Spring festival attracts record numbers to walk in The Chilterns

The Chilterns Conservation Board has announced a record number of participants in spring’s Chilterns Walking Festival which took place from 19 May – 03 June. Over 650 walkers enjoyed one or more of the programme’s 86 guided walks and activities, representing over 100% increase on 2017, the event’s first year. Overall, 68% of walks were offered free of charge, and 15 walks were fully booked.

Particularly popular were the school half term activity walks designed to engage and entertain young walkers, and beautifully summed up by one 12-year-old as “the kind of walk where you don’t get bored”. Another little girl said that she “learned more than she was supposed to learn when not at school”.

Walk leaders received people new to walking, who enjoyed getting out and learning about the landscape and nature and gained the confidence to explore more of The Chilterns.

Chilterns Conservation Board People and Society Officer Annette Venters said “The spring event programme covered a rich array of topics from landscapes to butterflies and historic characters to local legends. We had Nordic Walking, Map Reading and Yoga activities – and a good helping of Chilterns food and drink with farm teas, craft beers and pub lunches which we hope will inspire people to return and spend more time exploring here”.

Event main sponsor The Complete Outdoors organised a family friendly amble along the canal side. Managing director Andrew Inkley said “We love encouraging people to spend quality time together and learning to appreciate the countryside around us. You really don’t have to travel far, or spend a fortune, to have a wonderful day out in The Chilterns”.

The Chilterns Walking Festival autumn event programme (06 – 21 Oct 2018) is currently in development. Details of all guided walks, events and activities will be published on the website www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest.