Foot Trails Guest book...This is a small selection of some of the comments we receive from our guests.
My friends and I have just returned from yet another, my 4th trip!, Foot Trails break. This time to the Cotswolds around wonderful Stow-on-the-Wold. I love saying that name!! And Moreton-in-Marsh, and Bledington and Broadwell...something rhythmical about English place names.
I'm sitting on my sofa thinking about my week and telling my family about it down the phone to Australia. I always love my walks with Foot Trails but got to say this one just took the cake!! How can anything keeping getting better when its always been so dam good anyway!
I had a fabulous time and my friends are now converts too. I think this group was great, the inn fabulous but the walks were what made it again. Great variety of views, tracks, scenery and so much history both natural and architectural. I hugged a 1300 years old yew tree!!! The Christian church it stood by was only about 900 years old!!!
I also think that while David has always been fabulous I get the impression he has warmed up and extra notch and now their are a few extra layers of character, timing and the kit bag is full of tricks. My favourite the massive picnic appearing as if from no where!!!
The pictures are of the 1300 year old Yew tree, our wonderful group, the fabulous inn and scenery. Too many superlatives? I think not!!! Jane
Thank you, Allison. We enjoyed our trip immensely.
David really went above and beyond all expectations and was so nice.
We lost some photographs, probably due to the rough handling of our baggage at Gatwick, but posted most of what remains at **********.
It would certainly be nice to try another hike with you in the future.
Thank you very much again. Gabe, USA
We really did have a lovely time and everything was so well organized ... I would definitely use your company again and would recommend you to others. A combination of relaxing, invigorating and interesting ... walking in England is very different than the type of walking we do in the USA. It was so enjoyable to see the different villages, farms and open countryside. (It is so strange to actually walk through peoples farms and pastures.)
The distance was perfect .. we were able to get a good amount of exercise but we didn't need to hurry and we got to the Inns with time to relax and bath before dinner. Cathy, USA
Dear Alison,
We are on the train to London after a magical two days on the trails! We will be posting your trail guide and map back to you, hopefully from London.
The walks were fantastic--just the right length and with so many interesting and beautiful sights. Our favourites were the beech groves below Upper Coberly to the east of Lynn Russell Chadwick's cottage, the grouse farm to the east of Elkstone (worth a footnote) and Elkstone Church. We were very lucky with the weather, we hear! That only enhanced an already enjoyable experience.
The Inn was wonderful--the staff were warm and friendly--after two days we really felt at home.
With your guidance and help our short sojourn felt much longer. We fell very relaxed and full of memories. Deborah and Nick, USA
Hi to Foot Trails
We had a lovely, magical time filled with great walks, yummy food and the beauty of it all.
The trail guides worked perfectly. We were always so happily surprised to find the next link up point. When it said, go 50 yards and look for the ditch in the field, we did as told and there we were at the next marker.
The English system of public paths for all to use is a marvel.
We took the longer route up to Chastleton and really recommend it to others - the manor is thrilling. Mike and Jess
Dear Alison and David,
Both Audna and I can't thank you enough for organizing such a wonderful trip. We really enjoyed every minute. The walking was so refreshing and David paced us with care so it was just enough every day. The pubs for lunch were fun and very appropriate.
We loved seeing the local churches and hearing David's descriptions of them. Hearing the local village history made all the towns and villages come alive. David knows every pepple and blade of grass in the Cotswold! We know this was all very last minute so we are ever the more appreciative. If all goes as planned, we will see you again next year! Sincerely, Cathy
Dear David and Alison (and Louise Dear):
We are basking in the afterglow of our wonderful time with you in Somerset and Wiltshire. We enjoyed some golden weekend days in London, then flew back to our workaday lives in Florida, still picturing one of the most memorable holidays we've ever had.
All of the arrangements made by FootTrails were superb, and efficiently done. David's guidance and companionship on the walks gave depth and meaning to the sights we saw. The choice of trails and scenery was inspired. We can't say enough about the excellence of FootTrails and the perfection of our holiday with you. Many, many thanks. Best regards, Ervin and Julia
Just to thank everyone at Foot Trails for a most enjoyable break, the organisation was really good and all the routes and maps were extremely accurate and we didn't lose our way once (something of a record for us).
The Inn was really good and the food was especially enjoyable.
Pat and Brian
Alison,
Two excellent walks. Somewhat overgrown in places, nothing insurmountable. Hotel very good. People, accommodation, food all impressive. You must suggest that anybody eating there tries the Scallops. Very pleasant hotel on the shorter walk, The Anchor? We'd be happy to try that one on future walks.
We were lucky with the weather, not too hot and it didn't rain. Well done. John and Carol
Dear Alison,
I just wanted to send you a massive thank you for organising the weekend at such short notice. We had an absolutely fantastic time, and the weather couldn't have been better. The butterfly cards also came into use. I think we managed to spot more than 50% of the butterfly's on the list!
The food and hospitality at the inn was also fabulous. I really can't say a single thing even remotely bad about the weekend, it was just wonderful!
Thanks again! Prina and Hamal
Alison/Louise,
I wanted to let you know that Duncan and I had a superb time in Wilshire. The inn was fabulous with some of the best food we have had in ages...and Rachael and Lisa could not have been more welcoming. The room was also lovely.
We also enjoyed all four of the walks (even the one in the pouring rain on the Wednesday!).
Thanks again for putting everything together for us. I have sent back all the notes and maps (I´m afraid one of them a bit worse for wear due to the rainy day we had.
We look forward to booking our next Foottrails soon! All the best, Jacqui
Hi,
Just to say thank you for yet another super weekend! I was part of the group booked with Andrea Bailey, Cotswold Walk this weekend. Weather was super (despite forecast) walks were great and once again the inn looked after us exceptionally well (our car broke down and we were with them for several extra hours waiting for the AA!!!!!!!!!!!).
Thanks again and here's to next year!!!!!! Kind regards, Tracey
Hi Louise and Alison,
I have today received my walking pack for our walking break this weekend. I would just like to say how impressed I am with this lovely, professional pack you have sent. I am not sure what I expected but I don't think it was as good as this.
Let's hope the weather holds out till Monday!!
Thanks again, I will definitely recommend you to friends. Regards, Tracy Clarke
Hello Alison,
Just a short note to say how much we enjoyed the weekend in Wiltshire, accommodation was spot on (our hosts were marvelous and the food was fantastic) and the walks were great with really easy to follow instructions. Even *** didn´t get lost and considering her sense of direction that´s a real achievement! We will certainly be booking another trip soon. Annoymonous
Hi Louise,
Can I thank you and all of the team for organising and therefore making our two nights three days away so good.
The inn was a supurb place and the owners Anne and Paul were great hosts we really enjoyed our stay and the first class food, we recommend it highly. The location was perfect and as the weather was typically English we used the car on one of our days instead of the planned walk to visit several towns and still made the walk from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter - four good fields as it was described to us. We got caught by hailstones on the way back and then shared the riverside view an hour later at the Mill in L/S with the ducks, all of us basking in the bright sunshine! Beautiful countyside, a wonderful day. Thanks again, Pete and Sylvia
Hello Alison and David,
I've been working on a collection of poems recently that evoke our Foot Trails journey from the summer. I thought you might like to have this one. My formatting may well be lost, but if I sent it as an attachment, you might not wish to open it.
With many fond memories (and hopes for future trips), Rosemary
Walking the Wiltshire Dorset Borders
We started from a village called Tollard Royal, where a swan
paddled her pond, oblivious to the summer rain. We kept repeating
the name Tollard Royal, one of the best on a journey of delicious place
names: Chicksgrove, Iwerne Minster, East Knoyle. Thatchers
working under a tarp called down to us: Fine day for a walk,
and laughed at the silly Americans.
The rain held steady through a few miles grazing fields, then a village
where Romans watered their horses, pondwater thick brown with
stirring, and finally the shelter of woods, though we were already
soaked and it seemed fair to ask, Why this place? Why now? The English
majors among us once thought we knew, remembering
our adolescent attachments to all things English −the Beatles, the Brontes,
Bathsheba Everdene flitting over the Wessex Downs − how we´d wrapped
ourselves in our teenage melancholy and the certainty that we
did not deserve to suffer the pains of our particular
present. We felt ourselves orphans, like Pip or Oliver Twist, waiting
for our real parents, our true lives and true loves to arrive.
Sodden and puffing from a long, upward climb to the road, the mystery
and emotion of those earlier times grew elusive: all woods look
pretty much the same after all. We drank tea and ate sandwiches at Compton Abbas
Airfield, the sight of Spitfires and Tornados parked along the grass field
stiffening our moist upper lips. Dryer and fortified we trudged the road
south, relieved the sky had ceased its damned leaking but no longer expecting
much in the way of wonders.
We turned off the road to find ourselves at the edge of a rugged
scarp, a long vale dotted with sheep. Our path followed a steep
narrow track that wound around clumps of gorse with their yellow flowers
and spines like rusty nails. A rainbow flickered against the gray sky
and green green hills. Rosemary Zurlo-Cuva
Dear Alison and David,
Thank you for a wonderful walk through frozen Wiltshire! Here are a few pictures to recall it. Reaching the summit of Win Green as the sun dropped away and our shadows lengthened was pure magic! The inn provided a cheering warmth and great meals. We feel strengthened for whatever the New Year will bring. I hope it brings you happiness and good fortune. With best wishes from Peter and Georgina
Hi Alison,
I just thought I would drop you a line to say how much we enjoyed our walking break. The Inn was fantastic - really friendly staff and our 'suite' was fab. Not forgetting the food - the breakfast was so huge and delicious that we did not need to eat again until the evening!
The countryside was really pretty. We were lucky in that the weather was warm but not too hot and it rained a wee bit but not enough to bother us. We managed all the walks - and the cards were really useful. James and Ali
Very different, hugely enjoyable, will do it again! We had a lovely holiday, even the walk in the torrential rain! We will certainly be looking to book another walking break with you.
Kind regards, Joe and Tom
Absolutely brilliant - Foot Trails made everything so easy and the hotel was great. Far exceeded our expectations. Debbie and Alison
Dear Alison and David and Louise,
Here are the bits and pieces returned after the most fabulous holiday. It was perfect and fortunately for us the weather returned to sensible walking temperatures. We just wanted to ensure you were aware that all the arrangements for our holiday fitted together perfectly and we look forward to our next walking holiday with you. Martin and Jane
Dear Alison and David,
This was the perfect way to celebrate 40 years married! Well planned walks. Just the right distance each day to enjoy the beautiful countryside away from the crowds. The inn was a super retreat, room with a view and very special food. Anon
Dear Alison and David,
Thoroughly enjoyable 3 days of walking with all the hassle taken out of organising your break away.
I have walked the South West Coast path, Cotswolds way, South Downs way and the Pembrokeshire coast path. My first experience with having all the arrangements done for me, a real treat. Susie
Fantastic, beautiful well planned walks and a comfortable inn with wonderful food - heaven. Keep up the good work. Debbie
Dear Alison and David,
Thanks for a fantastic holiday. Shall send you some pictures on a disk. From start to finish - a dream. Paradise is this piece of land called England.
Thanks for our holiday. You cannot improve on perfection! Guru and Val
It is so lovely to have a total break from my normal life and to experience such beauty with my friends. I think the whole process is great, and I love the walk packs, especially the butter mints!
You have a wonderful company - keep up the good work. I am looking forward to taking longer breaks with you when my children are older!! Sue
Dear Alison,
Thank you for everything you and your colleagues did to make our walking break so enjoyable and stress free. It was just what we both needed. We really enjoyed all the walks and we thought the accommodation was spectacular. We hope to be back again at some stage soon. Anon
Walks brilliant, weather great, picnic from Bramble and Sage unparrelled! Pub accommodation good. Mary
Fantastic, inspiring - pretty much near perfection! First class service with excellent communication Thank you
Absolutely brilliant. Everything we wanted and more. Lucy and Duncan
We LOVED our trip, and would book again, and recommend to family and friends. Wonderful, beautiful days, beautiful countryside. Adrienne, Renne and Bunny
This was a car free walking holiday at its best. Wonderful weather, great walks, friendly hosts and good accommodation. Just what we needed.
We loved all the info sent by email, and the weather forecast was very useful. Emma
Pure luxury. Once you arrive, everything is taken care of for you. Very efficient and helpful service. It was all so lovely, David was wonderful, however you fed us too well at lunchtime! Gail and Chris
"Relaxing and uplifting. You must both be magicians!"
Anonymous
"One of the five best food walks."
The Guardian - Vintage Cider Trail
"It was breath-taking, the views were spectacular."
Sue Bishop, Dorchester
"Life changing. I switched off and allowed David and Alison to organise a perfect weekend for me. I'm normally a control freak!"
J.Cooper, Telford
"I was so relaxed, all I thought about was what guided walk to do next!"
Mick and Jill Draper, Linford
"The mix of nature and history was wonderful, took away all thoughts of work etc"
Nicola Hazelton, Hemel Hempstead
"Pace of life we could get used too!"
Chris and Debbie Hobbs, Bath
"Wonderful, every detail taken care of. David looked after us so well, it added to the feeling of being cared for and spoilt!"
Tricia Hooper, Havant
"Uplifting - it was relaxing with good food, accommodation and company, it lifted your spirits making you feel refreshed."
Jane McGowan, Bury St Edmonds
"Great company, great accommodation, great food - what more can I say"
Julia Mcleod, Brixam
"Heaven!! The perfect way to unwind from today's pressures and stresses."
Helen Metherell, Farnham
"Soothing and a complete delight. I learnt so much too!"
Ben Rollo, Hayes
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