National Walking Month: Top 10 highlights

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Did you know that as well as heralding the start of Bristol Walk Fest, May is also National Walking Month? Here are some events that might just put a spring in your step…

Walking doesn’t have to be about epic journeys – during National Walking Month we’re all being encouraged to give walking everyday journeys a go and there are loads of ways to take part.

Tuesday 1 to 31 May

Bristol Walk Fest Active 10 Challenge

To celebrate National Walking Month, we’re encouraging as many adults in Bristol as possible to get more active by building just 10 minutes of brisk walking into their daily lives. The challenge is to do one brisk 10-minute walk a day throughout May. It’s easy to incorporate into your everyday routine and can go a long way to improving your general health and wellbeing. Download the free Active 10 app to get involved.

Cost: Free

Tuesday 1 to 4 May, 10am – 6pm

Walk Fest in The Vestibule

The Vestibule exhibition space at City Hall (Park Street side) will be open for the first week of Bristol Walk Fest. Pop in to see a variety of displays, meet others with an interest in walking and pick up a Bristol Walk Fest programme. Exhibitors include: Active Ageing Bristol, Bristol Ramblers, Bristol Medical School, Bristol Walking Alliance, Legible City, Living Streets, Walking for Health and more.

Cost: Free

Wednesday 2 May, 11am

Clean Air Walk

ClairCity Bristol wants to hear about older people’s experiences of walking or cycling in our city. Visit their Walk Fest event to tell them what you love about travelling around Bristol, as well as what stops you getting about.

Cost: Free

Thursday 10 May, 10am – 11am

Bristol Rocks Walk

If you’ve got an arty side, this could be the walk for you. Specifically designed for those over 55, you will take in some of the best wildlife, historic boats and buildings Bristol has to offer. As part of the event, participants are encouraged to bring their own rocks or buy one on arrival for £1 to decorate. We’ll then be hiding them as we walk for others to find. Meet on Millennium Square by the planetarium (large mirror ball).

Cost: Free

Tuesday 15 May, 6pm – 9pm

Bristol in Books

Bookworms will love this three-mile walk exploring Bristol’s literary heritage, from Samuel Taylor Coleridge to Angela Carter, and from old classics to modern thrillers. On this walk you’ll visit literary locations, which will be brought to life with a short reading at relevant points. Please note that the walk will involve steps and steep hills. The route and readings will be the same as the 2017 ‘Bristol in Books’ walk.

Cost: £3

21 – 25 May

Walk to School Week

Bristol schools will be participating in this annual countrywide celebration of walking. Organised by Living Streets, each year it sets a fun themed challenge for kids to take on while walking to and from school. This year’s theme is ‘Walking Roots’, which will explore the ecosystem of a tree. Pupils who walk to school each day will be able to add a sticker to their classroom activity tree, with each sticker bringing the tree to life across the week. Visit the Living Streets website to find out more.

Cost: Free

Tuesday 22 May, 8am – 4pm

Happy Shoesday

Primary schools across Bristol will be wearing their favourite shoes, making shoes or jazzing up their footwear for their walk to school in aid of Living Streets. Watch out for some super stompers and terrific treading. Visit the Living Streets website to find out more.

Cost: Donations welcome

Tuesday 22 May, 11.30am – 12.30pm

Walking Cricket

Wickets at the ready! For the first time in Bristol, over 55s will have the chance to play walking cricket. Walking cricket is exactly as it sounds – the same as standard cricket but you walk instead of running, making it ideal for older or less physically able individuals to join in. The launch will take place at The Brightside Ground and includes an hour of cricket fun, followed by a bite to eat in the pavilion.

Cost: Free

Saturday 26 May, 11am

Arnos Vale Wildlife and Plants Walk

Talk a wander with an expert guide and find out about the wildlife and plants in Arnos Vale Cemetery. Discover the beautiful seasonal plants and native wildlife during this walk around this Site of Conservation Interest. Arnos Vale has been a beauty spot since the Georgian Period and this walk will take in various parts of the 45 acre site from grassland to woodland, from managed land to wild spaces.

Cost: Donations welcome

Thursday 31 May, 10.30am – 1pm

Withywood Photo Walk Challenge

Love taking photos? This Photo Walk Challenge will meet at Hartcliffe Roundhouse, before following a way-marked route that includes stunning views of the Dundry hills. Participants are invited to bring any photo taking devices they have with them and snap what they see, guided by different open-ended themes as they go. The route ends at Creative Workspace, where we’ll share our photos. You can also stay on for the afternoon to create collages using vintage photos of Withywood. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Cost: £2

Bristol Walk Fest takes place from 1 – 31 May 2018.

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Published
Thu 26 April 2018
Last Updated
Sun 25 April 2021