One of the reasons we came to England was to walk the footpaths. For hundreds of years the country lanes, footpaths and tracks of England have been traversed by many a traveler. They lead through fields and farms, villages and towns, and places of legend and history.
In England and Wales a Public Footpath is a path that the public has a legally protected right to travel on foot. Normally extended only to walking, most footpaths in the countryside are hundreds of years old.
Walking in England requires several things. First are the things you bring with you, good shoes and clothing for multiple seasons in any one day. Also important is a good map, compass, and the ability to use both, and depending on the length of the walk, of course, food and water.
Secondly however, as there are endless fences, walls, and hedgerows, one of the more important things you will require while walking England are stiles. A stile is a structure which allows people passage through or over a fence, wall or hedgerow and prevents farm animals from doing the same thing.
Fortunately, stiles are provided, even though they can be difficult to locate across a large field or pasture.
Stiles come in various configurations – some ably demonstrated by Jeannie:
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Common two-step stiles have steps that criss-cross though some have stair-like step. |
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A kissing gate consists of a semi-circular, square or V-shaped enclosure on one side and a hinged gate that swings between two shutting posts, it allows one person at a time to pass through but keeps livestock out. Sometimes there is a gravity closer keeping it closed to one side. |
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A squeeze stile, you must truly squeeze through. However a problem with this kind of stile is that it can allow small animals (i.e. lambs) to pass. |
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A step stile built into a stone fence. |
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A ladder stile. |
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A bridge stile. This one only has a baffle at the far end, usually there are baffles at both ends. |
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Stile with no purpose. |
libby mckerrow
11 Jan 2022I came across a stile(I think ) near Llandudno but have found no examples in yours nor other descriptions. I have a photo and would love to share. It is a flat, verticals stone (worn over time by feet stepping on it?)set between a stone wall. Any ideas?
Missy Ortega
10 Jun 2016I agree with your other readers that it would be nice if we had such structures in America.
Mark Pomraning
6 Jun 2016Thanks Chris! Very interesting and novel. Like I have mentioned before, this is better than National Geographic.
Alice Mathias
5 Jun 2016I had no idea!
Linda
4 Jun 2016Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Debi Katzman
4 Jun 2016You learn something every day. I like the ones with the boards that go through, going from each direction. Jeannie was a great stile model
Bonnie
4 Jun 2016I never knew about this path or these little jewels to aid you on your journey! You and your wife are teachers! Journey Teachers!
Lee Anne
4 Jun 2016Being avid hikers, this story along with photos is really neat. Wouldnt it be glorious to have that sense of community in the States? Thanks for sharing.
Kim
4 Jun 2016Fascinating! Have always loved the idea of a stile since hearing the nursery rhyme “There Was a Crooked Man.” Did you, in all of your walking, ever find “a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile?” 🙂
Mike kelly
4 Jun 2016Nice blog .. An accurate reflection of life in the old country