This summer, Ramble Worldwide, the original walking holiday specialist with a charitable ethos, is offering a programme of free guided walks across England and Scotland to celebrate its 80th birthday.
Launched in 1946 as Ramblers Association Services, the holiday-planning arm of the Ramblers’ Association, the organisation was founded at a time when access to the countryside was limited. Its mission was simple yet powerful: to open landscapes, mountains and coastline routes to people who longed to explore at their own pace, supporting walkers by providing assembled tours and guest house stays.
What started as post-war rambles quickly evolved as Ramble Worldwide became a pioneer of the package holiday, with the first tours exploring eastern Denmark, the Baltics, Alps, Arctic Lapland and Portugal, involving a week of challenging hikes. The tours expanded to more accessible walking holidays with the introduction of its airline subsidiary Wings in 1955, offering packaged holidays with hiking grades of all levels. Over the last 80 years over 1.5 million explorers of all abilities have discovered the world with the walking holiday specialist.
Now, Ramble Worldwide offers over 300 tours to 52 countries, including 78 tours in the UK, welcoming around 10,000 walkers each year to join tours graded from easy to challenging. Solo travellers, couples and friend groups come together through a choice of four unique collections: Classic (iconic trails for adventurers), Discover (combining nature and culture), Adagio (easier pace with cultural experiences) and Self-Guided (independent breaks).
The founding goal of connecting people with nature, on foot, remains at the heart of the business today. Operating with a wholly charitable ethos, Ramble Worldwide is committed to making the outdoors more accessible for more people from all communities. As a for purpose business, surplus profits support nature conservation, community wellbeing, and education projects across the UK through the Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust, established in 1962. Funding walking and environmental initiatives that promote responsible outdoor experiences, widen access to nature, and help protect it for future generations.
Hundreds of national and small regional charities have been supported by the Trust over the last 64 years including supporting the creation of new rights of way across the UK, protecting natural landscapes, education and wellbeing projects. The Trust works to preserve public access to the countryside by funding essential signposting and wayfinding key paths. It supports inclusive outdoor challenges for people with disabilities, contributes to mountain rescue initiatives, promotes mental well-being through charity walks and retreats and much more.
Wayne Perks, managing director of Ramble Worldwide commented “Across eight decades, generations of walkers have crossed alpine passes, traced ancient pilgrimage routes and wandered through remote villages and wild shorelines, guided by our expert leaders along with like-minded companions. In recent years the appreciation for the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of reconnecting with nature on foot has significantly grown, with rambling now hugely popular with those of all ages.
We are passionate about making the great outdoors more accessible to people from all walks of life, so to celebrate our 80th anniversary we want to give more people the opportunity to try a guided walk, to meet our expert guides and other outdoors enthusiasts, to discover the joy of walking and the beauty of the natural world on our doorstep.”
FREE GUIDED WALKS THIS SUMMER
Ramble Worldwide has created a special programme of free, short, guided walks throughout August in 12 locations across England and Scotland, offering over 400 walkers the chance to discover their local surroundings from a fresh perspective. The easy graded walks span a variety of regions, including Norfolk, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Warwickshire, and the cities of London, Canterbury, Durham, Bath and Glasgow.
Each walk, of two-to-four-hour durations, will be led by experienced guides, offering participants the chance to immerse themselves in local nature and heritage, and connect with like-minded people in a relaxed and sociable setting.
To book a place on the free, circular guided walks visit: | Ramble Worldwide
Details of the walks
Lemsford near Ware (Hertfordshire) on 11th, 12th,15th and 16th August: Departing from Ramble Worldwide’s homebase in Lemsford, from the impressive Brocket Hall onto the Chiltern Way through woodlands and up mid-sized peaks to enjoy some of the county’s best panoramic views. 10km
Buttermere (Lake District) on 17th and 18th August: Starting at the picturesque Hassness House, the country house owned and restored by Ramble Worldwide and location of its most popular UK tour, for a scenic walk around Buttermere. Exploring lakeside paths, woodlands and open fells with stunning views of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. 7km
Skipton (Yorkshire Dales) on 4th and 9th August: Starting at the picture perfect, market town known as the Gateway to the Dales, and voted the happiest place to live in the UK in 2025, the walk will pass Skipton Castle, wander through the wonderful Skipton Woods and charming footpaths to the Leeds Liverpool canal. 7km
Eastbourne & South Downs, on 11th and 16th August: A seaside ramble from Eastbourne Pier along the undulating, coastal trail, part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, to the cliffs of Beachy Head and white cliffs of Holyhead. 6km
Kensington, London, on 11th and 16th August: Discover nature in the city on a fascinating walk through the quieter back streets, including access to a private garden square, historic mews, and spot blue plaques for notable figures on the way to Kensington Gardens. 6km
Durham, on 11th and 16th August: See the historic city from the banks of the River Wear enroute to Aykley Wood Nature Reserve to discover the peaceful woodland. 7km
Stratford Upon Avon, on 11th and 16th August: Explore Shakespeare’s charming birthplace, on a riverside ramble taking in the historic market town’s parks and iconic sights. 6.5km
Norwich, on 11th and 16th August: From Dunston Hall through quiet country lanes, historic Roman sites and some of Norfolk’s prettiest farmland. 10km
Putney & Hammersmith, London on 11th and 16th August: A riverside city ramble along the south bank, past the starting point of the recent Boat Race, taking in little known historic sights on the way to the Wetlands Centre, returning along the north bank. 6.5km
Canterbury, on 11th and 16th August: Head out from the historic city centre for a riverside ramble along the River Stour, through medieval streets towards Hambrook Marshes and the Stour Valley and for some wonderful views. 6.5km
Bath, on 11th and 16th August: Explore the village-like streets of Widcombe, climb up to Alexandra Park for sweeping views of the city’s golden skyline and explore quiet leafy lanes and the picturesque Avon Canal enroute to the impressive Bath Abbey. 6km
Glasgow, on 11th and 16th August: Explore the city’s west end icons of Govan, over the River Clyde to Kelvin Grove Park and the Botanic Gardens. 9km
For more information on Ramble Worldwide visit www.rambleworldwide.co.uk or call 01707 331133.
