Natural England

Walk your way to health in Northamptonshire

People in Northamptonshire are being invited to keep fit and enjoy the spectacular countryside on their doorstep at two free walks this Sunday (4 May).

The South Northants Health Walks scheme, one of Natural England’s accredited ‘Walking the Way to Health Initiatives’, has arranged two ‘Dawn Chorus’ walks as part of the BBC’s Breathing Places campaign.

One of the walks is at Salcey Forest, which starts at 5am from the Forest Café and takes walkers on an hour long, scenic route up to Tree Top Way to watch the sun rise. The café will be open after the walk for those hungry for breakfast on their return and parking will be available on site free of charge.

The other is at Hazelborough Wood, near Silverstone, where walkers will be able to enjoy the flora and fauna of this serene environment. This location is particularly well known for its bluebells during this time of year. This walk will also begin at 5am and take an hour. Free parking is available off the A43 slip road.

Both walks are open to people of all ages (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied) and will be led by trained volunteer Walk Leaders. Booking is required – please contact Colin Hull on 01327 222 337 or colin.hull@southnorthants.gov.uk. Colin can also provide details of other forthcoming walks in the area.

Colin Hull, Sports Development Officer at South Northamptonshire Council, said: “These walks provide an excellent opportunity to get out and hear the spectacular dawn chorus. Not only will you be able to experience these magical unspoilt forests at such a serene time of day, you will also get the chance to meet new people and make new friends.”

Geoff Sansome, Natural England Regional Director, said: “The natural environment has been show to be the best motivator to keep people walking, and the Walking the Way to Health Initiative, whilst reconnecting people with the natural environment, has a strong community focus - providing support and confidence.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to join in with these two fantastic walks, and you don’t have to be super fit to take part as they are designed for people of all abilities.”

Walking the Way to Health Initiatives are fun and free, and provide a long-term solution for people who want to make a difference to their health and enjoy the natural environment. The initiative is simple and puts people on the right track for better health – but it could not be done without the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers.

Notes to Editors:

• Breathing Places is a major BBC Learning campaign to inspire and motivate you to create and care for nature-friendly green spaces where you live. For more information visit www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/
• The Walking the Way to Health Initiative aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health. It is an initiative of the British Heart Foundation and Natural England which has benefited from extra funding from the Big Lottery Fund. WHI has helped to create 450 local health walk schemes across England and has sister schemes in Scotland and Wales. Since 2000, it is estimated that we've encouraged over a million people to walk more.
• The majority of WHI health walk schemes have their own web page on the WHI Walk Finder, displaying details of their walks and how to get involved. More information on WHI can be found at www.whi.org.uk
• Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.