If you want to understand how a rusty piece of industrial history transforms into a national treasure, look no further than the West Country. The Strawberry Line in Somerset has officially been crowned Britain’s Favourite Path 2026. Securing 25 per cent of the public vote through the Ramblers' annual competition, this former railway line beat heavyweights like the Lake District's Buttermere Circular Path and Northumberland's Holy Island Causeway.
Old train tracks don't usually inspire poetry. Yet, people love this trail. Why? Because it represents a quiet revolution in how we reclaim our countryside from concrete and decay.
The Story Behind the Tracks
The path gets its name from a bygone era. It follows the route of a disused railway line that once carried fresh local strawberries from the fields of Cheddar and Wedmore straight to London markets. When the line closed in the late 1960s, it risked becoming another forgotten scar on the map.
Instead, local volunteers refused to let it rot. Over decades, they cleared overgrown brush, laid down smooth surfaces, and transformed the ballast into a thriving traffic-free corridor for walkers, cyclists, and families. You can walk it in all weathers without sinking ankle-deep into West Country mud. That matters.
Amanda Jane Baldwin, the local resident who nominated the winning section near Winscombe, put it simply: "My car isn't needed for this stunning walk." That accessibility is its superpower.
Why This Win Matters for Hikers and Planners
Let’s be honest about modern walking trails. Too many guides point you toward exhausting mountain scrambles that demand specialized gear, perfect weather, and an entire weekend free. Those are great for postcards, but they aren't practical for a Tuesday afternoon stroll.
The Strawberry Line proves that people crave accessible, everyday nature. It connects communities from the Mendip Hills down to the sea. You don't need a map and compass to navigate it. You just need a pair of boots and an hour to spare.
Volunteers keep this trail alive. Without local people clearing drains, cutting back brambles, and fixing gates, paths like this quickly revert to wilderness. It’s a stark reminder that our green spaces survive on sweat equity, not government budgets.
How to Experience It Yourself
If you’re planning a trip to walk the winning stretch near Winscombe and Cheddar, keep a few practical tips in mind:
- Transportation: You can easily access parts of the route without driving. Local bus routes and nearby rail connections make car-free travel genuinely viable.
- Surface Quality: The path is largely traffic-free and flat, making it ideal for walking, cycling, and adaptive access, though some winter stretches can still feel brisk and breezy coming off the hills.
- Wildlife Watching: Because the old railway acts as a sheltered corridor, keep your eyes open for local butterflies, wildflowers, and birds that use the tree-lined route to migrate safely through agricultural land.
Britain's footpaths are under constant pressure from blocked rights-of-way and lack of maintenance. When a community-driven trail like the Strawberry Line takes the top spot, it sends a clear message. We want paths that are close to home, open to everyone, and lovingly cared for by the people who walk them every single day.
Lace up your shoes and go see what all the fuss is about.
