A new generation of people in Farnham experienced the health benefits, fun, companionship and sense of discovery that comes with walking, at the 2022 Farnham Walking Festival.

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker, says: “This year’s festival attracted lots of people new to walking as a hobby or source of physical exercise. Local people walked literally hundreds and hundreds of miles between them, enjoying the opportunity to chat to people they had not met before and discover corners of Farnham that they had not visited before.”

The Mayor took part in the Moor Park walk “I joined a friendly group of residents on a walk from the Shepherd and Flock to Waverley Abbey and back again. We saw lots of historical sights and learnt about the history of Moor Park. It was great to be together and share the beautiful sights and sounds of the countryside. I hope that lots of the people who took part in the walks continue to get out and discover more of Farnham by making walking part of their regular routine.”

The walking festival was organised by Farnham Town Council with support from the Farnham Walker and Farnham and District Ramblers. Sponsorship from Kidd Rapinet Solicitors, Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society and Farnham Veterinary Hospital enabled the organisers to offer places on the walks free to all participants.

The walking festival, which took place from 14 May to 4 June, is now in its fifth year following a break during the COVID pandemic and is organised by Farnham Town Council to help residents improve their activity levels, enjoy the enormous range of countryside, heritage and culture in and around Farnham and to experience the mental wellbeing benefits of walking.

The festival programme was designed to appeal to as broad a range of people as possible, encompassing interests as diverse as bats (in a nighttime walk at Folly Hill) and industrial history, through a walk in Farnham town centre. The programme also included different levels of challenge to appeal to people with limited health and fitness levels as well as experienced and active walkers.