Meet Clare! š¤ Sheās an accountant by trade but a Rambler at heart. After 25 years of living in London, her love for walking is still going strong.
ClareĀ is a member andĀ volunteerĀ forĀ the Ramblers, an organisation that encourages and supports everyone’s love of walking and helps to protect the beautifulĀ places to walkĀ around the UK.
Where it all began š³
I’veĀ always been a walker, as a child growing up inĀ Yorkshire,Ā I walked a lot with my parentsĀ through the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, although I didn’t necessarily enjoy it at the time!
Iāve alwaysĀ feltĀ the lure of theĀ outdoors andĀ approachingĀ 20 years ago, I joined the MetropolitanĀ Walkers, a young person’s sociable walking group (part of the Ramblers)Ā toĀ find other people to walk with.Ā Ā
Although IĀ thought IĀ knew London well at this point,Ā throughĀ myĀ walks with theĀ groupĀ I stillĀ discovered places I’d never seen before, like the London canals,Ā stretches ofĀ theĀ Thames Path,Ā Capital RingĀ andĀ London LOOPĀ path.Ā Ā
During lockdownĀ IĀ had a similarĀ experience. Living in Kingston forĀ 13 years I thought IādĀ seen it all, but throughĀ leisurely walks in my neighbourhood, Iāve foundĀ soĀ many new placesĀ to explore. With London being so vast thereāsĀ always something to discover!Ā
Why I love walking š
- There are so many health benefits of walking – both physical and mental.
- I see things Iād never normally see when Iām underground or on a train or bus.
- I always choose to walk through green space and enjoy the different scenery as the seasons change. From the summer flowers to the autumnal trees, itās all so lovely to see, and so much more pleasant for a daily commute.
Favourite walking route in London šŗ
My absolute favourite walking route in London is the Capital Ring. It covers 78 miles (but you donāt have to walk that far as itās broken up into sections, starting at stations!) I enjoy how it links up the different neighbourhoods and all the green spaces around Londonās Zones 3 and 4, plus you can easily dip in and out of the sections.
You can access the route from many different parts of London and even use it as part of your daily commute. The Ramblers recently recruited over 100 volunteers to work on the Capital Ring and London LOOP which are both coming up to 20 years old – they maintain the routes and improve the signage.
Top tips for new walkers š
- You donāt need to spend any money, just wear your trainers and enjoy (at worst you may get a little muddy!) š
- It doesnāt rain very often but remember an umbrella or rain jacket ā
- There are lots of walks to discover and online resources to help you ā check out the Walk London network and Ramblers website š
Fit walking into your day š¶
I try to walk everywhere and anywhere. Alongside walking for leisure and with the Ramblers, when Iām in the office, I like to incorporate around 5 miles a day into my commute by walking to the train rather than getting the bus.
I value the reliability of walking because you know how long it will take you to get somewhere, plus the headspace and peace it brings. While it may take a few minutes longer, I walk along the Thames Path to do my weekly shop as itās pretty and more enjoyable.
Get involved with the Ramblers š¤
The Ramblers have 25 walking groups in London for those who want to walk with company. The groups fit a range of needs, including different ages and abilities, with trips and social events throughout the year. Everyone is welcome to try it out and see if they like it.