Walking Holidays in the UK

Our friends at Hadrian’s Wall Heritage may struggle to publish their annual bus timetable before June, but still find the time for the really important activities, like placing gas burners at 250m intervals along the entire length of the wall and lighting them. Really. It’s going to take place on 18 March.

Apparently this will create “something really quite extraordinary to bring to life Britain’s longest and greatest piece of heritage, and celebrate the landscape of Hadrian’s Wall Country” or so thinks Linda Tuttiete, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage’s Chief Exec.

Did someone say global warming?

HWH claim the event will generate £1m for the local economy. It’s difficult to see how. Optimistically we could expect maybe 1000 non local people to visit the area because of the event, and maybe half of those will stay the night, and a quarter the weekend. Allowing for £50 a night average B&B, £50 a person for eating out, and £30 spend each in local shops, we’re struggling to get to £150,000.

Locals turning out to see the spectacle could amount to a few thousands, but how much extra will they spend ? Maybe £10 each on average – so no more than another £50,0000, most of which would be spent in the local economy anyway.

So where’s the rest? Well I guess they would argue the awareness of the “Hadrian’s Wall Brand” has been raised. Maybe so – but by how much? Luckily for HWH, we can’t measure this, but to get anywhere near the £1m we’d need well over 2000 extra overnight visitors – just because they have seen the Wall with lights on it? Mmm.

The job in maintaining the Wall, maintaining and improving the National Trail is an important one the HWH the do reasonably well on limited resources . Without that, the tourism industry in the region would be dead. This is what HWH should be spending it’s £1m plus budget on.

Ensure the historic fabric of the wall and forts is maintained in first class order. Make sure the national trail is really well managed and maintained, through sensitive historical and environmental area. Improve the footpaths and bridleways linking the wall to the towns and villages along the way, (so often overlooked at the moment ). Develop facilities along the wall are fit for purpose, and really add to the visitor’s experience. That kind of sensitive, long term investment will result in a steady, long term growth in sustainable tourism – much better than a flash in the pan media circus measured in media exposure.

Labels: Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall Heritage, Hadrian's Wall walk

Somewhat belatedly, a few words and pictures on the floods that hit this part of the country last week. For those in the UK, the story is well know and received national news coverage. For those further afield – the fells received over 100mm over rain in 24 hrs, resulting in widespread flooding in Keswick and downstream in Cockermouth and Workington.

Here at Mickledore we are well above the river and emerged unscathed – although I did manage to kill my camera taking the pictures below – serves me right I suppose. In Keswick, around 100 houses were flooded – unfortunately the same ones which were flooded in January 2005. Downstream in Workington, and especially Cockermouth, the damage has been much worse.

Unfortunately for many if the flooded properties, flood insurance has been difficult to find after the last floods, and many had no cover. The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund is collecting to help these people, and has raised over £600000 already. IF you wish to donate – sue the link.

In Keswick, the town has suffered from a lack of visitors – some out door businesses reporting a drop of 80% in takings. All the shops are open, and ready for you to shop!
Somewhat belatedly, a few words and pictures on the floods that hit this part of the country last week. For those in the UK, the story is well know and received national news coverage. For those further afield – the fells received over 100mm over rain in 24 hrs, resulting in widespread flooding in Keswick and downstream in Cockermouth and Workington.

Here at Mickledore we are well above the river and emerged unscathed – although I did manage to kill my camera taking the pictures below – serves me right I suppose. In Keswick, around 100 houses were flooded – unfortunately the same ones which were flooded in January 2005. Downstream in Workington, and especially Cockermouth, the damage has been much worse.

Unfortunately for many if the flooded properties, flood insurance has been difficult to find after the last floods, and many had no cover. The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund is collecting to help these people, and has raised over £600000 already. IF you wish to donate – sue the link.

In Keswick, the town has suffered from a lack of visitors – some out door businesses reporting a drop of 80% in takings. All the shops are open, and ready for you to shop!

For anyone considering a walking holiday on Hadrian’s Wall next year – there are a couple of sites I have come across lately which you might find interesting.

First up, an interview with David Glade, the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail Officer on Country Walking Magazine’s site, Live for the Outdoors. A bit of history on Hadrian’s Wall walk, and a few conservation tips for people on walking holidays along the wall. The quality’s a bit amateurish (could they not find a microphone holder?) but some useful information.

The second 2 sites are anything but amateurish – 2 websites of local photographers both worth great Hadrian’s Wall portfolios:

Roger Clegg, from Hexham, has recently won the Northumberland National Park Authority’s prize in the Landscape Photographer of the Year Competition, with a number of fine Hadrian’s Wall pho’s showcased on the Journal Live site . I particularly like Walltown Crags in the sunrise.

The second site is Joan Thirlaway’s After the Rain site , with a whole host of Hadrian’s Wall pictures, in a number themed galleries. Checkout the sunset at Crag Lough. It’s not often you get such glassy calm water in the evening.

Labels: Hadrian's Wall walk, National Trail, photos

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