Walking Festivals

[Guest]

Walking festivals have been taking place for about a decade. I am aware of ones in Devon, Dorset and Northumberland and on the Isle of Wight. On paper, they look quite good.

Have you been on any? If so, how did you find them? Did you sign up for the whole package or book separate accommodation? What were the plus and minus points?

[Anna]

Lat, we have just had our second walking festival here, 10 days up until 31st October. Now, I didn't do the walks (been there, done that, etc.) but it was evidently a huge success. Most local people signed up for one or two walks (longest was 13.5 miles, average was around 8 but with some specialist historical ones only taking a couple of hours and there was a short hop up one mountain to star gaze) Tickets were £3 to £5 for walks, if you booked accommodation as well and did not have your own transport then pick-ups could be arranged between starts and finishes (essential to look out for that as in rural areas public transport is sparse and usually finishes at 5pm, if it commences at all) I'd say go for it, particularly in an area you don't know and get out and enjoy the scenery. I really don't there there is a minus in doing something like this.

[Serial_Apologist]

This is the very first I've heard of "walking festivals". I picture large numbers of people: doesn't that rather spoil the view?

[Anna]

This is the very first I've heard of "walking festivals". I picture large numbers of people: doesn't that rather spoil the view?

No, S-A, strictly limited on the occasion and 'Terms and Conditions' apply. As in, 'Oh, Please, Do Keep Up At the Back' No, I think they are wonderful ways to introduce people to the countryside who maybe live in towns and don't have this wonderful landscape.

[Lateralthinking1]

Here are a couple of examples:

http://www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk/

http://www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/

I think I would be the sort of person who arranged separate accommodation. The cost - and also the being with people for a few hours and then not. I would imagine that most walkers are ok though.

[Anna]

I would imagine that most walkers are ok though.

Tell you what Lat, come to Wales. You couldn't tell whether those with walking boots were Lesbians , sheep shearers or the Clergy!

[Lateralthinking1]

Anna, there must be a few people around who are all three.

Clan matters far less to me than friendliness and getting a sense from others of common sense, mutual concern within reason, and an understanding that the phrase "what would you like to do?" is not some sign of weakness whether spoken or heard.

While Yorkshire and latterly the South West became my non-South East places of choice, Wales was my earliest spiritual home. Four very happy holidays in Pembrokeshire which at one time I got to know more about, genuinely, than Surrey. - Lat.