Type of Walk: Historical Figures

Descriptions of sixteen places associated with the naturalist and evolutionist - many accompanied by a downloadable Audio Clip.

'A walk and car trail in the Tredegar area - birthplace of the famous politician Aneurin (Nye) Bevan (1897-1960); Labour Member of Parliament for Ebbw Vale (1929-1960).'

'Circular walk first through the town, over farmland and moorland to Llanycil returning along the lake and through the town with many stiles. The walk passes through various locations associated with Betsi Cadwaladr.' ALERT At Review, the GoBala Website was inaccessible, so I have changed the Link to Visit Mid Wales - where a Keyword Search should get you to a brief description of the Trail

Horse riding trail which 'runs from near Beeston Castle to the village of Wirswall on the Shropshire border ... The route can be followed by foot and mountain bike. Walkers can avoid longer road sections by making the most of the footpath network in the area'.

'The Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail takes in areas of beautiful and dramatic scenery, and visitors can choose from a range of "short and easy" to "long and undulating" walks, cycle routes or Outer Hebrides Bonnie Prince Charlie locations best reached by car – meaning there is something to suit all levels of interest and ability.'

'Your free guide to exploring the lives and ideas of the Berwickshire geniuses David Hume, James Hutton, Duns Scotus, James Small and Alexander Dow, in the beautiful landscape that gave them birth.'

'Long distance footpath which runs for approximately 36 miles between Diss and Norwich.'

'Sean Patterson’s unconventional walks combine architecture, literature, social history and psychogeography to bring London’s past, present and future to life.'

'Darwin was born at Mount House in Shrewsbury on 12th February 1809 and spent the first 27 years of his life in the town. Darwin's early life inspired his fascination with the natural world leading to his theories of evolution. Much of Shrewsbury remains unchanged since Darwin's time, indeed he would still recognise much of town ... '

'Takes visitors through four of the most beautiful parks in the world: St James's Park; Green Park; Hyde Park; Kensington Gardens.'

'Follow in the footsteps of some of the world's greatest Economists. London has been associated with many important individuals in the histories of economics and statistics. The story of the city's roles in the early developments of the disciplines is told in the accompanying narrative from which it can be seen that a great deal is known about specific locations for significant individuals. In these pages we organise some of these locations into a series of walks ...'

'Two fascinating routes that take you around what is often referred to as "Elgar Country".  The Elgar Walk and Elgar Drive both give a fascinating insight into the streets and countryside that Elgar knew so well.' With effect from 5.00pm on Sunday 18th September, The Elgar Birthplace Museum is closed to the public in order to effect a smooth handover to the National Trust.  It is expected that the National Trust will re-open Elgar’s Birthplace in early spring 2017.

'Darwin's Landscape Laboratory is the house, gardens and countryside near London where Darwin lived and worked for the forty years of his scientific maturity including his work on The Origin of Species ... The South Downs which inspired Charles Darwin continue to excite community groups to explore nature today. More than 250 volunteers, including young people, were trained to observe and record the natural habitat of the area. Walks, talks and leaflets enabled the general public to find out about the biodiversity of the area ...'

'The route of about six miles starts from the A6 at Whatstandwell and goes via Holloway, Lea, Dethick, Lea Bridge to rejoin the A6 at Cromford ... It can be done solely in the car or very short excursions from the car on foot can be made.'

'Spans the Borough, from Woodford in the south to Reddish in the north. The route combines rural footpaths, quiet lanes and river valleys with urban landscapes and parklands.'

'George Herbert is said to have walked to and from Salisbury Cathedral twice a week. While the exact route he took isn't known, it almost certainly took him across the water meadows. We can still do this walk today.'

'It begins at Knighton on the English border and meanders through the open moorland, rolling farmland, woodland and forest of Mid Wales, through the town of Machynlleth, which was the capital of Wales in 1404, finishing by the Montgomeryshire Canal in Welshpool.'

'Long distance footpath inspired by King Harold’s epic journey from London to Senlac Hill, to the site of the Battle of Hasting, 14th October 1066.' Note The original Website cited here was inaccessible for a time.  So I replaced it with a description by Kent Ramblers.

'Stretching from Oakham to Harling Road Station in Norfolk ... Each end of the path has a railway station. Stations towards the centre of the path are located at Shippea Hill and Ely.'

The Path 'links two other long-distance footpaths: the Viking Way in the west and Peddars Way in the east'.

'Isaac's Tea Trail has been described as England's last great undiscovered wilderness trek. The trail runs over 36 miles and is mainly in Northumberland and entirely within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ... A fully illustrated new trail guide Hidden Heritage in England's North Country (2013) at £4.95 with 100 people and places of special interest from local Tourist Information Centres. Also a free trail leaflet downloadable from the trail website.' ALERT I have changed the Link from that originally given.

'Links the towns of Braintree and Witham. It is linear and can be walked in either direction. The start/end point in both towns is the railway station. The walk also provides a link between two former railway lines, the Flitch Way (Braintree to Bishops Stortford) and the Blackwater Rail Trail (Maldon to Witham).'

'The King Richard III audio tour visits five sites in the city with a strong connection to Richard III in the days leading up to the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. It then continues into the Leicestershire countryside to Bosworth and other locations linked to King Richard's reign.'

'Ten walks around the villages of Kirkburton Parish. You will be led by a historical character for each village. On each walk you will find a guidestoop, modelled on an old directional post, and depicting some feature of the village. Stop and rest here, and use the stoop to rest your flask of tea.'

'This classic long distance route passes through stunning scenery on its 100 mile journey from Skipton to Penrith. Starting from the magnificent Skipton Castle, the walk passes through the very popular Yorkshire Dales on its way into Cumbria and the hidden delights of the Upper Eden Valley.'

'Starts in Barrowford and finishes at Lancaster Castle and commemorates the 400th anniversary of the hanging of the Lancashire Witches.'

'Follows a route near Bovington along country lanes and through leafy woodland and heathland. This circular trail starts and finishes at Bovington's famous Tank Museum, taking in Lawrence of Arabia's home at Clouds Hill and his last resting place - the cemetery at Moreton.'

'Runs from King Alfred's Tower in Penselwood to Ham Hill Country Park ... The Leland Trail links with the Monarch's Way at Ilchester and the Liberty Trail and the River Parrett Trail at Ham Hill.'

NOTE that at Review the Links to the 'References' in the Wikipedia article seemed to be broken; but Somerset County Council write that 'a guide to the Leland Trail is available from South Somerset Tourist Information Centres'.

'By following this linear route, you will walk 28 miles through the spectacular countryside of the old county of Meirionnydd, from an enchanting valley at the foot of Cadair Idris to the shores of Llyn Tegid. You will cross public paths and paths used with the permission of the landowner, over mountain pastures and through woodlands, along old romantic lanes, country roads and short unavoidable sections on the main road. The splendid views of lakes and mountains will astound you.' ALERT At Review, the GoBala Website was inaccessible. So I have chosen an alternative Link. Note that Kittiwake now have a Guide to the Walk.

'Coast to coast long distance route across central Scotland from Arrochar to St Andrews, linking many places associated with Mary Queen of Scots.  The route is largely off-road, using existing paths and tracks with some stretches of quiet country lane and short pathless sections.' Note Original Website cited here unavailable at Review; replaced by Link to the Walkhighlands Site.

'The Mary Towneley Loop is a section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers ... The Trail follows a mix of old railways, packhorse routes and newly created tracks. It is signposted (follow the National Trail Acorn) with easy to use gates and special road crossing points.'

Miller's Way was 'created by Carrs Breadmaker to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Carrs - The Miller's Way is a glorious 51-mile walk from the heart of Kendal to the centre of Carlisle. It was inspired by the original journey made by Quaker miller Jonathan Dodgson Carr - who founded the Carr’s flour, bread and biscuit dynasty in Carlisle on June 29 1831 after leaving his home town of Kendal'.

Unfortunately, it seems that information about the Walk(s) is no longer available via the Carr's Flour Website.  But, a/the Route Guide can apparently be purchased from the Penrith Tourist Information Centre.

'Long-distance footpath in England that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester. From its starting point at Worcester the route travels north to Boscobel and then south to Stratford upon Avon. It then continues south to Stow on the Wold before turning south west towards Bristol via Cirencester. South of Bristol the route is almost directly south across the Mendip Hills to Wells and then on through Somerset almost to Yeovil and then south west to Charmouth.There is then a short section along the Dorset coast before turning north again to Yeovil, before turning east across the Downs to Brighton and Shoreham-by-Sea.'

'A signed route linking a range of historical buildings and open spaces with connections to the Dukes of Norfolk. It runs for 2¾ miles from Manor Lodge to the Cathedral and is mainly downhill.'

'Celebrate the life of Octavia Hill on a walk to the picturesque village of Ide Hill and her commemorative seat, passing Emmetts Garden on the way back ... Also download the Octavia Hill Centenary Trail West ... that can be done separately or together with the Centenary Trail East.'

'We are an independent voluntary organisation that provides information and other services to people who enjoy exploring the heritage and countryside of the England-Wales border. We seek to promote and protect the 1200-year-old Offa's Dyke and the Offa's Dyke Path.'

'Journey from Sabden in Lancashire through the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland to Lancaster.' ALERT Website inaccessible at Review; cited LDWA Web Page as alternative.

'What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare? ...'

ALERT Unfortunately, the Poets, Priests & Pubs Website seems no longer to be online.

'This walk was originally researched and drawn up by members of the West London Anarchists & Radicals Group (since defunct), who guided about 30 people around the walk on Friday 3 May 2001. The walk was part of the Mayday Festival of Alternatives. The walk lasted about 2 hours and at the end we finished off with a few pints in one of Hammersmith's oldest pubs, The Dove. In August 2004 the walk was retrodden as a roving South London Radical History Group event ...' Note that the Hammersmith Palais - referenced early in the Walk - was demolished in 2012, and there have no doubt been several other changes over the last ten years or so.

'In 1999, the late Mr John Slater, a long time resident of Ketley created a circular walk around the parishes of Ketley and Lawley & Overdale. Mr Slater had a keen interest in local history and created the route on which historical points of interest relating to the Ironmasters, Richard and William Reynolds would be identified.'

'The two walking trails, entitled The Birthplace Trail and Childhood Trail will take you in Richard’s footsteps around Pontrhydyfen and Taibach. Both trails include a children’s play area and a scenic picnic spot.'

'Journey back 700 years to the Wars of Independence and see Dumfries and Galloway through the eyes of Scotland's greatest King ... All the places in south west Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway region which have strong connections with Bruce whose family home for centuries was in Annandale, first at Annan and later at Lochmaben.'

'Opened in 1985 with the intention of linking all the places in Nottinghamshire with connections to the legend of Robin Hood. However these are well scattered around the County so since there are also several Country Parks and other interesting places it seemed obvious to include them in order to add to the appeal of the Way.'

'The  current Guidebook 2011 has now updated the route going into Mansfield Town and there are route modifications that keep this guidebook alive and of continuing interest to walkers of the route whether it is your first time or you are exploring it again, there is something within its pages to suit all tastes.'

'Although Samuel Ryder is best remembered as the founder of the Ryder Cup, he was also one of St.Albans' most notable citizens as a successful businessman, churchman and local politician ... This Trail seeks to give a short introduction to Samuel Ryder – the businessman, the churchman and the politician – also to the person that gave the world one of its greatest sporting events ... The Ryder Cup is a magnificent gold trophy made by Mappin & Webb, the famous London silversmiths. Commissioned and paid for by Samuel Ryder, he presented it to The Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain to be used for an international competition between the USA and GB & Ireland.'

'Follow this 16.5 mile walking trail from the birthplace of Archbishop Stephen Langton, key in the sealing of Magna Carta, to the historic city of Lincoln.'

'Follow in the steps of William the Conqueror on this historic walk through the Sussex countryside which commemorates the famous battle in 1066.'

'Liverpool is proud to be the birthplace of the best band in the world, and Beatles fans making a pilgrimage to the city won't be disappointed ...'

'While most visitors to London see Nelson atop his column, a small journey outside central London to the Borough of Merton can provide a more meaningful glimpse into Nelson's life. Here there are a number of locations associated with Admiral Horatio Nelson – including churches, parks and other buildings – including the site of Merton Place – the only home he ever owned – though sadly it is now gone ...'

'The Nelson Trail takes you through parts of the old town of Portsmouth, highlighting places and buildings of interest relating to Vice Admiral Lord Nelson and Portsmouth around the time of the Battle of Trafalgar. There are four interpretation panels along the way providng more information'

'Thomas Muir of Huntershill (1765–1799) was a leading light in "The Friends of the People", a political reform movement of the 1790s, when only a significant minority of Scotland's citizens had the right to vote. He was tried and found guilty of sedition and received the harsh sentence of being banished for 14 years to Botany Bay, Australia. In silencing the man they created a martyr, and a hero to many.'

'Walking in central London we can find many places associated with key figures and moments in the making of informal education. Explore them through a virtual (or real) walk.'

Divided into a Western Loop (4 miles) and an Eastern Loop (3½ miles).

'This pioneering women’s heritage walk reveals a hidden history of the West End of Glasgow: pipe-smoking forewomen, revolting schoolmistresses, and the unique car made by and for women. A unique and inspiring insight into the hitherto unsung women who made the West End.'

'Celebrates the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade by that determined Yorkshireman <i>William Wilberforce</i> ... The walk was devised by the Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum and East Riding Community Cohesion Forum.'

Book obtainable from Dales Court Press