Monika and Gnash’s Adventure along the Guernsey Coastal Path – A Four-Day Circuit around the Island.
As some of you are aware, I’m a big fan of a coastal walk, having previously walked a part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Fife Coastal Path, and North Norfolk Coastal Path. When we added the Channel Islands to our portfolio last year, I knew immediately that either the Jersey or Guernsey Coastal Path would be at the top of the list of routes I would like to walk as my Familiarisation Trip this season. I was absolutely delighted to be given an opportunity to walk the Guernsey Coastal Path. This year, I was joined by my partner, Gnash. The Guernsey Coastal Path is a 38-mile circular route that loops around the island’s coastline, beginning and ending in St Peter Port. The route offers a mix of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, sheltered bays, and an abundance of historic landmarks. Day 1: St Peter Port to Petit Bôt Bay After a delicious breakfast at our first night’s accommodation, we set off through the cobbled streets of St Peter Port towards the seafront. It was a clear and warm day, which made it ideal walking weather. Leaving the town and its marina behind, we continued down the South Esplanade towards Havelet Bay….
Trail Talk: Anne-Marie on the Jersey Coastal Path
After returning from her familiarisation trip around the stunning Jersey Coastal Path, Anne-Marie sat down with us for a chat about her experience. From the island’s unique character and charming villages to its scenic coastal views, we wanted to find out what makes this Channel Island trail so special. Having lived in France for many years, you probably have a good sense of what makes a place feel French or English. How does Jersey come across – French, English, a bit of both, or something entirely its own? That is a great question. My first thoughts when I was invited to go to Jersey on my familiarisation trip were that it was going to be a lot like being in France. Firstly, because lots of the place names were French – like Pomme d’Or (golden apple), Bonne Nuit Bay (good night bay), and Le Sentier des Moulins (the windmill trail). When we arrived at the airport and caught the bus to St Helier, I also noticed that most of the road and house names were French. My first impressions were largely incorrect, though, as I found the architecture on the island to be very British in appearance. The Jersey locals,…
The Magic of the Two Moors and What Lies Between
Being one of the newest members of Mickledore, this was to be my first familiarisation trip, and I was beyond excited to be allowed to test out one of our newest routes! The Two Moors Way, affectionately known as Devon’s Coast to Coast, is a sublime trail linking Wembury and Lynmouth, some 117 miles apart South to North. The official Two Moors Way route, which opened 29th May 1976, does not actually start until Ivybridge. In 2005 this start point was linked to a section of the Erme-Plym trail to extend the route to Wembury, creating Devon’s Coast to Coast. Myself and husband Matt are big walkers, so we decided to make the most of our time “down South” spending a week camping along the South West Coast Path prior to our fam trip. This meant we had a week of lugging all our gear around and “roughing it” before the luxury of our accommodations, luggage couriers and not eating lightweight pasta meals! Heaven. We arrived at Wembury slightly ahead of schedule, and so it was only polite to while away a little time in the beautiful Old Mill Café right on the beach. A wander around the historical little church…
Celebrating 60 Years of the Pennine Way: A Journey of Laughter and Landscapes
It was a swift turnaround. After arriving back from our family camping holiday in the French Alps, we had less than 24 hours to wash clothes and re-pack for our Pennine Way walking trip. This year my husband Neil, and our youngest son Monty had decided to join me – making it a complete change to two weeks camping. We were all looking forward to it! We chose to walk part of the Pennine Way as it’s a route I help to book in the Operations team and, as a family, we had never explored the Cheviot Hills. The Pennine Way was opened 60 years ago, on 24 April 1965 and so it seemed fitting that we celebrate this iconic walk. We decided on the northern five day walking section from Greenhead to Kirk Yetholm. The starting point was fairly close to home and suited the time we had available. We arrived at the Greenhead Hotel and enjoyed a lovely meal whilst excitedly checking our guidebook and map to review the first day’s route. The next morning, we felt well-rested after a good night’s sleep in comfy beds – a real treat from camping mats! The staff took great care of us,…
Explore the Lakes and Mountains with Matt and Damien
This trip marked my third Mickledore fam trip since I joined, and we decided we were ready for a change of pace. As soon as I saw the list of potential walks available, I knew immediately which route I wanted to do. The Coast to Coast is one of my most popular routes that I book here at Mickledore, and the route is showing no signs of slowing down in popularity, especially with it officially becoming a National Trail in 2026. Having now lived here in Cumbria for nearly three years, and with still so much of the Lakes and Cumbria to explore, the first half of the Coast to Coast, our Lakes and Mountains itinerary, was the perfect option for this year’s walk for me and my partner Damien. We walked the CCL8 itinerary, our longest itinerary on this section of the Coast to Coast. After previously walking the first section of the Thames Path from Kemble to Oxford (TPW6), and the second section of The Ridgeway from Goring to Aldbury (RGC6), both of which were great introductions to daily long-distance walking for two people who hadn’t previously done it before, we felt the CCL8 was the perfect step up. But…
Our Top 10 Walking Holidays for 2026
With so many walking holidays to choose from it can be tricky to know where to start. Whether you’re a first-time walker, looking for the perfect introduction, or a seasoned long-distance explorer adding to your list, sometimes the best way to discover what you love is to sample the tried and tested favourites, the people’s choice if you like. The ten walks featured here are shaping up to be our most popular picks for 2026, offering a fantastic mix of landscapes, experiences, and challenges. From the wild moorlands of northern England, to the gentle rolling hills of the South Downs and Cotswolds, the dramatic Highlands of Scotland, the stunning coastline of Wales, the charm of Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula, and the sun-drenched shores of Jersey, there’s something here for every taste. Each route has its own character, history, and scenery, offering a little taste of the very best of its region. Walkers will find panoramic views, historic towns, charming villages, wildlife-rich habitats, and opportunities to explore both cultural heritage and natural beauty. These ten walks, featured simply in alphabetical order, are the kind that leave you with memories to savour long after you’re back home, and they may just help you…
A Walk on the Wild Side – Our John Muir Way Adventure
When ‘Storm Floris’ decided to join us on the John Muir Way, we knew we were in for an adventure! The full John Muir Way journeys for 135 miles from Helensburgh on the Firth of Clyde to Dunbar in East Lothian. Time restraints only allowed us five nights, so we opted for the 57 mile eastern section from South Queensferry to Dunbar. Steven and I set out, not just to follow in John Muir’s footsteps, but to soak up Scotland’s coast, countryside, and history over four glorious days of walking. Before setting off, we learned a little about the man who inspired the route. John Muir was born in Dunbar and spent his boyhood exploring its coastline and countryside. At just eleven, he emigrated with his family from Scotland to America, eventually walking 1,000 miles from Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico. Muir famously said, “When I was a boy in Scotland, I was fond of everything that was wild. All my life I’ve been growing fonder of wild places and wild creatures.” Arrival in South Queensferry We travelled by train from near Carlisle to Edinburgh, then took a short hop to Dalmeny followed by a bus into South Queensferry. This…
Greetings from Hadrian’s Wall
This article was written by Sarah Hodgson during her time with Mickledore and reflects her first-hand experience of the route. We came looking for ruins, but what we found was much more than a lonely stone barrier – it was a route alive with history, hikers, and the occasional stubborn cow. Walking where Roman soldiers once patrolled the very edge of an empire, the views stretch for miles over moorland and stone, and you can almost hear the echoes of ancient footsteps. Hadrian’s Wall itself is a marvel, still standing strong after nearly 2,000 years. We started our journey two weeks earlier in Wallsend – you’ll know from our previous walks that we like to complete the whole route and walk every mile. The day began at Segedunum Roman Fort, a well-preserved archaeological site that marks the beginning of the Wall. Its name means “strong fort” in Latin, which feels fitting for the edge of the empire. Over the next two days we covered the first 25 miles between Wallsend and Corbridge. This section of the route might not appeal to everyone, as it’s the most urban and flat stretch of the walk. Still, there’s something quite special about starting…
Another Perfect Week on the Pembrokeshire Coast
Last year I walked half of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from Marloes to St Dogmaels with my mum. We loved it so much we went back to finish it this year. Amroth to Manorbier Our first day back on the coast path treated us to some varied terrain. We arrived in Amroth to the relaxing sound of waves over pebbles. The beach here gave me 1920’s vibes and I could almost see Dick Van Dyke in his striped one piece swimsuit about to enter the water. As it was high tide we left Dick Van Dyke and the beach and followed the clifftop woodland paths spying coves through the trees until we returned to the picture postcard town of Tenby with its rows of colourful buildings sandwiched between two large expanses of beach. The first beach we arrived at was a large inviting sheltered cove where last night’s swim event took place. I of course stopped to have my first swim of the holiday. After my swim we walked past the colourful houses and the marina before dropping down to Tenby’s second large expanse of beach overlooked by an impressive castle and city walls. The long expanse of beach took…
Anne-Marie’s Jersey Coastal Path Adventure
Those of you who have read my blogs for the last couple of years will know that I am a big fan of staying dry and being warm. Having completed the West Highland Way in 2023 (where it is safe to say I got a bit wet) and the Cotswold Way in 2024, I was absolutely delighted to be invited to go even further south in 2025 to walk the Jersey Coastal Path. In late 2024 we introduced the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey to our walking holiday portfolio so I jumped at the chance to go to the bigger of the two islands to experience what our customers experience and to meet some of our wonderful accommodation hosts and transport providers along the way. Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, it sits in the Bay of St Malo, located off the North-Western coast of France. It is 14 miles (23 km) from France and 85 miles (137km) from mainland Britain. The population of Jersey is approximately 105,000 people. My Mother in Law, Joan was joining me again this year so we drove from Keswick to Manchester Airport in the pouring rain, content in the knowledge that…
Alternatives to the West Highland Way
The West Highland Way is one of those rare walks that seems to have it all – dramatic scenery, rugged Highland spirit, a real sense of journey, and the occasional pub where you can toast your progress with a well-earned dram. Stretching 95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, it climbs steadily into the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, passing lochs, glens, and Munros that have inspired walkers for generations. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s one of our most popular routes. But popularity comes at a price, and not just in the legs. Accommodation gets booked up fast, especially in peak season, and sometimes flexibility with dates or group sizes just isn’t enough to make it work. Which leads us to the question: “If not the West Highland Way, then what?” As always, the answer depends on what drew you to it in the first place. Was it the Highlands? The big open spaces? The connection to Scotland’s turbulent past? Or simply the chance to escape into nature, with a path to follow and a bed at the end of the day? Here are some alternative routes we love, each offering its own take on that same magic. Rob…
Notes from the South Downs Way
Previous familiarisation trips with my daughter Eb have seen us follow rivers and coastlines – along the Thames Path from Oxford to Westminster, and from St Ives to the Lizard on the South West Coast Path. This time, though, we found ourselves heading somewhere a little different. No water’s edge to follow – just the promise of big skies, open country, and a trail that carves its way across the chalk ridge of the South Downs. In truth, it hadn’t occurred to us until we were out there that we did still have a natural marker to follow – only this time, it was the escarpment itself. We chose the western section of the South Downs Way partly because, as our track record suggests, we’re drawn to the south of the country – the climate tends to be milder, and there’s something really appealing about those wide, rolling arable landscapes. Living as I do in the Lake District, I’m surrounded by rugged beauty, but there’s a certain freedom in stepping out from the embrace of the fells and into the sweep of open country. I’d visited Denmead, not far from the trail, the previous year and had been struck by…