Devon Walking Festival offers something for all
The third South Devon Walking Festival, 2 - 11 October, aims to offer something for every age group and walking ability, from toddlers through to seasoned hikers. There are almost 50 opportunities to explore the fantastic landscape.
Walkers will be able to choose from a wide range of locations, such as ancient battle fields, wildlife habitats and areas in nature reserves not usually open to the public; plus beaches, cliff tops, timeless villages, winding country lanes and disused railway lines.
New for 2009 there is a unique opportunity to walk 76 miles of the South West Coast Path over six days from Plymouth to Brixham starting on Sunday 4th October.
Each walk will be led by a local expert, some of whom are official guides for the organisers, South Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Participants will be able to glean interesting facts about the region, while enjoying its unspoilt natural beauty, fresh air and outdoor exercise.
Family friendly walks include the four to five mile route along the old disused Primrose Railway Line which runs alongside the River Avon, and the shorter easy to moderate Woodland Wildlife in Autumn walk. The latter takes in the wooded Avon Valley, allowing participants to discover how to care for woodland and wetland habitats and to learn about the different trees and bird life.
Alternatively, anyone with an interest in maritime history should opt to join the 15 mile route from Plymouth’s Waterfront Walk taking in the South West Coastal Path to Wembury with its world-class marine centre. The fantastic views over Plymouth Sound, glorious coastal route through the AONB and the old site of HMS Cambridge - an old naval gunnery, make this a fascinating walk.
Or maybe nautical history of the swash buckling variety has greater appeal. The Pirates and Periwinkles! walk along the scenic coastline between Hope Cove and South Milton Sands, includes tales of shipwrecks, smuggling and piracy, as well as pointers on coastal plants and birds, and maybe spotting a seal or two!
Among the most popular walks are sure to be Walk, Talk & Munch through the Noss Mayo Woods and Nature’s Larder – Slapton Wild Food Walk. Both are around 2-3 miles long and provide free food enroute in the form of nuts, fungi and fruits, plus the chance to learn about the medicinal qualities of plants.
A number of the walks focus on themes or special interests such as photography, wildlife, history, archaeology, culture, gardens, food and the natural landscape. So, whether walkers have a particular interest, wish to visit the setting for Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility at Holbeton, go to Agatha Christie’s holiday home on the Greenway Estate, enjoy a private tour of Start Point Lighthouse, or simply explore the stunning coast, estuaries and countryside of South Devon’s AONB, they are sure to find something that appeals during the 2009 South Devon Walking Festival.
Some of the walks are free of charge, while others start from just £4 for adults and £2 for children under 12 years old. Places are limited to around 15 to 25 people, depending on the walk.
For further information, to make a booking or to find out about accommodation deals in the area, visit: southdevonwalkingfestival.co.uk. Details are also available at visitsouthdevon.co.uk.
