News Archive

Living in a city doesn't mean that you should have to miss out on outdoor pursuits, as the Sky Ride initiative shows. Ten cities across the UK will be playing host to Sky Ride cycling events this summer, which encourage families to get on their bikes in their local area.The events are taking place thanks to a joint initiative between Sky and British Cycling and a number of top British cyclists, such as Sir Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and Victoria Pendleton, will be riding alongside the participan....

Pedal Peak District has announced the dates of more free cycling events taking place throughout the summer.The initiative was announced in May, with four events taking place throughout the month, including sessions on cycle safety and maintenance.Further dates have now been announced for June and July focussing on travelling around the national park using pedal power.The next session dates take place on June 1st, when families are being invited to brush up on their cycle skills in two events at ....

A popular location for those taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge is to have its facilities upgraded following a campaign from the local community.Residents of Wasdale in the Lake District have come together to deal with the issues of litter, parking and toilet facilities which arise due to the thousands of walkers who pass through the town each year.The first stage of the project, a temporary toilet block, is due to open on Saturday May 29th in time for the bank holiday rush.Bob Cartwright,....

Single men looking for love are being invited to scrub up their walking boots and head on a speed dating walk.The organisers of the Anglesey Walking Festival are calling on men searching for romance to sign up for the event next week, as women are currently outnumbering men by seven to two, the Daily Post reports.Rhian Hughes, from organisers Menter Mon, told the news provider that the walk takes place in the picturesque Rhoscolyn headland and provisions have been made to allow hikers to share a....

Hiking enthusiasts looking for a new challenge are now able to explore the famous Five Sisters on a guided walk.Grough reports that between now and September the National Trust of Scotland will be offering experienced walkers the chance to explore the famous Kintail area with one of the region's rangers.The Five Sisters route encompasses the Bealach an Lapain, Sgurr nan Spainteach, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr Fhuaran peaks. Three of the peaks are classified as munros at a h....

Avid hikers will know that donning a pair of walking boots and heading for a stroll in one of the UK's National Parks often leaves you feeling happier. This is because spending time in nature helps people produce positive emotional reactions which contribute to their wellbeing, one expert has suggested.Professor Geoff Beattie, head of school and dean of psychological sciences at the University of Manchester, said that that people often express their delight at a nice view or garden, which is ben....

Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones will be pulling on her walking boots to play a rambler in her new TV series The Great Outdoors.The show, which also stars Green Wing actor Mark Heap, sees Jones playing a keen walker who wants to make her mark in her local rambling group and is soon stepping on the toes of its leader Bob (Heap).Executive producer, Paul Schlesinger, said: "Rambling is such a great British institution. It's a brilliant subject for a character comedy."With Ruth Jones and M....

National Parks Week 2010 is set to celebrate some of the cultural heroes that have used the areas of natural beauty as their inspiration.Between July 26th and August 1st, events will be taking place from the Pembrokeshire Coast to the North York Moors involving singers, artists and other performers.Many of the National Parks will also be encouraging visitors to don their walking boots and explore the region on foot.Dartmoor is holding a series of events entitled A Beautiful and Prehistoric Lands....

As the UK braces itself for the possibility a sunny bank holiday weekend, the coastguard has issued advice for those thinking about walking near the shore.Those who are thinking about donning their walking boots for a stroll along the beach are being reminded to check the tide before setting off, to avoid being cut off from the shore.The coastguard is also reiterating the dangers of hiking near cliffs or attempting to climb without the correct equipment.Coastguard sector manager Andy Roberts sai....

Brits will be donning their walking boots this bank holiday weekend as forecasters are expecting plenty of sun.VisitEngland said that it was "delighted" with the predictions for the long weekend, as it will encourage people to head out of doors.Jenny McGee, head of strategy and engagement for the organisation, said that there are "fantastic events to be part of such as the Keswick Mountain Festival, national parks to explore and of course, top seaside destinations from Seahouses t....

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park could become a popular destination for tourists this summer, thanks to its part in the new Robin Hood film.VisitBritain predicts that locations which were used for filming the blockbuster starring Russell Crowe will receive increased numbers of visitors in the coming months. These destinations include the Pembrokeshire coast, Beachy Head and areas of the Midlands. Mark Di-Toro, spokesperson for the organisation, said that Nottingham would also undoubtedly re....

More people are expected to pack their waterproof jackets this summer and head on a caravan holiday due to the chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud.Flights continue to be disrupted due to the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which, according to one expert, means that UK residents are seeing caravanning as a fun and affordable holiday option.Marcus Dubois, editor of Caravan Times, said that advanced bookings for Caravanning and Camping Club sites over the May bank holiday were up seven....

Walking in Dorset received a boost this weekend as £600,000 of funding was granted to improve access to nature in the area.Funds were donated in part by the Big Lottery Fund and from a collection of charities, business and government organisations, the Dorset Echo reports.The money will be used to promote the natural attractions in the area, including the shoreline, in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games.A Legacy Trail will be created by linking the sections of coastal path from Littlemoor....

Improving the environment in the UK would encourage more people to strap on their walking boots and head for a hike, one expert has claimed.Des de Moor, senior everyday walking officer at Ramblers, said that provisions should be made in all cities to make them walker-friendly, as currently, many areas are unwelcoming.However, he highlighted that "pleasant" areas can be found in most urban centres if people get the chance to look."They learn their local environment by going through....

Families will have the opportunity to explore the Peak District National Park during a week-long event starting later this month. A range of free events will be taking place across the national park between May 31st and June 6th, which will provide families with the opportunity to strap on their walking boots and head outdoors.The activities coincide with National Family Week.Tuesday June 1st is the date of the first walking event. The two-mile Family Fun Activity Walk follows the Monsal Trail a....

Hikers across the UK are cleaning their walking boots to prepare for the Ramblers' annual Get Walking Day this weekend. The event, which actually takes place over two days, is being held this year on May 22nd and 23rd.In an effort to encourage more Brits to don their walking boots, the organisation is providing a series of short, easy walks across the UK, most of which are under five miles.Participants are also being invited to join Ramblers on a one-year introductory membership for just £1....

Walkers are being advised to exercise caution when hiking in the North York Moors as dry weather has led to an increased risk of fires.The National Park Authority said that there is growing concern about the moorland and woodland, leading to signs being put in place informing walkers of what to do if they spot a fire.Visitors to the area are being asked to ensure that cigarettes are extinguished fully, all rubbish is cleared away and to not light fires near the moorland.Bernie McLinden, the Nort....

A stroll around Erddig in Wales has been named as the Daily Telegraph's walk of the week by the National Trust.The four-mile walk through the country park was said to have a number of sites of interest, including the French Meadow and historic village of Felin Puleston.Tudor Williams, visitor services manager, told the newspaper that the gardens were once simply a flood plain."Spring and summer are the best times to take this walk, when you will see the wild plants and flowers at their best....

Eco-conscious walkers in the Peak District will be given information about the greenest areas of the national park thanks to a new grant.Staffordshire Peak District Tourism Association has been provided with more than £1,000 to provide details of eco-friendly walking trails, accommodation and attractions within the park.The grant comes from the Peak District Sustainable Development Fund, which is used to help promote the sustainable development of the park.Further funding has been given for....

Parents across the country could soon be reaching for their waterproof jackets as mumsnet has spoken out about the benefits of walking to school.The Walk to School Campaign is currently in action, encouraging children to learn their route to their place of learning as around half of kids don't walk to school regularly. Catherine Hanly, associate editor at mumsnet, said that the advantages of donning some comfortable walking shoes and taking your children to school on foot were "numerous and....