Wessex Ancient Kingdom Independent (self-guided) inn to inn walking tour

As featured in The Telegraph

“As on our previous trip, we found the directions for the treks to be well-done and clear. We enjoyed our stay at each of the inns. Thank you for making our second Foot Trails experience so pleasant.”

Bob & Marjorie, USA

Welcome & Trail Story from Alison

Hello, Welcome. We are Foot Trails. One of England's best loved regional walking travel companies. We custom make and craft walking trips.

This is Wessex Ancient Kingdom. Our signature inn to inn trip enables you to link up to seven villages in three different counties, Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.

What makes it so special? It's the walks themselves. There are numerous national trails crossing England -

- rather like the motorways of walking. This experience focusing instead on taking you more deeply into South West England on smaller, quieter, local trails. This means a more authentic and peaceful, crowd free experience.

Do be prepared for a little adventure. Long grasses in summer, a little overgrown maysometimes apply, but your efforts will be richly rewarded with sights most visitors simply never see.

Warm regards, Alison HowellFounder & CEO

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About Wessex Ancient Kingdom

Wessex Ancient Kingdom is an inn to inn style walk, giving you a sense of journey. Spend two nights at up to seven different locations through Wessex, an ancient Saxon kingdom which in modern England is Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.

Walking from village to village is a superb experience enjoying landscapes, rivers, castles, market towns, woodland and hand-picked country inns on the way.

This tour gives a glimpse into the life of old England from Saxon kings to medieval castles. Places on this trail have featured in films and novels including Thomas Hardy's Tess D'Urbervilles, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and Billy Elliott.

With every day its own mini adventure, your walking will be filled with discoveries.

Contents

Pick of the highlights p6

Where? p7

Sample daily itinerary p9

Hand-picked country inn p19

Prices & booking p20

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Our pick of the highlights

* Explore England's only hexagonal castle. The setting for Kevin Costner's film Prince of Thieves.

* Discover havens for nature; places to spot herons, kingfishers, wild flowers and orchids and rare butterflies as well as deer, foxes and hares.

* Taste local produce including Dorset apple cake, Wiltshire ham, local bacon, cider, local ales, cheddar cheese, Somerset brie and more.

* Visit Sherborne, ancient market town with its abbey, independent shops and cafes.

* Learn the legend of Camelot; King Arthur's reputed stronghold.

* Admire picturesque English countryside dotted with church towers, villages and breath-taking views.

* Walk through old English villages and places with names such as Ebbesbourne Wake and Teffont Evias.

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Where?

Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset are counties in the South West of England. The modern names for the area which was once called Wessex, a kingdom in Saxon times.

How to get here?

“Wessex, AncientKingdom” begins in eitherSouth Wiltshire or NorthDorset depending on thelength of your trail.

The nearest train stationsfor arrivals are eitherTisbury, Wiltshire,Gillingham Dorset, orWarminster, Wiltshire.

The suggestedinternational airport is atLondon Heathrow whichoffers an easy transfer to London Paddington and around two hours onto the start ofthe trail. Travel is about a two hour drive from London by car.

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Sample daily itinerary...

This is intended to be an example. Your itinerary will be custom made and crafted to suit you and the season. Itineraries are available from a minimum of 4 nights up to 14 nights. Rest days or sightseeing days can be incorporated at your request. We can provide flexible daily walking distances and more besides!

Day 1

Arrive in South Wiltshire and relax. You're on your Foot Trail adventure! For those who want to explore immediately take our introductory short trail.

Day 2

Maidens and Priors9 miles or 11.5 miles

Make your way through Longleat Forest and then out passing an old farm and lake where once a Priory stood. It's then into the Bradley wood, a great mature mixed woodland, listen to the bird chatter. The woods part to reveal the site of a long abandoned medieval village. Arrive to the home of Duke of Somerset. A spot of lunchat the pub and then your afternoon leads you on high and onto the crest of the Deverills for terrific views.

Image: Wardour Castle, Wiltshire9

Day 3

Lakes, Follies and Stones11 miles

A splendid walk through a poetical medieval landscape. A blend of greenness, woods,villages and thatch. William Beckford's father (Beckford was a well known political figure in 18th century London) called this country estate 'Splendens'. It certainly still holds true.

The grand stone entrance gate is quite a sight, as is the mile long lake.

Day 4

Knights Medieval Castle5, 7, 8 or 12 miles

A glimpse into old England with a rare peaceful feel. Stride through charming hamlets with old manor houses and thatched cottages before arriving into two castles. New Wardour, built in the 18th century for the Arundel family as a fine English country house.

Arrive at Old Wardour. 14th century, this once magnificent castle, partly destroyed during the English civil war by canon fire, stands quite possibly the most romantic ruin in Southern England.

Explore its silent grounds, lakes and grottos and marvel at the kitchen and banqueting hall.

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If that doesn't intrigue you sufficiently,further delights can be found walkingthe carriage ride, passing the villageduck pond and heading out near acastle hill fort returning to yourcountry inn on foot.

Day 5

Take a break today or enjoy another full day on the hike. Include a private walk with Alison & David and explore Stonehenge or maybe sightsee at Stourhead or just sit in a cafe in a small town and watch the coming and going – and enjoy the cake!

Day 6

Out on the chase8. or 11 miles

The Chalk Downs provide a real contrast to the valleys. You are surrounded by sweeping views and curving downs where the sheep graze. You will pass through a string of medieval villages with poetic names such as Ebbesbourne Wake. Picturesque with their flint cottages and fascinating stories.

Walking along the ancient Ox Drove is a journey through history. A likely pre-Romantrack along which cattle and sheep were driven to market. The chalk downlands themselves are a great place to spot wild flowers and butterflies.

Day 7

Thomas Hardy Tales6.5, 8.5 or 11 miles

This walk gives you a good flavour of the beautiful Dorset landscapes and scenes thatinspired English author Thomas Hardy to write. Pause at Dorset's highest village - where the house martins swoop across the pond in summer, and roses ramble wildly around the cottage doors.12

The ridge top walk gives you views to the Purbeck hills in South Dorset and stories ofmysterious goings on at the local 'washers pit'. The downs you explore were purchased by the National Trust to commemorate Hardy's novels.

Filled with wild flowers and bronze age earthworks, your views take in Shaftesbury (Shaston to Thomas Hardy fans).

From the top (optional) the views become 360 degrees, you will feel like you are on top of the world, no other point of land you see will be higher than you, it's a breath-taking sensation as you pick out villages, a derelict church, hamlets and Dorset's curvaceous landscapes.

Day 8

Dorset Miller 8 or 12 miles

A picturesque and fascinating trail through the heart of rural Dorset. An area where many mills established themselves on the banks of the river Stour. Milling is among the oldest of human occupations. And millers had the important job of grinding cereal crops by stone to make flour which was turned into bread. You'll pass one suchancient mill which established itself in the time of the Doomsday book (11th century)and it makes a beautiful scene.

You'll walk past the Pure Drop inn which featured in Thomas Hardy's Tess D'Urbervilles. Life in the village here can be traced back to the iron-age. Discover ancient villages, enjoy a traditional English pub lunch and cross farmland to arrive at your next country inn on foot.

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Day 9

Hilltop Shaftesbury 3.75 miles

Explore the heart of this charming market hill-top town, Saxon in origins. From here the views across and over the Cranborne Chase are simply astounding, some of the best in Dorset. Together with the old abbey ruins, the much famed Gold Hill with its cobbled street and cottages and not forgetting the cake shops and cafés, serving the much enjoyed Dorset apple cake, this short trail provides plenty to enjoy.

Day 10

Into Somerset 10 miles

It is over the county boundary today, as you set out across the Western most part of the Blackmore Vale. Water is a quite a feature out here with brooks, ponds and reservoirs. Cross old fording points and find streams that wind their way through thevillages. In one village find the ancient cross where St Aldhelm is said to have preached in 705AD. We are heading into the heart of old Wessex and soon there are tales of ancient times passed and the ending of Roman Britain. Call by an inn for lunch or visit the local shop. Then pass land once lived in by our Mesolithic ancestorsand stand on the edge of the ridge before plunging into your next overnight stay.

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As featured in

The Telegraph

Day 11

Your feet will follow in the footsteps of those that have trodden these ancient trails for many centuries before you. They include farmers taking their animals to sell at market, as well as pilgrims who were visiting the great abbey at Sherborne.

There are great views, rolling hills and tales of two castles on this trail. You will arriveinto the old market town where you can explore and enjoy the cafés and if you wish, to walk around the castles, which is well worth doing. The abbey is world renowned and another place well worth a visit.

Day 12

Knights Quest8.5 miles

Today's trail offers inspiring walking filled with pastoral views of rural England. Up on the ridge the vistas stretch dreamily for miles across the Yeo valley. An agricultural area. You can explore historic ham stone Somerset villages with their gorgeous cottages and wander inside the rare 13th century church.

At the hill fort of Cadbury the view from the top extend all the way across Somerset to a distant Glastonbury Tor. Legend says this was King Arthur's stronghold.

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Where you stay

During Wessex Ancient Kingdom you will stay in up to seven of our personally chosen country inns. A much loved part of every Foot Trail.

Small, personal and friendly with excellent hospitality each country inn sits in an English village with comfortable bedrooms and delicious local food and produce.

A far cry from large corporate hotels, each inn and bedroom is uniquely designed. Allare en-suite.

After an excellent nights' sleep you can wake up to fresh country air and a fantastic breakfast. Breakfast is a delight. A wonderful choice and array of anything from the healthiest and lightest of breakfasts to something more sustaining before your walks.Choices include cereals, fresh milk, fruit juices, yoghurt, nuts and fruits, bread and toasts and cooked breakfast such as bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato, beans, black pudding and eggs Benedict and, of course, tea and coffee.

We love the character and personal touch of our country inns. Many guests tell us they are a destination in their own right.

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What's included and prices

This tour is available any nights (subject to availability) from 6 nights to 14 nights

Prices from:8 nights from £1195 per person*10 nights from £1445 per person*12 nights from £1695 per person**Based on two sharing, staying on a bed & breakfast basis

Included in your tour:• Independent (self guided) walking days custom made to match you and the season • Tailored Walk and Explore Box • Local Ordnance Survey™ maps (waterproof) • Trail guide cards (waterproof one for each day with easy to follow instructions) • Plastic map holder • Local stories and histories • Recommended lunchtime stops at country pubs and cafes • Nature cards for identifying wild flowers, trees and animals • Seasonal nature guide book • Sweets (for a boost en route) • Your en-suite accommodation in a classic en-suite bedroom (superior upgrades available) • Breakfasts • One bottle of wine • Transport drop off services as required by your itinerary • Luggage transfers between your country inns • Services of your own dedicated expert trip planner to create and organise your trip plus a dedicated Guest Liaison Manager before arrival.

Availability:Minimum 6 nights and up to 14 nights itineraries and holidays are available between 01 March and 31 October.

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Words from our guests

“ The most relaxing vacation I ever had. Great food, gorgeous scenery, perfect accommodations. It’s wonderful to have someone else take care of all the details.”

Frazer & Nicola, USA

“ Thank you so much for organising a carefully planned program. We have booked with other companies in different parts of the world but we would have to say your company has been outstanding in all areas.”

Adele, Australia

“ The more we talk about your company to our friends, the more we realize what a unique and special service you provide. We are already talking about our next holiday with you.”

Bob & Linda

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Why a Foot Trail?

A Foot Trail avoids the formulaic nature, crowds and predictability of mass tourism and focuses instead purely on the quality of your experience.

Take a Foot Trail and you will explore deep beneath the surface.

You will walk and hike in real and authentic places. Enjoy real, not manufactured moments. Shared conversations with a local person, the stillness of time spent in beautiful landscapes and the joy of encountering stories and moments from England's past.

Three words describe a Foot Trail perfectly.

Simple - Crafted – Authentic

“My over-riding memory of my hike in England was of an overwhelming prettiness, as well as a calibre of food that was far more local, whole and mindful than I had expected. I really wasn't expecting the South West of England to have such an informed foodie focus.” Sarah Wilson, Australian foodie author.

Foot Trails are one of England's best loved regional walking travel companies. We work within our local community, crafting walking experiences from scratch, aimingfor a positive outcome for all.

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To book

Call +44 (0) 1747 820 626 with your chosen date, we will then confirm your place for you upon which a 35% deposit will be payable. Full balances due 8 weeks before arrival. PayPal & all major credit & debit cards accepted.

+44 (0) 1747 820 626 (landline)

Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk

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