral.

This country walk is just the ticket if you love history, storybook villages, and being by the water. There’s a classic pub with a beer garden in the middle, so it’s a nice one if you want a leisurely day.

It’s also completely flat, so it’s another good one if you don’t want hills. Get the details here.

10. Overton Circular Walk

My tenth country walk is a circular one that starts and ends in the pretty village of Overton in England’s Hampshire. This walk goes past lazy rivers, through wheat and barley fields, and alongside adorable sheep.

It also goes through the village where Jane Austen was born, so it’s a fun excuse to pay homage to one of the UK’s most celebrated writers.

This walk is perfect if you like a blend of countryside and villages, a fairly quick train ride, and a circular path. The route is pretty flat, so it’s good if you like even ground. Get the details here.

11. Goring Circular Walk

My eleventh country walk is also a circular. This one begins and ends in the village of Goring on the border of Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It goes through scenic villages, fields full of purple flowers, and shaded woodlands.

This walk has a lot of varied terrain, so it’s a good one if you like a few hills and bit of a challenge. There are great riverside pubs at the end, so it’s nice to do on a sunny day. You can get the details here.

12. Ingleborough Hike

My twelfth country walk in the UK is a hike to the top of Ingleborough, the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

This one begins and ends in Ingleton, a town near the base of the peak in the north of England. There are great views of the surrounding countryside on the way to the summit, and the rocky landscapes are some of the most unique I’ve seen in the UK.

I didn’t write a dedicated blog post about this hike, but I included it in a larger 3-day Yorkshire Dales itinerary. There are a lot of great walks to do around here, so it’s worth staying for a few days.

As with the other country walks on my list, there are lots of maps online if you want to hike Ingleborough yourself. Given this one is a peak, it’s a great walk if you want to get some serious exercise.

13. Sevenoaks Walk

My thirteenth country walk is near London in Kent. This Sevenoaks walk will bring you from the town’s station past stately homes and through wooded areas.

The route goes through Knole Park and alongside the famous stately home of Knole. It then passes through fields and forested areas before bisecting a National Trust garden.

The walk ends in the town of Westerham, which is close to Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s country house. The path is relatively flat apart from one steep hill with steps, so it’s fairly forgiving in terms of topography.

This one is perfect if you want to do a country walk near London. It’s less than a 30-minute train ride from the UK capital, so it’s particularly convenient for Londoners.

14. Surrey Walk

My fourteenth country walk in Britain is a station-to-station walk in Surrey. It’s named Walk the Chalk, and it will lead you from Dorking to Godalming.

This country walk begins at Dorking train station, from where you’ll walk through wooded areas and chalk hills in the English countryside.

Along the way you’ll pass World War II pillboxes, spot wildlife habitats, and take in panoramic views from God’s Seat. You can enjoy lunch or a drink at one of the country pubs in Godalming when you finish the walk, too.

This Surrey ramble is ideal if you want to take a country walk near London that you can get to by train. It’s under an hour from the city and it makes for a fun day out.

The route goes along flat paths and rolling hills, so it’s a perfect one if you like variation when it comes to terrain. Get the details here.

15. Oak Trail in Epping Forest Walk

My fifteenth country walk in Britain is a circular walk in Essex. The Oak Trail is one of nine official waymarked trails in Epping Forest, an ancient woodland on the border of Greater London.

This loveliest of country walks starts at the Theydon Bois tube station, from where you’ll go through the village and head out into the English countryside.

The trail will take you to pastures and forest land, and there are cafes and pubs along the route if you want a break. You’ll walk by the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary as you go, too.

This Epping Forest walk is for you if you want to do a country walk that’s accessible by tube from London. It’s less than 30 minutes from some stations in the capital, and it’s one of the easiest walks to get to from the city.

The route is mostly flat, so it’s a perfect one to do if you want a gentle walk. Get the details on my Oak Trail in Epping Forest post.

16. West Chiltington Walk in the UK

My sixteenth country walk in Britain is in the village of West Chiltington. A 5.7-mile (9.2-kilometer) ramble, it’s a great introduction to the vineyards and villages of West Sussex.

From West Chiltington, the path will guide you through fields of cows and up gentle hills covered in vines. You’ll walk by thatched-roof cottages and country houses, alongside ponds, and through enchanted woods adorned with flowers.

This country walk in the UK takes around 3 hours to complete. It features a range of terrain, a handful of gentle hills, and lots of pretty scenery.

It’s ideal if you want to soak up the beauty of the British countryside. You can get the details on my circular walks in West Sussex post.

17. Knepp Red Walk in Britain

My seventeenth country walk in the UK is the Knepp Red Walk. It takes place on the Knepp Castle Estate, a 3,500-acre (1,416-hectare) parcel of land just south of Horsham. It’s one of the best West Sussex walks.

The 5.8-mile (9.3-kilometer) Red Walk will take you by everything from piglets, cows, and deer to ponds, storks’ nests, and castle ruins. You’ll even spot a windmill on the way.

This British circular walk takes around two-and-a-half hours to complete. It features flat terrain and is an easy route to ramble.

There are lots of unexpected details along the way, too, so it’s a fun one if you like the unexpected. The details are on my West Sussex circular walks post.

18. Cissbury Ring Walk in Britain

My eighteenth British country walk is one that goes around Cissbury Ring. The second largest hill fort in England, Cissbury Ring is known for its Iron Age history and ancient Neolithic flint mine. It’s also one of the best places in Sussex to see butterflies.

Situated on the South Downs near Arundel Castle, Cissbury Ring is an ideal location for a country ramble in the UK. The 2.1-mile (3.4-kilometer) circular walk around the hill is bursting with ancient history and panoramic views.

From the top of Cissbury Ring you can spot the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, the beaches of Brighton, and the English Channel.

This country walk in Britain takes around 1 hour to complete. It’s perfect if you enjoy a combination of ancient history, horses, hills, and vista points. The route and map are on my circular walks in West Sussex post.

19. Moreton-in-Marsh Walk

My nineteenth country walk in the UK is a Moreton-in-Marsh circular walk in the Cotswolds. The relatively flat 7-mile (11-kilometer) route is an ideal way to get out into the British countryside in one of the most scenic parts of England.

On the walk you’ll pass by everything from quintessential Cotswolds villages to country pubs, fanciful stately homes, and an arboretum.

This Cotswolds walk is just for you if you want to explore the Cotswolds without a car, as it starts and ends at the Moreton-in-Marsh train station. You can find the full route and map on my Moreton-in-Marsh walk post.

20. Robin Hood’s Bay Walk

My twentieth country walk in Britain is a Robin Hood’s Bay walk in North Yorkshire. This 10-mile (16-kilometer) circular coastal ramble is a great way to see the North York Moors National Park and enjoy seaside scenery as you go.

Along the route you’ll walk down country lanes, through fields, and along paths. When you reach the village of Ravenscar, you can stop for lunch or a drink before heading back to Robin Hood’s Bay along the waterfront.

This country walk is ideal if you’re looking to explore the Yorkshire coast and enjoy the seaside. You can find the details on my Robin Hood’s Bay blog post.

21. Tring Circular Walk

My twenty-first British country walk is a Tring circular walk in The Chilterns. This 8.5-mile (14-kilometer) route is perfect for getting a taste of England’s unique chalk grassland scenery and spectacular views across the countryside.

On the way you’ll walk through nature reserves, over rolling hills, and up to the famous Ivinghoe Beacon. There are great pubs for lunch in the town of Tring, too.

This country walk is for you if you want something relatively close to London and you enjoy a few hills. You can find the full route, photos, and video on my Tring circular walk post.

22. Burford Circular Walk

My twenty-second country walk in Britain is a Burford circular walk in the Cotswolds. It’s a flat 5-mile (8-kilometer) route that goes through Cotswolds villages, across fields, and alongside the River Windrush.

As you go, you’ll take in classic thatched-roof cottages, historic churches, and pastoral waterfront scenery.

This British country walk is ideal if you want to explore the Cotswolds on foot and take in some of the lesser-known villages in the area along the way. You can find the full route and map on my Burford circular walk blog post.

23. Marlow Walk

My twenty-third country walk in Britain takes place in and around Marlow, Buckinghamshire. A 6.3-mile (10.1-kilometer) ramble, this one is a good one if you want to walk along a flat route that’s accessible by train from the UK capital.

The path starts in Marlow and goes along the River Thames. It then veers off into woodland areas. There are Tudor houses, pretty footbridges, and historic churches to take in en route.

This country walk in the UK is just the thing if you want to discover the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and see some of Marlow as you go. You can find the full route and map on my Marlow walk post.

24. Pap of Glencoe Walk

My twenty-fourth country walk in Britain takes place in Glencoe, Scotland. A 4-mile (6-kilometer) route, this hike is ideal if you love the Scottish Highlands and enjoy a challenging climb.

The path starts near Loch Leven and goes straight up the mountain to the top of the Pap of Glencoe. Along the way you’ll see stunning highland scenery and take in lochs in the distance. If you’re lucky, you might spot a ptarmigan or two.

This British country walk is right for you if you want to do a challenging hike and be rewarded with spectacular views. You can find the full route and map on my Pap of Glencoe walk post.

25. Charlbury Circular Walk

My twenty-fifth country walk in the UK is a circular walk in the Cotswolds. The 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) route will take you into the historic town of Charlbury and through the ancient Wychwood Forest.

Much of this hike follows the Oxfordshire Way. It’s a famous long-distance walk from Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire to the Thames in Henley. Along the way it crosses over the River Evenlode and passes groves and copses.

This walk is for you if you’re looking for a shorter route and you don’t have a car, as there’s a train station in Charlbury.

You can find the full route, map, photos, and video for this hike on my blog post about a Charlbury walk. There’s more on my post about spending 3 days in the Cotswolds, too.

26. Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters

My twenty-sixth country walk in the UK is a Cotswolds ramble that goes from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters and back. This 5-mile (8-kilometer) out-and-back route will lead you to some of my favorite villages in the Cotswolds.

This walk begins in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants here, so it’s a great place to stop for a meal or a snack before starting your ramble.

From Bourton-on-the-Water the route follows the Warden’s Way through idyllic countryside to Lower Slaughter, a small village on the River Eye. It features classic Cotswold stone houses, a historic mill, and a heritage hotel called The Slaughters Manor House.

From Lower Slaughter the route will guide you to Upper Slaughter. It’s a quintessential village with cottages, a church, and a luxury hotel called Lords of the Manor.

This country walk in the Cotswolds is for you if you want to see a number of villages on one route. It’s an ideal way to discover some of the highlights of the area on foot.

This is the perfect day trip from London by car, too, as there’s no train station in Bourton-on-the-Water. There are large parking areas in town, so it’s an easy trip if you have wheels.

That said, you can still do this trip by rail if you take a train from London to Kingham or Moreton-in-Marsh and pre-book a taxi from one of those stations to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Alternatively, there’s a seasonal hop-on-hop-off bus service from Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water you can take on weekends and bank holidays during the warmer months.

You can see the details of this walk on my blog post about a Cotswolds day trip. There’s also a map that includes this route here.

27. Amersham Walk in Buckinghamshire

My twenty-seventh walk is in the Chiltern Hills in England’s Buckinghamshire. It’s so close to London you can travel via the tube. It’s ideal if you want to stay close to the UK capital.

The route of this walk starts in the town of Amersham. It has a historic village that’s worth a special trip in its own right.

From Amersham station, the walk will take you into rolling hills and out to the Chess Valley. You’ll get to enjoy everything from woodlands to historic houses as you go.

This one is great if you like scenic views, pretty woods, and a destination close to London. You can find the details, map, photos, and video on my blog post about an Amersham circular walk.

28. Kingham Walk in the Cotswolds

My twenty-eighth walk is in Kingham in the Cotswolds. You can get to it by train from London, so it’s convenient if you’re starting in the UK capital.

The relatively flat 10.5-mile (17-kilometer) route will take you through the village of Kingham and into the English countryside.

Along the way you can stop at a local pub in Churchill, explore the town of Chipping Norton, and take in local landmarks like the Bliss Tweed Mill, a heritage building that looks like a cross between a factory and a stately home.

This walk is for you if you’re looking for a day hike in the Cotswolds with lots of bucolic scenery and pretty towns and villages. You can find the full route, map, photos, and video on my blog post about a Kingham circular walk.

29. Charlbury Walk the Cotswolds

My twenty-ninth walk is a circular one in Charlbury, which is also in the Cotswolds. There are direct rail services from London, so you can arrive by train if you’re starting in the capital.

The 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) route will take you into the Evenlode Valley and through the ancient Wychwood Forest. Much of the route follows the Oxfordshire Way.

This hike is ideal if you’re interested in seeing both a historic town and rural landscapes. It’s shorter than some of the others, too, so it’s a good one if you’re looking for a country walk you can do in an afternoon.

Whether you come for a part of a day or make a longer trip of it, you can find the full route, map, video, and photos for this ramble on my blog post about a Charlbury circular walk.

British Country Walks

Beyond these official walks, I’ve also written blog posts that include walking along the South Downs Way in West Sussex and walking through the summer heather in Scotland.

And like I said earlier, I have more in the pipeline and they’ll all end up here once I’ve written about them.

I hope you enjoy these country walks as much as I do, and that you get a chance to explore all the UK’s amazing spots. The countryside is one of my favorite things about Britain, and these walks are a great way to get out and enjoy it.

If you want to see more, you can take a look at my blog posts about the best pub walks near London, my favorite circular walks in England, and the top circular walks near London.

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