Simon is a TV writer turned travel journalist and photographer who specialises in walking and hiking holidays in the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond. He writes on walking holidays in England for the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, among others.
Best for: hill walking holidays
Perhaps the most famous walking region in the UK, the Lake District offers a chance to wander lonely as a cloud amid impressive landscapes of mountains and water.
The choices for walkers range from England’s most serious climbing routes to gentle lakeside circuits. The two main hazards to consider are that the main roads and towns get very busy with day trippers and tour buses in the summer months, while the fells include challenging terrain to be taken very seriously.
Across the Lakes the transport network can be a limiting factor. Roads are narrow and sometimes jammed. Nevertheless there is a huge range of places to stay, from farm B&Bs and hostels to luxury hotels and suiting either inn-to-inn or centre-based walking holidays.
At a glance
Destinations
Lake District
Activity
Active, WalkingRelated Guides

The best walking holidays in the UK

The United Kingdom is a walking holiday paradise: Hundreds of thousands of miles of well-mapped public footpaths, beautifully varied landscapes, excellent hospitality, and easily accessible. It’s no wonder this is a nation of walkers.

Walking holidays in England

There are two broad categories of walking holidays in England: single location (‘centre based’) or long distance (‘inn-to-inn’) walks. When I've been walking with a big group or with kids in tow, it can work better being based in one location and heading out on day hikes as the group (and weather) sees fit.

The best walking holidays in Europe

Europe is a famously popular and, in places, crowded travel destination. Escaping the bustle on a walking holiday in Europe's more-remote corners is a good way to escape the day trippers, tour buses and cruise ships that plague the continent’s busier hotspots.
