Blogs

Dan Jarvis, Mayor for Sheffield City Region, tells us what inspires him to work on urban walking and what improvements need to be made to the streets we walk every day.

The final report of the government’s independent review of protected landscapes, landed at the end of September to wide acclaim. It’s full of ambition for how our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (collectively called the ‘National Landscapes’ in the report) can meet our needs in the 21st century.

Oliver Taylor tells us about how he got involved with the Ramblers as a 15-year-old, his work as footpath secretary and walk leader for the Huddersfield Group and the importance of path maintenance work!

Many Ramblers staff will be leading a walk to join the young people, organisations and individuals supporting the climate strike near parliament, although our office will stay open.

The WI is proud to be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. Encouraging people to walk and make the most of the beautiful green spaces across the UK will have endless benefits, from personal health and wellbeing, to reducing social isolation, something that is at the very heart of the WI’s ethos.

Andrew Hall, Campaigns and Communications Officer at Campaign for National Parks takes a look at what the future might hold for National Parks

Chris Riches was searching for a fitting way to commemorate his late father, who inspired his love of getting out into the countryside. Happily, help was at hand from South Wiltshire Ramblers, resulting in a new ‘kissing gate’ being installed at East Knoyle.

A glimpse at typical outdoor clothing worn on the mountains and moors of Britain during the 1940s, when the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act came about – and how it compares to today’s cutting-edge kit.

While the 1949 Act didn’t include Scotland in much of its scope, it did introduce NNRs, and the first in the UK was opened at Beinn Eighe in Torridon.

Completing the Tour de Mount Blanc is on many walkers’ wishlists, but if the 170km and nearly 10,000 metres of elevation is too much, why not try a ‘Mini Tour’, staying near the trail and tackling a few handpicked sections according to your interests and abilities.