On the blog
To celebrate the news that the Dales and the Lakes have both got a little bigger, why not revisit our trip to the Howgills? Now part of a National Park, but of course it was just as splendid (if a little wet) back then.
Earlier this summer we spent a thoroughly pleasant couple of days on the Ridgeway, pootling about on the gentle hills of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. And writing about it, naturally.
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Walk here
Good news reaches us from the South West … the West Somerset Railway’s Freedom of the Line tickets offer seven days of travel on this wonderful heritage line for just £25 for an adult. The line, which runs from Bishops Lydeard to Minhead, stops at 10 stations near the Quantock Hills, offering great car-free access to some fabulous walks, like this one from Dunster.
The Railway has also published a new, full-colour edition of its ‘Country Walks From Our Stations’ book, listing routes from all ten stations. This costs £5 from the station shops or can be ordered online.
For those looking for somewhere to stay, then contact the Yarn Market Hotel, which has a long record of welcoming walkers (and has a drying room for gear and a storage area for boots). The hotel is located on the main street of the medieval village of Dunster, overlooked by Dunster Castle. To find out more contact 01643 821425 or hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
Been on a great walk? Submit it at: www.carfreewalks.org
Focus on… the Snowdon Sherpa
There’s no better way of exploring northern Snowdonia than via the iconic Snowdon Sherpa. The network provides car-free access to all the main routes up Snowdon, including our personal favourite from Nant Gwynant. There’s also a weekend service through the Ogwen Valley throughout spring and summer.
Like many bus routes, the Sherpa needs as many people as possible using it to remain viable. So plan your next visit to Snowdonia around this brilliant bus service!
Prize draw
You still have time to enter our latest prize draw and the chance to win one of two signed copies of ‘World Tree Story - history and legends of the world's ancient trees’ by Julian Hight. This beautiful book will be a welcome addition to the library of any nature lover, and all you have to do to enter is submit a walk before the end of August.
The coastal path continues…
As well as the news about the Dales and the Lakes expanding, there was further great news for walkers with the latest section of the coastal path being opened. The Kent coast has great car-free access, so we look forward to more routes being submitted from the region as people start exploring!
Networking socially
If you want to know when a new walk is online, follow us on Twitter or ‘like’ our Facebook page. If that’s not your thing, no worries – they are all on the website. We also put up photos, news and any other titbits, so please keep sending them in.
Member benefits
A quick reminder about all the great discounts and offers available to Car Free Walks members:
Visit the community page of Car Free Walks for more details of these great offers.
Sponsors
A big thank you to everyone who sponsors our website and helps to keep Car Free Walks running:
The BMC
El Alto
e-outdoor.co.uk
The Ethical Graphic Design Company
George Fisher
Onya
Quality Unearthed
Sykes Cottages
Stayin Cornwall Lodges
Ingrid Flute’s Yorkshire Holiday Cottages
Norfolk Country Cottages
Freedom Holiday Homes
Suffolk Secrets
If you would like to sponsor us – the website or a particular walk – drop us a line at info@carfreewalks.org
Next newsletter
The next newsletter will be out in November-ish. Please send us any news and until then, happy walking!