Newsletter > Newsletter archive > August 2021
August 2021
Linear walking from railway stations
The vast majority of Walkingworld walks are circular - thanks largely to the common requirement to travel to them by car - but some of the best linear ones combine a fantastic walk with an interesting journey by train. Britain's rail companies are keen to entice more passengers onto their trains right now and have set up a campaign, Scenic Rail Britain, to provide inspiration and tips for days out by rail. There are lots of 'lines to explore' on the Scenic Rail Britain website, gathered into categories such as coastal, epic landscapes, historical interest and the picturesque. You might enjoy browsing through the website even if you have no immediate plans for travel.
One of Britain's best and most scenic lines passes right through Cumbria's Eden Valley, where we are based. During a break in lockdowns last summer our friend Stan Abbott invited us to join him on a walk between stations on the Settle to Carlisle Line, one of the few rural lines rescued from planned closure in the 1980s (a local walk taking in Lammerside castle pictured here). Stan was intimately involved in the campaign to save the line and in 2020 was re-walking its entire length for his new book, 'Walking the Line'. The book was published this summer and we joined Stan again for another section of the route in the Yorkshire Dales, ending at the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, to celebrate its launch.
The book has the dubious distinction of having a number of pages featuring ourselves and Walkingworld dog, Theo. In spite of that it's a good read, not so much walking guide as background to walks using the railway that you might devise yourself or use another guide to follow. There's plenty of fascinating information about the history of the line and the surrounding countryside, from ancient times right up to the present day. There's more information about 'Walking the Line' on the publisher's website.
App updates
The Walkingworld app update we mentioned in June is now out for Android, with the Apple version in the offing. The new version allows you to select the map type for each walk as you download it. For instance you might pick a 'street map' for a more urban walk, rather than the usual OS Landranger and Explorer mapping which is ideal for a country walk.
We will be posting a forewarning about the update to the Apple version on the home screen of the app, giving you notice of the precise date for its release. This is because a change in Apple's specifications means we need to install an entirely new app database with the app. The unfortunate effect is that this will wipe your sign-in details and any saved walks. Hence we are holding back on the update until later in September, out of the main holiday season, when you may well have downloaded a number of walks. So please keep an eye on the home screen message. This update should also resolve issues we have been having with in-app subscription renewals.
Cottages in prime walking areas
Original Cottages pride themselves on being truly local experts. With regional teams spread across the country, they have plenty of feet on the ground to help them give you all the local tips about your holiday destination.
The UK is a beautiful country and what better way to discover it than on foot? The majority of the cottages are in rural and coastal areas, with many lying in the foothills of National Parks and within the parameters of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As a result, Original Cottages always emphasise and promote local walking trails, so you know the best routes to discover these diverse and scenic areas.
For more information about this extensive portfolio of cottages and holiday homes perfectly situated along some of the UK’s most popular walking and hiking routes, visit the Original Cottages website.
Outdoor kits for kids
If you're searching around for things to do for the rest of the summer holidays with the kids or grand-kids, you might find something in the selection of outdoor adventure kits on offer from the Ordnance Survey shop. There is quite an extensive range, from activity bundles to educational toys and outdoor games. There's also a Kids Adventure Book (£12.99) which, amongst other things, will help them get started on map-reading and navigation. It's never too early for that, we say!
Member news
Members David and Emma at Las Chimeneas are delighted to have featured in recent BBC TV series, 'Write Around the World with Richard E. Grant'. In it, along with the likes of Hemingway and Lorca, the actor waxes lyrical about their book 'Las Chimeneas: Recipes and Stories from an Alpujarran village'. We have found the series amusing and sometimes enlightening, with the production team clearly as interested in food and drink as they are in literature. It's available to watch on iPlayer, with Las Chimeneas appearing in episode 3.