Walks

Wondering where to walk? Wander your way around the South and West with our walks in Cornwall, Devon walks, places to walk in Dorset, Somerset walking routes and where to walk on the Isle of Wight. Yes, we've done a lot of walking in our time, and here are our thoughts and favourites.

Best walks in Somerset

From coastal hikes and woodland wanders to cultural icons and historic sites, here are some of the best walks in Somerset...

Abby D

Best walks in Dorset

From coastal stomps with jaw-dropping views to cross-country treks that offer ancient castles and rolling vistas, there are lots of walks in Dorset to enjoy.

Annie Cowen

Things to do in St Mawes

With a glistening harbour, a smattering of beaches and some truly glorious walks, there are lots of things to do in St Mawes.

Lizzie Heather

Top bluebell woods in Cornwall

Surround yourself with seas of indigo at one of the top bluebell woods and places to visit in Cornwall this spring.

Lizzie Heather

Walks in Devon

From coastal strolls to moorland wanders, Devon is meant to be explored and enjoyed by foot. Here are just some of the routes you can take.

Annie Cowen

Best walks in West Sussex

Here are our favourite walks in West Sussex to get you out and about and experiencing UK’s sunniest county the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Jessie Moore

The best walks in Cornwall

Cornwall boasts incredible scenery along the southwest coast path and inland. Here’s a list of the best walks in the county, and some helpful tips.

Abby D

The best walks in East Sussex

The best walks in East Sussex take in many of the highlights of the county, including stunning cliff-top strolls, circular hikes, and even travels through time.

Jessie Moore

The best circular walks in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is home to beautiful scenery, and you can discover the best of its countryside and picturesque villages with these favourite circular walks.

Jessie Moore

Woodland walks in Cornwall

Cornwall has lots of woods for you to explore, with walking trails for all abilities, and paths suitable for the whole family. Read this guide to the best woodlands.

Elizabeth Dale

Dog walks on Dartmoor

Dartmoor is made for dogs. Wide open spaces and plenty of miles to walk. Join our writer, Philip, on a tour of his favourite dog-walking routes on Dartmoor.

Philip Eley

Walks in St Ives

St Ives is an iconic Cornish town, with some of the best walks in the county. Admire picture perfect views and glorious beaches on these walks in the area.

Lizzie Heather

Top 5 places to visit in the South Downs

The South Downs National Park is a place of beauty and tranquillity with rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, abundant wildlife and pretty villages. Base yourself in a self-catering cottage and enjoy the wonders of this magical place at your leisure.

Liz Arnell

Ashdown Forest

With vast forest and open heathland as far as the eye can see, take time to explore this stunning Area of Outstanding Beauty in Sussex.

Liz Arnell

Cornish Smugglers' Trails

Retrace smugglers' steps by following these cornish coastal walks. No Cornish history lesson would be done justice without attention being turned to smugglers. Whether they were liberators, criminals, pirates or local heroes, they covered the Cornish coastline with their illicit trade and made history through their dealings.

Lizzie Heather

Our Ten Favourite Benches

Back in 2013 we scoured the countryside for the most lauded and unsung benches. Now we are in a time where you may not be able to trundle along to these places, we thought we'd dig this out of the archive and take you there, and tell a few tales along the way too.

Peter Kirby

Things to do in Brixham

Brixham is a beautiful harbour town with pastel houses clinging to the hillside. It’s a colourful town, rich with history and wildlife, perfect for family holidays or peaceful romantic getaways.

Philip Eley

Zennor to St Ives Walk

Enjoy breakfast in the Chapel Cafe in Zennor and a stunning walk along the South West Coast Path and lunch in St Ives.

George Thomas

Things to do in the Blackdown Hills

If you love admiring and exploring the great outdoors, then this part of the world is the perfect place to soak up beautiful countryside and emerald woodland. The Blackdown Hills offers an extensive range of range of activities and things to do on a visit to the area.

Tasha H

Things to do in Bude

Voted the Best UK Coastal Resort at the British Travel Awards in 2015 and 2016, Bude has lots of things to do. Visit for your holiday or simply a day out while staying in one of our Cornwall cottages.

Abby D

River Dart Country Park

With walks, play areas and adrenaline adventures, River Dart Country Park has everything you might need for a fun-filled family day in Devon.

Philip Eley

Top Walks in the West Country

Whether to wear out the kids, or to rediscover alone time together, here are a few of our favourite walks in the South West.

Katie Chown

A country park dog walk in Hampshire

For a truly diverse day out with your dog, with walks galore, head over to Netley’s Royal Victoria Country Park when on holiday in Hampshire.

Kylie Barton

Princetown old railway walk

Walk through the heart of the moors along the Princetown old railway walk. Dramatic views and flat paths make this route ideal for a family walk.

Philip Eley

Things to do in a forest

Any time of year is always great for resurrecting some of the simple pleasures of yesteryear. Forests become wonderlands of fun, discovery and adventure. Here’s a round-up of some simple forest fun ideas to try.

Philip Eley

Lyndhurst and the New Forest ponies

We had driven through the town of Lyndhurst earlier in the day and made a note to stop off on our way back to our holiday cottage in Lymington, not least because of the large number of New Forest ponies we had seen just on the outskirts of the town.

Faye

Haytor Quarries walk on Dartmoor

Come rain or shine, this Dartmoor walk is enjoyable at any time of year. Winter, spring, summer or autumn, you'll find our writer, Philip heading to Haytor Quarries.

Philip Eley

Cottages on the South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is a real walking holiday adventure. Plan a stay in one of these cottages where the coastal path is on your doorstep and enjoy some of our favourite walks in the whole world.

Kayleigh Hardy

Things to do in Tolpuddle

This ancient Dorset town is so tranquil and laid back, R&R is practically guaranteed so you can kick back and zone out. But if you like to occupy your time away, there are plenty of things to do in Tolpuddle.

Katie Chown

Family friendly walk around Fort Victoria

Get a breath of fresh air with a family walk along the beach and through the woods near Yarmouth. This dog friendly beach means every member of your clan can enjoy the Great Outdoors of the Isle of Wight.

Kayleigh Hardy

Stonehenge

Learn Stonehenge facts by visiting Stonehenge Visitor Centre and marvel in the ancient history of the English landscape.

Becky Bye

Weight watching with Dorset walks

Whether you started your resolutions and then lapsed, or never actually got round to starting, there is no time like the present - or no time like when you're on holiday in Dorset, to walk off the weight, with or without the dog as motivation.

Becky Bye

Things to do in Ryde

I hadn’t thought much about having a holiday in Ryde before I spent the day there but I was really surprised by what it has to offer.

Liz Arnell

Moors Valley Country Park

I cannot recommend Moors Valley Country Park highly enough, in fact I've already sent a number of friends and family along and hope to go back again myself soon.

Faye

Medieval things to do in Somerset

The whole of Somerset is steeped in history, but with a wealth of Medieval evidence to impress all history buffs, the county is well worth exploring. The best example of this time is concentrated in the Somerset city of Wells.

Kylie Barton

Walking around Dartmouth with the dog

With a backpack full of essentials we headed off to start on our epic journey... all eight miles of it! We were both shattered by the end, but it was absolutely brilliant.

B Hutchings

Top ten Autumn walks in Somerset

As the colder months draw in, and golden and red hues fill the trees then empty over the paths as we head through winter, there’s nothing quite like gathering the family for a stroll through the countryside. Embrace the fresh air, wrap up warm and soak in the beauty of Somerset on these ten autumn walks.

Kylie Barton

Winter walks in Cornwall

Pull yourself out of hibernation. It will do you the world of good. Put that extra gear on – the wellies, the wool, the fleece, the waterproofs. Layer up. It’s time to brave the storm with these wonderful winter walks.

Sadie Phillips

Sea Glass and Dogs at Yaverland

Isle of Wight dog walks at Yaverland don't come prettier than this one filled with sparkling sea glass for beach wanderers.

Liz Arnell

Things to do in Yarmouth

It’s a great place to watch the ships go by from Portsmouth and Southampton with sailing boats dotted in between with many a deli and cafe to while away relaxing days.

Liz Arnell

New Forest Walking Festival

Explore the New Forest with or without the help of a local expert during October's New Forest Walking Festival, for young, old, two or four legs.

Kylie Barton

Little Theatre circular dog walk in Devon

Bailey's back to walk you around Torquay on a cultural route around the old town and harbour. It's a circular walk for dogs with a little bit of theatre for their owner.

B Hutchings

Things to do in Wareham

Wareham is a beautiful old town with literary connections and a great place to stop to break up a long journey, or spend a few days if you are heading down towards the coast.

Becky Bye

Murder Mystery family activity in Totnes

Explore a new town and find things to do with children in Totnes - as we eliminated suspects and weapons we explored places with great names like Warland and Ticklemore Street.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Shaldon

Shaldon is a fantastic village facing an attractive estuary with a small village charm but also a good range of shops, pubs and cafes. It lies in a sheltered valley and stares out at the larger town of Teignmouth which it is connected to by a bridge and a ferry.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Looe

Want bucket loads of seaside charm? Head to Looe! Whether you decide to base yourself here, or pop over for a day trip, there are plenty of things to do to keep you busy here.

Abby D

Things to do in Seaton

With its pebble beach, easy-going vibe, and many interesting days out and attractions nearby, Seaton is a good place for a family holiday, a walking holiday or an activity holiday.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Bovey Tracey

Bovey Tracey is a welcoming town with many tasty cafes and restaurants. It is a great base from which to explore a lovely area so here is my guide to things to do in 'Buvvy'.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Lerryn

Whether you’ve got a week or an afternoon to spend, Lerryn makes the perfect place for a spot of pottering. There are things to do in Lerryn to keep you occupied while you relax and unwind on holiday in Cornwall.

Abby D

A pretty walk to Steephill Cove

A hidden gem with calm waters and golden sands, perfect for a quiet afternoon out in the sunshine while on holiday on the Isle of Wight.

Liz Arnell

Things to do in Beaminster

Dorset walks, places to eat and things to see and do in the unassuming but very pretty little market town of Beaminster, north of Bridport. It's worth a quick visit when you're on holiday in Dorset.

Katie Chown

Things to do in Dawlish

Dawlish is a seaside town in south east Devon with a gentle air of sophistication yet still a great place for traditional bucket and spade holidays. With both Dawlish and Dawlish Warren full of ideas for a fun break, here is my guide of things to do in Dawlish.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Lulworth Cove

If you’re after a coastal day out in Dorset, but fancy something a little more adventurous than Lyme Regis or Swanage, then Lulworth Cove is for you.

Becky Bye

Things to do in Plymouth

Plymouth describes itself as Britain’s Ocean City. It is a vibrant, modern city with plenty of attractions and historic buildings, places to visit, things to do and see and lots of foody destinations.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot is a medium-sized market town, surrounded by great parks and beautiful countryside with access to great seaside one way and great moorland the other way. It also has some of the best parks and open space land you can find plenty of things to do in.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Swanage

A day out in Dorset would be far from complete without a trip to the seaside. Swanage is the best town on the Jurassic Coast for scenery.

Becky Bye

Spring tide walk to St Helens Fort

A walk with a difference. This walk can only be attempted 4 times a year so plan your holiday for low tide and hope to strike lucky.

Liz Arnell

Things to do in Wimborne Minster

Little known Dorset town Wimborne Minster has a lot of activities to offer, whether you are after a family day out, or a quiet relaxing weekend for two.

Becky Bye

Brading Marshes circular walk

Join Liz Arnell and her Labrador Retriever, Nigel, on a circular walk on the east of the Isle of Wight. The walk takes in stunning sea views and magical woodland on the island.

Liz Arnell

5 Dog friendly beaches in south Devon

Devon is a fabulous place for dogs, with many wide-open spaces for running around in. So, which beaches in South Devon are the most dog-friendly?

Philip Eley

A family day out mixing Legend and History at Tintagel Castle

A visit to Tintagel in North Cornwall is like taking a pilgrimage to a peculiarly mythical land. The castle ruins perched high on the clifftop are the quintessence of one of the greatest legends that course throughout Cornwall’s history.

Deb S

Best Dog Friendly Places in Dorset

One of the best things about holidaying in Dorset is long walks that end up in a cosy pub – and it’s just not the same if you don’t take your four-legged friend with you. Luckily we have some of the best dog-friendly cottages in Dorset.

Amanda Tomlin

Things to do in St Austell

When you think of a typical Cornish holiday, you probably won’t think of St Austell. But this historic town is well worth a wander and offers plenty of things to do as well as fantastic access to some of the best beaches in the whole county.

Abby D

Things to do in Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge is an attractive market town in its own right, but it is most often seen as a good base from which to explore the spectacular surrounding area of South Hams.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Teignmouth

Teignmouth has the nostalgic charm of a Victorian seaside town, with its pier, lido and large houses, but there’s a lot more to this interesting town than that, so here’s my guide to things to do in Teignmouth.

Philip Eley

Family Day Out at the New Forest Centre

The New Forest Centre is a hub of information and activities through which to learn about the beautiful scenery which surrounds you, and provides a great educational day out for families holidaying nearby.

Kylie Barton

Things to do in Southampton

On a glorious spring day last year, we did two things of note. We looked at the sky. Then we gazed at the sea. Then we enjoyed many of the things to do in Southampton that make for a great family holiday.

Jonathan C

Visit Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is one of the few places in the UK where you could get away with a relaxed approach to holidaymaking. From the centre of the Island you are never more than half an hour from the sea, and you'll find family friendly bays, beaches and coves scattered all over. There are lots of things to do on a visit to the Isle of Wight.

Robbie L

Things to do in Torquay

Torquay has been a fashionable seaside resort since the early 19th century with some fabulous beaches and many interesting historical houses alongside its shops and cafes.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Fowey

Set on the south coast, Fowey is a maritime lover’s paradise. The smart nautical town hugs the west side of the Fowey estuary, where deep waters attract sailing fans. The town itself is a mix of enchantingly narrow streets and a mix of architecture including historic medieval, grand Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Abby D

Things to do in Weymouth

I wonder if Weymouth is actually rather overlooked and under-rated, with visitors flocking more to other Dorset locations such as Bournemouth, but Weymouth has some brilliant hidden gems that I want to share with you.

Becky Bye

Things to do in Lymington

Quite simply, Lymington is an enchanting town for all seasons, for all the family. Situated on the southern edge of the New Forest, it offers the perfect springboard from which to explore the stunning national park.

Jonathan C

Things to do in Bodmin

One of the oldest towns in Cornwall, Bodmin is truly steeped in history yet has many modern conveniences to make life easy.

Abby D

Dog walking on Bembridge Beach

Soak up the sunshine and views of the Solent and the Channel with a walk around the Bembridge coastline on the east of the Isle of Wight.

Kayleigh Hardy

Things to do in The New Forest

Welcome to the heart of the New Forest, where cattle, ponies, donkeys, deer and pigs have roamed free for centuries.

Jonathan C

The Times Top 3 winter walks

Check out things to do and where to stay if you fancy following one of The Times' winter walks to celebrate all things outdoors.

Kayleigh Hardy

St Michael's Mount day trip

You really wonder at the enterprise and sheer foolishness of building a stately home on a huge chuck of rock 500 meters out to sea

Philip Eley

A day in Kingsand and Cawsand

Kingsand and Cawsand are twin seafront villages on The Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. They have a rich fishing (and smuggling!) heritage and you can still spot the old fish cellars and stores along the coast.

Abby D

Walking in Dorset

Some of the more rural country walks in North Dorset suggest themselves as more of a waterproof coat and wellington boot alternative, though there are plenty of coastal walks for the slightly more adventurous types with hiking boots and walking sticks. However, these are my particular favourites;

Becky Bye

A shipwreck adventure on the coast of north Cornwall

‘From Pentire Point to Hartland light, a watery grave by day and night’, so goes the local saying. It’s one of the UK’s most notorious stretches of coastline for shipwrecks...ripe for adventure.

Ali Ray

Dorset Days

We explore the eastern boundaries of our territory. Don't succumb to the temptation to keep following the dotted white lines west, but turn off and explore the unique character of Dorset. Perfect for a short, revitalising escape.

Philippa Penney

The loveliest loop on earth

The pick of things to do, places to see, food to eat on the western tip of Cornwall by people who have been born there or as good as.

Peter Kirby

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