Newsletter > Newsletter archive > May 2018
May 2018
'Walking Roots' - after the Normans
This month we continue our 'Walking Roots' project looking at the aftermath of the Norman conquest and how it affected land use, and the paths and tracks the community used, in our small corner of northern England.
The Normans imposed tougher political control than ever before and looked to make the land work harder, even on the remote higher slopes of our parish. Like so many places the market town of Brough-under-Stainmore was dominated by a new castle, but the settlement also grew along the 'main road'. This route to larger markets may have been behind the enclosure of upland farms for cattle breeding, and larger-scale longer-distance droving from Stainmore may have been witnessed for the first time.
Meanwhile another part of the moor was set aside as a royal hunting forest. Distaste at the sight of wealthy Norman barons enjoying themselves at hunt could well be the wellspring for one local legend which tells of a ghostly headless horsewoman haunting our fells. Find out how she came to this unfortunate state in our latest Walking Roots blog.
Not using the app yet?
Don't forget you can download the Walkingworld app for both Android and Apple phones and tablets. You can store and follow all the walks in the library, a really good aid even if you print them out as well.
Just search for Walkingworld (all one word) on the Google and Apple app stores and enter your Walkingworld login details to get started. Access to all the walks and full Ordnance Survey Landranger and Explorer mapping is included in the standard Walkingworld subscription.
HF Holidays summer top picks
May is National Walking Month and a great time to choose from the eighteen picturesque UK locations and award-winning 3 and 4-star country houses offered by HF Holidays. Their experienced walk leaders will make sure you get the most out of your break, taking you to the iconic locations but also their own favourite hidden gems.
All UK guided walking holidays include full board accommodation, a choice of up to three guided walks a day, transport to and from the walks and plenty of fun and good company.
On an Isle of Wight break you can admire the gleaming white spires of the Needles, stroll along the chalk downland and scenic coastal paths, or stretch your legs following the Tennyson Trail. At Church Stretton in Shropshire there are Iron Age hill forts, fortresses and castles, medieval towns and scenic steam railways.
Alternatively you can relax and admire the magnificent mountain views from a country house on the shores of Coniston Water in the Lake District or walk through ancient oak woodlands and glacial valleys on a holiday in southern Snowdonia.
You may wish to go further afield. Exploring new places abroad is always a thrilling adventure and getting to them by foot is by far the most exhilarating. Top picks this year are Adelboden in the stunning Swiss Alps and Italy’s Lake Garda, surrounded by towering peaks and rivers tumbling into the blue waters of the lake. (Half-board holidays, choice of two guided walks a day)
For further information on HF Holidays' Self-guided and Guided Walking holidays, call 0345 470 7558 or visit www.hfholidays.co.uk
Guided walking holidays
- Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight 3nts from £309pp
- Church Stretton, Shropshire Hills 7nts from £745pp
- Coniston Water, Lake District 3nts from £259pp
- Dolgellau, Snowdonia 4nts from £455pp
- Adelboden, Switzerland 7nts from £1,049pp
- Lake Garda, Italy 7nts from £949pp
T&Cs apply, see website
Our data policy
You have probably heard quite enough from other organisations about the new data protection laws, commonly referred to as GDPR. To conform with those laws we have reviewed our procedures and updated our Privacy and Security Policy. Here’s a short summary of the most important parts:
Your personal information is always held securely. Walkingworld never has, and never will, rent or sell your information to third parties. We only keep your personal details to manage your membership, keep a record of your subscription and walk purchases, and a record of your downloaded walks.
You can unsubscribe from the Walkingworld newsletter at any time, using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each one, or by changing your preference on the website. We will, from now on, ask you to opt in to the newsletter every few years if your membership is otherwise dormant.
You can change the core personal information we hold on you at any time by logging in to the website and clicking ‘Change my details’ at the top of the page.
Events
The Westmorland Dales Day takes place on the 29th July, based in our local town of Kirkby Stephen. It's a day of festivities including interesting talks and demonstrations, plus a selection of guided walks to showcase the area sandwiched in spectacular landscape and heritage between the Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennines AONB.
We'll also be making a handful of Walkingworld walks free to print out and download to the app during the weeks around the day itself, including the one shown here. Do come and join us - it's a fantastic 'secret' area outside Cumbria's Lake District with so much to discover. Advance details are on the Walkers are Welcome website, with a dedicated site launching soon.
The Isle of Purbeck Walking Festival is a long weekend running from 14-16 September, alongside the Purbeck Outdoor Weekend which includes running and Nordic Walking. Walks include everything from a stroll along the beach in beautiful Victorian Swanage to a serious hike along the South West Coast Path and the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking in Dorset hinterland is extraordinary too with wonderful heathland, home to many rare species of birds, wildflowers, butterflies and reptiles. Walks take in the wildlife paradise of Durlston Country Park, heathland at Studland, limestone cliffs along the coast and the RSPB reserve at Arne.