In North America, we tend to use “walk” in the same way we’d use “stroll” – a relatively easy excursion, usually along paved roads. We reserve the term “hike” for a more challenging trek through rugged terrain. The UK and the Republic of Ireland, however, use “walk” to describe any trip on foot, whether it’s to the corner shop or up the mountainside. Particularly if you’re talking to an older person, you may also hear the terms hillwalking, rambling, or fellwalking. When you get a hot tip at the pub about a lovely walk nearby, don’t set out in sandals until you’ve asked a few followup questions about length, difficulty, etc.

For instance, the tallest of the Connemara Mountains in Ireland, which we pass through on our Hiking the Western Way tour, reaches a maximum elevation of nearly 2,400 feet. Local guides may refer to the climb as a walk, or at most a “hard walk” or “hill walk.” All the same you’ll definitely want to bring hiking boots. Even less challenging stretches of trail may require appropriate preparations and footwear if the distances warrant. Especially at higher elevations, sunny weather can turn windy or misty on fairly short notice.

So how best to prepare for a day or more of walking, Irish or UK style? Hiking boots as opposed to shoes will give you the best ankle support and be suitable for the broadest range of conditions. If you don’t intend to carry a ton of gear, though, you won’t need the stiffest, heaviest variety available, backpacking boots. Some hikers even prefer lightweight, low-cut trail runners for the comfort and speed they offer. Either way a good fit is very important, so when shopping around make sure you try your intended pair on at the end of the day after your feet have had time to swell, and while you’re wearing the type of sock you intend to bring with you. Avoid choosing a pair so tight they chafe, as you should still have room to wiggle your toes. Speaking of socks, those need to fit well too in order to avoid blistering. Choose a thickness appropriate for the season – thick enough to give you some comfy cushioning, but not so thick as to be sweltering on a warm day. Merino wool is the go-to material for most hikers, sometimes blended with synthetics for durability and faster drying.

The standard outdoorsperson advice also applies to hiking in the UK, of course. Layering a t-shirt, fleece top, and jacket allows you to peel off as you warm up or stay toasty when the weather turns. A brimmed hat and sunscreen will probably leave you feeling less fatigued at the end of the day, and a spare pair of socks never hurt. Snacks, water, and a fully charged phone are reassuring additions to any pack. Just be aware that cell reception can be spotty on some stretches of trail, so it’s always best practice to download map data in advance or bring a good old-fashioned paper map along.

Lastly, if you’re referring to any guides written on hiking in the UK, you may want to make sure you’ve read them over in advance to make sure you haven’t glossed over any more unfamiliar terms (i.e. do you know a moor when you see one? Did you know a “permissive path” is a trail on private property which the landowner has granted access to?). If you travel with Pure Adventures, our local guides will bring you up to speed on anything you might need to know about trails or points of interest. Your job is to relax, enjoy the pastoral countryside and sweeping landscape, and then put your feet up after a long day’s ramble up hill and down dale. 

See all of Pure Adventure’s offerings in Ireland and the UK here.

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Pendennis Castle

Built between 1540 and 1545, Pendennis and St Mawes Castles were built as artillery fortresses by Henry VIII to counter a threat from France and Spain. Over the centuries, Pendennis Castle played an important role in protecting England against attack, and was a significant fortress as recently as World War II. A brand new exhibit, Fortress Falmouth and the First World War, opens July 14, 2014. Favorite attractions at Pendennis include the daily cannon firing and exploring the system of underground tunnels. Falmouth. Admission: $11.99. Website for more details.

Eden Project

Though the Eden Project itself could be considered new, having only been built a little over a decade ago, the site of this breathtaking bio-dome rests on a 160 year old clay quarry. Equal parts charity, tourist attraction and social enterprise, the Eden Project houses the world’s largest rainforest in captivity under a architecturally stunning biomes (so large the Tower of London could fit inside). The Eden Project was recently named the UK’s Best Leisure Attraction in the British Travel Awards. Bodmin. Admission: $40.24, but discounted if you ride your bike to Eden Project. Website for events and more information.

Trerice

This peaceful Elizabethan Manor is a quiet escape from the bustle of Cornwall’s busier tourist towns. Trerice is protected by and has been painstakingly restored by the National Trust. Relax in the peaceful gardens, explore the rooms in the sprawling manor or enjoy a cup of tea and traditional pastries in The Great Barn. Kestle Mill. Admission: $13.00, vouchers for food and drink offered if you cycle or walk to Trerice. Website for more information.

Trelissick Gardens

There are more than 300 acres of historic countryside to be discovered at Trelissick Gardens, a true gem in the collection of National Trust properties. Of course, the 30 acres of perfectly manicured elevated gardens are the highlight of any visit to Trelissick, with a varied collection of hydrangeas, rhododendrons, camellias and ginger lilies. Historic and centuries old Trelissick House is open daily in the summer for you to wander through, a rare  treat since since it is closed to the public the rest of the year. If you time your self-guided trip to Cornwall right, take part in any of the woodland summer activities, like archery, woodworking or canoeing. Feock. Admission: $14.70. Website for more information.

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Often called the quintessential English region, the Cotswolds is a picturesque range of hills in southwestern and west-central England, roughly 25 miles  across and 90 miles long. During Pure Adventures’ newest self-guided hybrid bike cycling tour  every day has a highlight, from the discovery of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, to the romantic water gardens at Sezincote and the Brailes, an area mentioned in the Domesday Book. You will be cycling through many iconic areas of the Cotswolds and even a cycle through Stratford-upon-Avon is included, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.While the Cotswolds is famous for its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, history buffs and clothing aficionados will appreciate the region’s deep roots in the textile industry. Read on to learn more about this unique part of Cotswold’s past.

Woolly Wonderland
If you lived in the Cotswolds in the 12th century, the saying ‘In Europe the best wool is English and in England the best wool is Cotswold’  is one you would have heard bandied about or perhaps even sung by local weavers. At the time, nearly 50% of England’s economy was due to the wool trade, chiefly located in the Cotswolds. Abbies and monasteries raised huge flocks of native sheep, renowned for their long fleece and hardy nature. At the height of the wool trade, nearly 150 mills produced this famous fabric and enormous wool churches – opulent churches built by wool merchants – were built across the region. Today, the Cotswolds still produces fine woolen items and wool museums throughout England celebrate the significance of the wool trade.

Success in Silk
Silk may not be the first English made textile that comes to mind, but as far back as the 1200’s, silk was produced at mills in the Cotswolds region. The mills in Broadway (one of the towns on our self-guided cycling tour) were highly productive until they closed in the mid 1800s. Silk-worm attracting white mulberry bushes were planted on the grounds of where current-day Buckingham Palace is located, but were removed when the gardens became a meeting place for who historians call “women of ill-repute”. When the wool industry began to decline in the village of Blockley during the 1800s, the silk industry continued to boom, with gloves being one of the most popular items produced. Today, the Cotswolds are still considered important silk producers.

Gloves Galore
Built in 1787, Broadway Tower is one of the highest viewpoints in the Cotswolds. Today it is primarily a tourist destination featuring historical exhibits or serving as a filming location for TV and movies, but hundreds of years ago, Broadway Tower housed a glove manufacturing facility. Broadway Tower is a must-see for photographers wanting to capture the picturesque landscape on film – see it on day 5 of Pure Adventures’ bicycling tour.

Textile Trail
With roots deep in the textile industry, museums and churches in the Cotswolds are rich with items crafted by local weavers. Some items have historical significance, like the hundreds year old collection of Stonefield embroidery at the Oxfordshire Museum, to the  detailed and community-crafted kneelers at St Mary Magdalen Church. A self-guided walking trail of these collections has been designed by the local tourism council.

Famous Festivals
For years, artists and though with a love of fabrics and textiles flocked to the Stroud International Textiles Festival. Recently the group moved to hosting smaller exhibitions instead, celebrate contemporary work that includes all applied arts and honoring to traditional textile culture.The SIT events calendar lists upcoming workshops and exhibits.

Pure Adventures’ 7 nights Cotswolds self-guided cycling tour itinerary starts at USD$1298 per person and includes accommodations, daily breakfasts, luggage transfers, route maps and more. Contact us for more details or to book this Cotswolds self-guided cycling trip.

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