News from the World of walking

News from the World of Walking

Find a Bluebell Wood near you

bluebell wood path There is something magical about walking through a peaceful wood with shafts of sunlight highlighting a misty sea of pale blue covering the woodland floor. For a short period in April and May nature treats us to one of its many spectacular artistic palettes, following on from the golden daffodils.

If you want to experience the pleasure of walking in some of the UK’s finest bluebell woods the Woodland Trust have compiled a list which you will find at the following link.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/walking/bluebell-woods/

bluebell scene The Woodland Trust are also attempting to compile a comprehensive location map of bluebells and are asking the public to help by recording places where they have found significant displays. If you have your own favourite local bluebell wood then you can check if they are included, and if not add them to the map. From this map you can also identify places near you where there are bluebell displays. To do this visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/bluebellwatch

Two of our National Parks are Expanding

Some wonderful news was DEFRA’s October announcement of extensions to two of our National Parks, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Lake District National Park - the new boundary will include an additional area of land totalling approximately 27 square miles currently part of Cumbria.
To the east an area from Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common
To the south an area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth valley.

Yorkshire Dales National Park - the new boundary will include an additional area of land totalling approximately 161 square miles, again situated in Cumbria and, for the first time, an area of Lancashire.
To the north parts of the Orton Fells, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell, and Mallerstang
To the south Barbon, Casterton and Leck fells, the River Lune and part of Firbank Fell and other fells to the west of the River Lune.

One interesting result of this is that the two National Parks are now kissing each other across the M6 in the Lune Valley. This is crying out for a new long distance path to traverse and explore these new delightful areas.

Natural England say that these new areas amount to the most significant addition to England’s National Parks since the confirmation of the South Downs in 2009. Natural England began work in 2009 to look at whether the boundaries should be changed. Detailed assessments were made of the areas, which used the 3 criteria for National Park status: the natural beauty of the proposed extensions; the opportunities that they provide for open-air recreation, and the desirability of looking after them as National Parks. Impact assessments also helped identify the environmental, social, economic and recreational impacts that designation would be likely to bring.

Natural England are to be congratulated for their perseverance and an enlightened decision in recommending these changes to DEFRA. Many thanks also to Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of state for signing the Confirmation Orders on 23 October 2015. Fantastic!

For maps of the Lake District Boundary changes click below
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lake-district-national-park-maps-of-confirmed-boundary-changes

For maps of the Yorkshire Dales Boundary changes click below
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/yorkshire-dales-national-park-maps-of-confirmed-boundary-changes

New National Forest Way

The new National Forest Way long distance trail will take walkers on a journey through a Landscape which is being transformed. Across 75 miles of footpaths from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire, you will discover the story of The National Forest. The National Forest Way was officially launched on Saturday 17 May 2014 at Conkers Waterside.
For further information about the trail visit the new website www.nationalforestway.co.uk

New National Trails Website

The new National Trails website was officially launched on 13th January 2014. The website url is www.nationaltrail.co.uk The new website is designed to provide a one-stop resource for walkers looking for information about any of the National Trails of England and Wales. It has been developed by a partnership between Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Walk Unlimited who have developed the site. One of the really useful features of the new site is the use of OS Explorer mapping, allowing walkers to see the trails in detail. The maps include tourist information so planning visits to nearby attractions and facilities is helpfully made easy.

It will be possible to download recommended walking itineraries and there are ideas for tailored outings such as geocaching trails. New interactive features mean that local businesses can upload details of the services they provide to walkers visiting the area. This includes how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to eat, and where to find facilities such as outdoor equipment shops. This all means that the website can be used with ease to plan the best exploration of our National Trails.

Another great feature is that Trail users and local residents can upload content including photographs, word-of-mouth recommendations and reviews, plus details of visitor events. Together they give an insider’s view on National Trails, from where to eat fabulous ice cream, to where to see spectacular views, find hidden treasures and spot wonderful wildlife. They can even use the site to report any relevant ‘breaking news’ issues – making the website a topical, as well as useful, resource for planning your Trail visit.