Woodland picnic guide published
A new guide featuring some of the countries top walks has been published by Booths.
The retailer has teamed up with the Forestry Commission, the Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust, the Forest of Bowland and Visit Ripon, to produce a new guide to some of the top walks and the best picnic food in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire.
Available in stores now, the free Woodland Walks guide offers a choice of eight countryside walks through some of the most scenic spots in each of Booths’ heartland counties.
To accompany the walks there is a selection of inspiring picnic recipes featuring some of the best local produce available at Booths.
Booths Sarah Birchall says: “With more people planning to holiday closer to home this year we thought this new guide would provide all the ingredients for a great day out to remember – beautiful countryside, delicious food and lovely walks for all the family to enjoy.
“It’s all too easy to forget all the fantastic places that are right on your own doorstep. This region boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Hopefully this guide will inspire people to get out and about this summer and enjoy some fine walking and al fresco dining without having to travel too far.”
In Cumbria there are two walks – each offering a different view of this glorious county.
Family walking in Grizedale Forest
The Grizedale Forest Walk is one of the more strenuous routes but you will be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the Lakeland fells.
Starting from the visitors centre, the three-mile route takes in oak woodlands, farm meadows, amazing sculptures and a variety of wildlife along the way.
Look out for blue tits, nuthatch, blackbirds and robins but also buzzards and kestrels. You may see signs of badgers and red or roe deer, foxes, red squirrels and adders.
On the south west shore of Lake Windermere, the Great Knott Wood Walk is a one-hour circular walk that includes a steep climb in parts.
There’s a huge range of trees along the route including Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, larch, sessile oak, sycamore, ash, alder, birch, beech and yew. Also keep an eye out for wood sorrel, wood anemone, greater stitchwort and honeysuckle.
For each of the walks, Booths also provides ideas on how to pack the perfect picnic using regional produce.
There’s a recipe for Cumbrian Peppered Silverside Beef Sandwich with Hawkshead Westmorland chutney and a Quick and Easy Lemon Swiss Roll trifle made with Bells cake and fresh custard. Add a glass of locally-brewed real ale and you have a gourmet picnic in minutes.
The products can all be found in Booths stores in Keswick, Windermere, Ulverston, Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale.
Other regional walks featured in the guide cover the Forest of Bowland and Mere Sands in Lancashire, Big Wood and Delamere Forest in Cheshire and Nidd Gorge and Ripon in Yorkshire.
There are also more recipe suggestions for each of the counties including Lancashire Mushroom Crostini with Watercress, Yorkshire Smoked Salmon Salad and Oat Cakes and Cheese Salad from Cheshire.
