Arts producer and facilitator Lucy Heard tells us what it is about Bristol Walk Fest that keeps her coming back year after year, to lead wonderful walks.
When did you first get involved in Bristol Walk Fest?
I’ve been a walk provider for Bristol Walk Fest since 2018, and every year I’m reminded why it’s such a joy to be part of it.
What started as a small experiment with mindful walks in Badock’s Wood, Southmead, has grown into something a bit more playful, a bit more social, and still rooted in care. These days, you’ll find me as part of We Are LAB, leading the Idiots Trundle & Picnic on the Downs: a slow(ish), curious, slightly chaotic walk for clowns, idiots and their friends, inviting people to wear their best silly outfits and walk together.
Why do you keep coming back?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Bristol Walk Fest is that your walk has to be complicated or led by a professional. It really doesn’t. Some of the best walks I’ve been on through the festival have been beautifully simple: someone showing a favourite view, a route they take after work, or a corner of the city that most people pass without noticing. The magic is in the noticing, not the polish.
My early mindful walks were quiet and reflective, shaped by my interest in wellbeing and attention. We moved slowly through woodland, noticing birdsong, the feeling of our feet on the ground, the way the light changed between the trees. People came along who were new to mindfulness, new to walking groups, or just needed a gentle way back into being outdoors with others. That accessibility—emotional as well as physical—is something Bristol Walk Fest really holds space for.
As the years have gone on, my walks have evolved. With We Are Lab, we’ve leaned into curiosity, humour and shared exploration. The Idiots Trundle walk is deliberately un-heroic and wheelchair-friendly. We trundle. We stop. We get distracted. Sometimes we’re searching for something specific and important, like the ice cream van at Sea Walls overlooking the Avon Gorge (a cultural icon!). That sense of shared purpose, however loose, is often what brings strangers into conversation.
What advice do you have for new providers?
If you’re thinking about submitting a walk to the festival, here’s the thing I wish more people knew: it’s easy.
The submission process is straightforward, and the festival team is supportive and encouraging. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or create a ‘signature experience’. Your walk could be:
- A short route that shows off a brilliant view
- A wander through a surprising or overlooked part of the city
- A way to share a hobby, like geocaching, sketching, or plant identification
- A themed walk (trees, bridges, street names, local history, favourite benches…)
- A slow walk, a chatty walk, a silent walk
On a practical level, organising your walk doesn’t have to be stressful either. As long as your walk meets these few criteria, it can be registered:
- Happens during the festival month of May
- Takes place within the Bristol boundary, or within a very easy and short commuting distance of it
- Ideally is free (or if not, offers a Walk Fest discount)
- Has valid public liability insurance
- Please don’t let not having PLI put you off as we can link you up with Bristol Ramblers who may be able to help host your walk
There’s a comprehensive form to fill in to make sure all the details are covered and your participants can get all the info they need. Full information about what is asked can be found in the FAQs, here.
What do you love about being a walk provider?
What I love most about being a walk provider is the people it brings together. Every walk has its own energy. Some are chatty, some are quiet, some are unexpectedly emotional, some are gloriously silly. Walking side by side creates space for conversations that don’t always happen face-to-face. It’s low-pressure, human and deeply Bristol.
If you’ve ever thought, “I could probably lead a walk” – you probably can
Bristol Walk Fest is an invitation to share what you already love about walking in this city. You don’t need to be special, you just need to start where you are, and invite others to walk with you.
Watch out for this year’s Idiot’s Trundle & Picnic on the Downs this May (date tbc).