Wilkes Walks

Guided walking holidays

01/09/2026

And I’m off again… 🇪🇸

Today I leave home for just over a month, heading back to Spain to lead three touring holidays.

There’ll be big groups, busy days, plenty of miles, logistics to sort, people to look after and, hopefully, lots of memorable experiences along the way. This is my life as a Tour Manager — travelling, exploring and taking care of people. It’s rewarding, but it’s definitely not a holiday!

There are things I’ll miss at home, though. I’m sad to be missing some of the best of the fungi season in the woods, and I’ll certainly miss friends and family while I’m away. Most of all, though, I’ll miss my dad.

But I’m also excited to be returning to Spain, revisiting familiar places, discovering new ones and catching up with old friends along the way.

A month away is a long time… but I’m looking forward to the adventure. 🇪🇸🥾☀️

See you on the other side!

31/08/2026

When I’m not leading tours, I revert to the woods… 🍄🌳

Two fascinating fungi spotted today, both young and edible: Beefsteak Fungus and Chicken of the Woods.

The Beefsteak is aptly named, with its red, fleshy appearance and reddish juice when cut. Chicken of the Woods grows in distinctive yellow-orange tiers and has a texture often compared to chicken.

A reminder that the woodland has plenty to discover, whatever the season. 🌿

14/07/2026

Nature takes centre stage in the Farne Islands. Loved it !!

13/07/2026

During World War II Druridge Bay was considered one of the most likely places for a German invasion of northeast England. As a result, the coastline was heavily fortified with pillboxes, anti-tank blocks and defensive obstacles. You can still spot some of these wartime defences..

12/07/2026

There are still a few places available on this fantastic tour – and for a limited time, you'll receive an extra night's stay absolutely FREE!

Join us for unforgettable guided walks, stunning scenery, great company, and now even more time to enjoy it all at no extra cost.

Book now before the remaining places are gone!

Find out more here: https://wilkeswalks.co.uk/enticing-exmoor/

01/07/2026

Exmoor never disappoints

Back in Exmoor with a new group for the third of our four tours this year. Every visit reminds me why this place is so special. From dramatic coastlines to sweeping moorland, Exmoor never fails to impress.

Pic Dunster castle, the tower and the scenary today

29/06/2026

What a way to finish our Exmoor Coast Path tour... a stunning sunset over Dunster Beach. 🌅 What a perfect end to an unforgettable week of walking and spectacular scenery.

26/06/2026

Today we complete our first Exmoor Coast Path tour, covering the entire stretch of the National Park's coastline on the South West Coast Path. It's been a fantastic few days of walking, sharing stories, and discovering one of England's most spectacular coastlines.

Join us next year for our second Exmoor Coast Path tour, from 14–21 March. We'd love to share this incredible journey with you.

07/05/2026

Back to my annual visit to ancient Howe Park Wood.

Wood Speedwell is featured in the photo, this is one of the woodland’s quiet residents — tiny flowers, ancient-woodland tastes, and a name that wishes travellers well on their journey.

Despite the name “speedwell,” it has nothing to do with speed. The old name probably came from the idea that the flower would “speed you well” on your journey. If fact if you speed, you probably won't see it !

Wood Speedwell loves ancient woodland and shady hedgebanks, so spotting it can be a clue that a woodland is very old and relatively undisturbed, like at Howe Park Wood.

It belongs to the Veronica family — named after Saint Veronica. Many speedwells have tiny bright-blue flowers, but Wood Speedwell’s blooms are often paler lilac with dark veins, like in the photo.

Its leaves are soft and hairy, helping it cope with damp woodland conditions.

In folklore, speedwells were sometimes tucked into travellers’ clothing for good luck and safe journeys.

The flowers are surprisingly small — usually under 1 cm across — so many people walk straight past them without noticing.

It flowers mainly from April to June, just as woodland canopies begin closing overhead — making the most of the spring sunlight before the trees fully leaf out. My photos were taken on a dull morning, before they hadn't opened properly with the sunshine.

Address

Nash Mills
Hemel Hempstead
HP3

Website

https://wilkeswalks.co.uk/

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