There's something deeply moving about walking a path that has been trodden for thousands of years. Britain's network of ancient routes offers walkers a unique opportunity to connect with the country's past in a visceral way. These aren't just recreational trails; they're living historical documents—paths worn into the landscape by countless generations of travelers, traders, pilgrims, and soldiers.
From Neolithic trackways to Roman roads, from medieval pilgrimage routes to drovers' roads, Britain's ancient paths tell the story of human movement across this island over millennia. By walking these historic routes today, you can experience the landscape much as our ancestors did and gain insights into how Britain's history has been shaped by the way people have moved through it.
Prehistoric Pathways: The Origins of British Routes
The Ridgeway
Often described as Britain's oldest road, The Ridgeway follows high ground where travelers could move safely, avoiding the densely wooded and often boggy valleys below. Archaeological evidence suggests people have been using this route for at least 5,000 years, making it one of the most ancient pathways in Europe.
Today, the designated National Trail covers 87 miles (140 km) from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, passing through the North Wessex Downs and the Chiltern Hills. Walking along its chalk ridge, you'll encounter numerous prehistoric monuments, including:
- Avebury Stone Circle - One of the largest prehistoric stone circles in Europe
- West Kennet Long Barrow - A Neolithic tomb dating from around 3650 BCE
- Wayland's Smithy - A Neolithic chambered long barrow
- Uffington White Horse - An elegant prehistoric hill figure carved into the chalk
Walking tip: The western section from Avebury to Goring is generally considered the most scenic and historically rich part of the trail. Spring and autumn offer the best walking conditions, with fewer crowds and moderate temperatures.
The Icknield Way
Intertwining with the Ridgeway at points, the Icknield Way is another ancient route that predates Roman Britain. It runs from Norfolk through Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire to the Chiltern Hills.
This ancient highway was used by traders, settlers, and invaders moving across the country. The modern Icknield Way Path follows this historic route for 110 miles (177 km) from Knettishall Heath in Suffolk to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.
Walking tip: The chalk grasslands along the route are home to rare wildflowers and butterflies, making late spring and early summer particularly rewarding times to walk this path.
Roman Roads: The First Engineered Network
Hadrian's Wall Path
When the Romans wanted to mark the northern frontier of their empire in Britain, they built Hadrian's Wall—a monumental stone barrier stretching 73 miles (118 km) from coast to coast across northern England.
Today, the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail follows the course of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, allowing walkers to experience one of the most impressive Roman remains in Britain. The 84-mile (135 km) route runs from Wallsend on the River Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coast.
Walking west to east (or east to west), you'll pass:
- Segedunum Roman Fort - The eastern terminus of the wall
- Chesters Roman Fort - Home to some of the best-preserved Roman bathhouses in Britain
- Housesteads Roman Fort - The most complete Roman fort in Britain
- Vindolanda - An active archaeological site where the famous Vindolanda Tablets were discovered
- Roman Army Museum - Offering insights into the lives of soldiers stationed on the wall
Walking tip: The central section between Chollerford and Birdoswald offers the most dramatic landscapes and best-preserved sections of the wall. The full route typically takes 6-7 days to complete, but shorter sections make excellent day walks.
Dere Street
This major Roman road ran from York (Eboracum) northward to the Antonine Wall in Scotland. Built in the 1st century CE, it served as the main route for moving troops and supplies to the northern frontier.
Sections of Dere Street can still be walked today, particularly in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. The modern A68 road follows much of its route, but there are places where the original Roman road can be walked away from modern traffic.
Walking tip: The section through the Cheviot Hills offers beautiful scenery and well-preserved stretches of the original Roman road.
Medieval Pilgrimage Routes: Paths of Faith
The Pilgrims' Way
This historic route between Winchester and Canterbury follows paths used by pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. While the route's origins are pre-Christian, it became an important pilgrimage path after Becket's martyrdom in 1170.
The modern Pilgrims' Way follows parts of the North Downs Way and South Downs Way National Trails. The full route covers approximately 120 miles (193 km), passing through beautiful countryside and historic towns.
Walking tip: The route passes through numerous historic churches, medieval pilgrimage hostels (now often pubs), and ancient woodlands. The section from Chilham to Canterbury offers a particularly atmospheric final approach to the cathedral.
St. Cuthbert's Way
This 62-mile (100 km) route links Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders with Holy Island (Lindisfarne) off the Northumberland coast. It follows in the footsteps of St. Cuthbert, a 7th-century monk who became Bishop of Lindisfarne and is one of Britain's most important early Christian figures.
The path crosses the dramatic landscapes of the Cheviot Hills and the Northumberland coast, finishing with a dramatic crossing of the tidal causeway to Holy Island (when tide times permit).
Walking tip: Be sure to check tide times carefully when planning your walk to Holy Island—the causeway is submerged twice daily. The route is typically walked over 4-6 days and is well-waymarked throughout.
Drovers' Roads: The Commercial Highways
The Welsh Drovers' Roads
Before railways, Welsh farmers drove their livestock—primarily cattle, but also sheep, geese, and even turkeys—to English markets along well-established drovers' roads. These routes typically followed ridgeways to avoid tolls, populated areas, and difficult terrain.
The network of drovers' roads across Wales and into England created arteries of commerce that shaped the development of towns and regions. Today, many of these routes form the basis of long-distance footpaths.
One notable example is the Mynydd Epynt, which crosses mid-Wales. The drovers' inns that once provided overnight shelter for drovers and their animals are now often welcoming pubs that make perfect stopping points for modern walkers.
Walking tip: Look out for place names containing "pandy" (fulling mill), "gelli" (grove), or "llwyn" (bush), which often indicate places where drovers would stop or where natural landmarks guided their way.
Five Iconic Walks for Experiencing Britain's Ancient Pathways
1. The Ridgeway National Trail (87 miles/140 km)
Highlight section: The 11-mile stretch from Avebury to Barbury Castle offers an extraordinary concentration of prehistoric sites.
Difficulty: Moderate, with gentle gradients but some lengthy daily distances.
Duration: 6-8 days for the full route.
2. Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail (84 miles/135 km)
Highlight section: The central section between Steel Rigg and Housesteads offers the most dramatic views and best-preserved Roman remains.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep sections in the central part.
Duration: 6-7 days for the full route.
3. The Pilgrims' Way (120 miles/193 km)
Highlight section: The approach to Canterbury through ancient woodlands and the Stour Valley is particularly atmospheric.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some hilly sections along the North Downs.
Duration: 9-12 days for the full route.
4. The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path (93 miles/150 km)
Following a Roman road through Norfolk and then along the stunning coast, this trail combines ancient history with natural beauty.
Highlight section: The section from Holme-next-the-Sea to Cromer along the Norfolk Coast Path offers beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and seaside towns.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with generally flat terrain.
Duration: 7-8 days for the full route.
5. The Cotswold Way (102 miles/164 km)
Though newer as a designated trail, this route follows ancient paths through the Cotswold Hills from Bath to Chipping Campden.
Highlight section: The section from Birdlip to Cleeve Hill offers spectacular views and passes the Neolithic long barrow at Belas Knap.
Difficulty: Moderate, with frequent ups and downs.
Duration: 7-10 days for the full route.
Practical Tips for Walking Britain's Ancient Paths
Best Time to Walk
Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) generally offer the best combination of reasonable weather, longer daylight hours, and fewer crowds. Summer can be beautiful but busier, while winter walking requires more preparation but can offer solitude and a different perspective on the landscape.
Accommodation
Most of Britain's long-distance paths have accommodation options along the route, from campsites and hostels to B&Bs and hotels. For popular trails like Hadrian's Wall Path, booking well in advance is advisable, especially in summer.
Equipment
Britain's weather is notoriously changeable, so waterproof clothing is essential year-round. Good walking boots, layers of clothing, a map and compass (and the ability to use them), and a first aid kit are basic requirements. For longer routes, consider:
- A guidebook specific to your chosen path
- OS Maps (either paper or digital)
- A water bottle and water purification method
- A headlamp or torch
- Energy-rich snacks
Navigation
National Trails are well-waymarked, but other historic routes may require more careful navigation. The Ordnance Survey app or similar mapping apps can be invaluable, but always have a backup (paper maps and compass) in case of technology failure.
Access and Rights of Way
Britain has an extensive network of public footpaths and rights of way. The "right to roam" applies in certain areas, particularly upland and uncultivated areas, but elsewhere it's important to stick to designated paths and respect private property.
Reading for the Journey
Enhance your walking experience with these books that explore Britain's ancient paths:
- The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane - A poetic exploration of ancient paths and what they mean to us today.
- Folklore of the British Isles by Jennifer Westwood and Jacqueline Simpson - Discover the myths and legends associated with Britain's landscapes and pathways.
- The Making of the British Landscape by Nicholas Crane - Understand how human movement has shaped Britain's geography over millennia.
Walking Britain's ancient paths offers something unique: the chance to travel not just through space, but through time. As you follow in the footsteps of prehistoric traders, Roman soldiers, medieval pilgrims, and Georgian drovers, you'll gain a deeper appreciation of how movement has shaped Britain's history and culture.
These ancient pathways remind us that landscapes aren't just scenery to be admired from a distance but living historical documents that can be read with our feet. Each footstep connects us to the countless others who have passed this way before—a physical link to Britain's past that no museum or history book can quite match.
So lace up your boots, pack your map, and step out onto paths that have witnessed thousands of years of human history. The ancient ways of Britain await your footsteps.