Blogs

There is something very rewarding about getting involved in practical maintenance activities. Not only are you getting out in the fresh air, supporting your local community, but you are also working up a sweat keeping yourself fit and active.

Wales is blessed with vast expanses of remote and entrancing countryside with 320,000 hectares of open access land - almost a third of all such land in England and Wales.

Kate Ashbrook reflects on Jerry Pearlman - an honorary solicitor for the Ramblers for more than 30 years, taking on countless path battles and campaigneing for freedom to roam on open country.

Our Policy & Advocacy Support Officer Robyn Stephens takes a look at what implications there are for the nation's health and wellbeing from the 25 Year Plan for the environment.

Parks in towns and cities are the way that most of us engage with and benefit from contact with the natural environment. It is therefore vital that the Government’s 25 year plan to improve the environment must include ambitions for urban settings.

Heading out on a day hike in the hills? Editor of walk magazine, Matt Jones, offers some tips on what to take and how to pack your rucksack

Poet and broadcaster, Ian McMillan, muses on urban walking in his poem written for our Paving the Way campaign.

Jack Cornish, Ramblers Don’t Lose Your Way Project Manager, writes about how he’s paved his own way across London.

A visit to the coast is the perfect way to blow away the winter blues, and you can look forward to plenty of spectacular sights. Increasingly, however, you may also spot things that are neither pleasant nor natural.

Following the launch of the Government's long-awaited 25 Year Environment Plan, our policy officer, Alison Hallas, looks at what the plan actually offers to those of us who love walking.

Alan Marlow, the Ramblers Hampshire area footpath and access officer, shares his views on why open access is important.

Peatlands alleviate flooding, store carbon and are home to a range of wildlife. Phil Pickin discusses the restoration of these areas and best places to walk.

Editor of walk, Matt Jones, on why he loves a Boxing Day stroll and is determined to make the most of the colder months this winter.

Ramblers’ resident stargazer Brian Jones gives us reasons to head outside and check out the night sky. This winter we cast our gaze upwards and seek out the celestial dove Columba.

Local Organiser Anne Collis joins North Hampshire Downs Ramblers on her first walk as they step out to raise money for Children in Need.

On her return as Ramblers Scotland director after a year on maternity leave, Jess Dolan reflects on the huge, positive impact walking has had on her life in the last 12 months.

Think about the places you walk everyday – to work, to shops or to the park. At some point, most of us will have been put off walking because of the design of the built environment. So how can we persuade more people to walk for short journeys?

Ramblers’ resident stargazer Brian Jones gives us reasons to head outside and check out the night sky. For autumn, we turn our attention to the tiny constellation Equuleus.

As we celebrate the announcement that Natural England has started work on all stretches of the England Coast Path, Ruth reflects on how a good walk by the sea helped her and her husband through a traumatic experience.

Three years ago Ramblers member Jay Wilson decided it was time to fix the problem and create a big ‘missing link’ in Scotland's paths network – the first-ever dedicated walking route between Inverness and John O’ Groats.

Food blogger Charlotte Pike shares two warming autumn recipes. Why not make these hearty sausage rolls or this comforting cottage pie at home?

The beautiful Pentland Hills near Edinburgh are enjoyed by 600,000 people a year; with most visiting to enjoy the area’s 100km of scenic paths and trails. Such experiences are made possible thanks to the hard work of a small army of path maintenance volunteers, including one very special 83-year-old: Arthur Mackenzie from Penicuik.

As the days shorten and temperatures fall, our beaches come into their own for birds. Who says Britain’s beaches are just for the summer?

Rebecca Brough, policy and advocacy manager for Ramblers Cymru, looks at the success of the Wales Coast Path and the opportunity this summer to extend access to coast and cliffs.

Nicky Philpott, director of advocacy and engagement, takes a trip down memory lane to retell the history of the England Coast Path. Find out more about how the Ramblers helped make the path a reality.

Journalist and photographer Phil Pickin discusses the downsides and redeeming qualities of the humble bramble.

Our senior policy officer Kate Conto has been involved in the England Coast Path from the start. She tells us all about the highs and lows of this inspirational project.

Our volunteer, Robert Peel, has been at the heart of the England Coast Path in Kent. He showcases the tireless work of the Kent volunteers in establishing the Kent stretch of the coast path.

Ruth Livingstone, coastal walker and Ramblers member takes us through her journey round the coast and tells us why paths are so important to her.

Our Scottish campaigns & policy manager Helen Todd discusses those horrible little biters - ticks - and how best to remove and avoid them.

Ramblers’ resident stargazer Brian Jones gives us reasons to head outside and check out the night sky. This summer we look at the southern crown, know as Corona Australis.

Food blogger Charlotte Pike shares fresh and summery recipes. Why not try a summer vegetable frittata or lemon and raspberry loaf cake at home?

We are regularly out walking in our favourite places and can see first-hand the impact of a changing climate. We join with other environmental charities to press for greater protection for our habitats, air and water, to make our environment better able to withstand the effects of climate change

With the breeding season in full swing, young birds can often be spotted in our gardens and countryside, often accompanied by their parents – though you may not always be able to tell.

We owe much to our volunteer path maintenance teams across Britain who work tirelessly to ensure our paths are kept open and in good order. Walkers enjoy the benefits, but how many appreciate the work that goes into achieving those benefits? George Redmayne donned his outdoor gear to find out more.

Imagine the scene: you’ve walked for nearly 200 miles, climbed fell after fell and your body is tired. Oh so tired. And then you hit a problem...

Although they’ve been out and about since spring, it’s during the summer months that we notice the butterflies.

What makes us take on crazy challenges? I'm about to climb 214 fells in a fortnight or so - what's your personal Everest?

Simon - who is attempting to climb all 214 Wainwrights in 15 days - runs through how the Wainwrights got their name and some of the record attempts in the Lakes.

With the 2017 local elections looming in Scotland, Helen Todd says it's vital that outdoor interests engage with local democracy.

This spring, I’m going to attempt to climb all the 214 Wainwright fells in one continuous route - as a holiday.

When the days finally lengthen and the warmth of the sun can be felt breathing new life into the countryside, our birds suddenly spring into life. Our birdwatching expert, Paul Stancliffe, discusses the wonderful colours of breeding birds this spring.

Although Crux (the Cross) is the smallest in area of all the constellations, it is also one of the most famous. It is depicted on the flags of countries like Australia and New Zealand, and found on many postage stamps as well as on coins, banknotes and innumerable paintings.

As we leave the depths of winter behind, it feels right to take the best seasonal ingredients and add a lighter, fresher citrus twist. Here's two recipes to try this spring from Charlotte Pike.

In announcing the Spring Budget today, the Chancellor asked whether the next generation will be able to get on the housing ladder and declared that it is the Government’s job to make sure that they do.

With the hours of daylight lengthening and the weather turning just that little bit warmer, it can only mean one thing – spring is on its way.

On 14 and 15 February we will be contending a misinterpretation of the law in the High Court of Justice.

Brian Jones takes a look at the night sky this winter. Happy stargazing!

Warming and sustaining recipes from Award-winning food writer Charlotte Pike for the winter.

The best way to satisfy ‘the urge to affiliate with other forms of life’ is to go for a good walk.

There’s nothing like a winter walk to blow away the cobwebs over the festive period. That’s why for more than 25 years we’ve been running our Festival of Winter Walks and inviting everyone to join us.

Last month, our Pathwatch campaign launched with a week of path maintenance on Offa’s Dyke Path. Rambler’s delivery officer, Anna Brewster, rolled up her sleeves and got stuck in.

Claiming an unrecorded right of way helps ensure a path is protected for public use, both now and in the future. Our senior policy officer, Eugene Suggett shares a recent example of how you can claim an unrecorded way.

Although it may not be the best weather for getting out and about, cold, crisp days are a great time to get outside. What could be better than a frost-covered landscape seen against a clear blue sky?

Winter is coming. Paul Stancliffe looks at our wild birds and how they spend the cold months in search of food and company.

Standing at the despatch box in the House of Commons this lunchtime to deliver his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond had little to splurge with as economic growth slows, inflation starts to bite, and forecasts warn of a bumpy ride ahead.

At the Ramblers, we know what a positive impact even a small amount of exercise outdoors can have on people’s lives, and every day it feels as if I hear from another person for whom walking has dramatically changed their life for the better.

Our path maintenance teams do fantastic work keeping our rights of way clear. As part of our Pathwatch campaign, we're aiming to fix all path problems on Offa's Dyke this week and to get all rights of way well-maintained by 2020.

If we don’t protect our right to roam and the network of paths open to us, we’ll lose them - and as a lifelong walker and lover of the outdoors, embracing Pathwatch was an imperative for Rachel Orange.

Alison joins Norfolk Area Ramblers in a breezy Great Yarmouth for the launch celebration for the latest stretch of the England Coast Path.

Phil Pickin looks at climate change and its effects on nature.

Paul Stancliffe takes a look at our autumn birds.

Walking Class Hero celebrates the urban, the grittiness and the street culture of London and assesses the brand new role of 'Walking and Cycling Commissioner' in the capital.

As autumn gets into full swing, Brian Jones takes a look at the night sky...

Helen Todd reflects on how 'shared use' paths are working in Scotland - where cyclists, walkers, horse riders and paddlers have enjoyed equal rights of access since 2003.

Warming and sustaining recipes from Award-winning food writer Charlotte Pike.

You’ll have probably have heard of the New York High Line. Walking Class Hero explores the walk and other urban, linear, high line parks in Paris, London and Manchester.

Summer is here, and so begins festival season! Festivals are a great way to experience the best of what Britain has to offer – whether it’s music, food, ale or walking.

Physical inactivity is killing us, with a lack of exercise now causing 1 in 6 deaths in the UK. Fortunately there is an answer, and it lies at your feet.

Award-winning food writer Charlotte Pike shares her recipe for a delicious, nutritious salad that’s perfect for summer walks.

Phil Pickin tells us why we should be going wild over the summer months – even if it’s only in our back garden

The British Trust for Ornithology has been tracking British cuckoos for the past five years so birdwatching expert Paul Stancliffe knows just where to find them this summer…

Brian Jones gazes into the summer night sky to examine the shield of a Polish king.

Volunteer Clare Wadd, talks about how campaigning and walking go together.

As part of the 2016 Scottish Elections, there is a crying need for politicians to support walking & access, promote health, and protect the environment.

Phil Pickin asks whether winter ever really happened, looks at how climate change affects wildlife and reveals the telltale signs of spring...

Charlotte Pike shares her delicious recipe for quintessentially British Dorset apple cake

As spring gets into full swing, Brian Jones takes a look at the night sky in March and explains how to spot Hydra, the celestial water snake…

Our resident birdwatching expert, Paul Stancliffe, explains which birds to look out for this spring and where.