Blogs

Discovering walking was a revelation for Louise and Karen Trewern when Louise was looking for ways to help manage her chronic pain.

This December, as my boots crunch through piles of shrivelled leaves and the temperature drops, I’m struck again how special it is to walk in winter. It’s easy to dread the onslaught of cold and inclement weather, but it’s the diversity of climatic changes that make this season so unique.

Read more as Ramblers Ambassador, Sally Prosser, takes us on a walk with the Tavistock Ramblers.

When arthritis threatened to stop walk leader Chris in his tracks, he was worried he was going to have to stop walking. But, during the pandemic, he realised that it’s the experience – not the mileage – that’s the most important thing to him.

Where can you legally go wild swimming? How do you find the best spots? And how can I avoid getting into trouble? Follow our expert’s advice to find out. By Daniel Start

The decades-old Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku is becoming increasingly popular in the western world for good reason. Spending more times in nature – especially among trees – can work wonders on our physical and mental health.

Wandering along the sandy beach with the sun setting in front of me, I was reminded that I don’t just walk to exercise the dogs. I walk for me and the peace I feel by simply putting one foot in front of the other.

In this blog, sunset chaser and Ramblers #walkinwinter ambassador, Lisa Wells, talks about what savouring the glow in winter means to her.

Not only have I survived being outdoors in December in the UK, I’ve relished every ramble during this allegedly Spartan time of the year. Being led on new routes to different places is one of the things I value most about being with Tavistock Ramblers. However, revisiting lanes, tracks, fields and tors during this striking season brings a new perspective.

Walking and hiking for me have always been about belonging and connection, to a place, to my family and more recently to my purpose and midlife wellbeing.

Dr Nick Summerton is a GP in Yorkshire, public health physician and a Ramblers member. He is Walk magazine’s medical expert, and is making the most of walking daily close to home.

Keen walker and Ramblers membership officer, Nicky gives tips on how to keep active at home.

On day 11 of self-isolation as a family with two children under four, Jade, senior fundraiser at the Ramblers talks about her experience of staying active in the home with kids and why it is so important to keep moving for our mental and physical health during this challenging time.

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 Deepings received a special recognition in our Britain's Best Walking Neighbourhood Awards 2019. Pam Byrd, of the Deepings Neighbourhood planning team, talks about her neighbourhood, receiving the award and gives her advice for those looking to nominate their neighbourhood next year!

On Tuesday 9 July Robert Courts MP led a debate on Government’s support for active travel and local walking and cycling infrastructure plans.

Today, thousands of people will line the streets of Westminster as part of The Time Is Now, a mass lobby for climate, nature and people. Why is the Ramblers is taking part?

Some of my earliest memories are of me and my brother and sister, my dad and my dog walking for what felt like hours on end along the canals of Birmingham on a hot summer’s day.

As we seek nominations for our annual walkable neighbourhood awards, we asked the transport specialist behind the Mayor of London’s Healthy Streets transport strategy to share her 10 indicators of healthy streets.

"Walking and nature had done so much for my mental health, I knew I needed to do more. I thought if I did a big walk, it might inspire others to recognise the positive effects of exercise and the open air."

GP surgeries in Shetland are prescribing nature-based activities for patients with conditions ranging from high blood pressure to depression. But we don’t need a doctor’s prescription to start enjoying the wellbeing benefits of nature, says Phil Pickin.

As the government publishes its first national strategy on loneliness, at the Ramblers we’re spreading the word about how walking can help people overcome social isolation and improve their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.

As we launch new research into walking in parks and green spaces, Jane Wilcock, Ramblers member and Chair of Longsight Park Friends Group, Bolton, writes about the way in which they've made Longsight Park more accessible for everyone.

For those of us who enjoy the countryside, it will come as no surprise that increasing numbers of people have acknowledged a direct link between access to nature and good mental health.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Food writer Charlotte Pike is celebrating the launch of her new book, Fermented, so she’s sharing her recipe for roasted vegetables with miso sauce with walk readers. It’s the perfect seasonal warmer after a good day’s walking…

Gillian and her three children have made a pledge to hike the entire South West Coast Path from start to finish. They talk about how they've found it so far...

Ramblers Scotland believes there is a growing public recognition of the need for one change which no political party is putting centre stage – the dangers of our sedentary lifestyles.

We all know physical activity is good for our health – and that as a society, we don’t do enough of it.

Helen Todd tells us why we should all sit less and walk more in our every day lives

14% of children aged two to 15 are obese. Eugene considers how walking to school would undoubtedly tackle this. But first, he says, we need to ensure that drivers understand the right to walk on roads when no pavement is available.

As Living Streets campaign for more time for people to cross busy roads, Eugene explains why government needs to put the pedestrian at the top of the chain.

When Ana injured her knee, she discovered how vital walking was to her physical and mental wellbeing. It wasn't just rambles that were out of the question, but socialising, her independence and her freedom. These are her top 5 reasons why walking is wonderful.

It's Volunteers Week and we want to take a minute to stop and say thank you. Thank you for giving your time, skills and energy to the Ramblers and ensuring we can do what we do.

For Get Walking Week, our very own award-winning Walking Class Hero joined "Between Hello and Goodbye: The Secret World of Sarah Records" themed walks around Bristol.

Moira Dobson, from the Dundee Ramblers, talks about her group's experience of taking part in an episode of the BBC series of 'Trust Me I'm a Doctor'.

Walking Class Hero explores Kings Cross and discovers how old and new sit alongside one another with tales of the Iceni, Harry Potter, the Beatles and the cross itself.

Julie Dexter on her first time volunteering as a blind guide with the Capital Walkers and the London Blind Rambling Club. Walking with the inspirational and poetic Mafoud, she explores the Lee Navigation.

Helen Todd takes a trip to Copenhagen to talk walking (and cycling) with the European Ramblers' Association.

Andrew helps to celebrate Walking for Health's ten year anniversary events and learns how walking can make a difference to a staggeringly diverse range of health conditions.

Walking Class Hero on Nietzsche, Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie and why walking really does work.

Kate Ashbrook talks about what inspired her to start campaigning to defend access to the outdoors and why it's as important as ever in these austere times.

The Long Walker on why walking in autumn can help shake off the melancholy blues.

It’s wonderful to see Walking for Health release 'Walking Works', a comprehensive summary of evidence for physical activity, specifically walking. This report makes the facts very clear; staying still kills and walking works.

It’s possibly the 2 bank holidays. Or it could be the 5 o’clock sunrises and the 9 o’clock sunsets that promise long, lazy walking days. Or maybe it’s because the month starts in spring and ends in summer. Whatever the reason, I reckon; all in all, May is my favourite walking month.

For decades the Ramblers have poetically spoken of the ‘refreshment of spirit’ brought about by walking, not only in remote places but indeed just about anywhere.

It’s hard to imagine what the world was like without the right to roam, national trails, and even rights of way on the Ordnance Survey maps. All things the Ramblers can be proud of...