Natural England

Why not go for a walk?

The South West has some of the most dramatic and stunning countryside in England - so why not get out and explore somewhere new?

There's lots of information available on where to walk in the region and Natural England has compiled a number of walks which you can find by clicking on the links in the box on the right of this page. Many of these walks are suitable for the whole family, some are pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

Below is even more information about places to walk right across the South West.

Walking is good for you, fun and doesn't need to cost you a penny. So what are you waiting for?

Walking the Way to Health and Countryside Access

The Walking the Way to Health Initiative and Countryside Access are both Natural England initiatives, promoting walking and access to the countryside for all.

Walking the Way to Health Initiative aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health. 

Described by health experts as 'almost perfect exercise', walking requires no equipment or expense and is the ideal way for most people to become more active. Seven out of every ten people in this country are not physically active enough to benefit their health. 

Countryside Access website - All across England, people now have the chance to enjoy open access rights on areas of mountain, moor, heath and down, much of which was previously off-limits. The website provides details and maps of open access land, details of the Countryside Code and more walks to download.

The FunZone contains games, e-cards and the Countryside Code Creature Comfort video 

More information on walks in the South West

• Defra Countryside Walks
  On this web site you can find details and maps for more than 1800 walks, rides and areas of open access provided under the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Environmental Stewardship Schemes
• Walking World
  Britain's largest online walking guide with over 3000 walks to download - enter your postcode and find the nearest walks to you
• Walking Britain
  Choose from over 50 walks from across the South West region
• Forestry Commission
• Urban Walks from the Ramblers Association
• Walks through time
  57 walks throughout the British Isles specially devised by BBC experts in association with the TV series 'British Isles, a Natural History'
• The National Trust 
• South West Coast Path
  630 mile long coastal path - from Minehead on the edge of the Exmoor National Park to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset
• South West Protected Landscapes Forum
  Information about the 2 National Parks and 13 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) that constitute the nationally designated landscapes of the south west region.
• Dartmoor National Park Authority 
• Exmoor National Park Authority 
• New Forest National Park