The Walking Hub Adventure...
"Welcome to The Walking Hub! I’m Ali, and along with my loyal sidekick, Roo, I’m thrilled to share this little adventure with you. My love for the outdoors started young. I grew up in London but spent family holidays walking in Wales, sparking a lifelong passion for mountaineering, climbing, skiing and exploring the mountains. After years working as a nurse in the U.S., I returned to the UK and landed in the perfect spot: Kington, a beautiful, remote town and a walker’s paradise.
It all started when I bought a flat on Kington High Street that, lucky me, came with a retail space below. I quickly turned my new home into a cosy B&B for fellow walkers and opened The Walking Hub downstairs to share all the great gear I’ve discovered for natural, comfortable movement. The response has been amazing, and the shop recently moved into a bigger space just around the corner – now with even more room for gear and good company!
Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis has also given me a unique perspective on movement and comfort, and it’s driven me to question what “good” gear really means. I carefully source products that support freedom of movement and align with my values of social responsibility and sustainability. Today, The Walking Hub is a blend of outdoor experiences and carefully chosen gear, and I’m proud to share it with others.
When we’re not out exploring ourselves, Roo and I are lucky enough to meet other walkers (just like you!) who share our love for the outdoors. I couldn’t be happier with this journey and am thrilled to welcome you into our walking community!”
Cheers,
Ali 👣 n Roo 🐾
Kington
The Walking Hub is proud to call Kington ‘home’ and is aptly located in the centre of its historic high street. Barely in England but not quite in Wales, situated on the border and to the west of Offa’s Dyke it was probably once Welsh, but Kington is now Herefordhsire’s smallest and most westerly market town. It was once a thriving wool trading town on a busy drovers route, their legacy left as a network of paths that weave through, start or finish here. Offa’s Dyke National trail winds its way over Hergest ridge (made famous by Mike Oldfield of Tubular Bells fame) into Kington before setting off again up Bradnor Hill towards Knighton. It’s not suprising that Kington has called itself “A Centre for Walking”.
Kington is yet to be discovered and has remained wonderfully traditional, a hidden gem amongst Herefordshire’s apple orchards and a gateway to the mystical hills of Wales.
Accessibility & Inclusive Welcome
At The Walking Hub, we believe walking should be accessible to everyone — no matter their age, ability, or starting point. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive experience, both in our shop and our accommodation.
In the Shop:
- The shop is wheelchair accessible, with a wide, level double-door entrance
- We offer extended one-on-one fitting sessions for barefoot shoes, often supporting people with mobility issues, chronic pain, sensory sensitivities, or other health concerns
- Our founder, Ali Allen, draws on her background in nursing and her own health journey to provide personal, thoughtful support to every visitor
In the B&B:
- Due to the steep, narrow stairs, our B&B is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users or those with significant mobility limitations
- However, we offer walking advice, Nordic Walking Instruction and personalised gear recommendations to support all levels of movement
- Dietary requirements are warmly accommodated. We provide locally sourced, mostly vegan meals and toiletries that are organic and gentle on the skin
We’re always learning and welcome feedback on how we can be more inclusive. If you have specific needs, feel free to get in touch — we’re here to help make your visit enjoyable, supportive, and empowering.
Our Commitment to Regenerative Tourism
At The Walking Hub, we believe tourism should leave a place better than it found it — for the environment, the local economy, and the community.
From the beginning, this business has been rooted in care: care for the land, for people’s bodies, and for Kington itself. Every product we sell is carefully curated with transparency, sustainability, and long-term usefulness in mind. We research our supply chains deeply, only partnering with brands whose values align with our own. From PFC-free outerwear to repairable footwear, we aim to reduce waste and rethink consumption.
We prioritise local — buying fresh produce from the greengrocers and deli just below our shop, working with Herefordshire-based tradespeople, and promoting fellow businesses and events that support the town’s vibrancy. As part of Kington’s high street, we see ourselves as part of a shared ecosystem, not just an individual enterprise.
Our shop now includes a small Re-Store initiative, giving second life to used barefoot gear and extending the lifespan of quality products. We walk the talk — literally — reducing car use wherever possible, and inspiring visitors to do the same by exploring the area on foot.
Above all, we promote movement that’s thoughtful, inclusive, and light on the earth. Whether it’s through minimalist footwear, mindful walking, or honest conversations about health and sustainability, our mission is simple: help people reconnect — with their bodies, with nature, and with this beautiful part of Herefordshire.
Walkers are Welcome Town
Kington has been a Walkers are Welcome town since 2011. Walkers are Welcome is a U.K. wide, community led network of accredited towns whose purpose is to develop and promote walking in areas with something different to offer.