Walking the English Countryside

At a Glance

Thanks to thousands of miles of public and ancient footpaths, walking is an integral part of the British way of life. With rolling hills, scattered stone villages and a wealth of historic monuments and buildings from prehistoric times to the present day, there is no better countryside to roam than that of the Cotswolds and the Duchy of Cornwall.

Best of all, you'll ...

On expert-led walks, discover quaint Cotswold villages and wildlife-rich sandy bays and the dramatic coastline of Cornwall.
Learn about the Cotswolds’ designation as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” from a Countryside Ranger.
Meet a local Cornwall expert to hear about the spectacular coastline and its wildlife.

Katharine

Class of 2018

San Anselmo, CA

(5) 3 days ago

Fresh air, incredible scenery, great food, warm friendships, fun times, caring guides, nudging oneself a bit physically (all good) for that very satisfying end-of-day "aaahh" feeling. Absolutely incredible trip! Cannot recommend it too highly!

Nancie

Class of 2018

Waterloo, IA

(5) 12 days ago

I was a solo, first time, Road Scholar traveler. I opted to have my own room. I am 65. This was easily THE BEST vacation/trip I have EVER been on and I've traveled A LOT with my son. He is married now and this was the PERFECT alternative for traveling for me......Nancie, Iowa

Delores

Class of 2017

Fairlawn, OH

(5) a month ago

I woke up each morning of the program excited about the plans for the day. The England I had read about for years was brought to life through hiking the hills, valleys and villages.

Pamela

Class of 2009

Strattanville, PA

(5) a month ago

Wonderful program, but be prepared to hike. This program is enjoyable, scenic and challenging.

Joseph

Class of 2012

Sun City, AZ

(5) a month ago

This overall wonderful program was particularly enhanced for us by spectacular weather, no rain.

Vickie

Class of 2014

Olympia, WA

(5) a month ago

Cotswold and Cornwall were picture postcard worthy every day. Our two guides were a delight as well as knowledgeable and indefatigable. We've never been disappointed in a Road Scholar trip but this one exceeded expectations in every way.

Mary

Class of 2017

Corvallis, OR

(5) a month ago

Discover a whole new part of being abroad by walking the countryside. Most tours are of cities, but RS walking tours get you close to the earth on which history took place. Enjoy the tranquility of nature, learn about the flora and fauna footstep by footstep, and marvel at the natural beauty of each region you visit.

Teresa

Class of 2002

Lacey, WA

(4) 8 months ago

Encompassing not one but two of the most iconic destinations England has to offer, and timed perfectly at the most comfortable time of year temperature-wise for hiking (Americanism for what the English call "walking"), this program appealed to me most of all the Road Scholar offerings for its destination of the year, England. The combining of the Cotswolds with Cornwall made it irresistible to me since I had visited neither area despite many previous trips to England. With the addition of city tours in the university city of Oxford, the cathedral city of Wells, and the Roman spa city of Bath, the itinerary was perfectly suited to my interests. Only trouble is I am a fair weather hiker, and our days were visited by rain nearly half the time. So despite the stigma of not soldiering through the wind and wet with this hardy hiking group, especially on the cliff top coastal walks in Cornwall, I got my steps in by exploring villages and landscapes often used as sets in my favorite British TV series such as Father Brown and Doc Martin, not to mention PBS Masterpiece Theater's Poldark and Downton Abbey. One of my British-born neighbors at home was green with envy at my opportunity to see Kelmscott Manor where she's never been, and gardening friends were impressed with the photos I took in the Lost Gardens of Heligan when the entire group got rained out of the day's designated hike. A chance to see Tintagel Castle was enough to woo most of our group from setting out on the final day of hiking when the leaders dropped the majority us off at this British Heritage site. Our two hostelries were also iconic, one being the home of the famous "Pudding Club" and the other the former parsonage for Saint Julitta's church, used in the filming of Doc Martin's wedding. Altogether this program was a big hit in quenching this Anglophile's thirst for lifelong learning about British history & culture, despite her missing some of the "walking" it entailed!

Barbara

Class of 2005

Gloversville, NY

(5) 9 months ago

This was a superb experience in every respect. The locations chosen for the hikes, the mix of educational opportunities, the accommodations and the wonderful guides were as good as it gets.

Heather

Class of 2015

Maple Creek, SK

(5) 9 months ago

This program included beautiful countryside and beautiful coastline, fast-paced long walks, abundant good food, great accommodation and lots of interesting activities. We really enjoyed it!

Hildy

Class of 1998

Santa Barbara, CA

(5) 11 months ago

There are many programs that take you to the Cotswolds but only one Road Scholar one where you truly experience the beauty and history by walking through the countryside and this is it! Add Cornwall to the mix and you have a perfect trip. Our leader, Heather, was so knowledgeable and made each day one that I'll never forget. Bruce added to the overall experience with his humor and comments; and the 15 other RS participants made the journey so enjoyable.

Natalie

Class of 2010

Fairfax, VA

(5) a year ago

If you like walking through farmland and villages and across scenic cliffs overlooking the ocean more than anything, this is the trip for you!

Robert

Class of 2017

Washington, DC

(5) a year ago

One of the very best vacation trips we've ever experienced. The Cotswolds and Cornwall have a tremendous amount of beauty, history and cultural interest, and the design and organization of this trip allowed us to maximize our exposure to what these places and their people have to offer. Highly recommended!

Roberta

Campbell, CA

(5) a year ago

A unique opportunity to feel you are walking through history, from Roman forts to ancient field systems, through medieval cities and Georgian or Victorian-era villages, along coastal bluff with the roaring ocean crashing below and a lighthouse in the distance, through sheep pastures with braying lambs, along meandering rivers with moorhens or a swan and her cygnets gliding peacefully, over green hills sectioned by centuries-old stone walls, over stiles and river fords, along routes long tread by human foot. Enchanting and enriching from beginning to end. Thank you, Road Scholar.

Ellen

Class of 2012

Annandale, VA

This reviewer did not give a star rating. a year ago

Great trip with a great group of people. The leaders were the best -- very supportive to even the slowest of us (me). Accommodations and food - couldn't have asked for better. The scenery - especially in Cornwall - WOW! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this trip.

Glenna

Class of 2017

Newcastle, WA

(5) a year ago

This was my first Roads Scholar trip, as well as the first trip I have made solo with an organized group. I was a bit unsure what to expect, but my experience far exceeded my expectations. The pace was just right for me, the places we walked were beautiful, and the food was excellent--I enjoyed it much more than I should have, perhaps. In spite of walking many miles each day, I managed to gain a few pounds. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys walking.

Connie

Class of 2014

Fort Collins, CO

(5) a year ago

This program came highly recommended by hikers I met on another Road Scholar hiking trip, and I was not disappointed. The true way to fully embrace Cornwall and the Cotwolds is by walking these incredibly lovely footpaths, which have lasted centuries! The scenery, camaraderie, villages, architecture, and the itinerary were indeed memorable. I returned home with a sense of tranquility not typical of other travels. If you like long walks back to back which offer historical stops then you will love this trip.

Kathleen

Class of 2016

Alexandria, VA

(5) a year ago

The walk in the Cotswolds and Cornwall was stupendous. The hikes were through beautiful countryside, and charming villages. The leaders were outstanding - as were the participants! It was a terrific mix of hiking, walking and some poking around in charming locations. Seeing the filming of a scene for Doc Martin in Port Isaac was just icing on the cake. But typical of the opportunities available on this trip. Definitely good value!

Sharon

Class of 2013

Greenfield, MA

(5) a year ago

What a great trip! First and foremost, please be sure to understand that it is high activity level! The days are full of hiking, exploring new sights such as Saxon churches and museums of local history - one of our favorites was the museum of Roman remains. The hikes are energetic, and high paced. The views are extraordinary. Hiking through lanes, farm fields, along canals and along the coast is exhilarating. And, you'll make a friend or two.

Philip

Class of 2014

Ames, IA

(5) a year ago

Be prepared to hike through some beautiful country and stretch your legs and stamina climbing up and down the hills. Side trips to Oxford, Wells, Bath and Cirencester were varied and interesting. Field trips to a tin mine, winery and an afternoon tea added to the local interest. As fans of Doc Martin and Poldark we particularly enjoyed our trip in Cornwall to Port Isaac and the surrounding area where they were filmed. I also enjoyed learning about the legend about Tintagel and King Arthur from a couple of enthusiasts in our group. The weather was incredible! Average weather forecasts did not prepare me for the gorgeous weather during our trip in early September. We were most comfortable in shorts and only had one day of hiking in the rain.