Make the most of the warm weather and bank holiday weekend with a walk around the East of England’s beautiful countryside. We’ve listed a few routes to get you started:
Written by Liz Mattock
Are the brighter days and lighter nights putting a spring in your step? Here at Eastlife we’ve got local walks, treks and hikes covered.
Suffolk Walking Festival 2017
Whether you’re looking for a Sunday afternoon stroll, marching a few miles or a challenging trek, you’ll find it all at the Suffolk Walking Festival which launches on Saturday 13 May and runs until Sunday 4 June.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the festival in partnership with the National Trust, has over 100 walks on offer ranging from the quirky to the extreme. You could choose to take an amble in two areas of natural outstanding beauty, wander the coast or face the Classic and Mega Challenge a 63 mile hike across Suffolk in either 30 hours or a more gentle paced four days. Or just have some fun. You never know you could find love in the lanes on one of the themed speed dating walks.
Visit www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk/ for more information, to request a brochure and buy tickets.
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire
Spring is in full swing, so it’s time to hit the hills of Hertfordshire and the bridleways of Bedfordshire. And we have found a useful tool online to help you find walks for every age and ability.
Visit www.walkingbritain.co.uk/Hertfordshire-walks-list to find routes through St Albans, Hexton, Berkhamsted and Hertford, to name just a few.
Visit www.walkingbritain.co.uk/Bedfordshire-walks-list to take routes through Woburn, Ampthill and Tetworth.
Conquer Cambridgeshire by foot
Cambridgeshire is famous not just for its stunning architecture and town, but also the fenlands and waterways that nestle within it. We’ve put together our top three:
Beyond Anglesey Abbey walk, Lode
Tread in and beyond the gardens of Anglesey Abbey and surrounding waterways blanketed by blue skies over the Cambridgeshire Fens.
Houghton Mill – Houghton Meadows walk, Huntingdon
This Circular walk leads you out across the Ouse valley revealing the winding viaduct linking to paths across the water meadows and a disused railway track.
Wicken Fen – Nature Trail
This is one for wildlife worshipers. An easy stroll past three wildlife hides and the option to detour onto the butterfly trail provides a delightful relaxing walk for all abilities.
For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/walking-in-cambridgeshire
Norfolk Walking and Cycling Festival 2017
The 2017 walking and cycling festival will take place from 1 October to 31 October 2017.
The final festival programme and more details will be available from June. There promises to be an exciting mix of walking and cycling events, for all aged and abilities and give people the opportunity to explore and unearth some of Norfolk’s most beautiful countryside by foot or pedal. Visit www.norfolk.gov.uk
Remember even if you are the most experienced walker, it is always best to be equipped for the job. Take a rucksack and in it make sure you have water, a hat, a travel first aid kit, and any medications you may need on the walk, a sugary snack to keep those sugar levels high, sun lotion, a waterproof coat and a current ordinance survey map.
