One of the largest Walking Festivals in the UK starts on Saturday 26th May. Now into it's eighth year, the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival 2012 features 92 walks over 16 days.  The Launch Day is being held at the National Trust's GUNBY HALL near Spilsby with lots of activities throughout the day based around the Hall. 

 Ramblers Area Secretary and Chairman of the Festival Partnership, Stuart Parker, said: " This year, local Lincolnshire Ramblers groups are leading 27 of the 92 walks, and there is a variety to suit all abilities from short family walks to longer distance hikes, bus walks to evening strolls. A large number of organisations are involved in providing walks which give a wide variety to the fortnight's activities. "  " Most of the walks are free which is another help to getting outdoors to enjoy the Wolds countryside. " "  The schools half-term holiday falls in the second week and several walks are aimed as family walks and there are events to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee." " The Festival covers much of the areas of East Lindsey, West Lindsey and North-East Lincolnshire and is a great way to discover these places on a pleasant walk " The Finale on Sunday 10th June features events all day being held in and around Caistor. A free colour programme is available - call 01507-609740 or see website at

www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk

Summer is here and with the lighter evenings the Ramblers in Lincolnshire have started their programme of Evening Walks. 

Area Secretary, Stuart Parker, said: " A short evening stroll is a great way of breaking up the week and providing some gentle midweek exercise.They are an ideal way of discovering local footpaths in an village and often finish up as a social in a local pub ! " Evening Walks feature on several Group programmes including Boston, Sleaford, Grimsby-Louth, Lincoln, Gainsborough and Grantham as either weekly or fortnightly events.  - Click on 'Group Walks' tab above for further details.

Why not join a walk on the programme organised by the Penistone Line Parnership. www.southpenninesrail.co.uk         The walks are promoted by the Ramblers to encourage the use of the train service to visit a variety of South and West Yorkshire's countryside. Walks also take place in North Notts, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. Walks are free but fares apply. For details of the walks click this pdf link. Details

The Spring edition of  'WALK'  describes a walk in the Wolds over 5 pages and follows a route along the Viking Way based on Tealby. Area Secretary for the Lincolnshire Ramblers, STUART PARKER, said: “ It is great news to see the Lincolnshire Wolds featured like this in a national magazine. It will open up walking in Lincolnshire to a much wider audience and hopefully will encourage people to venture over here to discover us. " 

 " Several Market Rasen area businesses including Waveney Cottage, Wold View House, Papermill Cottages, Tealby Tearooms and Willingham Fayre Ice-Cream Parlour are singled out for special mention. " " It is also a perfect lead into this year's Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival which starts on 26th May and offers 92 walks over 16 days in the area." Festival website : http://www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk

 WALK  is the official magazine of the Ramblers’ Association and is distributed quarterly to over 120,000 members as part of their subsciption.  It is also available from retailers such as WHSmith.