Farnham’s walking festival is back on track for 2021 with a new approach introduced for life under the pandemic. Farnham Walking Festival 2021 will take place in May and promote a series of self-led walks from much-loved routes contributed by local people.

Farnham Town Council, which organises the festival in conjunction with the Farnham Visitors’ Forum, the Farnham & District Ramblers and local walking groups, is inviting residents to share their favourite local walks so that others can enjoy them too, discovering new paths, views and points of interest along the way. 

The Walking Festival was inspired by Chris Shepheard in 2018 and expanded with a significant contribution from Guy Singer the following year.

“We had to pause our walking festival last year due to COVID but for 2021 it is back with renewed vigour and boasting the support of a new community of walkers. Whether you are new to walking as a past-time or whether your walking shoes have seen many hundreds of miles, we are inviting you to share your favourite local routes with us,” says Iain Lynch, Town Clerk at Farnham Town Council. “With so many of us taking regular walks to keep active over the past year, residents may feel they have seen all that Farnham has to offer so why not try a new route recommended by someone else – and share your favourite walk with others.”

The Town Council is looking for your favourite walks of all lengths and serving a range of ability levels. “The Walking Festival has previously included walks for beginners, walks suitable for pushchairs, walking frames and wheelchairs as well as long and challenging routes. We hope to receive a similar range of routes this year too. It is easy to submit your route via our website so rather than keep your favourite walk a secret, share it with the Farnham community,” says Iain Lynch.

As it has in previous years, this year’s festival aims to provide routes that offer additional interest across themes such as history, wildlife, culture and heritage. The organisers would also like to see walks that highlight the local community or support people’s health and wellbeing. Walking routes, including pictures if needed, can be submitted on our online form.