the national forest walking festival Celebrating the launch of the National Forest Way 17th - 29th MAY 2014 WALKS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES TO ENJOY guided and themed walks places to stay from b&b’s to forest lodges BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO EXPLORE www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk 2 3 This year we are celebrating the opening of the National Forest Way, a long distance trail which will take walkers on a journey through this transforming landscape. celebrating the launch of Across 75 miles of footpaths from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire, you will discover the the national forest way story of The National Forest. with the National Forest Walking Festival Immerse yourself in a history that has seen the area change from a rural landscape, through industrialisation and its decline, to a modern-day creation of a new forest. Join us between 17th - 29th May for a Accessible for experienced and new walkers alike, the host of varied walks to explore this ever National Forest Way will be accompanied by leaflets, online information and clear signage. changing landscape. With walks to suit every taste and ability, from gentle strolls Image: Richard Sanville 2011 to strenuous rambles and routes to cater THE TRAIL LEADS THROUGH YOUNG for seasoned walkers as well as pushchairs, AND ANCIENT WOODLANDS, wheelchairs and family groups. market towns and the industrial heritage of this changing landscape IN THE HEART OF THE MIDLANDS. For more information on The National Forest Way go to www.nationalforestway.co.uk The trail has been created by a partnership of the National Forest Company, Derbyshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council and Staffordshire County Council, Main image ©2020 Vision: Ben Hall with generous support from Fisher German. 4 the national forest the national forest 5 walking festival walking festival Image © Chris Beech Stay and Enjoy the national forest With a wealth of places to visit, why not take a break and stay in the area. There is a wide range of accommodation from a National Forest Youth Hostel to The Hilton at St George’s Park or homely farmhouses to spacious forest lodges, there is something to cater for everyone’s taste and budget. WHEN YOU’VE WALKED UP AN APPETITE there’s no better way to relax than a visit to one of the many pubs, restaurants, cafes and tearooms THAT ARE SCATTERED ACROSS THE AREA “This is the first time we have visited this area. If other walks in the Festival are as enjoyable and informative as this one, then we shall return not only for next year’s Festival but also on other occasions.” For more information on special offers and details of the many things to see and do, visit: Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre, Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West St, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9DG Our friendly TIC staff will help you find and book the perfect accommodation for your visit and provide full details of attractions, events and transport and travel information. Tel: 01283 222848 Email: [email protected] or visit www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk to download the 2014 visitor guide. 6 the national forest the national forest 7 walking festival walking festival Most walks are free and do not need to Walks are graded for difficulty: be booked. Where there is a charge or booking is required, details are listed under each walk. EASY Routes suitable for most levels of fitness. May be suitable for conventional Please see below information that you may wheelchairs and pushchairs (please see a guide to the walks find useful before attending a walk. individual walk key for more information). • Please wear suitable footwear and clothing Opening in May 2014, the new (a waterproof preferably) • Remember to bring any medication you LEISURELY Routes for reasonably fit National Forest Way long distance may need people. May include some un-surfaced rural paths. trail will take walkers on a journey • It is advisable to always carry a drink through a transforming landscape. • You may need to bring a packed lunch (see symbols below walk info) MODERATE Walks for people with a good level of fitness. May include some • Walkers age 16 and under must be steep paths and open country and may accompanied by an adult be at a brisk pace. • If dogs are allowed on a walk (see symbols Image: L.Hextall 2009 below walk info), they must be kept on a lead at all times STRENUOUS Walks for experienced 30 country walkers with an above average 20 • All those taking part in a walk do so at 58 level of fitness. May include hills, 14 66 their own risk rough country and be at a brisk pace. 39 5+9 36 • Most walk leaders are volunteers 70 8 65 34 • Walks will start promptly. 53 24 59 1 Please be advised walkers may be taking 18 11 photographs on any of the festival walks, 31 47 26 55 17 62 56 which may be used in future publicity. KEY 28 3 12 37 4 25 1642 43 60 46 K Parking available 61 37 40 GUIDED WALK: 63 23 64 38 Charges apply 33 21 A walk led by an experienced leader 19 32 10 54 69 0 Toilets available en route 13 71 with local knowledge, often relating to 44 22 2249 d 45 7 a specific topic. Walks will take place on Wheelchair access 68 41 35 50 varying terrain. Please see specific walks 67 57 A Dogs not allowed 2 52 15 for more information. 27 j Dogs allowed on a lead 29 48 HEALTH WALK: Children welcome 51 6 A short walk on surfaced paths suitable h Warm clothing for all ages and for people recovering Walking boots from illness. A social walk led by a s trained volunteer. Pushchair access v Public transport Bring packed lunch The National Forest Way For more information please visit: l Bring a torch www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk or call Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre on 01283 222848 8 the national forest the national forest 9 walking festival walking festival 4. 10am SATURDAY 17TH MAY WASHLANDS TO WALTON SUNDAY 18TH MAY 1. 10am GUIDED WALK 12 miles, moderate 8. 10am No stiles, 6.5 hours, free THREE COUNTRY HOUSES IN ONE DAY STARTING POINT Watson Street free car FAULD CRATER GUIDED WALK 9 miles, moderate park on the washlands, Burton on Trent, GUIDED WALK 8 miles, moderate 11+ stiles, 5 hours, £2 per person DE14 3AH 6. 2.30pm 11 stiles, 4.5 hours, free STARTING POINT A flat walk along the River Trent and back STARTING POINT Melbourne Assembly Rooms DE73 8GF along the Trent & Mersey canal, lunch at GEOLOGY OF BRADGATE PARK Hanbury Village Hall, DE13 8TJ A walk that includes three country Barton Marina and a chance to see some GUIDED WALK 3 miles, leisurely A different walk to houses – Melbourne Hall, Calke Abbey of the many BCV projects No stiles, 2.5 hours, £3 for adults, the Fauld Crater. and Staunton Harold (please note there from the last 20 years. £1.50 for under 16’s K j s is no time to visit them). h K0 j v STARTING POINT 0 A h 9. 11am, 1pm 5. 11am, 1pm Hunts Hill Car Park, Bradgate Park, LE6 0AH 2. 10.30am Bradgate Park from 600million years ago BE FREE RANGE WITH THE CHICKENS – a story of seas, volcanoes, mountains, BE FREE RANGE WITH THE CHICKENS GUIDED WALK 3 miles, easy deserts, glaciers and earthquakes. Led TREES AND REMEMBRANCE GUIDED WALK 3 miles, easy No stiles, 1 hour, free by geologist John Martin, this walk GUIDED WALK 3 miles, easy No stiles, 1 hour, free STARTING POINT No stiles, 1.5 hours, £4 per person, introduces the oldest group STARTING POINT Betty’s Farm, Willington DE65 6BW booking essential, please call 01283 792333 of rocks in England and tells Betty’s Farm, Willington DE65 6BW A short walk around the farm explaining STARTING POINT their fascinating story. A short walk around the farm explaining some of the features in more detail, National Memorial Arboretum, DE13 7AR K 0 j s some of the features in more detail, h stopping at the PV panels, wind turbines This walk will show you how we use stopping at the PV panels, wind turbines 7. 1.30pm and the chicken sheds. trees as symbols of and the chicken sheds. K0 j s remembrance in this nationally v h K0 j s VIEWS OVER THE HEART OF famous visitor attraction. v h 10. 3pm K 0 d A s THE NATIONAL FOREST h 3. 4.30am GUIDED WALK 4 miles, leisurely HISTORY WALK TO GRACE DIEU PRIORY 2 stiles, 2 hours, free GUIDED WALK 2 miles, easy DAWN CHORUS STARTING POINT No stiles, 2 hours, £3 per person Conkers Waterside, DE12 6GA STARTING POINT GUIDED WALK 3 miles, easy The Bulls Head, Thringstone, LE67 8LR No stiles, 4 hours, £13.50 per person, A circular route beginning on a short booking essential, please call 01332 863822 length of the National Forest Way A walk through part of Grace Dieu STARTING POINT followed by village footpaths through wood, under the Charnwood Forest Main car park, Calke Abbey, DE73 7LE the heart of The National Forest. A mix Railway, along part of the Forest Line Up with the lark hear the choir of of terrain including surfaced tracks, field canal and into the romantic ruins songbirds with our Ranger. Enjoy a footpaths and woodland rides. Much of Gracedieu priory, a 13th century well-earned full cooked breakfast of historical and wildlife interest with nunnery.