In this blog post, we chatted to Joff Charters from GoodMiles, an organisation which deliver professional mass-participation event experiences across the country. These events are always rooted in good causes, including the exciting new Walk:Bristol event that will act as the finale to this year’s Bristol Walk Fest.
How are you involved in Bristol Walk Fest this year?
I’ve gone from helping deliver Bristol Walk Fest in past years, to now being a provider. This year Good Miles is delivering Walk:Bristol on Saturday 31st May, with the event starting and finishing at the Castle Park Bandstand
The event consists of fully supported walking routes of 5, 10, 15 and 20 miles that will showcase some of the best walking, sights and scenes that our beautiful city has to offer.
You can find out more and sign up here.
Where is your favourite place to walk?
I’m torn between three of my regular walking routes.
The first one is a 6-mile loop starting and finishing at my house in Easton. I walk through Greenbank Cemetery to Eastville Park, then head into the Frome Valley and up to and through the serene Snuff Mills. From there I cut under the M32 into Stoke Park Estate, head through the woods and up to Purdown for stunning views south across the city and over to Dundry Hill in the distance. I then head back to Eastville Park Lake before retracing my steps back home.
This walk is actually part of the Year-Round Walks collection that Bristol Walk Fest curated in partnership with Go Jauntly. You can get all the info here.
My second favourite is the linear route I take to walk from my house to see family in Keynsham – the route goes via St George Park, Troopers Hill, Conham River Park and follows the Avon all the way past Hanham Lock to Keynsham.
Finally, my third favourite Bristol walk would be (and not to just shamelessly promote my event!) my 20-mile Walk:Bristol route. This is almost a full day of walking, but to be able to walk into the city centre, then along our glorious harbourside and within 45-60 minutes be in Ashton Court Estate or Leigh Woods is pretty unique.
What do you like about them?
Walking from an urban city centre to scenery that rivals the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and the Mendips AONB’s in under an hour is a privilege only a small handful of other cities in the UK can offer. Then to also discover slightly hidden gems like Abbots Pool provides me with one of my favourite long walks in the whole of the south-west, but with the added bonus that I can still enjoy these sights and scenes on a shortened 15-mile or 10-mile loop if I want or need to.
Within our city we have woodland, valleys and hilltop views that rival many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty around the country, so I’m grateful every time I can step out from my house to experience them. These two walks have everything I need!
How long have you been walking there and how did you discover it?
I first discovered Snuff Mills when visiting my now-wife 14 years ago, before I moved here, and was so taken by it (and of course, said now-wife), I decided it was time to make Bristol my home. To then discover an easy link between Snuff Mills and Purdown a couple of years later made me very happy.
Then, once I also realised I could essentially walk traffic-free from east Bristol all the way to Keynsham (and then Bath), following the river as well as the railway path, I was hooked on that route and try to use it (and avoid driving) as often as possible.
Who do you like to walk with and why?
Myself. Walking has been a very important mental health and wellbeing tool for me over the years, and so to increasingly now also use long hilly walks to help with physical health is a win-win.
How do you feel when you’re out for a walk?
A walk can really ‘get the day back’ for me, particularly when it involves getting into some woodland or giving me a view across the city.
What are your walking top tips?
Find a hill and walk up it if you can, the views will be worth it.
Are there any books or websites that inspire you?
Anything by the author Matt Haig. He has a special talent for showing us the simple pleasures (such as walking) that are the most important.
Are there any organisations that inspire you?
Is it too cheesy to say Bristol Walk Fest? And in particular the driving force behind it, Karen Lloyd? A whole career spent tirelessly and selflessly working to get people in the city active, and then keep them active into retirement years is a real inspiration.
What do you like about Bristol Walk Fest?
The festival always consists of an amazing programme of events and activities and is an important part of the city’s active lifestyles calendar.
Image: Joff, his brothers and nephew enjoying the Leigh Woods section of said 20-mile loop