Walkers' Diary 2010

Walk Scilly 2010
27 March - 3 April
Our programme of events has something for everyone and features over 30 guided walks, all of which are graded easy, moderate or hard. This year there are three new walks, featuring Wild Food, Art and a walk between the islands! There is wide range of evening entertainment scheduled, with social events, multi-media shows, talks and music. This year WalkScilly2010 coincides with the Isles of Scilly Folk Festival bringing the best of traditional Cornish Folk music to the islands. For more information contact 01720 424031 or visit www.walkscilly.co.ukThe Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show
26-28 March 2010 This year's show returns to the NEC, Birmingham, bringing the best of the outdoors, indoors. Celebrity speakers include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Olympic medal winer James Cracknell, Doug Scott CBE – the first Briton to reach the summit of Everst and adventurer and presenter Ben Fogel. Showcasing over 200 exhibitors and a variety of ‘have-a-go’ activities, there’s plenty of interest for everyone at the 2010 show.

For more information call 01159 934 439 or visit www.outdoorsshowextra.co.uk

Show Opening Times
Friday 26 March 10am – 5pm
Saturday 27 March 9am – 6pm
Sunday 28 March 10am – 5pm

Ticket Prices Advance On doors
Adults £13 £18
Children (11-17) £8 £11
Senior citizens (60+) £8 £11
Full-time students £8 £11
Under 11s FREE
Families £39 £49 (Up to 2 Adults + 3 Children)

SPECIAL OFFER! The Ramblers Walk magazine has teamed up with outdoor show to offer a special discount. Pre book tickets for just £11 – by quoting WALK1 when booking!

Ramblers bluebell walks with Natural History Museum.
April – June 2010
Countrywide programme of bluebell-spotting walk, led by Ramblers groups and held in partnership with the Natural History Museum. Join a walk, and take part in the Natural History Museum’s Bluebell survey 2010 to help save the blue-tifull British bluebell.
www.ramblers.org.uk/walkthemes/Themedwalksbluebells

Ramblers Easter walks
2nd – 5th April 2010. Hundreds of walks of all lengths held by Ramblers groups over the Easter weekend.
www.ramblers.co.uk/walksfinder

Peak District walking festival
24 April - 9 May 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.
www.visitpeakdistrict.com/walking

Haltwhistle spring walking festival
24 April - 3 May 2010
Take in the glorious environs of the Northumberland National Park, the North Pennines AONB, Hadrian’s Wall and the remote South Tyne Valley. Walks range from 2km/1 mile to 27km/17 miles.
For more information contact 01434 321242 or visit www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org

North Devon & Exmoor walking festival
29 April - 7 May 2010
The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival is now in its 10th year and has grown to become one of the largest walking festivals in the UK. With over 80 guided walks ranging from shorter 2 mile half day walks to lengthier 10 mile routes, you're sure to find the perfect walk for you.
For more information contact 01271 883131 or visit http://www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk/

‘Around Corby’ Walking Festival
1-3 May 2010
The second ‘Around Corby’ Walking Festival will take place this year with over thirty circular walks of varying lengths covering the three days including a full circumnavigation of the thirty five mile ‘Around Corby’ walking route that opened last year. All walks will be led by experienced walkers.
For more information contact Mel Jarvis on 01536 772109 or visit www.aroundcorby.co.uk

Thanet walking festival
2-8 May 2010
This year is the seventh walking festival in Thanet organized by Kent Ramblers, with town trails and country rambles every day. Lying at the easterly corner of Kent, Thanet boasts heritage coastline, splendid chalk cliffs and a Roman castle at Reculver, which was also the trial site for the Dambusters bouncing bomb. There are excellent views across reclaimed marshes, seascapes and sunsets which inspired the painter JMW Turner.
The annual event is the brainchild of local Ramblers footpaths officer Colin Bridge. “It’s a big boost for walking in an area which is not as well known as other parts of Kent and the South East,” says Colin. “Now we even get regulars from London taking a week's holiday in Thanet to join in the whole festival!”
All walks are free and open to everyone.
01843 846427 www.thanetwalkingfestival.co.uk

Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival
3-8 May 2010
The first Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival offers over 40 guided walks over some of the most beautiful terrain in the UK.  Much of the Isle of Purbeck is protected as sites of Special Scientific Interest or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and, of course, the coastline from Swanage bay is the gateway to the iconic Jurassic Coast, the first natural World Heritage site in the UK. A variety of walks will feature in the 5-day programme including special interest, coastline, bird watching, fossils, historical and others; one walk involves a short journey on the famous Swanage Steam Railway and another includes a trip on a boat to view the Jurassic Coast from the sea.
For further information about this festival, including how to book yourself on a walk, go to www.walkswanage.com

Newton Stewart Walking Festival
7 - 13 May 2010
The South of Scotland's premier walking festival offers 26 walks over seven days, with challenges for all abilities, varying in length from 3kms to over 20kms. Explore Galloway's wild heart and undiscovered coast.
T: 01671 404500 or visit www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk

Rotherham Walking Festival
8-16 May 2010
With walks from 1 mile to25 miles the festival will give walkeers of all abilities the chacne to join in. Included in the festival will be charity walks and the Rotherham Round Walk.
For more information contact Jane Cardie on 01709 336892 or visit www.visitrotherham.org

The Peak District's Historic Border Country Walking Festival
15 – 23 May 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.
www.visitpeakdistrict.com/walking

Winchcombe Walking Festival
21 – 23 May 2010
Winchcombe has recently achieved ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status and is putting on its first ever walking festival.
Many of the walks will be themed around a particular topic ranging from butterflies to hill forts and will be accompanied by experts such as nature reserve managers, trail officers, conservators and local Ramblers.
For more information visit: www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com

Lincolnshire Wolds walking festival
22 May – 6 June 2010
The sixth Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival offers a vast range of organised walks in the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and surrounding countryside. For more information contact 01507 609740 or visit www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk

Ramblers Get Walking Day
23rd – 24th May
Annual Ramblers short walks festival. A fun weekend of short walks led by Ramblers groups, which take place all over the country and are aimed at getting as many people possible out and enjoying the joys of walking – whatever their age or level!
www.ramblers.org.uk/Walking/Projects/getwalkingday/getwalkingday

Llanelli festival of walks
28-31 May 2010
The 15th Llanelli festival of walks will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, with get-together and welcome on Friday 28th May and the customary farewell Welsh Tea on Monday the 31st. In between there will be the usual wide selection of walks to suit all ages and abilities, covering the most attractive areas in Carmarthenshire and beyond, and the popular Sunday night party on the 30th May. For more information contact 01554 741306 or 01554 776505 or visit www.llanelliramblers.org.uk

Footsteps in the Forest: The National Forest Walking Festival
22 May - 2 June 2010
The National Forest Walking Festival has 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.
www.visitpeakdistrict.com/walking

Glen Affric walking festival
28 – 30 May 2010
Based in the Highlands of Scotland, expert guides will take walkers to the high tops, along rivers and lochs, and into deep forests. Highlights are a two-day walk over the West Affric Munros and a visit to an old illegal whisky distillery. Look out for eagles, ospreys and deer, while admiring the largest remnants of the Caledonian pine forest which used to cover the whole of the region.
For more information contact 01456 459341 or visit www.glenaffric.info

Malvern walking festival
29 May - 6 June 2010
Nine days of themed walks in Elgar country. All 33 on offer will be led by enthusiastic, knowledgeable leaders and range from family strolls to the brand new HERITAGE TRAIL - a full 63 miles of history all within sight of the Malvern Hills over six days.
www.malvern-hills.co.uk/malvern-walking-festival

Wessex Wanderer
Summer 2010 (exact dates TBC)
Free led-walks, open to all, from stations on the Heart of Wessex (Bristol-Weymouth) railway line, organised and led by Ramblers members from the Avon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Areas. A printed programme is obtainable by sending a SAE to the Walks Co-Ordinator, 19 Shaston Crescent, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2EB
www.avon-ramblers.org.uk/railwaywalks

Church Stretton walking festival
3-6 June 2010
Discover the delights of the Long Mynd and Stretton Hills with 15 guided walks in the heart of the Shropshire Hills.
Contact 01694 723270 or visit www.churchstretton.co.uk

Langholm walking festival
4-6 June 2010
Annual walking festival with guided walks of varying lengths taking in the beautiful hills and valleys of Eskdale. Delicious after walks refreshments and traditional social evenings. Enjoy a friendly welcome from the people of Langholm. .
T: 013873 80914 www.langholmwalks.co.uk

Gower walking festival
5-21 June 2010
Visit this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in South Wales and soak up the rich local history. This 2010 Festival will be the biggest yet. The Festival's continuing popularity means that there are now over 50 guided walks on the programme, spread out over sixteen days, around glorious Gower, Mumbles and other local settings.
For more information contact 01792 361302 or visit www.mumblestic.co.uk

Bishop’s Castle walking festival
8-10 June 2010
A week after neighbouring Church Stretton’s festival, enjoy ten more guided walks in and around the Shropshire and Mid-Wales Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For more information contact 01588 638854 or visit www.walkingfestival.co.uk

Herefordshire walking festival
June (exact dates to be confirmed)
The annual Summer Walking Festival provides nine days of great opportunities to explore the most beautiful County of Herefordshire in the best possible way - on foot! This summer's festival features 60 guided walks exploring every corner of the County. The programme caters for all ages and abilities from a picnic river ramble to a literary mountain walk in the long days and sunny evenings of June.
For more information contact 01568 797842 or visit www.visitherefordshire.co.uk

Isle of Man Walking Festival
13-18 June 2010
Uncover the unique and dramatic history of the Isle of Man. Experienced local walk leaders will guide you through a stunning landscape. There are over 20 walks for all abilities including the 95 mile coastal challenge. The festival package includes a nightly entertainment and social programme.
01624 664460
www.isleofmanwalking.com

Purbeck Plod
Sunday 27 June 2010
25 and 16 mile challenge walks
These two challenging walks organised by the Ramblers East Dorset Group offer a chance to explore the cliffs and downland of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck in south east Dorset. The 25 mile route is open to walkers and runners, whilst the 16 mile option is for walkers only.
For more information call:01202 522467 or visit www.dorset-ramblers.co.uk/EastDorset/

Festival of Winter Walks
26 December 2010 - 2 January 2011
Ramblers' longest running festival of walks designed to take full advantage of the delights of winter walking and make regular exercise a New Year's resolution. All walks are free and open to everyone.
More details to follow soon.