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Archive for category Walking

Take a walk down the Turner Trails

Jun 21

Posted by elisa in Tourist Board, Walking, Yorkshire | 2 Comments

Aysgarth Falls by ahisgett.

Aysgarth Falls picture by Flickr User ahisgett

Welcome to Yorkshire has just launched the new Turner Trails which cover 70 sites across Yorkshire which inspired the famous painter, Joseph Turner.

Turner toured Yorkshire in the early 19th century and produced more than 800 sketches and paintings. Among the places he visited was Castle Bolton, near Leyburn, Aysgarth Falls, near Richmond, and Whitby Abbey.

Benches are strategically placed so that you can see the same views that inspired some of Turner’s most wonderful paintings. Find out more information regarding specific sites to visit here.

Winter Walks

Oct 15

Posted by evekerswill in News, Walking, wildlife | 1 Comment

Winter is the best time for walking. That’s the opinion of many people who say that not only is it more comfortable to get out in the cooler months (layer your clothing so you’re not too warm or too cold), but our landscapes look great, too.

        The National Trust has come up with some fabulous walks for holiday cottagers and here are just a few of them. For more, go the Trust’s website where you’ll find 100 downloadable treks.

Allen Banks in Northumberland  –  The River Allen has carved out a wooded gorge in this area of ancient woodland. 181 species of fungi have been recorded, along with roe deer and otters. A gentle 2.5 mile walk. Download it for free at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01670 774691.

 

Blakeney Point to Stiffkey, Norfolk  –  During the winter, hundreds of thousands of birds flock to the salt marshes and fields here to feed. Birds of prey skim the marshes, too. Grey and common seals bask off Blakeney Point. The Trust says, “Don’t forget your binoculars on this four mile walk”. Download it at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01263 740241. 

 

Box Hill, Surrey  – Box Hill, says the Trust, is a “green jewel in an urban landscape”. It’s  an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of chalk downland and woodland with terrific views across the South Downs. Follow the footpaths or roam free. Collect a leaflet at Box Hill or call 01306 885502.

 

Clent Hills, West Midlands  –  With their magnificent views to the Welsh Black Mountains, quiet copses and ancient beech pollards, these hills are a great place to walk. A one mile path leads to the summit and from here you can take woodland or heathland paths back.  Download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01384 872418.

 

Dodman Point, Cornwall  – A  three mile walk over the highest headland on the South Cornish coast through a landscape shaped by 4,000 years of human occupation. Iron age earthworks, bronze age barrows, mediaeval strip fields and fabulous views of the Lizard peninsula await. Download the walk at  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01726 844652.

 

Harting Down, Sussex  – A  moderate two mile walk over one of the largest areas of ancient chalk downland in the care of the National Trust. Magnificent views over the Weald to the North Downs from a path through ancient yew woodland. Download it at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01372 453401.

 

Hayfield to Kinder Scout in Derbyshire  –  In 1932 more than 500 people gathered to walk this eight mile route – illegally – to campaign for rights of access to the countryside. The Mass Trespass was a milestone in opening up the British countryside to walkers. You, too, can trek through this dramatic landscape.  Download the walk from  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01433 670368.

 

Old Harry Rocks, Dorset  – This 3.5 mile path leads through ancient coppiced woodland to the rugged sea stacks of Old Harry Rocks on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, before heading inland over meadows and then back to the sea at Studland beach. Download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01297 561900.

 

Tarn Hows, Cumbria  – This  five mile walk heads from Coniston water up to Tarn Hows. Some of the most famous Lakeland fells stretch before you, including Wetherlam, the Old Man of Coniston, Langdale Pike and Helvellyn: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01539 441951.

 

Whitford Burrows, Gower Peninsula  –  Whitford Burrows sit at the more northerly end of the spectacular Gower Peninsula in south Wales. The four mile walk takes you along the dunes, past mediaeval marshes, and through pine forests planted to help stabilise the  sands. The walk back is along the beach. Download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks or call 01792 390636.

Walking festivals 2008

May 6

Posted by evekerswill in Group holidays, Lake District, Walking | 2 Comments

In the UK, we love to walk. Thousands of us go walking regularly. And lots of us like our walks to be sociable – for evidence, just look at how popular walking festivals have become. Ten years ago, there were hardly any. Now there are dozens. It doesn’t matter what your age or ability – most festivals have graded walks to suit everyone, with a walk leader on hand to make sure you’re OK.

There’ll often be added extras – evening entertainment, visits, food and drink tastings etc. Stay in a holiday cottage while you’re at a festival. After a day of exercise and fresh air, relax in your own space. Cottage owners can usually recommend food delivery services, and many cottages have a pub or restaurant nearby.

Here are just a few festivals around the UK this year:

3 – 18 May Isle of Wight Walking Festival, England
 In its tenth year, this is probably the longest-established festival. More than half the island is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – including 500 miles of well-maintained footpaths. The event is a huge draw every year.
www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

9 – 11 May Lower Annandale Walking Festival, Scotland
 Twelve guided walks in this intriguing part of Dumfries and Galloway.

9 – 15 May Newton Stewart Walking Festival, Scotland
 One of the foremost walking festivals in the south of Scotland.
www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk

10 – 17 May Aviemore & Cairngorm Walking & Mountain Festival, Scotland.
 Formerly Aviemore Walking Festival, it includes new elements for 2008. www.aviemorewalking.com

10 – 26 May South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival, England
 Explore the Suffolk countryside with local guides, historians and naturalists. Forty graded walks in a variety of locations, including a ramble along the former towpath of the River Gipping; a meander through the historic wool towns of Lavenham and Long Melford; and a walk that visits a wooden ‘henge’ and takes in a scarecrow trail.
www.southandheartofsuffolk.org.uk

17 – 23 May Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival, Scotland
 Three walks a day of varying toughness in eastern Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeenshire and Angus.
www.royaldeeside.co.uk

29 May – 1 June Angus Glens Walking Festival, Scotland
 Award-winning walking festival – discover one of Scotland’s secret places, the Angus Glens.
www.angusanddundee.co.uk/walkingfestival

6 – 9 June Malvern Walking Festival, England
 From family ambles to a ramble across the Malvern Hills from end to end. www.malvern-hills.co.uk

14 June, midnight Edinburgh MoonWalk, Scotland
 Join the MoonWalk to help raise money for vital breast cancer causes in Scotland. www.walkthewalk.org

14 – 15 June Langport International Walking Festival, England
 At the heart of the Somerset levels and moors – a wetland landscape of rhines, droves and willows. www.langport-area.info

14 – 22 June Herefordshire Walking Festival, England
 This year’s programme highlights the south west of the county with 60 guided walks to choose from. Experts on butterflies, bats and birdwatching, archaeology, local lore, and land conservation will be on hand. And learn to compose better pictures with travel photographer Nick Meers.
www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/walking

30 June – 13 July Rotherham Walking Festival
 Two weeks of guided walks. www.rotherham.gov.uk

15 – 18 Aug Midlothian Walking Festival, Scotland
Cycling and horse riding as well as guided walks through town and countryside within easy reach of Edinburgh.s well as guided walks through town and countryside within easy reach of Edinburgh.

walking.visitscotland.com/events/midlothian-walking-festival

30 Aug – 6 Sep Scottish Borders Festival of Walking
One of the longest-established walking festivals in Scotland.

18 – 22 Sep Clackmannanshire Walking Festival, Scotland
A chance to discover the area’s stunning scenery.

26 – 28 Sep Coniston Walking Festival, Lake District, England
Themed walks on the area’s geology and geography, and the famous people who have found inspiration here – plus activities for families and the ultra-energetic.

26 – 29 Sep Carrick Way Festival, Scotland
Walks in stunning landscapes in Ayrshire.

26 Sep – 5 Oct Richmond Walking and Book Festival, Yorkshire, England
Ten days of events that are good for body, intellect and soul!

4 – 13 Oct Cowal Walking and Arts Festival (Cowalfest), Scotland
Where the Highlands meet the Clyde coast.

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New Article on HolidayCottages.cc – Snowdonia and Mount Snowdon

Feb 25

Posted by admin in Articles, Snowdonia, Wales, Walking | 1 Comment

We’ve added a new article on walking in Wales. Solange Hando stays in a holiday cottage in Snowdonia, and manages to make it to the top of mount Snowdon – the highest peak in England and Wales.

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