Features Archive

Find our back catalogue of features

"null"

Mindful walking in nature

Iman tackled her own anxiety through walking in nature and now is helping other young Londoners feel connected through walking.

Lady taking a selfie photo with the Peak District landscape behind her.

Walking with the Ramblers and my local Muslim women’s group

Farkhanda is a member of the Ramblers and also leads walks for Muslim women who might feel hesitant to join mainstream walking groups.

Three walkers, one in a wheelchair ramble along a path with a dog in tow

Rambles on wheels

If your mobility is limited, it doesn’t mean the countryside is off limits. Debbie North explains that all-terrain vehicles and accessible trails can help.

A female walker with baby pram stands on a path.

Walking with a young baby

As a new mum, Nicky has swapped challenging walks for gentler walks in local green spaces and has experienced some challenges she hadn’t anticipated.

Pendle Ramblers standing on a muddy path with a newly erected gate.

Path maintenance partnership: Pendle Ramblers and Pendle Borough Council

Pendle Ramblers path maintenance team have joined forces with Pendle Borough Council to improve the borough’s footpaths.

"null"

A new lease of life with Ramblers Wellbeing Walks

A conversation with Paul, who joined a Ramblers Wellbeing Walk after being told he was at risk of developing diabetes.

green link walk sign on a post.

How our green routes campaign is transforming our cities

London’s Green Link Walk is a wonderful example of green routes in action - and clear evidence for why we need more.

Tryfan mountain with greenery and a lake in the forefront

A room with a view: the best youth hostel walks in England & Wales

The YHA festival of walking is a wonderful to chance to get out and discover all that walking in England and Wales has to offer.

A female walker smiling into the distance holding a mince pie.

Four free ways you can make a difference this year

Did you start the year planning to spend more time outdoors, while also making a difference? Here are four free ways you can make a difference this year.

Three walkers looking into a phone with trees and blue skies in the background.

Walk this way: Finding new ways to get people outdoors

From women-only walks in Plymouth to photography walks in Cumbria, Ramblers Wellbeing Walks partners are finding new ways to lead the way to wellbeing.

A group of asylum seekers and walk leaders smiling, standing on a bridge in a sunny woodland.

Organising walks for asylum seekers

Mole Valley Ramblers are giving asylum seekers in Surrey the opportunity to get out walking in the beautiful Surrey Hills.

Daniel is taking a selfie photo with his grandparents sitting on the grass behind him.  They are surrounded by walking poles, a rucksack and refreshments.

Passing on the love of walking through the generations

Daniel’s grandparents inspired in him a love of walking which he is in turn passing on to his young daughter.

Peter and his son are walking side by side along the edge of the canal.  There is a narrowboat in the background.

Towpath walks: the answer to one walker’s failing eyesight

Despite failing eyesight, Peter, a member of the Ramblers, is enjoying long-distance canal-side towpath walks with his son.

group walking by the coast

5 key moments in the people-powered fight for the Freedom to Roam

We have launched a petition calling for a greater Freedom to Roam. But to explain how we got here, let us take you back to some key moments in history…

A selfie photo of Arron smiling.  There are large rugged hills behind him.

Challenging perceptions of the Ramblers

Arron, the chair of Fillyaboots Merseyside Young Walkers talks about being a young, LGBT+, working class Rambler.

3 men standing beside a new gate.

Rossendale Ramblers Footpath Fixers

Rossendale Ramblers work hard to keep local paths, tracks and trails open and accessible to as many people as possible.

zahrah mahmmod hillwalking with newborn baby

Walking when pregnant and as a new mum

Zahrah Mahmood, president of Ramblers Scotland, shares her experiences of walking whilst pregnant and as a new mum.

Marika, who is blind, walks with two other walkers and climbs over a stile

Walking is about more than what you can see

Ramblers member Marika has been blind since childhood, but that hasn’t stopped her from enjoying walking.

amar latif up mount machu picchu

An introduction to Amar Latif, President of the Ramblers

Despite losing 95% of his vision by the age of 18, Amar hasn’t let sight loss be a barrier to walking outdoors or to travelling around the world.

A distant couple, carrying a child walking along the beach next to the sea

A family friendly walk on the Northumberland coast path

Zahrah Mahmood and her family explore the natural beauty of the Northumberland section of the England coast path.

"null"

Access to nature in England - how is the government doing?

The Covid-19 pandemic made us more aware than ever of the importance of being able to access nature. But is the government doing enough to improve access?

A young woman by the coast

A bimble around the coast of Britain

Dissatisfied with staring at screens all day, Emma challenged herself to a walk around Britain’s coast. After four-hundred-plus days, she shared her story.

thetford forest haroon mota walking

An accessible woodland walk in Thetford Forest

Haroon Mota, founder of Muslim Hikers, enjoys this peaceful woodland walk on trail that’s accessible to all.

Two women standing on a boardwalk in front of a shingle beach

An adventure on the coast path in Kent

Walking the Kent coast for her 70th birthday inspired Helen Wild to begin a journey of annual walking challenges with friends. 

A black man standing outdoors

Feeling at home in the countryside

Nick looks back at discovering walking in the countryside, the lack of diversity in the outdoors, and his passion to make sure his kids enjoy the countryside.

A man and young man, talking, standing on a hill

Sunday ‘Big Walks’ with my learning disabled son

Ramblers member Alan shares with us his experiences of walking with his son Eddie who has Downs Syndrome.

Two women standing beside a cut ribbon

Opening the Northumbrian sections of the England Coast Path

Ramblers member Nuala has played a key role in opening her local Northumbrian stretches of the England Coast path.

"null"

Rediscovering the joys of walking

Kandra realised during lockdown that walking had been missing from her life. Now she’s a Ramblers member regularly enjoying group walks and meeting new people.

"null"

Rishi Sunak, why is access to the outdoors not available to all?

The new Prime Minister must recognise how vital access to the outdoors is to everyone’s health and wellbeing, no matter where they live or their walk of life.

A couple walking by the sea

Walking with dementia

Jane explains how walking has been a comfort for her and husband Geoff since he was diagnosed with dementia.

An old black and white photograph of a large group of men at the Kinder Trespass

The Kinder Scout mass trespass of 1932

In 1932, a mass public trespass took place on Kinder Scout – a landmark protest in improving access to the countryside.

"null"

The Definitive Map

The Definitive Map is an important legal record of public rights of way in England and Wales. But how and why did it come to exist?

A woman smiling outside.

How walking helped my mental health

Gina tells how walking with others has helped her feel like herself again and why she encourages those with mental health struggles to join a walking group.

"null"

Walking the Ramblers through a difficult flu season

Dr Hilary Jones talks about what’s going on inside your body as you age, and what we can do to help keep our immune system strong this winter

A woman and daughter wearing veils, out walking in autumn

Walking to catch up with friends

Anjum shares how walking in nature in North London helps her relax and keep in touch with family and friends.

Don't Lose Your Way

How to abolish the 2026 deadline for saving lost paths

Ministers have been trying to find a way to meet their commitment to abolishing the deadline. We’ve found one for them – the Levelling Up Bill

"null"

Cost-conscious rambling

As the cost-of-living crisis bites, walking remains an affordable pleasure. But how can we cut costs, while also supporting others who are struggling?

A woman in a courtyard

Walking for health

Joy shares the story of how taking part in Ramblers Wellbeing Walks has helped with her mental and physical health.

Two people walking along a beach shoreline

Coastal walking – 7 ways to stay safe

Coastal walking is a very safe activity most of the time but there are a few extra safety precautions to consider while enjoying your summer walks.

View down a sandy beach

Walking the entire South West Coast Path

Keith recalls getting hooked on walking the South West Coast Path and how it had such a positive impact on his ability to manage stress.

Colin about to finish his first round of Munros, at Beinn na Lap, in 2004

Addicted to hill bagging

Ramblers Scotland volunteer Colin Lees discusses ticking the Munros and other popular hill lists and offers his top tips.