A SOMERSET walking route has been shortlisted to be crowned ‘Britain’s Favourite Path’ for 2026.
After receiving hundreds of heartfelt nominations from people across Britain, The Ramblers, Britain’s Walking Charity, is inviting the public to help crown Britain’s Favourite Path 2026.
The Strawberry Line path in Somerset has been named the winning entry for the south west England category and is now being forwarded to potentially be named the best path to walk on in the UK.
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Earlier this year, people from every corner of Britain shared the paths that hold a special place in their hearts, submitting stunning photographs and personal stories about the routes that have shaped memories, supported wellbeing, inspired adventures and connected them with nature.
Now in its third year, Britain’s Favourite Path celebrates the local paths that mean the most to the people who walk them. From coastal trails and countryside tracks to urban greenways and hidden gems, the competition shines a spotlight on the incredible network of paths that help us explore, unwind and reconnect with the world around us.
A panel of judges, including presenter and Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson, singer and presenter JB Gill, and the Ramblers President Amar Latif, faced the difficult task of narrowing hundreds of nominations down to just eight finalists.
Each shortlisted path represents one of eight geographical areas across Britain and has been selected not only for its beauty, but for the powerful stories behind it.
The Strawberry Line path in Somerset was the winning entry from the South West England category, following a nomination from Amanda Jane Baldwin, who believes their path should be crowned Britain’s favourite, saying, “The Strawberry Line is on my doorstep, my car isn’t needed for this stunning walk.
“It’s accessible in all weathers, it goes on for miles, it’s an absolute pleasure to walk on, it’s beautiful and I appreciate the nature all around me whilst on the path! It is maintained by volunteers which makes it all the more precious to walk on.”
The Ramblers Britain’s Favourite Path 2026 competition is supported by Postcode Lottery players, so Postcode Lottery Ambassador Matt Johnson stepped up to help judge this year’s entries.
Matt said, “It was really, really difficult to narrow it down, to be honest. These are all incredible examples of how beautiful the paths across our wonderful countries are.
“And now I’m a proud owner of a substantial list of paths to explore and tick off for the rest of my life.”
JB Gill, who also formed part of the judging panel, added, “I have loved seeing people’s favourite paths in postcodes across the UK, and after lots of deliberation, we’ve whittled it down to the final eight. So now it’s over to the public to cast their votes.”
The finalists showcase the very best of Britain’s paths and the many ways they enrich our lives.
This year’s entries highlight how walking can support physical and mental wellbeing, strengthen community connections, create lasting family memories and open the door to everyday adventures.