Walking Holidays in the UK

We've recently had an email from the excellent West Winds teahouse and B&B in Buckden. As part of the Dales Way 40th anniversary celebrations, Look North featured the B&B on 20 April.

To quote West Winds: "Earlier this month, Harry Gration, long-serving presenter of Look North, came to West Winds Yorkshire Tearooms to try our curd tart. The feature, which was broadcast on Monday 20 April, marked the 40th anniversary of the Dales Way long distance path and showed Harry tucking into a loaded cake stand with obvious enthusiasm. He said on the programme: “If you want a lovely overnight and a bit of a feast as well, this is the place for you.” "

There's also a U tube clip at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr3Uf2t-dPQ which is worth a look. During the interview they talk about the popularity of the Walking Holidays on the Dales Way, and the fact that companies such as Mickledore , who arrange baggage transport, have open the route up to many more hikers. I would add that friendly, cosy B&Bs such as West Winds have also played there part!

Labels: Buckden, Dales Way, walking holidays, West Winds

Somewhat belatedly, I'm passing on some access restriction for people on West Highland Way Walking Holidays. The restriction apply to Conic Hill, the first real hill on the West Highland Way on the way from Dryman to Balmaha. It gives great views over Loch Lomond and its islands. Well worth the climb!

Anyway the restriction apply from 17th April - 15th May and,according to the official site, are as follows: "• DOG WALKERS - there is no through access on the West Highland Way from Garadbhan Wood end onto Conic Hill - a well marked alternative low level route is available, bypassing the restricted area, to Balmaha. Access to the top of Conic Hill can is available from the Balmaha side.

• WALKERS WITHOUT DOGS - the West Highland Way southern approach to Conic Hill is open but users are requested to keep to the path."

So basically - if you haven't got a dog,keep to the path, if you have - go round the bottom. The lower alternative is fine - you just miss the views and have a couple of miles along the side of the road. It's a small section of the route as whole and shouldn't effect your walking holiday too much.

Labels: Lambing, walking holidays, west highland way

Grown Ups Playing Soldiers on Hadrian’s Wall

For those of you undertaking a Hadrian's Wall walking holiday in late May – you are quite likely to run into Romans, Border Reivers, Vikings, Civil War troopers and modern soldiers.

There appear to be any number of those strange “re-enactment groups” involved, dressing up as solders and fighting each other , or just defending their fortifications. Between 26 and 30th May There will l be soldiers everywhere. It starts with the Living History Pageant in Corbridge, behind one our favourite pubs, the Dyvels Hotel.

Living Frontier promise “The pageant will incorporate Roman chariots, equestrian displays, Viking Long Boats and much more.” Which I have to admit might be fun, especially if you have children.

Other highlights include the repopulation of Birdoswald Roman Fort, and at Vindolanda:

“Comitatus present a full living history interpretations from within an authentic tented encampment based on the craft skills of the legionaries and their families. Rather than 'battle re-enactment', their field displays show authentic training based on manuals of the period, complete with Latin drill, missile competition, sharp weapons demonstration, combat sparring and, whenever possible, an opportunity for young members of the public to experience things first-hand. Comitatus are dedicated enthusiasts who enjoy what they do and have a reputation for passing on this passion to the public.”

There are also event at Houseteads, Chesters , Carlisle Castle, and Maryport. Have at look at http://www.livingfrontier.com/

We had great walk round St Bees head yesterday. Following the first few miles of the Coast to Coast Walk we headed down to the beach, busy with families enjoying the sunshine, then headed up the cliffs toward South Head. There were a few paragliders sitting patiently, waiting for the wind to swing to the west, so that they could soar the cliffs.

We rounded South Head and continued northwards along the cliff tops, watching the diving birds busy building there nests. Across the water the twin Peaks of Snaefell and North Barrule broke the horizon, whilst to the northwest the Mull of Galloway could clearly be seen.

After a mile we dropped down to the stream and turn into the fissure that leads to the fine pebble beach of Fleswick Bay. Sheltered by the impressive sandstone cliffs towering above, we spent a pleasant hour in this secluded suntrap, watching the diving birds as the remains of shipwreck emerged from the ebbing tide.

Onwards and Northwards, a steep climb led back to the cliff tops, then on the squat lighthouse sitting above the North Head. Inland to the pretty village of Sandwith then back to St Bees.

It is difficult to imagine a better start to walking holiday – just a shame I had to come back to the office!

Labels: Coast to Coast Walk, st bees

Julia Bradbury's mini series walking the coast to coast path is to be screened starting next Thursday, April 9, at 8pm on BBC 4. I haven't got confirmations of the rest of the series but I would imagine they will be on subsequent Thursdays. The film was made in late summer 2008, and Mickledore was happy to play its part in putting the BBC in touch with several of our clients who were on a Coast to Coast Walking Holiday during filming. I know at least a couple of Mickledore walkers were interviewed on film - so who knows - you might see them on TV in Thursday night.

The BBC has the following to say about episode 1:

"Julia Bradbury follows in the footsteps of legendary guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright by walking across the whole of northern England from the west to the east coast .

This was Wainwright's last great venture and has become his greatest legacy - a beautifully simple proposition, linking three national parks that lie between the Irish and the North Sea.

36 years after its creation, Julia is off, through sunshine, wind and rain to cross the changing landscape, understand the history and meet the people that make up almost 200 miles of northern England.

Enthusiasm and expectation is high as Julia begins her grand adventure at the western extremity of northern England, St Bees Head. The coast of west Cumbria is an oft-forgotten industrial strip lying just outside the Lake District, but as Julia reaches the doorway to Wainwright's favourite playground the weather deteriorates quickly, leaving her no choice but to tackle her first Lakeland valley in appalling conditions."

Labels: Coast to Coast Walk, Julia Bradbury, TV