Programme goes live for May’s Chilterns Walking Festival

THE programme for May’s Chilterns Walking Festival spring event has been announced by the Chilterns Conservation Board, organiser of the popular festival.

Running from Saturday, May 18, to Sunday, June 2, 2019, the programme includes over 70 guided walks, events and activities covering the whole of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire. 
 
The new programme includes specialist themed walks, and opportunities to discover lively stories and scenic landscapes associated with the Chilterns. Some walks include the prospect of sampling local food and drink, others provide ‘have-a-go’ sessions or chances to learn about the area’s wildlife, history and colourful characters.   
 
The Spring programme opening week – highlights include:

• Classic Chilterns Views – join our knowledgeable guide and follow the ancient Ridgeway, taking in the views from Coombe Hill Monument before lunching in Buckmoorend at the Farm Shop café; returning past Chequers, country home of Britain’s Prime Minister.
• Midsomer Murders Revealed! – explore Henley’s historical past and visit Midsomer Murders locations; our guide will reveal filming locations, personal anecdotes & facts you won’t find in the guide book.
• Mindful Wellbeing Nordic Walk – improve your health physically and mentally with a 2–3 mile Nordic trek through Chilterns Woodlands using walking poles; a feast for the senses discovering woodland plants and trees.
• Bluebells and Blacksmiths – this ‘Meet the Maker’ craft walk will introduce you to two workshops: Cobalt Blacksmiths and Gordon Kent Furniture Maker. The walk takes in beautiful scenery including beechwoods carpeted in bluebells (nature permitting).
• Living History: Jordan’s Village – discover the history of this Quaker-founded village, including a tour of Jordan’s Meeting House and optional tea & cakes at Spindrift B@B
   
  Each walk is guided by an experienced leader who knows the area well and is keen to share stories of the people and places that have shaped the countryside. 
   
  Chilterns Conservation Board People and Society Officer Annette Venters said: “The Chilterns Walking Festival is now a firm favourite with both tourists and residents: each year we see more walks, more guides, more local business involvement, and above all growing numbers of participants. This year the programme includes a huge variety of walks to enable everyone to explore The Chilterns and discover remarkable people and places within a beautiful natural environment. There’s already been lots of interest, so please do book early to avoid disappointment.”
   
  Details of all guided walks, events and activities available in the spring programme can be found on the website www.visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest. Most are free of charge though some require a small fee which is clearly shown. To assist walk leaders with expected numbers, most events must be pre-booked.

More information:
The Chilterns Walking Festival involves spring and autumn events (2017-2019), funded by a successful LEADER grant application secured by Chilterns Conservation Board.
May’s 16 day programme in 2019 features over 50 guided walks, activities and events, designed to appeal to different age groups, interests and levels of fitness. There will be walks for young families, for people with limited mobility or with canine companions.
The Chilterns AONB is a rural area, surrounded by major urban centres including Luton, Aylesbury, Hemel Hempstead, Reading and High Wycombe. London is 20 miles to the south east and there are excellent road, rail and bus transport links. In total, 10 million people live within an hour’s driver time of the Chilterns.

Chilterns AONB
The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1965 and covers 833 sq kms (326 sq miles) stretching from Goring, in Oxfordshire, to near Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. It is one of 38 AONBs in England and Wales and has a resident population of 80,000.
 
Chilterns Conservation Board
The Chilterns Conservation Board was set up following the passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000, to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and increase awareness and understanding of the Chilterns AONB. The Board, which also aims to foster the social and economic wellbeing of local communities, is supported by Defra and all local authorities in the area.
 
LEADER Programme
The Chilterns Walking Festival is part funded by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Chilterns LEADER programme. The grant received through this programme has helped make these festivals happen. The LEADER programme assists rural businesses to create jobs and support the rural economy. It has been running across England for more than 10 years.
 
Event Main Sponsor: Complete Outdoors
The Complete Outdoors camping shop was established 35 years ago to supply outdoor gear suitable for local walks in the park to mountain expeditions, and everything in between. The store is based in Bourne End, between Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire. Open seven days a week, there is also an online store.www.completeoutdoors.co.uk
 
Event Sponsor: Brakspear
Brakspear is a family owned and run Henley brewer and award-winning pub company which has been at the heart of British life for over 200 years. Many of the company’s 132 pubs are located in picturesque rural and town centre settings across The Chilterns. www.brakspear.co.uk

Event Sponsor: The Chiltern Society
The Chiltern Society is a registered charity with over 7,000 members and 500 active volunteers dedicated to conserving, celebrating and caring for the Chilterns. It manages 12 important nature reserves and heritage sites, in addition to carrying out conservation work across the Chilterns landscape. www.chilternsociety.org.uk

For further information, details of local walks and high resolution images, please contact Annette aweiss@chilternsaonb.org tel 01844 355500