The UK is home to spectacularly varied landscapes, from the towering, chalky Seven Sisters cliffs on the South Downs to natural phenomena such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
One of the best ways to explore is via the National Trails list of approved walks, which will take you over rolling hills, craggy fells, and coastal paths, where you’ll stumble upon picture-perfect villages, quaint countryside towns and remote communities, all of which have unique heritage and wildlife.
Whether you are heading off on an easy amble, an advanced climb up a mountain, or a long-distance expedition across valleys, getting a great night’s sleep will help you to make the most of your walk. So here’s our pick of the best places to stay on some of the UK’s most loved routes, from luxury retreats in the Cotswolds to budget-friendly eco-accommodation in Snowdonia; as well as pet-friendly suites and cosy rooms with roll-top baths above local pubs.
1. Thames Path, London
While the Thames Path has its source in the Cotswolds, those who want to use the walking route as a whistle-stop tour of London landmarks could start from Hampton Court to delve into the leafy suburbs, before hitting the centre of the capital. The path leads on to the Thames Barrier in Woolwich, where walkers will get a better sense of the history of the working river, with post-industrial structures visible from the waterside. The path carries on towards the east to Erith.
The Mitre, Hampton Court
For a boutique stay by the water’s edge, The Mitre sits facing the spectacular Hampton Court Palace. Its rooms have a quintessential English feel, with four-poster beds and roll-top baths. For walkers who are bringing their pooches or children on a ramble through the capital, pet and family-friendly rooms are available.
Price: From £166
Admiral Hardy
If you’re finishing a walk at the Thames Barrier, hop on the 180 or 177 bus, or double back on yourself to explore Greenwich’s National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College, and the Cutty Sark. In Greenwich’s town centre, the Admiral Hardy pub has seven characterful rooms, with basic amenities and large double beds. At the downstairs restaurant enjoy pie and mash – or a roast if it’s a Sunday – and grab an ale to raise a toast to finishing your city trek.
Price: From £108
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2. Helvellyn, Lake District
Perhaps one of the more challenging walks in the UK – but well worth the effort – the ascent to Helvellyn offers staggering views that inspired poets including Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. While there are testing trails, such as the route to the mountain from Striding Edge, the route from Thirlmere is considered the less-demanding option.
The King’s Head Inn
If you’re opting for the short walk from Thirlmere, The King’s Head Inn, situated at the foot of Helvellyn, will make you feel more than welcome after a day trekking the mountain. This former 17th-century coaching inn has 17 en-suite bedrooms, all with spectacular views of the surrounding fells, and plush beds ideal for a good night’s rest. Downstairs, you will find a bar and restaurant, complete with beams and an inglenook, warmed through with a log burner in the winter months.
Price: From £80
Fairlight Guesthouse
If you are starting your ascent up Helvellyn from the other side of the mountain, Fairlight Guesthouse bed and breakfast is situated right next to the main footpath. The interiors are simple in style, and it’s clean and comfortable. The guesthouse welcomes parties of various sizes, offering double and twin bed rooms, all the way up to family rooms for three or four people.
Price: From £159
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3. Seven Sisters, South Downs
Arguably one of England’s most mesmerising views is that of the rippling white chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters that look towards the Channel. There are many ways to ascend to the cliffs, but one popular option is following in the footsteps of cattle drovers and smugglers on the Birling Gap route.
The Tiger Inn
This low-slung oak-beamed inn is one of the most convenient places to stay if starting or finishing in Birling Gap. Found in the sleepy village of East Dean, 15th-century The Tiger Inn pub has been serving ale for hundreds of years. With an open fire, it makes a welcoming sight after a blustery walk along the coastal path. The bedrooms all have a twee charm to them, with floral drapes across the ceiling, upholstered headboards and pastel accents.
Price: From £143
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4. Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
Part of the 636-mile-long trek that is the Ulster Way, the Causeway Coast is one of the UK’s most jaw-dropping routes. It takes in32 miles of the scenic Northern Irish coast, running from Ballycastle to Portstewart. Though relatively unchallenging, it takes between two and three full days to complete in daylight. It is home to the Giant’s Causeway, a nature reserve consisting of some 40,000 jutting basalt columns along the coast on the edge of the Antrim Plateau.
StayLagom
This hotel describes itself as “designed by travellers, for travellers”, and is a well-equipped base for ramblers starting or finishing in Ballycastle. Rooms at StayLagom vary to accommodate the size of your walking party: there are rooms with king-sized beds for couples, family suites, pod refuges with bunkbeds for groups of hiking companions, and dog-friendly rooms. For large groups of up to 31 guests, there is a lodge complete with a kitchen, lounge and bedrooms.
Price: From £108
Cul-Erg House
At the other end of the route is Portstewart, a small seaside town with a two-mile stretch of golden sand, a favourite with surfers and explorers. Cul-Erg House is a four-star, family-run bed and breakfast only a two-minute walk from the ocean’s edge. It has its own drying room for walkers to store any muddy boots or soaking-wet raincoats after a ramble. At the back of the accommodation is a sun-trap courtyard, a perfect place to sit and take in the salty air while planning your route.
Price: From £135
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5. Hebridean Way, Scotland
The 156-mile Hebridean Way is a long-distance walking route that takes you from one Outer Hebrides island to another. Whether completing the entire route, which could take up to two weeks, or sampling bite-sized pieces, it will provide stunning landscapes brimming with wildlife and historic landmarks.
Stornoway Bed and Breakfast
Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, known for its fishing industry, is home to historic Lews Castle, plus plenty of eateries and Harris Tweed shops. After a long day walking on the Way, stop at the family-run Stornoway Bed and Breakfast and book one of its double or twin rooms. And the next morning, fill your belly with a Scottish breakfast, including haggis, black pudding and tattie scones. For a self-catered stay, complete with a living room space and a kitchenette, book the B&B’s “Stables”.
Price: From £158
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6. The Cotswold Way, Cotswolds
The Cotswold Way is considered the region’s defining walk at 102 miles long. It begins in the idyllic town of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire and stretches all the way to Bath. The route meanders through a myriad of picturesque villages and quaint towns with quintessential English country appeal.
The Painswick
If you are heading through the fairytale village of Painswick, with its honey-hued houses and flamboyant Rococo Garden, then why not turn your trip into a luxury retreat at The Painswick hotel? After completing a long leg of the Cotswold Way, soak your throbbing feet in a roll-top bath, and get 40 winks on the sink-in beds before heading down to the restaurant for an English charcuterie grazing board. Book the George’s Suite for the full experience. It has a four-poster bed, and spacious balcony with incredible views.
Price: From £207
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7. Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door, Dorset
This 96-mile stretch of the Jurassic Coast provides arresting views of ancient rocks and landforms. While there are many popular walks along the extraordinary coastline, one popular ramble is from the blue waters at Lulworth Cove up to the limestone arch at Durdle Door and Bat’s Head picnic spot.
The Lulworth Cove Inn
If you’re setting out early from Lulworth Cove, book a stay at this four-star inn just off the Cove’s viewpoint. While the immediate area can be very busy during the high season, the sparkling sea views from The Lulworth Cove Inn are worth braving the crowds. Each room brings the outdoors in with marine motifs and aquamarine shades. Downstairs, a hearty pub menu featuring burgers, fish and chips, pies and sandwiches is available.
Price: From £95
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8. Three Peaks, Yorkshire Dales
Taking in Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge is an advanced 24-mile circular hike designed for experienced climbers. Think steep terrain, rocky ascents and scrambling up summits. However, the reward is the stunning, sweeping views across the moors.
The Traddock
Sitting at the foot of the peaks is Austwick, a small civil parish on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales. If you are stopping there before or after advancing up the looming fells, book a stay at The Traddock, a family-run country house hotel with cosy rooms designed for those seeking a comfortable stay after a long hike. Rooms have a classical Georgian style, with ornate headboards, standalone baths and soft lighting. A three AA Rosette restaurant turns out dishes using local Yorkshire ingredients. Choose from a three-course brasserie menu or a tasting menu if you have worked up an appetite.
Price: From £190
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9. Snowdonia Slate Trail, Wales
Starting and ending near Bangor, the 83-mile-long Snowdonia Slate Trail can be completed in one week, although many of the legs can be tackled in a day or less. The route journeys through some of Wales’s greatest landscapes and past historical landmarks, from major mountain ranges, lakes and rivers to serene villages and narrow gauge railways that will delight any train enthusiast.
Bryn Elltyd Eco House
Halfway along the trail near Tanygrisiau – famous for its slate mining community that produced black slate distributed across the world – is a small hidden gem welcoming travellers along the route. Bryn Elltyd Eco House is a green tourism award-winning stay that champions sustainable living in the heart of Snowdonia. The carbon-neutral renovated, 19th-century Slate Manager’s House has a fully-equipped kitchen, a cosy log burner and two sun-catching conservatories.
The main house has three bedrooms, and there are two small annexes at the side of the house, accommodating two people each, although these do not come with a kitchen. The house serves as a great base to explore the slate trail from both directions, visiting the national park or hiking up Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales.
Price: From £92 (there is a two-night minimum stay)
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10. Porthcurno to Land’s End, Cornwall
Many routes incorporate a slice of Land’s End, the most westerly point of mainland England, but for an easier route start from Porthcurno. While there are plenty of cafes, pubs and seaside attractions in the area, Land’s End’s main marvel is the 270 million-year-old granite rocks forming the “backbone” of Cornwall.
The Land’s End Hotel
While it’s hard to find a bad place to kip for the night at Land’s End, given the impeccable views, why not celebrate completing a stride along the Cornish coast and splash out on one of the closest hotels to the westerly point? Sitting atop the granite cliffs overlooking the lighthouse and Atlantic Ocean is the three-star Land’s End Hotel, which has a refreshingly modern feel to its 30 en-suite rooms, and is dog-friendly.
Each room has its own individual quirks, from wooden beams to slanted ceilings, making for an intimate place to hunker down for the night. Along with its sea-view and deluxe accommodation, twin, single and family rooms are available to cater to different party sizes.
Price: From £144
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11. The Pilgrims’ Way
One of the best known routes in Britain, it is thought that the ancient Pilgrims’ Way was first used in 1172 from Winchester to Canterbury, where Saint Thomas Becket was buried after he was murdered two years before. Religious or not, the route is still completed by many hikers each year, with the entire 153-mile route taking at least 14 days to complete.
Alternatively, the route can be started at Southwark Cathedral, making the walk around 90 miles, which can be completed in 11 days. Both routes join up at Otford in Kent and follow the path into Canterbury. Along the way, pilgrims will cover chalk ridges, across the North Downs and through picturesque villages. There is plenty to delight history lovers en route, too, including Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, Rochester Cathedral and the remains of Lesnes Abbey.
The Black Horse Inn
There are plenty of sanctuaries and low-cost bunkhouses to stay at along the Pilgrims’ Way if you want to save money. For those considering pushing the boat out for a couple of nights, we recommend making a stop in Thurnham near Maidstone at the 18th-century Black Horse Inn. Rooms range from double to family, twin and single en-suite rooms that can be booked alongside breakfast. Sit in the beer garden with an ale and a meal from the restaurant’s grill while surrounded by the Kent countryside.
Price: From £93
House of Agnes
If you’re bedding down in Canterbury after completing the Pilgrims’ Way, try House of Agnes, a traveller’s inn dating back as far as the 13th century. While not directly referenced in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales – a series of short stories about pilgrims heading to Thomas Becket’s shrine – the route mentioned would have taken them down St Dunstans Street in Canterbury past House of Agnes. Pilgrims today can choose from a series of rooms all decorated as odes to different locations around the world, from The Mumbai Room to The Paris Room.
Price: From £115
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12. Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail
Named after the last native born Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr, who organised a rebellion against the English king Henry IV in 1400, this trail shows off some of the very best landscapes in the Welsh countryside. The Way follows a 135-mile route mostly off the beaten track, heading through moorland, farmland, woodland and forested areas.
The trail is often overlooked in favour of some of Wales’s more popular walking routes, meaning some stretches can be enjoyed without seeing a single other person. Over nine days, hikers will pass through market towns like Welshpool, witness views of the Cader Idris mountain, and spot birds such as red kites and peregrine falcons. As much of the route leads through rural mid-Wales, take plenty of supplies with you since shops, pubs and cafes are scarce.
Unicorn Hotel
It’s worth making a stop in the medieval town of Llanidloes, where you will find the 17th-century Unicorn Hotel, which offers simply decorated rooms, from doubles to twins, as well as family rooms. Downstairs, you will find the Gallery Cafe selling coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches. It turns into a bar area come evening, with a menu of wine and beer.
Price: From £180
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