Natural England Walk Finder
Natural England’s Walking for Health (WfH) encourages you to enjoy your local natural spaces and benefit your health by taking part in health walks.
They are currently the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for led health walks.
Walking for Health aims to encourage people, particularly those who take little exercise, to do regular short walks in their communities. They support over 590 local health walk schemes and you can find your nearest English walk using the online Walk Finder.
Peak District Walking Festivals
March 7, 2010 by admin
Filed under D, Featured Walks, P-Q
Walking through some of the England’s most outstanding scenery is one of the joys of a visit to the Peak District and Derbyshire.
With four separate festivals to choose from and with a wide variety of themes, there’s something to suit all ages and abilities.
The Peak District Walking Festival – April 24 to May 9 2010
The Peak District Walking Festival is one of the largest and most varied festivals in the country, with more than 100 walks led by expert and knowledgeable guides, from National Park Rangers and archaeologists to ecologists and ghost hunting experts! All ages and abilities are catered for and as well as new challenges like rock climbing or caving, you’ll be able to take part in guided cycle rides.
The Peak District’s Historic Border Country Walking Festival – May 15 to 23 2010
The Peak District’s Historic Border Country sits between the Peak District to the west and Sherwood Forest to the east and has some of the best unspoilt and undiscovered countryside, which you’ll be able to explore in the Festival. The programme includes many guided walks to suit all ages and abilities, including the ‘Longest Walk on the Longest Day’ – a 34 mile walk which circumnavigates Chesterfield, keeping the spire in view most of the time.
Footsteps in the Forest: National Forest Walking Festival – May 22 – June 2 2010
Footsteps in the Forest walks offer a great range of short, medium and long guided walks across the varied landscape of The National Forest. Discover canals, rural villages, reservoirs and woodlands and hear fascinating facts about the wildlife and local heritage of this beautiful area. Led by local enthusiasts who are keen to show visitors around the area, there is something for everyone, whatever your interest and abilities.
Autumn Footprints: Amber Valley & Erewash Walking Festival. Sept 11 to 26 2010
Autumn Footprints includes a wide variety of walks from between one and fifteen miles and covers themes such as natural history, local heritage, rivers and canals or towns and villages and map reading. The programme will be available from mid-summer 2010.
Derby Walking Festival – September 18 to October 17 2010
Set in the compact, friendly city of Derby steeped with fascinating history, a vibrant culture and rich heritage providing the perfect setting for this festival.
More information
Order your 2010 Peak Disrtict Walking Festivals Guide.
Peak District and Derbyshire Tourist Board
Free Guided Walks in the North York Moors
February 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Featured Walks, N
A guided walk looking at items of folklore, history and local interest in the moorland village of Goathland on Wednesday 3 March is the first in a series of free guided walks organised by the North York Moors National Park Authority.
A guided walk has many benefits
Ranging from one to five miles, the walks take place the first Sunday and Wednesday of every month from March through to November.
Following Natural England’s ‘Walking the way to Health’ guidelines, the walks are in three levels from a gentle stroll on easy terrain some of which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies to longer walks of a more challenging nature. They are an ideal introduction to the health benefits of walking and – with lots of information on the local area, its history, nature, wildlife and conservation – are also a great opportunity to learn something new about the North York Moors.
Forthcoming walks include
- Ramble along woodland paths and the scenic Murk Esk to find out about the industrial heritage of Grosmont (7 April)
- Stroll along the old railway line to explore the remains of the alum works at Ravenscar (2 June)
- Wildlife walk through Guisborough Forest (4 July).
Don Burluraux, Health Walks Co-ordinator for the NHS Middlesbrough and NHS Redcar and Cleveland area said:
“Health Walks do not only improve your physical fitness, help control your weight and make you feel good, they are also beneficial for your mental well-being, reducing stress and helping you to sleep better. Walking in a Health Walk group is a great way to start walking and to stay motivated – you’ll socialise and make new friends and discover new places in your neighbourhood and surrounding countryside.”
Ian Sewell, who has long-term health issues, has been on several health walks in the North York Moors National Park, he said:
“My first walk, through Raincliffe Woods, made me feel as if a weight had been lifted from off my shoulders. I felt extremely calm and yet energised at the same time. I certainly slept at the end of the day! Being surrounded by the natural world was very peaceful and calming to the mind and to the spirit as well as giving exercise to the body. I would recommend the walks to everyone, whether young or old.”
All walk leaders have received health and safety training. Places on the walks are limited; to book a place call 01439 772738.
Further information on forthcoming walks can be found at www.visitthemoors.co.uk/events and also in the North York Moors Out and About Guide which will be available from National Park and Tourist Information Centres from early March
More information on all National Parks can be found at www.nationalparks.gov.uk
The Beacon, Penrith, Cumbria
July 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under B, Featured, Featured Walks, P-Q
An unobtrusive wooden way marker points the way from the roadside, through a small wooden gate and up a grassy slope. Turning the corner, the slope is shaded by trees and the ground becomes sandy, with large pieces of sandstone bouldering the ground.
Lush woodland of Beacon Hill, Penrith
The orignal forests of Beacon Hill were first planted in the late 18th C. before the enclosure of common land act. Before this, Beacon was a dreary barren waste land full of sandholes and quarries. Remnants of this can be noted from the rough hewn pathway with large sandstone boulders in places and the rocky sandstone outcrops which appear in woodland clearings.
After being destroyed by fire, Beacon Hill was replanted in 1927 by the Lowther family.
The Path to Beacon Pike, 937 ft (286 m) is quite steep and very rocky in places, so is unsuitable for buggies and
Sandstone paths of Beacon HIll
wheelchairs and substantial walking shoes are recommended.
Rich, well managed woodland, including Rowan and Beech is home to a variety of wildlife. Keep a look out for the Common Lizard and signs of badgers and foxes.
Common Lizard basking on Billberry leaves
Once at the Summit, the pathway opens out into a plateau of land with a square sandstone beacon built on the top. The present monument
The Beacon, Penrith
(replacing earlier structures) was built in 1719 of sandstone taken from hill, it was restored in 1790.
Earlier beacons are recorded here since 1296 and would have been piles of wood and branches followed later by pitch boxes. There has been a building on this site for more than 500 years.
Beacons were used to warn the locals and surrounding villages of impending Scottish raids and would communicate this message for miles across the North of England with others being lit at Carlisle, Kirkoswald and Orton Scar.
During 1745 uprising, the Beacon featured again when Prince Charles Edward attempted to regain the Crown of the House of Stuart. It is even noted to have been used during the Napoleonic Wars.
Stunning views over the Eden Valley, Pennines and Lake District fells indicate why this site was chosen. The mountains of Scotland can easily be seen across the Solway Firth to the north.
Dial indicates what can be seen from this point
A brass dial donated by the Lions Club of Penrith, indicates the names of the mountains and places which can be seen from this wonderful vantage point.
This walk will take around 40 minutes to complete.
Visit Penrith Town Trails for details of this and other walks in the area.
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.
