www.ramblers.org.uk

Celebs name top winter strolls to get Britain walking this Christmas

12 December 2007
 

Top celebrities including Bionic Woman, Michelle Ryan, Terry Wogan, Alan Titchmarsh, Patrick Stewart and Janet Street Porter, have named their best winter walks in support of the Ramblers’ Association ‘Festival of Winter Walks’ 2007, which aims to get Britain off the couch this Christmas.

The celeb survey, which asked “What’s your favourite Boxing Day walk?”, was taken ahead of the RA’s Festival of Winter Walks (December 26th to January 2nd). Britain’s biggest walking event, the festival sees over 500 led walks take place all over England, Scotland and Wales.

The walks are free, open to everyone and very festive ranging from a ‘tipsy mulled wine toddle’ (Cornwall) to a ‘Haunted London’ trek. They provide the perfect opportunity to burn off some Christmas calories and meet new people.

RA Head of Membership, Ruth Wembridge, comments: “The festival is a great launch pad for those who have decided to improve their health and fitness in 2008. There’s nothing nicer than wrapping up warm and heading out into beautiful crisp winter air. That extra mince pie or box of chocolates can be excused away once you’ve been for a stroll to walk it off!”

Celebrities Top Winter Walks

• Bionic Woman, Michelle Ryan, comments that her ideal walk is in: “A local meadow, with my family and chocolate labrador, Buddy”

• Alan Titchmarsh would prefer a “walk up on Tennyson Down on the Isle of Wight with my wife and daughters – fab views and a breeze to blow the cobwebs away.”

• Couch potato Terry Wogan (Radio 2) will be supporting the festival….from the comfort of his armchair this Boxing Day, with his favourite walk: “Between the sitting room and the dining room.” When pressed, he replied that his favourite part of the ‘great outdoors’ is “Getting home to a roaring fire”.

• Patrick Stewart (Star Trek, Next Generation) can be found walking the Yorkshire Dales’ 3 Peaks and Louise Goodman (Formula 1) strolling the Millenium Trail in Hampshire, this Boxing Day.

• Ramblers’ Association Vice President, Janet Street Porter, likes a walk with a “clear blue sky” and “snow underfoot” around the reservoirs and quarries of Upper Nidderdale, Yorkshire. She comments: “Having walked off enough calories, I can go home and continue my Christmas feasting!”

All who take part in a Festival walk and want to join the Ramblers’ Association will receive a 20% discount off membership. For more information please contact Bruce Sparrow in the RA’s Press Office on 020 7339 8531. To find a walk near you visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks or call 020 7339 8500.