Ramble Worldwide celebrates 80 years this summer with FREE guided walks around the UK | News
This summer, Ramble Worldwide, the original walking holiday specialist with a charitable ethos, is offering a program of free guided walks across England and Scotland to celebrate its 80th anniversary.
The organization was founded in 1946 as Ramblers Association Services, the holiday planning arm of the Ramblers’ Association, and was founded at a time when access to the countryside was limited. The mission was simple but powerful: to open up landscapes, mountains and coastline routes to people who longed to explore at their own pace, and to support hikers by offering curated tours and guesthouse stays.
What started as post-war walks quickly evolved as Ramble Worldwide became a pioneer in package holidays, with the first tours exploring Eastern Denmark, the Baltics, the Alps, Arctic Lapland and Portugal, with a week of challenging walks. The trips expanded into more accessible walking holidays with the introduction of its airline Wings in 1955, offering package holidays with walking qualities of all levels. Over the past 80 years, more than 1.5 million explorers of all levels have discovered the world with the walking holiday specialist.
Now Ramble Worldwide offers more than 300 tours to 52 countries, including 78 tours in Great Britain, welcoming around 10,000 hikers each year to take part in tours from easy to challenging. Solo travelers, couples and groups of friends come together through a choice of four unique collections: Classic (iconic routes for adventurers), Discover (a combination of nature and culture), Adagio (easier pace with cultural experiences) and Self-Guided (independent breaks).
The original purpose of connecting people with nature on foot remains at the core of the company today. Ramble Worldwide operates with a completely charitable ethos and is committed to making the outdoors more accessible to more people from all communities. As a purpose-driven business, surplus profits support conservation, community wellbeing and education projects across the UK through the Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust, founded in 1962. Funding walking and environmental initiatives that promote responsible outdoor experiences, increase 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 past 64 years, including supporting the creation of new rights of way in the UK, protecting natural landscapes, education and welfare projects. The Trust aims to maintain public access to the countryside by funding essential signage and signage of key paths. It supports inclusive outdoor challenges for people with disabilities, contributes to mountain rescue initiatives, promotes mental wellbeing through charity walks and retreats and much more.
Wayne Perks, Director of Ramble Worldwide, comments: “For eight decades, generations of walkers have crossed mountain passes, followed ancient pilgrimage routes and walked through remote villages and wild coasts, guided by our expert leaders alongside like-minded companions. In recent years, appreciation for the physical and mental benefits of reconnecting with nature on foot has grown significantly, with walking now extremely popular with people of all ages.
We’re passionate about making the 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 outdoor 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 program of free, short, guided walks in 12 locations across England and Scotland in August, giving over 400 walkers the opportunity to discover their local environment from a new perspective. The easily classified walks cover several regions including Norfolk, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Warwickshire and the cities of London, Canterbury, Durham, Bath and Glasgow.
Each walk, lasting two to four hours, is led by experienced guides and offers participants the chance to immerse themselves in local nature and heritage, and connect with like-minded people in a relaxed and social environment.
To book a place on the free guided walking tours, go to: | Walk worldwide
Details of the walks
Lemsford near Ware (Hertfordshire) on August 11, 12, 15 and 16: Depart from Ramble Worldwide’s home base in Lemsford, from the impressive Brocket Hall to the Chiltern Way through forests and mid-sized peaks to enjoy some of the county’s best panoramic views. 10 km
Buttermere (Lake District) on August 17 and 18: Starting at the picturesque Hassness House, the country house owned and restored by Ramble Worldwide and the location of the most popular British tour, for a scenic walk around Buttermere. Explore lakeside paths, woodlands and open hills with stunning views of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. 7 km
Skipton (Yorkshire Dales) on 4 and 9 August: Starting at the picture-perfect market town known as the Gateway to the Dales, and voted the happiest place to live in Britain in 2025, the walk passes Skipton Castle, wanders through the beautiful Skipton Woods and charming footpaths to the Leeds Liverpool Canal. 7 km
Eastbourne & South Downs, on August 11 and 16: A coastal walk from Eastbourne Pier along the undulating coastal path, part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, to the cliffs of Beachy Head and the white cliffs of Holyhead. 6 km
Kensington, London, on August 11 and 16: Discover nature in the city on a fascinating walk through the quieter back streets, including access to a private garden square, historic stables and spot blue plaques for notable figures on the way to Kensington Gardens. 6 km
Durham, on August 11 and 16: See the historic city from the banks of the River Wear on your way to Aykley Wood Nature Reserve to discover the peaceful woodland. 7 km
Stratford Upon Avon, on August 11 and 16: Explore Shakespeare’s charming birthplace on a riverside walk past the parks and iconic sights of the historic market town. 6.5 km
Norwich, on August 11 and 16: from Dunston Hall via quiet country lanes, historic Roman sites and some of Norfolk’s most beautiful farmland. 10 km
Putney & Hammersmith, London on August 11 and 16: A riverside city walk along the south bank, passing the starting point of the recent Boat Race, passing little-known historical sites on the way to the Wetlands Centre, and returning along the north bank. 6.5 km
Canterbury, on August 11 and 16: Depart from the historic city center for a walk along the River Stour, through medieval streets towards Hambrook Marshes and the Stour Valley and take in some beautiful views. 6.5 km
Bath, on August 11 and 16: Explore the village-like streets of Widcombe, climb to Alexandra Park for stunning views of the city’s golden skyline and explore quiet green streets and the picturesque Avon Canal on your way to the impressive Bath Abbey. 6 km
Glasgow, on August 11 and 16: Explore the city’s icons, Govan, on the west side, across the River Clyde to Kelvin Grove Park and the Botanic Gardens. 9 km
For more information about Ramble Worldwide, visit www.rambleworldwide.co.uk or call 01707 331133.
