Britain's Favourite Path

A stretch of the South West Coast Path has been crowned this year's winner

This summer, we've been on the search for Britain's Favourite Path 2025. With your help, we've found it!

When we opened this year's competition in May, we wanted to give paths, tracks and trails their moment in the spotlight - thank you to everyone who helped make that happen.

The public vote was extremely close this year, but we're very pleased to announce we have a winner. The title of Britain's Favourite Path 2025 goes to this beautiful stretch of the Hartland Peninsula, between Bude and Westward Ho!, as nominated by Jonathan Jones.

"For me it's a magical place", Jonathan told us, "you can really connect to nature and the environment on paths like this. I like to walk and pause, enjoying the birdlife, sounds of animals like roe deer and the sound of the waves crashing is particularly special. I take every chance I get to walk along coastal paths and just enjoy the sounds of the sea."

Many of the those who took part in this year's competition told us about their love of time outdoors and the impact walking has had on their health and wellbeing - it was wonderful to hear what access to these fantastic paths means to you all.

Jonathan said, "When I first visited the path, it was during a time of my life when things were changing a lot ... I often find it easier to walk and think away from the hustle and bustle. Walking this path gave me a clarity of mind. Even though my legs were heavy, the path made me feel a lot lighter, cleaner and clearer – the emotional baggage just lifted away."

A huge congratulations to Jonathan for nominating Britain's Favourite Path 2025 and for sharing a photo that captured its magic. If you're interested in discovering this path, or any of the paths that made this year's shortlist, we've brought together these routes to help you explore our 8 finalists.

The full shortlist

East England, Layer de la Haye

"I thought real beauty could only be found in places like Wales, Scotland and Cumbria, but having recently started walking around my local village, I realised that beauty can be found everywhere!" (Theresa Calver)

Midlands, Kinder Scout

"This path is the most uplifting stretch of path close to me where, for a short while, I can disappear into my thoughts and the landscape and recharge my soul." (Kerry Colebrook)

North East England, Simonside Ridge

"It's a popular walking destination and, for some, a precious place to find solitude. This potent blend of landscape, history, and personal connection makes Simonside truly compelling and a place I will never tire of returning to." (Andrew Thorn)

North West England, Ambleside to Grasmere

"A favourite walk for me and my wife. Many times, I've discussed that it is to be considered a location for my ashes to be scattered, not just because of its name but also because of the special memories and wonderful weekends spent here." (Ian Maggiore)

Scotland, The West Highland way

"I have walked it with four of my children and will be walking it in September for the 100th time and all my children will be joining me for this special walk. Will I stop after 100? No!" (Robert Marshall)

South East England, Halnaker

"It leads up a hill to a windmill in Sussex. The joy is in the tree-tunnelled sunken path itself, as it changes due to the play of light, not only from season to season but from hour to hour. A glorious path!" (Jeremy Cook-Abbott)

South West England, South West Coast Path

"Healing solitude with incredible light, sounds of nature and breathtaking views - simply, heaven on earth." (Jonathan Jones)

Wales, Yr Wyddfa

"I walked this path to raise money for mental health...it was a beautiful path with stunning views. But it was hard and I felt broken many times. This feels special because it shows even on your hardest days, your mind is strong and can get you through." (Nichola Teal)

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