Blogs

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

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.

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.

There are an estimated 10,000 miles of footpaths missing from the definitive map and our Don't Lose Your Way campaign aims to identify and protect as many of them as possible. Not only are they a way of getting us from A to B, our paths also connect us to nature, link up communities and have fascinating stories to tell, gathered over generations of use - a vital part of our heritage.

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.

We hear about Paula's challenges of overcoming the fear on her first solo long-distance hike, 5-6 days along the Snowdonia Slate Trail in North Wales.

Boris Johnson has a tough task ahead. Brexit will dominate his first few months in Number 10, but it’s not the only challenge ahead. Gemma Cantelo, Ramblers’ head of policy and advocacy, reflects on what we need to see from the new government.

We hear from Jess about her experience taking on the Snowdon at night challenge to support the Ramblers.