Walking Holidays in the UK

Clare Balding is currently reporting on her walking holiday along St Oswald’s Way, on Radio 4’s Rambling programme. (The episodes are availble online). St Oswald’s Way stretches Holy Island on the Lindisfarne Coast, down the Northumberland Coast Path as far as Warkworth, before heading inland the Rothbury, before skirting Simonside and heading South to finish along the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

It’s an interesting route , combining the spectacular, castle strewn Northumberland coast with the remote moorlands of inland Northumberland. We are keen to add this to the walking holidays we offer at Mickledore Travel – watch this space!

Labels: Northumberland Coast Path, Radio 4, St Oswalds Way, walking holidays

We are now offering gift vouchers for walking holidays and cycling trips for 2010. The gift vouchers have proved popular in previous years and, given how many of our walking holidays have already been booked for next year, we expect them to sell well again this year.

You can either buy a gift voucher for a specific walking holiday, such as the West Highland Way or the Coast to Coast, of buy a voucher for, say £100.00 to put towards any of our holidays.

We can post them directly to the recipient or the purchaser for hand delivery. Any questions – get in touch.

Labels: gift vouchers, mickledore travel, walking holidyas

Haltwhistle 14th Walking Festival is running from 9th – 14th October. There are still some places left some of the walks this weekend – including 2 sections of the Hadrian’s Wall Path – from Housesteads on Sunday, and from Birdoswald to Haltwhistle on Saturday. Have a look at the website http://www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org/ .

It’s a great way to get a taste for Hadrian’s Wall for those not wanting to commit to a full walking holiday.

The Cumberland News website also has more details:
“The autumn festival runs from October 9 to 18, and begins with a three-day Reiver walk through the wild “Debatable Lands” around the current border between England and Scotland.
The biennial festival began when a group of local walkers decided they wanted to share their favourite walking routes with others.
The walks leaders know the area well and are able to pass on local knowledge during the hikes.
Those who take part also learn about the history of the area, the geology, the folklore, the flora and fauna.
This year, 24 events have been organised as well as a social evening.
Organisers say there are walks to suit all ages and fitness levels along with special interest walks including; a fungal foray, night navigation and a weaving workshop.
The festival will also host three walks for children and families including a family treasure hunt.
A spokeswoman for Haltwhistle Walking Festival said: “Not everyone can go on the long distance routes like Hadrian’s Wall Trail, or the Coast to Coast Walk.
“Haltwhistle Festival gives people the chance to walk with a leader, and to see spectacular scenery.””

Labels: Hadrian's Wall, Haltwhistle Walking Festival, walking holidays

We normally have a few well organised groups booking next year’s walking holidays at this time of year, but this year the trickle has turned into a stream. Coast to Coast Walking Holidays, Hadrian’s Wall Walks, and West Highland Way Walking Holidays , in particular are proving popular.

I think the strength of the Euro (and Australian Dollar!) are playing a part, but all the publicity the routes have received this year, like Julia Bradbury’s Coast to Coast series, and Radio 2 DJs Marc Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie Walking Hadrian's Wall, have also increased interest.

If you are considering doing any of the above, especially during the early part of the season up to the end of May, or if you are a large group, it’s worth starting your planning early. If you know your dates – it’s worth considering booking now. If you need an additional incentive, bookings made with Mickledore Travel before December can be made at 2009 prices.

Labels: Caost to Coast Walk, early bookings, Hadrian's Wall, walking holidays 2010, west highland way

This year we are offering luggage transfers on our West Highland Way Walking Holidays right up to 24 October – a couple of weeks later than usual. We still have some availability, so if you are looking for a last minute walking holiday in Scotland this autumn – get in touch.

A word of warning thought – the nights are drawing in and the highlands had there first snow of the year last night – so make sure you set off in good time, are happy with your maps and compass, and carry sufficient warm clothing and a full set of waterproofs. But with sensible precautions, this can be a rewarding time to walk the West Highland Way.

Labels: Luggage Transfers, walking holidays, west highland way