National Walking Month
2nd May 2018
2nd May 2018
May is National Walking Month and Living Streets, the national charity that works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, is encouraging people to get out and walk.
Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get healthier. So, dig out those walking shoes and get started!
Being active helps reduce your risk of developing a heart or circulatory condition, as well as having a stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.
In addition to these amazing health benefits, here are some other reasons to get outside and walk:
Did you know that at least 70% of Tunbridge Wells is designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? This means it’s the perfect location to walk around and to enjoy! Some local walks include:
The Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
This walk has 27.5 miles of paths surrounding the town, along with links to the Royal town centre. But if the length of the walk sounds quite daunting, it can be tackled in smaller sections for a leisurely walk in the Kent countryside.
The Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk passes many points of interest including Groombridge Place Gardens and the Chagall windows at All Saints’ Church in Tudeley.
The Wealdway Walk
This walk runs across the counties of Kent and Sussex, along the chalk ridges of the North and South Downs and through the Weald.
The Wealdway Walk stretches for approximately 80 miles and begins from Old Father Thames, the famous river at Gravesend in North Kent, and continues though Tunbridge Wells before ending in Eastbourne, Sussex.
The Sussex Border Path
As the name would suggest, this walk runs along the borders of Kent, West Sussex and East Sussex. The Sussex Border Path passes south of Tunbridge Wells to Bewl Water and Hawkhurst and then finishes on the coast in Rye.
The Sussex Border Path, as its name suggests, runs along the county borders of Kent, West Sussex and East Sussex, over the South Downs towards East Grinstead, passing south of Royal Tunbridge Wells to Bewl Water and Hawkhurst and then finishing on the coast in Rye.
The Pantiles
Of course, a walk along the historical Pantiles is the perfect way to spend a few hours! The Pantiles provides a delightful range of independent and specialist shops, family owned businesses, galleries, eateries and more.
Whether you want to browse bespoke art works, tuck into locally sourced gastronomic delights or simply stroll along the streets soaking up the stunning scenery, The Pantiles is the perfect place to visit during National Walking Month.
For this year’s National Walking Month, Living Streets have introduced a pledge called #Try20. Throughout May, Living Streets are suggesting 20 fun and easy ways to fit 20 minutes’ walking into your day. These are:
TIP 1 – Invite friends and family to walk with you
TIP 2 – Try a walking meeting
TIP 3 – Have food exclusion zone
TIP 4 – Walk to or from work
TIP 5 – Get snap happy with your camera while walking
TIP 6 – Take the long cut
TIP 7 – Walk to the local shops
TIP 8 – Try a scavenger hunt
TIP 9 – Have a family adventure
TIP 10 – Walk to school
TIP 11 – Wear some ‘happy shoes’ to encourage you
TIP 12 – Go ahead and treat yourself!
TIP 13 – Lunch alfresco, not ‘aldesko’
TIP 14 – Take a romantic promenade
TIP 15 – Embark on a mindful meander
TIP 16 – Kill two birds with one stone, by doing errands while walking
TIP 17 – Prepare for the weather
TIP 18 – Go to visit someone and make their day
TIP 19 – Power walk to the finish
TIP 20 – Share your highlights to encourage others
For more information about these 20 ideas and the #Try20 campaign, visit the Living Streets website.