Tag Archives: Walking

Ten top easy Lake District winter walks

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Cumbria’s Lake District is a walker’s paradise but you don’t have to walk for miles up England’s highest mountain to enjoy the stunning scenery. Here are some of our favourite ‘Nano-walks’ – little hikes with big views!

1. Tarn Hows, Coniston
Regardless of the weather, it’s always easy to get around one of the Lake District’s best viewpoints – Tarn Hows. Although set over 600ft in the hills above Coniston, you can drive up the narrow B-road to its top, park up then walk the 1.5 mile circular pathway, which takes about half-an-hour. The walk shows off the best of the Lake District’s mountains for minimum effort. Tarn Hows is three tarns joined into one with views of the Langdale Pikes mountain range. Beatrix Potter bought Tarn Hows in 1929 before bequeathing it to the National Trust. With a big car-park and a well-maintained circular path, there are seats along the way making it suitable for buggies, the elderly and little ones too. www.golakes.co.uk/adventure
Coniston TIC: 015394 41533

2.  Ruskin’s View, Kirkby Lonsdale
One of England’s most acclaimed but least known views is Ruskin’s View in the chocolate box town of Kirkby Lonsdale. The mile-or-so riverside route starts at Devil’s Bridge over the River Lune, and helpful signs direct you to the viewpoint, although this way culminates in a steep set of steps. Alternatively, start this walk from the charming town centre, where it’s less than half-a-mile on the flat all the way. There’s seating available so you can admire a scene painted by Turner and described by Victorian philosopher Ruskin as “one of the loveliest in England.”
http://www.kirkbylonsdale.co.uk
Kirkby Lonsdale TIC: 015242 71437

3.  High Dam, Windermere
Many people know Lake Windermere from their travels, but few find their way to the tiny village of Finsthwaite. Close to the village, you’ll find magical High Dam, a superb, gently rising walk through a leafy carpet of oak, birch and conifer. There’s a car park to put your boots on and then it’s a straightforward stroll through the woods which gently climbs a few hundred feet. The short trip is rewarded at the top as it opens out to reveal a panoramic tree-lined tarn. Water from the Dam was once used to power the village mills, which churned out bobbins for the Lancashire textile industry. You can download a map to this walk from http://www.lakesidehotel.co.uk/lake-district/hotel/walks/Walks1.pdf
Bowness-on-Windermere TIC 015394 42895

4.  Holme Fell, Coniston
Peaks like Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Great Gable are known to many due to the Lake District walking guides writer, Alfred Wainwright. But at just over 1,000ft, Holme Fell on the outskirts of Coniston is one of the smallest Wainwrights and is slap bang in the middle of the Lakes surrounded by fantastic scenery, yet of little interest to the hordes. From its summit, you can marvel at Lake Coniston and features big mountains in the distance like Pike O’Blisco, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.
http://www.conistontic.org/
Coniston TIC: 015394 41533

5.  Orrest Head, Windermere
The first walk the famous author Alfred Wainwright ever did in the Lake District was Orrest Head, which starts just yards from Windermere Railway station. Wainwright was so impressed, he went onto explore pretty much every summit of the Lake District, writing seven pictorial guides to walking the Lakes. The path up to Orrest Head has changed since Wainwright’s first steps back in 1930, having been asphalted in places so that those in wheelchairs or buggies can reach certain vantage points peering down on Lake Windermere. What hasn’t changed are the views. It’s a meandering 783ft all the way to the top with plenty of seats to rest and signposts pointing the way round every corner. The sign at the start of the walk proclaims it’s 20 minutes to the top, but even Wainwright disagreed with that.
www.golakes.co.uk/wainwright
Windermere TIC: 015394 46499

6.  Talkin Tarn Country Park, near Brampton
This six acre lake near the village of Brampton, is set amid 120 acres of farmland and woodland within sight of the Northern Pennines. Whatever your mood, it’s the ideal place for a stroll along the quiet water’s edge. The 1.3 mile path around the tarn is suitable for wheelchairs and the surrounding woodlands are perfect place for catching a glimpse of the ever-elusive red squirrels.
http://www.aboutbritain.com/maps/talkintarncountrypark-map.asp
Brampton TIC: 016977 3433

7.  Hoad Monument, Ulverston
Standing proud on a high fell-side above the town of Ulverston is the Hoad Monument, a soaring 100ft lighthouse landmark. This vantage point – over 400ft up – offers awesome views over the cobbled streets of the market-town and the vast sands of Morecambe Bay, one of the largest stretches of seaside in England. The pathways to the top are well-made and you can easily do this walk from the town centre. This is a popular place at Easter for pasche egg rolling – rolling painted eggs down the hillside – as well as being a big Boxing Day hike for local families – particularly if there’s been a spot of snow. The monument itself was built in honour of Sir John Barrow, a naval explorer from the town, and modelled on an earlier version of the Eddystone Lighthouse. www.sirjohnbarrowmonument.co.uk/
Ulverston TIC: 01229 587120

8.  Grasmere
Follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth and walk Grasmere, one of the iconic lakes of the Lake District. It’s easy to see why Wordsworth lived in the village and was inspired to write some of his best poetry. The best section to walk is on the lake’s western flank found from a wrought iron gate off Red Bank Road. To access the path from here head to the centre of Grasmere, take a left at the Dale Lodge Hotel opposite the Church, and then carry on round Red Bank Road until you find the gate. Another way in is parking up at White Moss Car Park just off the A591 on the outskirts south of the village, and then following the paths from the car park and over the beck through the woods. http://www.golakes.co.uk/places/towns/grasmere-and-rydal.aspx
Ambleside TIC: 015394 32582

9.  Latrigg, Keswick
Walkable from the centre of Keswick, it’s two and-half miles and 950ft of ascent to Latrigg but when you get to the summit it offers peaks as far as the eye can see and spy on the tiny rooftops of Keswick below. The early slopes of this walk can feel like a backbreaker, but they soon level out to offer “the easiest of Promenades,” as Wainwright put it. From the centre of Keswick, find Keswick Cottage Hospital and just along from here is a historic signpost pointing the way to Latrigg. http://www.dokeswick.com/walks/latrigg.htm
Keswick TIC: 017687 72645

10.  Whitehaven Maritime Walk
The proud sea-faring town of Whitehaven was once one of Britain’s biggest ports second only to London. It now offers a 1.8 mile long walk along its newly-regenerated harbour and Georgian streets. With the cry of gulls in your ears and the smell of sea salt, you too can discover its swashbuckling-history. The walk starts at the Whiting Shoal sculpture on the Millennium Promenade and takes you around its harbour and the Old Quay overlooking the magnificent Solway Firth. There are streets to discover as well as The Rum Story attraction. Learn how mariner John Paul Jones led a bunch of American desperadoes on an ill-fated attack on Whitehaven in 1778 which ended when they decided to get drunk at the local pubs instead.
http://whitehavenmarina.co.uk/
Whitehaven TIC 01946 598914

For further information about visiting the Lake District, visit www.golakes.co.uk

Photo: Grasmere from High Close, Red Bank; Copyright: Cumbria Tourism/Dave Willis

Dorset’s Top Ten Outdoor Experiences

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You don’t have to go far into the West Country to enjoy a variety of fresh air experiences, from walking to paddling, plus fresh local food and loads more in Dorset so pack your rucksack and explore!

  • Explore the glorious Dorset countryside by following one of the many walking trails which criss-cross the county. The Wessex Ridgeway is one of the longest – along the way there are intriguing artistic sculptures with poetry by James Crowdon.
    www.dorsetforyou.com/wessexridgeway
  • Go to a farmers market held in the key towns around the county to savour some of the area’s delicious local food; one of the best is Bridport’s every second Saturday of the month; the town is in the heart of Dorset’s farmlands. Dorset Vinny Cheese with Knob Biscuits or Dorset Apple Cake are just two of the local specialities. www.dorsetfoodweek.co.uk
  • Take to the water on some of the country’s finest sailing and watersports spots – the National Sailing Academy is at Weymouth & Portland in recognition of the quality of the waters. There are plenty of locations to hire boats and kayaks or let someone else do the work and take a boat trip from one of the harbours such as Weymouth, Swanage or Lyme Regis.  www.wpnsa.org.uk
  • Dorset hosts England’s only natural World Heritage Site, known as The Jurassic Coast. The beaches of Lyme Regis or Charmouth www.charmouth.org abound with fossils; regular guided public fossil walks are held. www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
  • Dorset’s coastal location ensures fresh fish is available at the local pubs and restaurants; watch the catch come into picturesque Weymouth Harbour and then eat at one of the restaurants around the harbour or pop down to the Crab House Café overlooking Chesil Beach www.crabhousecafe.co.uk . Along the coast there are other seafood restaurants such as the Hive Beach Café in Burton Bradstock www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk and Shell Bay in Studland www.shellbay.net.
  • Unwind by flying through the trees at Go Ape! in Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, one of the country’s best outdoor leisure parks (more sedately you can also hire bikes to cycle around). www.moors-valley.co.uk
  • Clamber up to the top of the prehistoric hillforts such as Hambledon Hill near Blandford Forum or Eggardon Hill near Bridport for some of the best views of Dorset – steep climbs are involved but there’s always a pub nearby.
  • Explore Thomas Hardy country; key ‘musts’ are seeing Hardy’s rather stern statue in Dorchester, visiting the Dorset County Museum www.dorsetcountymuseum.org for the world’s largest collection of Hardy memorabilia and visiting the picturesque cottage where he was born www.nationaltrust.org. Around the Dorset countryside are countless places which appeared in his novels – much of the countryside looks the same as in his novels.
  • Follow the Swanage Art Trail for a taste of county’s artistic richness; the trail takes you around a series of paintings by famous visiting artists such as Paul Nash and Walter Field. http://www.swanageseen.co.uk/hello-world/
  • Climb up to the top of Christchurch Priory for panoramic views across the area. The Priory is the longest church in England and one of the few to survive Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. www.christchurchpriory.org

For further information: www.visit-dorset.com

Ten top coastal calls in Britain

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Exploring Britain’s coastline on foot can be combined with a range of cultural, nature, geological and historical links. Here are some ideas to get you started.

  • The Jurassic Coast was designated a World Heritage Site because of its importance as a ‘geological walk through time’, spanning 185 million years of the Earth’s history. It covers 95 miles from East Devon to Dorset, including the London 2012 sailing venue of Weymouth/Portland and the town of Lyme Regis, famous for its fossils and The Cobb, which featured in the film ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’.
  • The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in south-west Wales is the only national park in the UK which is predominantly coastal. It includes spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife and internationally important nature reserves and geology. There are great walks (and views) along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a national trail set in the National Park. For the more adventurous, there is the chance to jump off the cliff, on a coasteering course, described as “a wild combination of scrambling, climbing, traversing, cliff jumping and swimming that was first developed in Pembrokeshire in the 80s and 90s and has now taken off all over the world.”
  • St. Andrews/Fife coast: situated on the coast north-east of Edinburgh, St Andrews was famous for its golf, before it was placed firmly on the map by a Royal romance. It is a city packed with history with the castle, and cathedral, and world famous golf course, but it is well worth taking the longer, coastal route from Edinburgh, offering the chance to explore the picturesque fishing villages of the Fife coast, such as Crail, Anstruther, St Monans and Pittenweem and the walking opportunities.
  • Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast is infamous for one particular visitor – Dracula. Bram Stoker’s classic novel had the evil Count arriving by ship, during a frightful storm. Today’s visitors should be sure to check out the Abbey, towering above the town’s cobbled streets, and the beach and working harbour, while many experts rate the Magpie Café as one of the best places in the country for fish and chips. And if time allows explore along the coast to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Cleveland Way.
  • Dunwich: visit before it disappears! Dunwich on the Suffolk coast was once a Roman fort, capital of a Saxon kingdom and, in the 11th century, one of the greatest ports on the East coast of England. But most of it has now been lost to the sea – you can learn all about it in the town’s museum.
  • Antony Gormley’s Another Place comprises 100 cast iron, life-size figures, each weighing 650 kilos, spread along three kilometres of the foreshore at Crosby Beach, just north of Liverpool, and stretching almost one kilometre out to sea. The figures are made from casts of the artist’s own body and are shown at different stages of rising out of the sand, all of them looking out to sea.
  • Northumberland’s coast is studded with castles. Heading north from Newcastle, take in Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh, Warkworth and Lindisfarne – taking care not to be cut off by the sea on Holy Island. Inland, you will find the country towns of Alnwick, Rothbury and Wooler – great bases for walking holidays. If you are really in the mood for history, you can always explore the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail from coast to coast.
  • If you enjoy the White Cliffs of Dover (the place, not the song), why not check out the impressive chalk cliffs of The Needles on the Isle of Wight?
  • When it comes to coastline, Cornwall has more than most, per square mile. A long, narrow county, surrounded on three sides by sea, the north coast is lined with sandy beaches, and great for surfing, the south and south-west has more sheltered inlets and estuaries. But with just a short drive between two coasts, why not visit both?
  • It’s an even harder choice to decide which Scottish island has the best coastline. The easy choice is how to get there – by ferry with Caledonian MacBrayne, who serve the best-known islands such as Skye, and Mull, but also the smaller islands like Iona, with the Abbey there being one of Scotland’s most sacred and historic sites. With seven distilleries, on an island just 25 miles long, surely the Scottish island of Islay won’t fail to leave one smiling at the views of sandy beaches and towering cliffs.

With thanks to Bods for the image.

Ten top outdoor experiences in England

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There’s no shortage of exciting opportunities to make the most of your free time outdoors in England. Pack your rucksack and take your pick from or work your way through all these inspiring ideas from Northumberland to Cornwall:

  • Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland – At Kielder Water and Forest Park you can absorb the peace and tranquillity or try something a little more adventurous. Enjoy events, land and water-based activities, art, culture, heritage, wildlife, and star gazing - www.visitkielder.com
  • Lake District, Cumbria – From 16 sparkling lakes and England’s highest mountains, to sheltered valleys, heather moorlands and salty seascapes, Cumbria and the Lake District have inspired and captivated generations of visitors and famous writers and poets such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter – www.lake-district.gov.uk
  • Hadrian’s wall, Cumbria – Walk in the footsteps of the Legions, along the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail and around the beautiful surrounding areas or take a trip on Hadrian’s Wall Bus, visiting some of the friendly market town and villages along the way – www.hadrians-wall.org.uk
  • The Cleveland Way, North Yorkshire – There is no better way to take the weight of the world off your shoulders than to take a walk along the Cleveland Way National Trail. This 110 mile/176 kilometre walking route follows the fantastic scenery of the North York Moors National Park, crossing stunning lengths of heather moorland and providing spectacular views of the North Yorkshire coastline - www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ClevelandWay
  • Sherwood Forest Country Park, Nottinghamshire – Once part of a royal hunting forest, Sherwood Forest Country Park covers 450 acres and incorporates some truly ancient areas of native woodland. The largest and most famous of these is the Major Oak, linked throughout the world to Sherwood’s legendary hero, Robin Hood -
    www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/sherwoodforestcp
  • The Broads, Norfolk – The Broads is England’s largest nationally protected wetland; the whole area is 303 sq km. Its rivers, broads (shallow lakes), marshes and fens make it a unique area, rich in rare habitats, which support myriad plants and animals. Globally, wetlands are among the most threatened of landscapes. The Broads is also one of Europe’s most popular inland waterways. Once an essential transport network, today the waterways are used for recreation, attracting more than two million visitors a year -
    www.broads-authority.gov.uk
  • Jurassic Coast – For stunning views steeped in geological and historical interest, the Jurassic Coast and its share of the South West Coast Path encompasses the elegant Regency town of Sidmouth, the former smuggling haven of Beer and the unspoilt and friendly Budleigh Salterton and reaches into fossil country; rightly recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – www.jurassiccoast.com
  • Dartmoor National Park – Dartmoor is a living, working landscape haunted by the ghosts of the past; today’s farmers, rangers and visitors tread in the steps of Bronze Age man, medieval monks and tinners. Walking, cycling and horse riding is the order of the day for many active enthusiasts or try ‘letterboxing’, a game originating on the moor with similarities to orienteering – www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
  • Thetford Forest Park, Norfolk – a working forest as well as a place for relaxation and recreation. It is a haven for wildlife and there is a good chance of seeing deer, cross bills, night jars and more. Find out more about the High Lodge Forest Centre with its ever expanding range of recreation facilities and much more – www.forestry.gov.uk/thetfordforestpark
  • Cornwall Coastal Path – With one of the most scenic, and longest stretches of the South West Coast Path, and an inland path network of over 2,400 miles no walker could ever get bored in Cornwall. Amble through lush countryside, across wild rugged moors or along stunning coast paths. Breathe in the fresh Cornish air and see places only reached on foot – www.southwestcoastpath.com

With thanks to Angies for the stunning image.

Lake District million pound paths

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Two years after record-breaking floods caused havoc in Cumbria, the Lake District National Park has just spent its one millionth pound on repairing damage and restoring the rights of way network. After the floods, a survey indicated that some 253 bridges needed repairing or replacing to increase the resilience of the rights of way network in case of future flooding disasters. So far, 180 bridges have been repaired by local contractors under the supervision of national park teams.

GaleBayAfter

“The unprecedented rainfall in November 2009 left a trail of destruction in dozens and dozens of locations all over the national park. There are still further repairs and improvements to be complete before the end of the project in March 2013,” said Paths for the Public Project Co-ordinator Dylan Jackman. More info about the National Park Authority’s work can be found at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk.

Meanwhile, volunteers who help maintain vital paths and access routes throughout the Lake District National Park are celebrating reaching an annual workload target for 2011 with two months to spare. The Fix-the-Fells ‘lengthsmen’ – who repair and maintain more than 100 identified Lake District paths – gave a promise at the start of the year to volunteer for 1,000 days of work during 2011. The National Trust ranger teams organise and lead work groups as well as residential weekends working on path repairs, pitching and training up on other skills; whilst volunteers organise their own drain runs. Sometimes, an entire valley of routes can be completed in one weekend. For further details, see www.fixthefells.co.uk.

Photos: Gale Bay bridge before and after.

Working for walkers and mountain bikers

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Walkers and cyclists heading for the summit of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will find the going much easier – thanks to a massive donation from a local business which provided 140 tonnes of gritstone to reinforce a busy bridleway leading to the summit. Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Area Ranger Steve Hastie then arranged to shift it in loads of almost one tonne in a hopper underneath a helicopter.

Steve said, “This is a busy path and needed a bit of TLC to keep it in good condition. The donation has enabled us to top-dress the path surface to complete restoration work that began last summer and the fact that the stone has been moved such a short distance is a real bonus.”

In 1986, the Institute for Terrestrial Ecology carried out a study of the condition of the path network in the Three Peaks area and concluded that the region had the sad distinction of possessing the most severely eroded network in the UK. The following year, the first Three Peaks Project was established by the YDNPA with a staff of 13. Its remit included trialling new path-engineering and re-vegetating techniques to provide sustainable routes and to allow damaged surrounding land to recover. The mid-90s and early 2000s saw a number of externally-funded projects completed, each with one or two extra staff appointed. However, since 2004, the management and maintenance of the Three Peaks network has reverted back to the YDNPA’s Rangers – a team of just two officers covering the whole of the wider Ribblesdale area.

The latest project aims to create a sustainable source of both practical and financial support that will help protect and enhance the area and the rights of way network into the future. Since its launch, many of the charities that regularly use the Three Peaks for sponsored events have volunteered to donate money towards the upkeep of the area.

The YDNPA has produced merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all of the peaks and has launched the Friends of the Three Peaks, a group being set up to help support the Authority’s work in the area. Anyone can join by making a suggested minimum annual donation of £10. The Authority aims this year to have an events programme members can take part in, with activities like Area Ranger-guided walks and chances to do practical things like path maintenance. They will also be kept up to date with developments in the project through a newsletter. Anyone wanting to become a Friend can log on to the YDNPA website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/threepeaks and follow the pages to join online.

Photo credit: Hanson Aggregates

Inspiration for cyclists and walkers

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Planning a visit to cycle in the National Parks and AONBs of south west England has become a whole lot easier thanks to investment by the Rural Development Programme for England. The Adventure Cycle Map was launched by world class cyclist Andrei Burton at Princetown, Dartmoor. This new interactive map contains cycle legal off-road routes all over the south west of England, including both Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Whether you fancy a day out cycling with the family or a challenging cycling experience, this map has something for you.

Dave Dixon of South West Protected Landscapes has brought the project to fruition, working with the 1 South West Cycling Project.  Dave said, “Cycling is a great way for people to get out and enjoy the south west’s breathing spaces and has a broad appeal. This online mapping allows us to provide lots of information such as photos and video, enabling people to choose trails that will suit their cycling ability. We want to help people have a great day out and keep coming back by providing information that helps them plan their trip with confidence.”
Bicycle shops, hire outlets and clubs can all be found on the map and cycle-friendly accommodation will be shown on the map soon. The information shown is of use to people planning horse-riding or walking trips as well as those planning to cycle. To encourage responsible use of trails, National Park and AONB staff can attach information to each individual trail such as indicating if a trail is prone to erosion in wet ground conditions or trails that will be busy and best avoided at peak visitor times. Visit www.1sw.org.uk and click on a link to the interactive map.
South West Protected Landscapes is the umbrella body for the 2 National Parks and 12 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the south west.  These protected areas cover 37% of the south west.  South West Protected Landscapes provides a bridge between the separately-run protected landscape areas to assist and encourage them with sharing of knowledge and experience, promotion of learning, development of skills, co-ordination, joint working, strategic planning and promotion.  Visit www.southwestprotectedlandscapes.org.uk (external link, opens new window).

Photo credit: Tolomea

Climb the height of Snowdon and Ben Nevis – in Surrey!

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Walkers can now climb the height of Snowdon and Ben Nevis combined without ever leaving Surrey, following the overhaul of a 100+mile trail*. The Greensand Way, nestled between the famous North and South Downs, fell into neglect over the past decade, making it difficult to follow in some areas. Dubbed one of Britain’s “best kept secrets”, it has now been given a new lease of life thanks to Surrey County Council and volunteers from the Ramblers who gave sections of the route an overhaul over the past 18 months. The trail, which stretches from Haslemere in Surrey to Hamstreet in Kent was cleared where it became overgrown and was re-routed along some sections. New signposts feature the eye-catching Leith Hill tower logo were added and old ones repaired which means ambitious hikers will now find it much easier to walk the entire length across the whole of Surrey and into Kent. The Greensand Way takes in some of Britain’s most breathtaking sites including the Devil’s Punchbowl in Hindhead and the Surrey Hills. It also passes through numerous sites of special scientific interest such as Leith Hill where a number of rare birds breed, including all three species of British woodpecker.

Tom Franklin, Chief Executive of the Ramblers (www.ramblers.org.uk), said, “I’m proud of our volunteers across the country who give up their free time to keep footpaths like this open for us all to enjoy. The Greensand Way is a wonderful walk through the Surrey and Kent countryside and I thank Surrey Ramblers and the council for their work in bringing this route back to its rightful splendour.”

The path travels over the Surrey hills of Hascombe, Pitch, Holmbury and Leith,  before descending north into Dorking then Reigate and then entering Kent just beyond Limpsfield. For walkers who don’t fancy taking on the entire route, the path in Surrey, which stretches 55 miles, has been split into 10 sections ranging between three and seven miles each. A guide and maps are available for download at www.surreycc.gov.uk/greensandway

*The total elevation of the hills along the 55-mile Surrey section of the Greensand Way is 8,166ft.

Safety Tips While Camping

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One of your primary concerns when camping in any location is that of safety. When accompanied by small children or friends and family you need to ensure you take precautions to ensure your holiday or trip isn’t wrecked by problems which you could have avoided.

There are several elements of health and safety that need to be considered when camping for the first time, although even experienced campers will need to know some of this information for future reference.

Firstly, medical treatments and first aid items need to be taken to cater for those nasty bumps and scrapes which can sometimes occur, in particular plasters, burn heals, antiseptic wipes and bandages.

If you’re out and about during the day, dwelling in activities which can result in injuries then you will certainly need to think about which First Aid items to have with you.

First AidThey all serve a useful purpose and even if you don’t have to use them they’re certainly handy if someone requires urgent attention. You can find all of these items, as well as several others, within our First Aid Range.

Other things you can do to ensure any unwelcome health problems are dealt with quickly and affectively is to find out the information of the nearest doctor, and be aware of other emergency contact details which any campsite will have to hand.

However, one of the most dangerous elements to camping is cooking, and many people make the mistake of preparing food inside their tent which has the capability to start a fire.

The majority of modern tents are manufactured and designed using flame-resistant fabric, but this does not mean your product is fireproof. When pitching your tent, place them six metres (the equivalent of 20 feet) apart and clear any debris from the tent perimeter as sparks will then be unable to light anything.

There are a couple of immediate dangers to cooking inside your tent: the first, and most obvious, is the fire hazard, while the second, and certainly the more subtle, is the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fires can start when you least expect them, and as tents have separate compartments which people might be zipped into, they will need a clear sign that a fire is in progress so they have a chance to get out.

Therefore a portable smoke alarm is another essential piece of equipment to protect you against potential flames, and this can be placed within your tent, caravan or motor home.

Working like a traditional smoke alarm which you fit inside your home, it detects smoke from a fire and then emits a loud 85 decibel energetic alarm which then gives you ample opportunity to ensure the smoke does not turn into something more violent and serious.

To let you know that it’s still functioning, a small red light flashes once every forty seconds just so that you know the smoke alarm is in full working order.

Furthermore a stove can also automatically start a fire, and your tent will be destroyed in less than one minute if a fire does get out of hand!

Bearing this in mind one of your must have items before you set off should be a portable fire extinguisher as you never know when it might be needed. Infact if you’re travelling abroad, it is illegal in many countries not to carry one in your vehicle!

Eating in your tent should also be avoided. Spilled food or crumbs are will attract a number of lingering insects. Once in your tent they’re bound to ensure that you have a very uncomfortable night’s sleep, meaning your holiday is likely to be affected by tiredness.

In addition to all of the above its also very easy to break into a tent so you need to be certain never to leave anything valuable inside. It’s always wise to keep personal valuables in a rucksack or small bag when you vacate your tent just incase the worst should happen.

Returning to the issue of fires, there are plenty of ways to prevent one occuring, and below we’ve outlined a few key points to bear in mind when preparing to cook:

  • Keep gas cylinders outside your caravan at all times.
  • Before going to bed or leaving your caravan/motorhome, be sure to turn off all appliances.
  • Never use a cooker or a heater whilst a camper or caravan is moving.
  • Change gas bottles only when completely empty.
  • Ensure you prepare and cook all food well away from your tent.

Although this may sound quite daunting and a lot of responsibility to bare in mind, a lot of it is just common sense and such precautions will ensure you and your group have taken the right steps to remain safe, and ultimately this will give you peace of mind and chance to enjoy your trip even more.

Ironbridge Walking Festival has walks for all

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As Autumn turns to Winter, now’s a good time to look ahead to milder weather and plan for Spring 2012. Larger than ever before, the 2012 Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival, which runs from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th May, features around 30 free guided walks covering a wide range of interests and abilities. These include some challenging full day outings in and around the glorious Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site as well as family adventures, historic trails and wildlife walks. The walks are graded into four levels of difficulty ranging from a gentle two-hour family treasure hunt up to a strenuous, 15 mile circular hike over the Wrekin, ideal for more experienced walkers happy with steep climbs and rough terrain.

New for the 2012 Olympic year is a 12 mile walk from the Toll House at Ironbridge into the historic town of Much Wenlock with a chance to visit the local museum and follow the Olympian Trail. The Much Wenlock Olympian Games, created by local surgeon Dr Penny Brookes in 1850, are said to be the inspiration behind today’s modern Olympic Games. Other new outings include two walks around the churches and chapels of the Severn Gorge; a circular trail taking in some of the heritage sites of the Gorge and an industrial look at the landscape above Coalbrookdale.

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For the more adventurous there are also longer walks along the South Telford Heritage Trail and a circular tour of the Gorge to discover the history of the river bridges, making the festival both more challenging for the experienced walker, and interesting for those wanting to find out more about this beautiful area.

Other highlights include a ‘splendidly spooky’ stroll around a candlelit woodland trail for families, a guided bird walk around Devil’s Dingle with local ornithologist Glenn Bishton and a wildlife and environmental photography walk with technique and species advice. There are also all-ability outings suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs with a commentary on the natural and cultural heritage.

All walks are free but with places limited to between 15-20 people, pre-booking is essential. To reserve a place or request a copy of the programme, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre by email at tic@ironbridge.org.uk or call 01952 433424; further info is available on www.visitironbridge.co.uk. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on most walks but check before booking.