While Parisians may pity their British neighbors having to pay for a toilet trip (why do you think Brits term it “spending a penny”?), or for bread at meals, Londoners rightly still feel smug about the host of freebies their city has to offer.

Here are my seven favorite things that will never cost you a penny:

1. Culture

This is the big one for anyone who has baulked at the entrance fee to the Louvre or the Prado: national museums in the UK are all free. That means there’s nothing to pay for getting into some of London’s – and the world’s – best museums, including Tate, British Museum, V&A, National Gallery, Science Museum and so on. (Here’s a list of free museums in London.)

There’s plenty of culture available for free outside of the museum world as well. Cinephiles, for example, can book a session at the Mediatheque at the British Film Institute (BFI) on the South Bank, where thousands of films can be watched at no cost to the viewer, or music lovers can take in one of the free classical concerts at St-Martin-in-the-Fields.

2. Wi-Fi

Another good thing about these free cultural institutions? Many (although, annoyingly, not all) offer free Wi-Fi. The South Bank is a particularly good bet because, alongside stunning views over the river, there’s free Wi-Fi available at most of its major attractions including the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the BFI and Tate Modern.

Couple that with the huge number of chains offering free Wi-Fi, such as cheap pub chain, Wetherspoons, popular lunchtime sandwich spot, Pret a Manger, or – as in Paris – McDonald’s, and you should always be able to avoid paying for Wi-Fi in the city.

3. Tap water

Paris, London has got your back on water, too. It’s a legal requirement for British pubs and licensed clubs to make tap water available for free. If you ask politely, you’ll normally also get it without a charge in the vast majority of restaurants.

However, the best free drink in London has to be the green tea available at favorite cheapo noodle chain Wagamama (who kindly also offer free Wi-Fi).

Bank of America client? Use Barclays ATM machines for free! Photo: Garryknight

4. ATM withdrawals (for Bank of America clients)

The Global ATM Alliance applies in the UK as well. To make cash withdrawals from ATMs without incurring a charge, Bank of America customers should seek out Barclays Bank cash machines (Their logo is an easy-to-spot blue eagle). You’ll need the four-digit pin for your card to get cash out. (Read our guide to ATM bank fees for Americans abroad.)

5. Tax

Well, kind of. Visitors from outside the European Union can claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods they have purchased. You’ll need to be leaving the EU in less than three months after making your purchase and – perhaps the biggest catch – you need to have bought it in a store signed up to the VAT Retail Export Scheme to obtain the correct customs forms (look out for the “Tax Free Shopping” signs).

There are various exceptions and complications to work through but, with VAT charged at up to 20% of cost of goods, it’s well worth the hassle if you are making substantial purchases. Check out the UK Revenues and Customs website for full details of how to claim.

6. Exercise

Given the city’s reputation both for inclement weather and an over-fondness for pints, London’s excellent free fitness events may come as a bit of a surprise. We’ve mentioned the weekly free Park Run before, which takes place at parks all over the capital each Saturday morning.

The London Cycling Campaign lists equivalent events for cyclists, or you could – literally – get your skates on to take part in the Friday Night Skate, a marshaled street skate which sets off from Hyde Park Corner each week.

Finally, for something really different, get a workout in exchange for helping with outdoor conservation projects at one of London’s 15 free Green Gyms.

7. Reading material

The Tube groans under the weight of reading matter that’s given out for free in London each day. Weekday travelers get offered Metro in the morning and the Evening Standard in the evening, both great sources of listings and, especially in the latter, reliable reviews.

A recent addition to the selection of freebie reads is Time Out which, since last year, has been given away every Tuesday and is an invaluable way to find out what’s going on and where.

Stylist, pitched at professional women, comes out on Wednesdays, while its male equivalent, Shortlist, is given away every Thursday. Both are more engaging reads than many charging magazines. Finally, the world of sport gets its own dedicated magazine on Fridays.

These publications almost (but not quite) make the astronomical cost of travel in London worthwhile.

Your favorite freebies?

Did we miss anything? Tell us about your favorite London freebie in the comments below!

The post London Free Things: 7 things that won’t cost you a penny appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So to counteract the overindulgence, here are a few pointers on where to get fit in London. Oh, and by the way, all these options are free or dirt cheap, so don’t even try and tell me you don’t have the money to work out…

Free gyms

London has seen an increasing number of “adult playgrounds” opening up in parks over the last few years. These outdoor gyms allow you to do everything from cardio to suspension training without paying a penny.

We’ve got The Great Outdoor Gym Company and Open Gym to thank for running a huge number of outdoor gyms in some of London’s most central parks, making it practically impossible to come up with an excuse not to stop for a workout as you wander between museums. You can find your nearest gym by visiting the links above.

Fitness classes, military-style

If you’re looking for tough love, then British Military Fitness is a good place to whip you fitness levels into shape. Run by current and former members of the armed forces, these classes are notoriously tough but always good fun. You can try a class for free at any of the many London park locations, which include Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Clapham Common, Finsbury Park and Canary Wharf.

Free group runs every Saturday morning

If running on your own doesn’t appeal to you, why not join an organized group? Park Run is a free 5 km timed run held on Saturdays at 9 a.m. in 39 parks across Greater London.

Locations include Finsbury Park, Richmond Park, Highbury Fields, Dulwich Park and Mile End Park. You just need to register online beforehand so the organizers know how many people are coming and then get ready to run! Afterwards the group grabs a celebratory coffee nearby so there’s a nice sociable element to it as well.

Tennis for free

You can suss out where to play tennis without spending up by checking out Tennis for Free. This great charity not only lists details of all the UK’s free tennis courts, but also offers free equipment loans and coaching for all ages and levels.

Not all of the courts profiled on the site need to be booked in advance, so you can just turn up without prior notice. With options like this, there really is no excuse not to start preparing for Wimbledon!

Cheap gyms in London

If the gym is your thing and you can’t face an outdoor workout in the icy winter months, there are several very affordable options in London that don’t require signing long contracts.

Pay As u Gym: Perhaps the most flexible option is Pay As U Gym. The idea is a bit like topping up a mobile phone and you use the money in your online gym account to pay for a one-day gym or swim pass at hundreds of participating health centers. You can choose from really central locations like Covent Garden and Islington, to Bethnal Green and Clapham. The benefit is that the day rate at that particular gym will either be cheaper than anywhere else or only on offer via Pay As U Gym. While there is no flat rate across all gyms, it’s a great option for people who visit London regularly and want to access gyms in different locations.

The Gym: Leading the more conventional budget gym scene is The Gym. With over 30 gyms across the country and nine different centers in London, it’s a fairly accessible option, and all the gyms are open 24/7. The most central London location is Waterloo and day passes cost £5. If you’re looking for something slightly longer term you can pay a £20 joining fee and then £19.99 per month.

Pure Gym: Although slightly less central, with gyms in Oval, Greenwich and Wandsworth, Pure Gym does offer day passes for £5.99, three-day passes for £12.99 and seven-day passes for £24.99, which must be used on consecutive days.

easyGym: And finally, as if planes and hotels weren’t enough, Stelios and the Easy.com team has opened EasyGym. There are currently four locations across the UK, with just one London gym in Wood Green. Not the most central area, but a well-kitted out health center where thankfully the orange paint has been kept to a minimum. Day passes are available for a flat rate of just £5, giving access to a class and all the gym facilities.

Also in our guide

If you’re currently planning a trip to London, be sure to swing by our budget guide to London, which includes cheap hotel recommendations and lots of budget tips. Fitness ideas aside, we have plenty of strategies to share to help you keep the pounds off your travel budget, as well.

The post London fitness: Affordable gyms, classes, and group runs appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are some of my favorites spots to go skating in London:

Best for location

Somerset House
Open through January 23, 2011
Price: Adults £10.50-15, children £8.45-9.60
Web site

An extravagant outdoor ice-skating rink, the Somerset House rink is now in its 11th year. The stunning 18th-century courtyard at Somerset House is dramatically lit and over-shadowed by a vast Christmas tree, making it one of the most atmospheric spots for outdoor ice skating in London. On selected Friday and Saturday evenings, DJs provide a soundtrack for the icey moves and frosty nights.

Tower of London
Open through January 9, 2011
Price: Adults £10-12, children £7.50-8
Web site

If it’s impressive locations you’re after, then you can’t quite beat skating around the history steeped surroundings of the Tower of London. With Tower Bridge and the River Thames a snowballs throw away, you really will feel like a true tourist skating within the historic grounds.

The Natural History Museum
Open through January 9, 2011
Price: Adults: £13, children £8.50
Web site

Start or end your skating experience with a visit to the Natural History Museum, as the rink is a mere walk away in the magical east lawn. The Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum is complemented by their Christmas Fair, so there’s no shortage of things to do.

Best for views

London Eye Ice Rink
Open through January 5, 2011
Prices: For London Eye and Eye Skate, adults £28.45, children £17.00
Web site

For the first time ever, the London Eye will open its very own ice skating rink offering the opportunity to celebrate the festive season taking in the best views of London–both from the London Eye and from the Southbank’s first ice rink. After twisting and turning on the ice, warm up on a mulled Wine Flight on the London Eye or a Champagne Flight (which allows you to sip Pommery Champagne while enjoying the  breathtaking views from the London Eye). Happy Eye-skating!

Kew Gardens Ice Rink
Open November 29, 2010 – January 4
Price: £10, children £7.50
Web site

Forget springtime; winter is spectacular at Kew Gardens as Christmas lights and decorations adorn the trees and gardens and a large ice skating rink is constructed in front of the glass house. To get you into the spirit, there’s also festive evenings on December 13 and 14 when the shops stay open late and carol singing is on offer.

Best for all round Entertainment

Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park
Open through January 4, 2011
Price: Adults: £10, children from £8. Combination tickets which include entry to all the other attractions are also available.
Web site

Winter Wonderland, held annually in London’s famous Hyde Park, features an ice rink, toboggan slide, traditional German-style Christmas market, cafes and bars, Ferris wheel, carousel, helter-skelter, various fairground rides, Santa Claus and the Santa Express, a Zippo circus and more festive goodness than you can shake a stick at.

Westfield London
Westfield, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GF
Open through January 2
Price: Adults £9.50-10.50, children £6.50-7.50

Setting up shop under the glass roof of the Atrium in the huge Westfield mall, this skating rink could be the best way to unwind after a shopping spree. (Or perhaps you could just leave the little ones here while you head off to buy their presents.) There are offers at several Westfield eateries for skaters, too, if you feel like some food after your spin.

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The holidays are arguably when New York is at its finest, and there are many options to enjoy the glittering lights of the city and simultaneously strut your skating skills. Be mindful that many rinks may be closed certain nights for special events and parties, so be sure to check their websites before venturing out.

Here are four places where you can easily get your skate on:

Rockefeller Center
5th Ave. between 49th and 50th Streets

Hours: Daily, hours vary
Open: October 9, 2010 – Early April 2011
Admission: $14 (Weekend) or $10 (Weekday)
Skate Rental: $8
Web site

Given the endless movie and TV scenes set in this famous ice rink, it’s no surprise that it is the ice skating destination for holiday visitors and New Yorkers alike. Though it’s the smallest rink in the city, its popularity means that skaters might wait over an hour to take their spin around the ice with up to 150 others at a time.

The musical playlist here consists mainly of Christmas tunes, appropriately paired with the Rockefeller Christmas tree that towers over the rink before the holidays. It is hard to build up much skating speed though, given the small rink and crowds, but be prepared to suddenly stop for an on-ice marriage proposal! Once the skating wears you out, there are a couple somewhat overpriced eating options on site: Rock Center Cafe, The Sea Grill and Cucina & Co.

The Pond at Bryant Park
5th Ave. between 40th and 42nd Streets

Hours: Sun. – Thurs: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday: 8 a.m. – Midnight
Open: October 29, 2010 – February 27, 2011
Admission: Free
Skate Rental: $13
Web site

Thanks to Citi, this is the only free skating rink in Manhattan, assuming you bring your own skates and lock, of course! This fact, combined with its easily accessible Midtown location makes it a popular winter destination. Bryant Park draws a hefty crowd around the holidays, which can be bypassed with the purchase of an Express Pass (for a rather hefty $20).

The rink itself isn’t the best–it turns watery when the temperature is warm and it is covered with rivets and holes because the Zamboni can’t keep up with the dense crowds. There are several venues to grab a hot chocolate or snack while exploring the crafting and culinary pop-up shops throughout Bryant Park.

Wollman Rink at Central Park
Central Park South. Enter at 59th St. and 6th Ave.

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – Closing Times Vary By Day
Open: November 2010 – March 2011
Admission: $14.75 (Weekend) or $10.25 (Weekday)
Skate Rental: $6.25
Web site

Nestled in the midst of Manhattan’s iconic Central Park, Wollman Rink offers a more natural setting with amazing views of the park’s trees and the city skyline peeking through. This type of ambiance comes at a bit of a price, though, as admission is $14.75 on weekends, plus $6.25 for skate rentals and $4 for lock rentals. Should you want to bypass the skating altogether, you will have to pay a $5 spectator fee just to watch your friends and loved ones fall around the ice.

If the price isn’t a deterrent and you’re comfortable jumping over a kid or two on the ice, then grab some warm cider or hot chocolate from the concession and game up for a little league hockey-esque skating experience. The rink is much less crowded during the week and stays open until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Pier 61, 23rd St. and the Hudson River

Hours: Daily, hours vary
Admission: $13
Skate Rental: $7.50
Web site

If inclement weather prohibits you from fulfilling your winter ice skating dreams then you can seek shelter at the indoor Sky Rink of Chelsea Piers. This rink lacks a winter breeze, but it is home to many of the city’s hockey players and figure skaters. What this place lacks in outdoor charm and Christmas carols can be somewhat regained with the stunning views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge.

The hours here are a bit erratic because general skating time is embedded in hockey and lesson schedules, but a quick call or look at their holiday schedule can prevent any scheduling conflicts. Sky Rink isn’t necessarily a cheaper option, but is definitely a better place for those looking to seriously sharpen their skating skills or reign in a group of rowdy kids.

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If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Madrid, you’re in luck. Spain’s capital is flanked by mountain ranges including the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos, all of which offer city dwellers some well-needed respite from the urban grind.

Day tripping to the mountains

My six-hour hike.

Most trips to Madrid’s mountains are easily doable in a day and are highly enjoyable in any season. Why not go skiing during the winter, savor the crisp mountain air in fall, admire the flora and fauna in spring, or escape the heat of the city at a natural mountain swimming pool in summer?

For the walkers among us there are many different routes for all levels. The most experienced hikers and climbers will be challenged, while those wanting a gentle walk through beautiful surroundings and some wholesome rural food will also be happy.

Do-it-yourself mountain trips

Most Madrileños seem to have an innate knowledge of the different mountain ranges and often disappear off for the weekend to the Sierra. However, for foreigners it can seem like a mysterious world outside the city that is completely inaccessible without a car.

Wrong. Tourists, too can explore la Sierra! Cercedilla, Cotos and Manzanares El Real are all easily reached either by train from Atocha station or by bus from Plaza Castilla. A round-trip ticket costs less than €10.

Ah, nature...

Mountain trips with a group

Alternatively, if you want to reach lesser-known parts of the Sierra you can go with a group led by experienced hikers.

I decided to give this a go and booked with specialist tour company Tierra de Fuego. For just €18 I opted for the beginners level (there are three levels to choose from) and took a six-hour walk through the Dehesa de Somosierra and Horcajo de la Sierra.

I joined my group on a coach in Plaza España and we traveled for about an hour before starting the walk. The group was predominantly Spanish and ages ranged from 20-65, including groups of friends, couples and individuals, all in search of some fresh mountain air.

It was one of those beautiful crisp, blue autumnal days and we were treated to some stunning scenery–vast expanses punctuated by craggy mountains, majestic auburn pine forests and beautifully preserved little villages. As we sat at the highest vantage point eating our packed lunches and gazing out at the view, I couldn’t believe it was possible to find such peace and tranquility just a stone’s throw from Madrid.

However you decide to go, Madrid’s mountains are a very affordable way of taking a mini break and should certainly rank high on any Cheapo’s “to-do” list.

The post Madrid Day Trip: Exploring the Sierra mountain ranges appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Art Deco pool, dating from 1932, was closed for 18 years before being renovated and re-opened in 2006. The water here, set in an Olympic-sized 50-meter-long pool, is heated to a balmy 26º Celsius (78.8º Fahrenheit) all year round. The vast rectangle of blue is bordered by a broad concrete lounging area, in turn bounded by a series of lockers and changing booths in cheerful primary colors.

A relaxing open-air swim

The water is really clean, and as you bob along you’re overlooked by a block of flats, a few neighboring houses and a couple of the taller trees from London Fields itself. But the rest is open sky, and it’s strangely liberating to paddle about in the early evening and see a pale moon appear above you. Sessions range from public swimming to exercise in lanes according to speed (slow, medium or fast), and there are lessons on offer for various levels of proficiency.

The pool in winter. Photo by sarflondondunc.

Although winter is approaching, there are a select few who won’t be easing off on their outdoor exploits. Taking the plunge in December is just a bit too terrifying for the likes of me, but for proof that such brave people exist check out the excellent poolside photography series by Madeleine Waller, featuring winter portraits of the heartiest local swimmers.

Sartorial tip

Here’s a tip for the fashionistas out there: If you’re struggling to find a swimsuit that doesn’t make you cringe with dread, and you’re willing to pay a bit more, try the wonderful Samantha Sage. Her designs are about as flattering you can get, and they inject a bit of vintage-inspired fun into your exercise routine. If only you could find goggles this attractive.

London Fields Lido
Hackney
London
E8 3EU
Tel: +44 (0)20 7254 9038

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Prices for non-members: £4.10 (adults 16 and over), £2.45 (children)
Web site

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Luckily, visitors don’t have to feel left out of the biking fun: Bike rentals are cheap and easy to find. And tooling around by Rad won’t just make you look and feel like a local—it will also enable you to access sights that are otherwise impossible to visit by foot or too time consuming to visit via public transportation.

Before burning rubber, read this little guide to find out where to find a bike, how to ride like a local, and which bike paths to seek out.

Step One: Rent Wheels

Many hotels and hostels will arrange bike rentals for you. But if they don’t, both Fat Tire Bike Rentals (€12/day) and fahrradstation (€15-20/day) boast several locations throughout the city. If you have time to hunt for cheaper prices (you can find bikes for as low as €8/day), scour neighborhoods like Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, and Kreuzberg for upstart rental spots.

Step Two: Follow the Rules!

Since most Berliners use their bikes as a form of transportation and are sticklers about the rules, you should brush up on a few Regeln before pedaling. You’ll see plenty of bikers blowing through red lights, weaving through traffic, and speeding past pedestrians on a sidewalk. Don’t follow their example! They give bikers a bad name—and they are asking for a ticket.

If there is a bike lane, use it. (But first make sure that you’re riding in the correct direction; not all paths are two-way.) If there isn’t a bike lane, ride on the street—not the sidewalk. Stop at stop signs, stop lights, and never, ever assume that a car driver sees you coming.

You are free to bring your bike with you onto the U-bahn (subway) and S-bahn (commuter train)—as long as you use designated compartments (look for the bike sign on the door). Baby carriages and wheelchairs have priority.

Step Three: Hit the paths

Berlin boasts 620 kilometers (385 miles) of bike paths. We’ve highlighted two of our favorites below, but the city government’s English-language biking page offers a complete overview of Berlin’s biking opportunities.

Path: Follow the Wall

The Berlin Mauerweg is a well-marked route that follows the contours of the 12-kilometer-long Berlin Wall. Though the actual divider is long gone, taking this scenic, off-the-beaten-path trail that passes through often-overlooked districts is the only way to get a true sense of the Wall’s size and scope.

For inspiration beforehand, rent the documentaries “Cycling the Frame” and “The Invisible Frame”. They feature the actress Tilda Swinton biking the Wall in 1988 and 2009 respectively.

Path: Take a Dip

Visiting the peaceful and historic Wannsee, a posh lake district in far-western Berlin, by public transportation is time consuming. After taking the S-bahn to the Wannsee station, you have to walk (a lot) or rely on buses to see the lake’s must-see sights: a historic public beach, the gripping Haus am Wannsee-Konfernz, and the romantic, flower-filled Pfaueninsel (“Peacock Island”).

Take a bike along with you or rent a bike at the lake, then pedal from one sight to the next at your leisure. Don’t forget your bathing suit!

The post Berlin: How to rent a bike, Cheapo-style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Ice skating at Railway Square

The Ice Park right outside Helsinki’s central train station is one of the city’s most popular skating venues. The rink is open from November to March, and it offers a variety of programs and performances in addition to open skating. (On Thursday evening, for instance, you can participate in an ice skating aerobics class!)

Admission costs €5, and skate rentals are another €5. The Ice Park also has a café serving warm drinks and pastries.

A swim and sauna at Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall

The Finnish love of saunas is by no means limited to the coldest months of the year, but winter is a perfect time to warm your bones in one. For an extra-special experience, take a trip to the city’s iconic Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall. The institution dates back to 1928, and it boasts both an impressive pool along with private and group saunas.

Men and women have separate hours, so make sure to check the schedule online. Once you’re in, go for a swim (bathing suit optional) and admire the striking Classical architecture. When you’re done with the water, head to the sauna and relax. You’ll find plenty of locals doing the same.

Admission costs €2.20, and a locker costs €4.40. The swimming hall is open year-round; check the website for hours.

Taking in the music scene

Helsinki is sprinkled with dozens of über-hip clubs where both indie and well-known musical acts play. After a day of swimming and skating, settle down with a drink and get ready to dance.

Located in the happening Kallio hood north of the city center, Kuudes Linja offers live (usually underground) music and DJ sets nightly. Most shows costs less than €10.

If you’re looking for a less trendy, more traditional scene, head to Rymy-Eetu, a Finnish-German restaurant with hearty fare, plentiful beer, and folksy live music. The restaurant sits on the bar-lined Errotajankatu in central Helsinki, and it offers a “two for the price of one” discount on main courses from 2-5 PM daily.

To find more music clubs and bars, visit the city’s nightlife listings page.

The post Helsinki: Warming up in winter—on the cheap! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The best way to explore the bucolic rolling hills, sheep farms, and stone villages outside London is not behind the wheel of a car, but on foot.

I had my first experience with country walking last weekend. My boyfriend and I rented a City Car (London’s version of a Zipcar) and drove about an hour to the west to the Chiltern hills, where I’d read there was good walking. We grabbed a footpath map and walking directions at a shop in the village of Hambleden and off we went. Seven miles seemed like a good enough challenge. We’d be back before dinner, no problem.

I should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy from the first set of instructions on our map: “At a right-hand bend, fork left onto the right-hand of two paths (LE38), a gravel drive. Now go straight on, soon joining and following a left-hand boundary bank and ignoring a crossing path.” We must have looked for that stupid left-hand boundary bank for a good 30 minutes.

A quintessential countryside scene.

We eventually got the hang of it, though, and figuring out the directions became part of the fun. Plus, the scenery couldn’t have been more magnificent.

Because the public is legally permitted to cross all private land in the countryside, the footpath cut right through people’s farms, bringing us up close and personal with the cows and sheep. It also took us into beech-tree forests that were so dark and dense, they felt almost primeval.

Here are some tips on taking your own countryside walk:

1. Get a good map

Many footpaths are not signposted, so you need to find a map that includes very clear instructions on how to find your way. In most larger towns, you’ll be able to find one at a tourism information office; in villages, look for a food shop.

The Chiltern Society has 27 different walking maps of the hills west of London. Another good resource is the Guardian newspaper, which published an excellent series of “Great British Walks” this summer.

2. Be prepared

It should go without saying, but don’t embark on a five- or seven-mile hike without proper walking shoes, water and a cell phone in case you get lost. (Some guides even recommend bringing a compass.) The weather in England is famously unpredictable, so plan for the possibility of rain even on a sunny day.

If you do lose your way, look for a well-groomed path (the larger ones are called “bridle paths”) and follow it until you reach civilization. England is a small country—every path leads somewhere.

Admiring a cow from a safe distance.

3. Respect people’s property

When entering a farm, make sure to close and latch the gate behind you. And keep a safe distance from cattle—there have been isolated incidents of people being chased and attacked by ornery cows. Most importantly: Never get between a cow and her calf unless you are looking for a fight.

4. Dress for the conditions

Footpaths can be overgrown with grass and prickly weeds in the summer and fall, and you may have to make your way through dense vegetation or even crops. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are recommended.

5. Don’t drink and walk

You’ll regret having that pint of beer with lunch when you’re three miles into an afternoon trek. Save the country pub until after your walk. A great pub in Hambleden is The Stag & Huntsman, which has picnic tables in the large garden out back and serves a delicious pork and apple burger.

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