Farnham Walking Festival is just a few short weeks away. Full details about all the walks and how to join one are now available online and in the festival booklet, available in libraries and other local outlets. The festival (14 May to 4 June) features over 30 walks which, between them, cater for all abilities and a wide range of interests. The walks are free, with some requiring advance booking, and led by local experts and enthusiasts.
Councillor Pat Evans, Farnham Town Council’s Lead Member for Tourism and Events says: “We have short walks as well as longer walks up to 15 miles. The walks are graded from easy routes – with plenty suitable for young families – up to strenuous, offering a real challenge for seasoned walkers. We have walks on weekdays, weekends, early mornings, daytime and even evenings so check our guide to find one that interests you.”
Several of this year’s walks have quirky or intriguing themes. The Authors and Secret Hides walk has a literary theme and a link to Churchill, the Foraging Walk introduces forageable plants and the folklore related to them, and on the Bat Walk, walkers are introduced to the habitats and behaviours of bats in Farnham Park.
All the walks will help participants get to know their surroundings better by showing off the best of local nature, history and landscapes. The walking leaders have been handpicked for their subject knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for sharing a love of local walks. “Many of us are used to travelling around where we live by car, rushing from A to B without noticing much about the beautiful and interesting area that we live in. Take time to join us to discover age-old paths, look up at old buildings or even get off the beaten track to get close to wildlife and you won’t be disappointed,” says Councillor Evans.
“Our festival guide includes all the practical information you might want to know, such as how to book, what to wear, start and finish times and what you will see along the way.”
The festival is organised by Farnham Town Council and supported by local sponsors, Farnham Veterinary Hospital, Abbeyfield and Kidd Rapinet Solicitors as well as walking and countryside groups.
Farnham Town Council is keen to highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of walking in this year’s programme. “All walking provides health benefits, particularly if you are not usually active, and walking in a group is great for meeting people but by including a mix of terrains and lengths in the programme too, we are showing how doing more walking can improve our health by challenging our muscles, burning calories and even raising our heart rate! You will see some of our walks include an apple icon to indicate those with extra health benefits,” adds Councillor Evans. Check the Farnham Town Council website or pick up a guide brochure for the full programme and details of how to book.
