Bath, 23 October 2014: Alison Howell's Foot Trails is launching the first in a new programme of guided walking holidays in the West Country, led by two local expert guides.

“Ancient Gods, Temples & Myths” is a six-night luxurious walking break, beginning in Bath and travelling to South Wiltshire via Stonehenge. Departing 7 June, 12 July and 22 September 2015, the tour has been designed for a maximum of 10 guests for a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. It will be led by travel writer Jeremy Seal and Foot Trails' director and local historian David Howell. More guided walking tours, in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, will be rolled out through the year.

Like all Foot Trails' tours, “Ancient Gods, Temples & Myths” will avoid the crowded national trails, instead following local paths. After strolling the pretty lanes of Bath, guests will travel to the Avon Valley, to follow canals and rivers, stride out over wooded hills and valleys, and call by quaint, traditional villages. The group will enjoy indulgent treats such as a wicker-hamper picnic in the world-renowned gardens of Stourhead, in the shadow of its temples and grottoes. Another highlight of the tour will be the walk to Stonehenge, approaching the stones on foot for the unique experience of seeing them emerge out of the landscape.

Guests booking the two-centre break will stay in two hand-picked, award-winning, luxury lodgings – The Queensberry Hotel in Bath and The Bath Arms at Longleat. During the walk, the group will call into specially selected country pubs for top-quality, fortifying food and drink.

“Foot Trails is so thrilled to return to its roots of guided walking trips and, after a break of several years, to be offering this style of walking holiday again,” said founder Alison Howell. “We strive to be a travel company in the truest sense of the word, helping our guests from across the UK and around the world make a journey, on foot, and as part of a small group.

“While our group size is small, we aim for these trips to provide a huge experience. And in this way we are looking to transform the British rural travel industry, with guided walking tours that are not only responsibly provided and positive for the rural community and economy, but indulgent and rich experiences. One of our guiding principles is biophilia, meaning “love of life”, which was developed by Edward O Wilson, who proposed that there is an instinctive bond between people and the natural environment.”

“Ancient Gods, Temples and Myths” costs from £1,769 per person, based on two sharing, including all transport during the tour, luggage transfers, services of expert local guides, B&B, lunch and afternoon tea daily, welcome supper, entrance fees and a welcome pack including postcards, guide book and Foot Trails' signature bag of fortifying sweets. To book, visit www.foottrails.co.uk or call 01747 820626.

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Blog: http://foottrails.co.uk/blog/ and Vimeo http://foottrails.co.uk/our-story/we-are-foot-trails/

To request images or further information, to enquire about press trips, and to arrange interviews with Alison Howell, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.

Notes to editors:
Alison Howell's Foot Trails is an innovative and award-winning British travel company and the leading specialist provider of rural walking holidays in South West England, with more than 850 miles of trails in Somerset, Wiltshire, The Cotswolds and Dorset. The successful Foot Trails brand, established in 2002 by Alison Howell, has been built on a passion for rural England, an unwavering determination to provide unique walking-holiday experiences and a strong commitment to ensuring tourism is sustainable and impacts positively on the landscapes and economies of rural communities.

Jeremy Seal is a travel writer, journalist, book reviewer, sometime broadcaster and tour leader. Having lived in Bath for the past 16 years, he's not only grown close to the famously beautiful city but also discovered its proximity to some of the most magnificent landscapes in England.

David Howell is a walking expert, trail creator and tour guide. Having lived in the West Country all his life, he has not only an immense local knowledge but is also an enthusiastic storyteller, and local historian, and is able to bring the landscapes and histories of the region to life for guests.