From Comedians to Conservationists – Meet 10 Famous UK Walkers You’ll Love
Walking is a national pastime in the UK, woven into our history, landscape, and culture. It benefits us mentally and physically, allows us to connect with nature, and discover new stories. That’s exactly why so many well-known figures—past and present—have made walking part of their lives.
From fell-lovers to modern TV presenters and even comedians, these ten famous UK walkers prove that putting one foot in front of the other can lead to incredible places.
1. Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991)
Claim to fame: The Lake District & the legendary Coast to Coast Walk
Alfred Wainwright turned rambling into an art form. His beloved Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells are still go-to reads for walkers, packed with charming hand-drawn maps and musings on all 214 peaks. He also dreamed up the now-iconic Coast to Coast Walk—a 190-mile adventure from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. An epic route, born from one man’s boots and boundless curiosity.
2. Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)
Known for: The Lake District’s beloved storyteller and conservationist
Beatrix Potter was a passionate walker and nature lover. The rolling hills and patchwork farmland of the Lake District sparked her imagination and shaped her stories. Later in life, she bought up swathes of this beautiful landscape to protect it, helping pave the way for the Lake District National Park. Some of her favourite spots? The charming paths around Near Sawrey, Tarn Hows, and Hawkshead.
3. Sir Tony Robinson
Known for: Walking Through History and championing the stories beneath our feet
While many remember Tony Robinson as the lovable Baldrick in Blackadder, he’s also carved out a niche as one of Britain’s most enthusiastic heritage walkers. In his series Walking Through History, Tony led viewers along scenic routes like Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, the North York Moors, and Hadrian’s Wall—bringing the past to life with every step. For Tony, a walk is a journey through time.
4. Julia Bradbury
Known for: Bringing Britain’s best walks to our screens
Julia Bradbury has made a career out of lacing up her boots and leading us into the great outdoors. From Wainwright Walks to her adventures through Cornwall, Devon, and even the Greek Islands, she’s inspired a nation to fall in love with walking. Raised in the Peak District, her passion runs deep—and thanks to her, routes like Helvellyn, Buttermere, and Crackington Haven have become must-visits for walkers across the country.
5. Bill Bailey
Yes, it’s true – Bill Bailey often walks with a banjo in hand! Comedian, musician, and all-round national treasure, Bill Bailey doesn’t just walk—he wanders with a soundtrack. Often spotted strumming a banjo or mandolin as he roams, Bill blends his love of nature, music, and mindfulness into one joyful ramble. From the wilds of the Scottish Highlands to the rolling hills of Somerset, he’s known to compose melodies mid-stroll and even weave walking into his nature-inspired live shows.
For Bill, walking is meditation, music, and a little bit of magic. So if you hear gentle picking on a hilltop breeze… chances are, you’ve just crossed paths with Bill Bailey.
6. Nan Shepherd (1893–1981)
Known for: The Cairngorms and a whole new way of seeing mountains
Nan Shepherd didn’t conquer mountains—she immersed herself in them. In The Living Mountain, her lyrical ode to the Cairngorms, she invites us to slow down, tune in, and truly feel the landscape. Rather than chasing summits, Nan championed a deeper connection with nature—one of stillness, wonder, and sensory discovery. Her words have left a lasting mark on how we experience wild places, earning her a well-deserved place on Scotland’s £5 note.
7. Clare Balding
Known for: Ramblings and championing the joy of walking
Clare Balding has covered countless miles across Britain’s most beautiful landscapes, all with a mic in hand and a brilliant guest by her side. Her long-running BBC Radio 4 series Ramblings has taken listeners from the windswept cliffs of Cornwall to the rolling Yorkshire Dales, the Chiltern Hills, and beyond. With her warm curiosity and deep love for the outdoors, Clare has opened up the world of walking to new audiences—making it feel accessible, inviting, and endlessly enriching.
8. Benedict Allen
Known for: Epic solo adventures—and finding wildness close to home
While Benedict Allen has tackled some of the world’s most remote places—from the Amazon to Siberia—he’s just as captivated by the untamed beauty of the UK. Whether trekking through the Scottish Highlands, navigating Snowdonia, or roaming Dartmoor’s lonely moors, he brings an explorer’s spirit to Britain’s rugged landscapes. His message? You don’t need to cross continents to discover adventure—the wild is right here, waiting.
9. Robert Macfarlane
Known for: The Old Ways and walking Britain’s hidden stories
Robert Macfarlane doesn’t just walk—he traces the ghosts of ancient paths. In The Old Ways, he journeys along chalky South Downs trails, windswept Pennine moors, and pilgrim routes through Scotland, uncovering the myths, memories, and meanings woven into the land. For Macfarlane, walking is a way of reading the landscape—each footstep a connection to those who came before.
10. Sir David Attenborough
Known for: Walking the world for nature—and still strolling close to home
Sir David Attenborough has wandered through some of the planet’s wildest places—jungles, deserts, deep forests—all in the name of sharing nature’s wonders. But his love of walking isn’t just for far-flung filming. Closer to home, he finds peace and inspiration in places like Richmond Park and Kew Gardens. His belief is simple but powerful: the first step toward protecting the planet is learning to truly appreciate it, one walk at a time.
Sign up to our newsletter
Be the first to hear about our latest news & offers
