Devon Ramblers keep walk-lovers active during lockdown

Increasing numbers of people have turned to walking for exercise, escapism, stress-busting and enjoyment during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’. So, Devon Ramblers are helping to support walkers old and new across the county to carry on enjoying walking, safely and responsibly, and make it a permanent habit as restrictions are slowly eased.

Joining the Ramblers, Great Britain’s largest walking community, gives walk lovers access to all-year-round support, advice and inspiration – online, via social media, and through a quarterly magazine. This is great news for the 74% of Britons who said they have taken up some form of exercise during lockdown, with the most popular form being a walk, according to a recent YouGov poll. The poll found that over half (55%) are now walking for exercise.

For example, Ramblers members can access Ramblers Routes, an ever-growing collection of more than 3,000 routes across Great Britain, developed by walkers for walkers of all levels of experience. Ramblers Routes is available via the Ramblers website, or Ramblers app. www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/routes-and-places-to-walk/about-ramblers-routes.aspx.  

During lockdown Ramblers groups across Devon have been seeking ways to improve local footpaths and have continued to promote walks in our beautiful county.

Even before lockdown, increasing numbers of people were finding their feet. The latest available Sport England ‘Active Lives’ annual survey results found that walking was the most popular way for English adults to get active and is growing, with 20.3 million people walking for leisure (an increase of 1.2 million people). Meanwhile, walking has numerous, well-documented health and social benefits, and there is a growing evidence base for the benefits of walking as a way of dealing with stress-related mental health conditions. For example, a study published in June found that some 62% of anxious adults had found a walk helped them cope during lockdown, whilst 47% said they had greatly benefited from being able to visit green spaces.  

Sara Mills joined the Ramblers last year. Under lockdown, she and fellow local Ramblers have been sharing, via social media, photos and suggestions of places to walk locally. She says: “I’ve found it really uplifting and inspiring to see the beautiful countryside in other people’s photos that have been posted. It made me think ‘Yes, I could do that as well.’ I’ve discovered so many places to walk, and I will continue to walk near home. I think a Ramblers membership has so much to offer!” 

“There’s lots of friendly advice and support, and a big Ramblers welcome waiting for anyone in Devon who joins one of our local groups. It costs just £3.05 a month, so if you’ve recently got into walking, or you’ve rediscovered a taste for it, why not get in touch and find out more?” said Andrew Chadwick, Devon Ramblers Chairman. For more information: https://bit.ly/2YKuQlR or search online for ‘join the Ramblers’.