Walking Festival Steps Out 10 September — 25 September 2016

Amber Valley is holding its annual Autumn Footprints Amber Valley & Erewash Walking Festival.

Set in the heart of picturesque Derbyshire, visitors will be able to enjoy sixteen days of walks, Saturday 10th September to Sunday 25th September 2016.

This Walking Festival offers a range of 39 guided free walks over 16 days. The Walking Festival has proved to be very popular with both inexperienced and experienced walkers. The walks, led by volunteers and staff from over 20 organisations, will take place in Amber Valley and Erewash. These two areas are well known for their natural beauty, superb scenery, industrial heritage and attractive towns and villages.

The Walking Festival will begin on Saturday 10th September 2016 at 9.45am, with a launch event at Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre, everyone is welcome. This is followed by a circular walk (3.5 miles) at 10.30am which looks at the history of Shipley Country Park.

One of the Walking Festival Co-ordinators Marion Farrell from Groundwork, said:

“Walking is such a good way to improve your health and on these free guided walks you will learn some fascinating facts about your local area from our enthusiastic volunteer walk leaders.”

All the walks are free of charge, and will take place in areas of local heritage and natural history interest, taking walkers alongside rivers and canals as well as through towns and villages. The walks are of varying lengths and gradient, ranging in length from one mile to ten miles, offering something for everyone no matter what their interests or abilities. They are all led by knowledgeable local people who are enthusiastic to show off their local patch.

This ever popular festival is jointly organised by Erewash Borough Council; Amber Valley Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council, several parish councils, community groups and Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield and Mansfield.

Some of the walks taking place are:

• Heritage walks – Launch walk (3.5 miles) on Saturday 10th Sept; In the Footsteps of the Pentrich Rebels of 1817 (5 miles) on Tuesday 13th Sept, Risley – Ockbrook Circular Heritage Walk (4.5 miles) and A Nutbrook & Maggies Coal Walk (3.5 miles) on Wednesday 14th Sept, Long Eaton Revealed (3.5 miles) Monday 19th Sept, Loscoe and Codnor Castle (7.5 miles) on Tuesday 20 Sept, Butterley: A Walk Through Industrial History (2 miles) on Saturday 24th Sept and Risley Historical Walk on Sunday 25 September
• Wildlife walks include Stanley Loop (5 miles) on Saturday 10 Sept, Belper to Kilburn (7.5 miles) on Sunday 11th Sept, Belper to Blackbrook (7 miles) on Friday 16th Sept, Wildlife Walk (2 miles) on Sunday 18th September at Trent Lock and Alfreton, South Wingfield & the River Amber (6.5 miles) on Sunday 25 September
• Health Walks and short strolls include Old Hall Loop (Mon 12 Sept), Draycott Field and Old Derby Canal Path (Friday 16th), A Clifftop Path & Woodland Stream (Sat 17th Sept), Crich Walking for Health (Tues 20th) and Stainsby Estate Walk (Smalley to Morley, Wed 21st)
• Country walks include – Ilkeston, Shipley & Smalley (8 miles) on Sunday 11th Sept, Rambling Round Ripley (7.5 miles) Monday 12 Sept, By Stanton By Dale (8 miles) on Thursday 15 Sept, Ambergate Station (5 miles) on Friday 16 Sept, A Round of Shipley Country Park (7.5) on Saturday 17 Sept, Smalley Common and Morley Circular (8.5 miles) Sunday 18th Sept, and Towards the Northern Border (7 miles) on Wed 21 Sept

Pick up a free comprehensive guide detailing all the walks and events from Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre or Telephone 01773 719961 and it will be posted to you. Alternatively log onto www.autumnfootprints.co.uk to download the full leaflet from the bottom of the homepage.

Further information

For further information about this project please contact Marion Farrell at Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield & Mansfield Tel. 07801 122 494. Please see attached pdf of full leaflet or alternatively take a look at the website www.autumnfootprints.co.uk If you would like a hardcopy of a leaflet of the festival leaflet please contact call 01773 719961 (Shipley Country Park).

Photo opportunities

Photo opportunities will be available throughout the festival for further details please contact Marion Farrell, Groundwork’s Healthier Lifestyles Co-ordinator on mobile 07801 122494.

About Autumn Footprints

‘Autumn Footprints’ is the annual autumn walking festival, held in the Derbyshire boroughs of Amber Valley and Erewash. A partnership between Groundwork, Amber Valley Borough Council, Erewash Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council. ‘Autumn Footprints’ provides a varied programme of walking activities, from gentle family rambles, to more strenuous hill walks for the more experienced walker. Both boroughs have extensive ranges of countryside walks leaflets, created in partnership with Groundwork.

Contact details

Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield & Mansfield:
07801 122 494 — Marion Farrell (Based in Ripley Town Hall)
01246 570977 — Sophie Easdon (Based at Clowne, Groundwork Head Office)
Amber Valley Borough Council:01773 841 485
Erewash Borough Council: 0115 907 22 44
Derbyshire County Council — Shipley Country Park: 01773 719961