Free guided walk this Sunday
The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) are encouraging Ealing residents to come out in numbers on the weekend of Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May and enjoy one of 58 free walks led by expert guides. These walks explore London’s Strategic Walk Network, which is a series of seven leisure walks in and around London.
There is a walk for everyone regardless of their age or ability. The walks range from 1.5 to 11 miles. They range from hidden gems in the City to walks totally off the beaten track along lovely leafy lanes.
Spring into Summer weekend is one of three annual guided walking weekends organised by Walk London and supported by TfL. The 58 guided walks cover seven different routes across London, connecting some of the Capital’s best attractions, parks, rivers, canals and open spaces.
All walks start and finish either at or within easy reach of public transport. To find out more about the walks and to register interest, people can visit www.walklondon.org.uk or email info@walklondon.org.uk
The weekend follows Walk to School week which schools across London have been taking part in and is part of a wider programme of walking activities and initiatives TfL are supporting this year to encourage Londoners to explore the city by foot.
TfL is investing over £250,000 this year to support walking in schools, including the promotion of Walk once a Week, the Big Walk once a week, School Travel Plans, and the recruitment of pupils as Junior Road Safety Officers to promote road safety.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Walking is a fantastic way to enjoy and discover all the lovely places and hidden historical gems London has to offer. You will be in the hands of experienced guides on these walks who will take you through spectacular sights and sounds as well as the changing landscape of our great city.”
A huge amount is happening to make London a more walkable city with improvements to London’s streets through the Great Outdoors Programme; creating more shared public spaces and improving signposting to make London an easier place to explore. This weekend’s walks are one of three annual guided walking weekends organised by Walk London and supported by TfL. The 58 guided walks cover seven different routes across London, connecting some of the Capital’s best attractions, parks, rivers, canals and open spaces.
One of the weekend’s 58 free led walks is taking place from Osterley to Greenford:
Sunday 29 May - A leisurely stroll along the Grand Union Canal and River Brent – An easy and level walk following the River Brent & the Grand Union Canal. Meet at 13.30 at Boston Manor tube station and finish at Greenford station
Ben Plowden, Director of Better Routes and Places at TfL, said: “London is full of exciting places to see and what better way to discover the city than on foot. Spring into Summer weekend gives people the chance to unearth gems in the Capital.
“Around a quarter of all trips in the Capital are now made by foot and we are making extensive improvements to the walking environment.”
Jim Walker, Walk England CEO, said: “Nearly 10,000 people enjoyed these free walks last year. It seems the secret is out - London is a great city to get around on foot. Join us on the free walks this May and get an introduction to what everyone else is already walking about!”
May 25, 2011