South-West England has long been a popular holiday destination. With a mild climate and superb scenery it's not hard to see why so many people are attracted here for a walking holiday.

Dramatic Coastline
The highlight of any visit to Devon or Cornwall is the outstanding coastal scenery. High cliffs, rugged headlands and beautiful sandy beaches make walking any stretch of the coastal path a real delight. Probably the best way to appreciate this exhilarating coastline is on a Classic Walking holiday at St Ives. Situated near the tip of Cornwall this enchanting seaside town, famous for its narrow streets and art galleries, is an excellent base from which to discover Cornwall. Now dependent on tourism it is hard to believe that this area was once one of the powerhouses of the industrial revolution; indeed the earliest steam engines were developed to pump water from the local mines. Today Cornwall has returned to its idyllic peace, but the ghostly remains of tin mines act as a fascinating reminder of this glorious industrial past.

Stretching over 500 miles from Minehead to Poole Harbour, the South West Coast Path is England's longest national trail. Few walkers have the time or energy to complete the whole route in one go, however we offer a variety of holidays where you can tackle more manageable sections. On our Guided Trails you can walk the coast paths of Somerset & North Devon, North Cornwall and South Cornwall. If you prefer a self-guided holiday then you'll be spoilt for choice with three different holidays, including Highlights of the Cornish Coast Path, Dorset Coast Path and the Somerset and North Devon Coast Path.

High Moorlands
The two upland areas of the South-West act as a complete contrast to their green hinterland. The Dartmoor National Park in Devon has the wildest scenery in southern England. Here acres of high moorland are interrupted only by a series of gnarled granite outcrops, or tors. Situated near one of the most famous of these is our Country House accommodation at Haytor from where you can explore Dartmoor, and its surrounding green valleys, on a Classic Walking holiday . Whilst first impressions may suggest a harsh wilderness, look more closely and you'll discover remarkable pre-historic settlements, stone circles and historic water channels as evidence of man's attempts to tame the landscape.

The moors of the Exmoor National Park are a little softer and here you'll have the best of both worlds; unspoilt moorland and a spectacular coastline. On a Classic Walking holiday at Selworthy you'll appreciate these two contrasting landscapes whilst staying in the comfort of a National Trust estate. It is not hard to see why this corner of Somerset inspired the writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge and you can now follow in his footsteps on the Coleridge Way, a 48 mile walk with wide-ranging views.

Beautiful Cotswolds
For many the pastoral scenery of the Cotswold Hills epitomise the classic image of rural England. Gently rolling hills and patchwork fields make for relaxing walking. A special feature are the charming market towns and traditional villages, complete with picture-postcard thatched cottages and buildings of golden stone. One of the best examples is Bourton-on-the-Water, our base for Classic Walking holidays in this area. Here you'll stay in a delightful Tudor house and can enjoy a choice of guided walks each day in the surrounding countryside.

If you prefer the challenge of a trail holiday then the most famous route in the area is the Cotswold Way which can be completed as either a guided or self-guided holiday. Lesser known, but equally attractive, is the North Cotswold Diamond Way which links a selection of the best towns and villages. Finally the Thames Path is a relaxing walk which follows the river from the dreaming spires of Oxford to its source in the Cotswold Hills.