Blackwater Valley Walks

Towards the end of the first 2020 lockdown I started to share my knowledge of local walks with local people encouraging them to get exercise, connect with nature and get away from the boredom of lockdowns and isolation. My aim is to help people, especially families with children, to enjoy what is on their doorstep.

So many of us suffer from a stressful world with inadequate exercise. Getting people out, enjoying the fresh air and seeing nature is a great stress reliever and helps keeps the body and mind in good shape. Taking the time to look for nature and the pleasure of finding it can be thrilling.

My walks cover the boroughs of Guildford, Rushmoor, Hart, Surrey Heath, Bracknell and Wokingham and through my website and social media presence, over 8500 routes have been downloaded so far. However I would like to reach people who may not be digitally confident or have the technology to allow them online so that they too can enjoy what is on their doorstep.

With the support of Innovation Funding I have been working hard to produce an affordable and accessible book, of approximately 30 of my nature walks (which will be graded by difficulty) with added pages about the benefits for mental and physical health including the benefits of connecting with nature. Most walking guides are based on well-known but widely spread walks so the more local aspect of this book is a unique benefit to our highly populated area.

I tested my walks, directions and maps with local people who have signed up to help me and I'm so pleased to say the book is here and being fantastically well received. Take a look at my website for more details.

Books last a long time, they can be cherished and passed on, and Public footpaths are permanent by law so, even if they are (very rarely) diverted, the walks will remain viable for many years to come to be shared between friends and families.

I hope you can you help me share this resource and reach the people who don’t yet know the beauty on their doorstep or who haven’t got the confidence to get out there? Keep up to date with my latest news on Facebook