On the trail of Britain’s best walks

On the trail of Britain’s best walks – New for 2017, the Chilterns Walking Festival invites experienced and novice walkers alike to explore the landscapes, locations and legends of this area of outstanding natural beauty.

The spring festival runs from 15 – 29 May and offers an exciting programme of walks, activities and special events.

Highlights from the first spring festival programme include:

• An Ancient Feast walk, including a recreated Iron-Age menu.
• Guided walking tours of Henley’s Midsomer Murders filmed locations, bringing to life various plotlines and ‘stand in their shoes’ activities;
• Leisurely days of countryside cycling on an Electric Bike Tour, combined with afternoon tea in a Chilterns vineyard setting;
• Woodland walks around Chalfont where participants explore the outdoor arts of bushcraft, foraging and bread-making;
• Nordic Walking events
• A walk along the Ridgeway National Trail taking in the landscapes and places painted by John Nash

Annette Venters of the Chilterns Conservation Board said “We are tremendously excited to launch the Chilterns Walking Festival. Enthusiastic local guides and walk leaders will be sharing their passion for the Chilterns countryside, attractions and heritage sites, and helping people to explore new areas, try new activities and taste local produce”.

For more information go to www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChilternsWalkingFestival.

Meanwhile, the hugely popular Scottish Borders Walking Festival is hosted by Peebles this year from September 3 to 9.

Hosts for the annual event in 2018, 2019 and 2020 have been confirmed as: Hawick; Ettrick, Yarrow and Selkirk; and Jedburgh and Ancrum respectively.

Established in 1995, the event now attracts visitors from across the UK and Europe.

To promote year-round walking in the Scottish Borders, the Walk Scottish Borders website – www.walkscottishborders.com – promotes dozens of walks from the Berwickshire coast to the hills in Tweeddale, and everywhere in between.

Detailed route maps and instructions can be downloaded for free, including the full ‘Paths Around…” series of booklets. Electronic mapping information for each walk can also be downloaded to be used with GPS devices.

The Walk Scottish Borders website is a sister site to the Cycle Scottish Borders website – www.cyclescottishborders.com