Exploring England’s Public Footpaths

Exploring England's Public Footpaths

There's something that feels joyfully rebellious about navigating England's public footpaths that take me through cow pastures, private farms and rustically carved out trails through the woods. Whether it's stumbling upon a strutting peacock that's out for a stroll from a private estate, farm eggs for sale using the honor system alongside the road or the surprise of livestock in the fields, I never tire of the new adventures that await, even along familiar footpaths.

More than 140,000 miles of public footpaths throughout England provide a public right of way through private farms, alongside rivers and through the countryside. It's a unique way to see parts of the country you might not otherwise experience and it's a way to deeply engage with the authentic side of England.

Public footpaths are not just walking trails. They are, quite literally, pieces of the past—some dating back to medieval times—stitched into the very fabric of the countryside and you never know what you might encounter.

During each new trek you might end up at the site of an ancient fort, an overlook with views to Wales in the distance, abandoned centuries-old farm buildings, thatched-roof churches from the 13th century, someone's backyard vegetable garden or curious livestock that you must navigate (and sometimes run from) to get to the next stile or fence on the route.

My favorite way to explore the footpaths is to pack a sandwich, sunscreen and plenty of water and just walk. My routes take me 5, 8, 10 miles or more as I can't wait to see what's around the next turn or discover where the small bridge over a brook takes me. But this is just one way to enjoy them.

Continue reading about Anietra’s exploration of Englands public footpaths on her website, “Three Word Press.“

Source: Exploring England's Public Footpaths