Our People
  • Amy Waters snow biking Our Team

    Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.

  • William Dalrymple Our Tour Experts

    We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.

  • Liz Bonnin Heroes and Heroines

    The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.

Atlantic puffin, UK

UK Holidays

Steppes’ UK holidays lift a lid on the eccentricities for which our small island is renowned while showcasing our lesser-known, ‘green and pleasant’ locations.

Using our own personal contacts and sharing some of our fondest memories of childhood holidays and special occasions, we have pulled together several holiday ideas and experiences we think you will enjoy.

From the wilds of Scotland to the rugged coastline of Devon, and all the wonderfully quirky bits in the middle, you can expect a Steppes UK holiday to be crafted with the same care, passion and attention to detail that thousands have come to expect from us on their overseas adventures.

Pine marten, UK
Pine marten, UK

Rewilding & Conservation in the UK

Tourism should play a key role in supporting the UK’s rewilding projects and Steppes can help you get behind the scenes to learn what is being done to create a more sympathetic environment for the UK’s native species. Call us to hear how you can visit beaver reintroduction sites in Devon, wild cat breeding programmes in Scotland and butterfly conservation projects in the Cotswolds.

Find out more

Cycling by river, Gloucestershire, England, UK
England

Cycling Experiences

Wind and sun on your face. The zipping sound of a rotating freewheel. Scents of heather teasing your nose. There are few things better than exploring the British countryside on two wheels.

With its network of quiet country lanes and traffic-free cycle routes, the UK is perfect for exploring by bike. From lung-burning Scottish climbs to e-bike assisted spins between Cotswold villages, there are experiences to suit every ability.

Map reading near Edgeworth, Cotswolds, England, UK
Cotswolds, United Kingdom
Hay Tor at sunset, Dartmoor, Devon, England
Dartmoor, Devon, United Kingdom

Family Holidays

Great holidays are about finding an equilibrium, between being active and having some relaxation time and this is certainly true for family holidays. With our UK family holidays, you can spend your mornings kayaking, trekking or taking a wild swim and in the afternoon, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Take a look at our Scottish Highlands holiday idea or our Devon Adventure holiday idea for inspiration.

Walking, Cotswolds, England, UK
Cotswolds, England

Day Tours in the UK

We’ve searched our black books for guides, photographers, historians and naturalists that can take you on a specially curated day tour in the UK. We are happy to set these experiences up for you, to join as part of a larger group or to help you arrange for your own group of friends and family.

Find out more

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Alladale Wilderness Reserve

Explore Alladale Wilderness Reserve to learn about wild cat reintroduction programmes.

Climb Pen y Fan

Hike to the summit of the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons for stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Coastal footpath

Walk the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, which passes above a series of sweeping beaches, sheer cliffs and inaccessible coves.

Cycle the Tarka Trail

Bike the Tarka Trail in Devon through wooded valleys and alongside peaceful river banks and coast.

Cycling through the Cotswolds

Take a slow cycle ride through some of the Cotswolds lesser-known villages and sites.

Discover Celtic history

Discover the seat of Cornwall’s Celtic kings at Tintagel Castle.

Climb Sugar Loaf

Hike up this heather-covered hill for beautiful views over Abergavenny and the Brecon Beacons.

British Trust for Ornithology

Take part in a fieldwork survey under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornithology.

Beaches of Cornwall

Explore beautiful sandy coves and endless beaches.

Explore private gardens

Discover some of the UK’s most exquisite private gardens and arboretums.

Explore Lundy Island

Visit Lundy Island to see the puffins and skylarks.

National Trust properties

Step back in time at Lanhydrock and Trelissick Houses.

Head to St Michael’s Mount

Cross the causeway to St Michael’s Mount, a rocky island crowned by its medieval church and castle.

Foraging in the wilds

Go foraging on Dartmoor with a local expert.

Search for wild garlic

Explore ancient woodlands in springtime, when the wild garlic blossoms and fills the damp air with its scent

Search rock pools

Search tidal rock pools for marine creatures, including crabs, anemones and sea urchins.

Sailing in Norfolk

Sail around the Norfolk creeks on a refurbished, traditional wooden whelk boat.

Self-drive in Scotland

Drive Scotland’s North Coast 500 on a luxury, supported self-drive holiday.

Skomer Island

Visit Skomer Island in search of the countless bird species found here, including puffins.

Walk the Cotswold Way

Walk the most stunning sections of the Cotswold Way – a 164-kilometre footpath that skirts along the Cotswold Edge escarpment.

Support the white-tailed eagle project

Gain privileged insight into rewilding and visit the white-tailed eagle project in Mull, Scotland.

Wild swimming in Dartmoor

Go wild swimming in Dartmoor at the remote Sharrah Pool or on remote stretches of coast.

Wildlife walk

Head out in search of British wildlife, including deer, foxes, badgers and birds of prey.

Looking for Holiday Inspiration?

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

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What an incredible week! As ever, expertly organised with some surprises thrown in. Thank you to the team for pulling out all the stops so last minute!

Brian - Steppes Travel

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

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Chris Johnston

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

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Clare Higginson

It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.

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Sue Grimwood

I was inspired to travel south from an early age. My form teacher when I was nine made us listen to tapes from Shackleton’s expeditions, I didn’t know it at the time, but it obviously left a deep impression on my psyche.

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John Faithfull

My love affair with travel began in a vintage Italian train carriage at sunset on a hot and sticky September evening in 1983. Sardined into a two-bench compartment, I’d spent five hours sharing sweaty thighs, broken-Italian pleasantries and furtive glances while rattling towards Turin, stopping at every wisteria-draped village along the way.

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Paul Bird

It wasn’t part of the script, career plans were quite different but after four global trips visiting such exciting destinations, travel became a passion that eventually led to me entering the industry. The more I have travelled the greater the desire has been to see and do more.

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Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

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Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?


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