England: Walking Trails, Landscapes & Wild Places

A Country Shaped by Paths, Protected Landscapes, and Layers of History

England is a country defined by its landscapes and the paths that cross them. An extensive network of historic rights of way, long-distance trails, and ancient trackways connects coast, countryside, and upland terrain, creating one of the most accessible and varied walking environments in Europe.

From the chalk downs and river valleys of the south to the moorlands, fells, and high ground of the north, England’s geography unfolds gradually on foot. Coastal paths trace cliffs, dunes, beaches, and tidal estuaries, while inland routes pass through farmland, woodland, heathland, and centuries-old villages shaped by farming, trade, and settlement.

Much of this landscape is protected. England’s countryside includes National Landscapes and National Parks, as well as areas recognised for their cultural significance, including landscapes with UNESCO World Heritage status. These sit alongside quieter wild places and nature reserves — wetlands, heaths, and ancient woodland — where wildlife, seasonal change, and traditional land use shape slower, more intimate experiences of the land.

Movement through these environments is guided by a rich system of long-distance trails and historic routes. Roman roads, medieval pilgrim paths, drove roads, and industrial tracks still form the backbone of many routes today, linking regions and revealing how people have moved through, worked, and shaped the land over centuries.

Walking in England is therefore about far more than movement alone. Routes reveal layers of geology, ecology, and culture — from chalk grassland and ancient woodland to working farmland and reclaimed industrial valleys. Whether following a long route across regions or exploring a single landscape in depth, England rewards an unhurried, observant way of travelling that remains closely connected to place.

This is a country best understood step by step: through its protected landscapes, historic paths, and wild places that together form a richly varied walking environment.

Explore England by Region

South West England

Clifftop paths, open moorland, and honey-stone villages define this distinctive region. Long stretches of coastline shape Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, while inland landscapes include Exmoor, Dartmoor, and the gentler hills of the Cotswolds extending into Somerset and Gloucestershire.

South East England

A landscape of chalk hills, ancient trackways, and wide skies. Ridge-top routes cross the South Downs and North Downs, while rolling farmland, wooded escarpments, and the white cliffs and shoreline of Sussex and Kent give the region a strong sense of openness and continuity.

East of England

Flat, expansive, and quietly atmospheric. Rivers, wetlands, heathland, and long horizons define this region, from the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts to the fenlands of Cambridgeshire and the open countryside of Essex. Wildlife, light, and space are central to its character.

The Midlands

England’s geographic heart offers remarkable variety. From the gritstone edges and valleys of the Peak District to the wooded hills of Shropshire, the region includes canal networks, market towns, rolling farmland, and upland ridges across counties such as Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire.

North West England

Lakes, mountains, and wide moors dominate this dramatic landscape. Cumbria’s Lake District forms the region’s core, while coastal routes trace Morecambe Bay and quieter countryside unfolds across Lancashire and the Forest of Bowland.

North East England

Ancient, open, and deeply storied. Routes follow the line of Hadrian’s Wall across Northumberland, cross the Cheviot Hills, and trace a coastline of castles, dunes, and wide beaches. Inland, County Durham’s dales and wooded valleys reflect layers of rural and industrial history.

Yorkshire and the Humber

A region defined by scale and contrast. The Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and Howardian Hills offer expansive walking landscapes, while long routes follow ridges and valleys across the Pennines. Drystone walls, broad moorland, and green dales give the region a strong sense of place.

London

A city shaped by water, parks, and historic commons. The Thames provides a continuous thread through the capital, while royal parks, riverside paths, and ancient woodland in places such as Richmond, Epping Forest, and Hampstead Heath create a surprisingly rich walking landscape.

Beginning to explore England

England’s walking trails, landscapes, and wild places form a connected network rather than a single experience. Exploring by region allows the character of each landscape to emerge naturally, revealing how geography, history, and land use continue to shape the country on foot.