Useful help and advice on Walking Britain

Countryside Access

Website www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/content/view/full/75

This is the official website for the Countryside Code and maps of Open Access land in England.

The site contains ideas for what you can do in the countryside, educational resources for teachers and group leaders, maps, local walks in your area, a Countryside Directory, details of the new right of access to Access Land, commonly known as the 'right to roam', and lots more....

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Webiste www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

Established in 1954, the Yorkshire Dales National Park has outstanding scenery, a range of wildlife habitats and a rich cultural heritage. It’s a special place – a fantastic outdoor arena for recreation and peaceful relaxation and a haven for wildlife.

Covering an area of 1762 square kilometres, the National Park is located in the north of England, and straddles the central Pennines in the counties of North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

North York Moors National Park

Website www.moors.uk.net

The North York Moors National Park is one of the finest landscapes in Britain. Miles of stunning heather, towering sea cliffs, secluded beaches and grassy dales give it a character all of its own. Discover wildlife, historic buildings, archaeology, ancient woodlands and picturesque villages. This site will help you make the most of your visit.

Find out how the North York Moors National Park Authority cares for this special place and our commitment to providing the highest quality service for locals and visitors.

The Peak District National Park

Website www.peakdistrict.org

The Peak District was Britain's first national park, established in April 1951. Around 38,000 people live in the Park in 125 parishes.

Visitors from all over the world come to the Park to find peace and tranquillity and to reconnect with the natural world. They can also find adventure, experiencing some of England’s finest climbing, caving, walking and cycling.

The National Park covers 1,438 km2 (555 sq. miles) with over 2,500 km of public rights of way. The main economic activities are tourism, manufacturing, farming and quarrying.

The Lake District National Park

Website www.lake-district.gov.uk/

The Lake District National Park was created by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and came into being on 15 August 1951.

Covering 885 square miles, the Lake District National Park is the largest of England's National Parks. It includes one third of the County of Cumbria from Caldbeck in the north to Lindale in the south, from Ravenglass in the west to Shap in the east.

The grandeur of its scenery was a major factor in bringing about statutory protection and recognition of this north western corner of England. The present National Park Authority was set up under the Environment Act 1995 and took over the running of the National Park in April 1997.

The Cotswolds

Website www.the-cotswolds.org

The Cotswolds is an area of England about the size of greater Tokyo. Popular with both the English themselves and visitors from all over the world,the Cotswolds are well-known for gentle hillsides (‘wolds’), sleepy villages and for being so ‘typically English’.

There are famous cities such as Bath, well-known beautiful towns like Cheltenham and hundreds of delightful villages such as Burford and Castle Combe. Above all, the local honey-coloured limestone, used for everything from the stone floors in the houses to the tiles on the roof, has ensured that the area has a magical uniformity of architecture.

Snowdonia National Park

Website www.eryri-npa.gov.uk

Snowdonia is one of the eleven National Parks of England and Wales, and is the second largest after the Lake District. Designated in 1951, the Snowdonia National Park Authority celebrated 50 years as a protected landscape in 2001.

The National Park covers 823 square miles of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in north west Wales. Unlike "wild" National Parks elsewhere in the world, Snowdonia is home to just over 26,000 people, who live and work in its towns and villages, and on its hill farms.

An estimated 6-10 million visitor days are spent every year enjoying a wide range of leisure activities in Snowdonia.This web site will tell you about Snowdonia and all it has to offer. If you are coming to the Snowdonia National Park, have a safe and enjoyable visit.

UK Weather

Website http://uk.weather.com

The weather patterns in the UK are constantly changing - mountains accentuate these changes sometimes quite dramatically.

Your comfort - and sometimes safety - depend on your ability to anticipate conditions and to respond accordingly.

In each of our Walkers' Packs you will find detailed advice on the right clothing, essential equipment, and what to do in an emergency. The basic Golden Rules are:

• Leave route details at base (particularly important if walking alone)
• Wear suitable clothing. Thin layers are recommended so items can be removed when it gets too hot.
• Take essential equipment
• Learn how to map read
• Take a reserve of emergency food
• Walk at the pace of the slowest group member
• Keep children well supervised and away from dangerous situations