Best Walking Holiday Destinations in the UK

Lace up your boots, because Britain has some of the best walking on the planet and most of us don't even realise it. We've got coastlines that rival anywhere in Europe, mountains that pack a serious punch for their size, ancient forests, rolling chalk downs and hills so wild they'll make you forget you're only a few hours from home. You don't need a passport, a flight, or a small fortune to feel like you've properly escaped – you just need decent waterproofs and a sense of adventure.

That's where Away Resorts comes in. Our parks are dotted across some of the UK's finest hiking country, which means you get the best of both worlds: proper, boot-testing walks by day, and a comfy lodge, a hot shower and a pint by a warm fire waiting for you at the end of it. No faff with luggage between hotels, no scrambling for somewhere decent to eat – just walk, relax, repeat.

A couple sat on a bench looking out to stunning woodland views on a summers day.

Key Takeaways

The New Forest (Sandy Balls Holiday Village) offers over 100 miles of family-friendly trails through ancient woodland and heathland, with walks leaving directly from the park.
Snowdonia (Barmouth Bay Holiday Park) combines Wales's highest peak with dramatic coastal walking, including the unique Barmouth Bridge estuary crossing.
The Isle of Wight (Whitecliff Bay, St Helens, The Bay Colwell, The Lakes Rookley) packs 500 miles of footpaths and a 67-mile coastal path into an island just 23 miles wide.
Cornwall (St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Newquay Bay, Retallack Resort) sits on the South West Coast Path, with some of the UK's finest clifftop walking on the doorstep.
Dorset (East Fleet Farm, Swanage Bay View) gives walkers access to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus the Purbeck Hills and Chesil Beach.
Scotland (Moffat Manor, Piperdam) offers the wildest walking in the UK, with access to the West Highland Way, Southern Upland Way and John Muir Way, backed by generous "freedom to roam" access laws.
Most Away Resorts parks are dog-friendly, and many nearby coastal and countryside walks welcome dogs year-round.

The New Forest, Hampshire

Where to stay: Sandy Balls Holiday Village

The New Forest is a genuine one-off. Picture 220 square miles of ancient woodland, open heathland and gentle river valleys, all wrapped up in one of England's most walker-friendly National Parks. Because so much of it is flat and open, it's brilliant for walkers of every ability – whether you're after a serious day out or a lazy afternoon amble. And then there are the ponies. Wild ponies, deer and all sorts of rare wildlife wander freely here, so every walk feels a little bit magical, like you've stumbled into someone else's nature documentary. With over 100 miles of marked trails threading through it all, you could holiday here every year and still not walk it all.

Walks from the gate at Sandy Balls

The beauty of staying at Sandy Balls is that you can walk straight from your lodge door into the forest itself, no car required.

Fordingbridge River Walk – A flat, easy stroll along the River Avon that's perfect for families, dogs, or anyone who fancies a walk without the huffing and puffing.
The Avon Valley Path – Follow the river south towards Ringwood for a longer, equally gentle walk through classic Hampshire countryside.
Blissford to Godshill ridge walk – Swap the riverbank for heathland and forest views on this slightly more adventurous route.

Walks within easy reach of Sandy Balls

Fancy venturing a little further afield? These are all a short hop from the park.

Bratley Wood and the Reptile Trail – Ancient woodland walking with the added thrill of spotting some of the New Forest's rarer reptiles.
The Rufus Stone and Sir Walter Tyrrell's Walk – History buffs, this one's for you – a walk steeped in royal legend as well as forest scenery.
Rockford Common circular – Open heathland walking with sweeping New Forest views.
Burley village loop – Thatched cottages, a proper village green and a classic country pub at the end. What more do you need?

North Wales and Snowdonia

Where to stay: Barmouth Bay Holiday Park

If you want drama, North Wales delivers it in spades. Snowdonia National Park is one of the most jaw-dropping walking landscapes in Britain, home to Snowdon itself – the highest peak in Wales – with routes to suit everyone from casual hikers to seasoned mountain walkers. Prefer somewhere a little quieter? The Rhinogs and Cadair Idris offer all the drama with a fraction of the crowds. And best of all, this is a place where mountains genuinely meet the sea, giving you some of the most striking coastal walking anywhere in the UK.

Walks from the gate at Barmouth Bay

Barmouth Beach and Estuary Walk – Flat, easy coastal walking right from the park gate.
The Barmouth Bridge walk – Cross the Mawddach Estuary on a genuinely unique wooden railway bridge.
Panorama Walk above Barmouth – Short in distance, huge on views – this one punches well above its weight.

Walks within easy reach of Barmouth Bay

Cadair Idris from Minffordd – One of Wales's great mountain walks, at around 8 miles, and an absolute must for serious walkers.
The Mawddach Trail – A gorgeously flat and easy 9-mile trail along the estuary all the way to Dolgellau.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park – Waymarked forest trails just 30 minutes from the park, with a handy visitor centre for a well-earned coffee stop.
The Rhinog Fawr ridge – Wilder, quieter and best suited to experienced walkers looking for something a bit more remote.
Snowdon via the Watkin Path or Rhyd Ddu – Both make for a manageable day trip from the park if you're ready to bag the big one.

The Isle of Wight

Where to stay: Whitecliff Bay, St Helens, The Bay Colwell and The Lakes Rookley

Don't let its size fool you – the Isle of Wight packs an enormous amount of walking into just 23 miles. Add in the Tennyson Trail, Shepherd's Trail and Worsley Trail crossing the chalk downland, and you've got clifftop paths, rolling downs, forest and beach all within easy striking distance of each other.

Walks from and near Whitecliff Bay

Culver Down and Bembridge Downs – A stunning chalk ridge walk with views that stretch for miles.
Bembridge to St Helens coastal path – Easy, rewarding walking along the island's eastern coast.
Whitecliff Bay to Sandown via the clifftop – Dramatic views paired with surprisingly easy underfoot conditions.

Walks from and near The Bay Colwell on the west coast

Tennyson Down and the Needles – One of the island's most iconic walks, tracing the chalk ridge with the Needles as your reward.
Freshwater Bay to Alum Bay – Classic coastal walking that ends at one of the island's most photographed landmarks.
Compton Bay clifftop walk – Dramatic scenery above, and a beach below that's genuinely rich in fossils.

Walks from and near St Helens Coastal Resort

The St Helens to Bembridge harbour path – Flat, easy waterside walking, ideal for a relaxed afternoon.
St Helens Duver nature reserve walks – Coastal grassland and lovely estuary views.
Brading to Sandown – A gentle inland walk through the Eastern Yar valley for something a bit different.

Cornwall

Where to stay: St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Newquay Bay and Retallack Resort

Cornwall and coastal walking go together like cream and jam (in whichever order you prefer – we're not getting involved in that debate). The South West Coast Path is England's longest National Trail, running an epic 630 miles in total, with the Cornish stretch alone covering over 300 miles from Marsland Mouth to Plymouth. Cliffs, coves, headlands – it's all here.

Walks from the gate at St Ives Bay

Carbis Bay to St Ives Harbour – An easy, beautiful stretch of coast path walking with classic Cornish views.
St Ives to Zennor on the Coast Path – Rugged, wild and widely regarded as one of Cornwall's finest sections.
The Hayle Estuary Walk – Flat, easy and great for birdwatching around the tidal estuary.

Walks from and near Newquay Bay Resort

The Newquay Coastal Path – Clifftop walking linking Newquay's famous beaches.
Bedruthan Steps – Spectacular coastal scenery leading to one of Cornwall's most photographed spots.
The Gannel Estuary walk – A flat, peaceful tidal walk just south of Newquay town.

The Dorset Coast

Where to stay: East Fleet Farm and Swanage Bay View

Dorset's Jurassic Coast is England's only natural World Heritage Site, stretching 95 miles and packed with fossil-rich clifftops. The South West Coast Path runs right through the best of it, while the Purbeck Hills, Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast itself combine to offer both coastal drama and gentler inland walking.

Walks near East Fleet Farm, near Weymouth

The Fleet Lagoon Walk – Flat and peaceful, running alongside the famous Chesil Beach.
Chesil Beach – One of the UK's most unusual and dramatic landscapes to walk – shingle underfoot for as far as the eye can see.
Portland Bill and the Isle of Portland – Dramatic cliffs and a lighthouse to boot.

Walks near Swanage Bay View

The Purbeck Way – A classic inland trail through heathland and chalk downland.
Old Harry Rocks walk from Studland – Short, sweet, and one of the most spectacular walks in England.
Swanage to Worth Matravers via the Coast Path – Dramatic clifftop walking, quintessentially Jurassic Coast.
Corfe Castle circular – History, ruins and glorious Purbeck countryside all rolled into one.

Scotland

Where to stay: Moffat Manor and Piperdam

If you want walking on the wildest scale Britain has to offer, Scotland is unbeatable – mountains, glens, lochs and coastline all rolled into one dramatic package. The West Highland Way, Southern Upland Way and John Muir Way are all within reach of Scottish parks, and thanks to Scotland's famously generous access laws, you've genuinely got the freedom to roam almost anywhere.

Walks near Moffat Manor, Dumfries and Galloway

The Grey Mare's Tail – A spectacular waterfall walk in the Southern Uplands, just 20 minutes from the park.
Moffat Hills and Hart Fell – Big, open hill walking above the charming spa town of Moffat.
The Southern Upland Way – Passes right through nearby countryside, so you can walk sections directly from Moffat.
Annandale Way – A long-distance route through the Annan valley, practically on the park's doorstep.

Walks near Piperdam, Perthshire

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, Perth – Popular, accessible hill walking with lovely Tay valley views.
Birnam Hill – Short but rewarding, above the town made famous by Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Loch Earn and Glen Lednock – Beautiful loch-side and glen walking within easy reach.
The Tay Forest Park trails – Waymarked forest and lochside walking near Pitlochry.

Practical Tips for a Walking Holiday at an Away Resorts Park

Planning your walking days

The trick to a great walking holiday is balance. Mix big days out on the trails with easier mornings and some downtime back at the park – nobody wants to spend their whole holiday with aching legs. The Away Resorts app is handy for booking evening meals and activities around your walking plans, and it's worth downloading OS Maps or AllTrails before you arrive so you can plan your routes in advance.

What to pack for a UK walking holiday

A few essentials will make or break your trip:

Waterproofs – non-negotiable in the UK, even in summer (we all know how that goes).
Layers, good walking boots and a day pack – comfort is everything on longer walks.
OS maps or a GPS device – especially useful for the less-waymarked routes.

Dog-friendly walking at Away Resorts

Good news for four-legged walkers: most Away Resorts parks are dog-friendly, making them an ideal base if you're bringing the pack along. It's worth checking which parks allow dogs in lodges and which nearby trails are best suited to them. However you like to walk – flat and easy, mountain-and-back, or somewhere wonderfully wild – there's an Away Resorts park putting you right on the doorstep of it. So pack your boots, grab the waterproofs, and get exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best UK destination for a walking holiday?

It depends what kind of walking you're after. Cornwall and Dorset are unbeatable for coastal cliff walks along the South West Coast Path and Jurassic Coast, Snowdonia and Scotland offer the most dramatic mountain walking, the New Forest is ideal for flat, easy trails suited to all abilities, and the Isle of Wight packs an exceptional variety of walking into a small, easy-to-explore area.

Which Away Resorts parks are best for walkers?

Sandy Balls Holiday Village (New Forest), Barmouth Bay Holiday Park (Snowdonia), Whitecliff Bay, St Helens and The Bay Colwell (Isle of Wight), St Ives Bay Beach Resort and Newquay Bay (Cornwall), East Fleet Farm and Swanage Bay View (Dorset), and Moffat Manor and Piperdam (Scotland) all sit within walking distance of nationally recognised trails.

Are there walks you can do straight from an Away Resorts park?

Yes. Many parks have trails leaving directly from the gate, including the Fordingbridge River Walk from Sandy Balls, the Barmouth Beach and Estuary Walk from Barmouth Bay, and the Carbis Bay to St Ives Harbour walk from St Ives Bay Beach Resort.

What should I pack for a UK walking holiday?

Waterproofs, sturdy walking boots, warm layers and a day pack are essentials, since UK weather can change quickly even in summer. A GPS device or apps such as OS Maps or AllTrails are also useful, particularly for less-waymarked routes.