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National Walking Month

2nd May 2018

May is National Walking Month and Living Streets, the national charity that works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, is encouraging people to get out and walk.

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get healthier. So, dig out those walking shoes and get started!

The Benefits of Walking

Being active helps reduce your risk of developing a heart or circulatory condition, as well as having a stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.

In addition to these amazing health benefits, here are some other reasons to get outside and walk:

  • Feel more energetic
  • Get a healthier body shape and appearance
  • Control your weight
  • Feel less stressed
  • Increase your self-confidence
  • Sleep more easily
  • Enjoy your surroundings
  • Meet people and make new friends through walking groups
  • Save money
Where to Walk

The beauty of walking is that you can do it anytime, anywhere. A trip to Garden Square Shopping Centre, simply walking in and around the shops, can clock up a good step count in itself.

But, if you fancy strutting your stuff in a more rural location, Hertfordshire is an array of scenic locations for short and long walks.

In our Garden City, you’re never too far from green space, fresh air and the countryside. Make the most of Letchworth’s footpaths or designated walks. The most popular route in North Hertfordshire is the Garden City Greenway.

This is a great destination for a picturesque walk or cycle ride. This circular 13.6 mile route can be walked in sections, if you don’t fancy the whole distance. You’re never far from the town centre, with multiple access points along the way to other walks.

For more details visits Garden City Greenway walk.

To learn about other walks in the local area, simply visit the Letchworth Tourist Information Centre.

Living Streets

For this year’s National Walking Month, Living Streets have introduced a pledge called #Try20. Throughout May, Living Streets are suggesting 20 fun and easy ways to fit 20 minutes’ walking into your day. These are:

TIP 1 – Invite friends and family to walk with you
TIP 2 – Try a walking meeting
TIP 3 – Have food exclusion zone
TIP 4 – Walk to or from work
TIP 5 – Get snap happy with your camera while walking
TIP 6 – Take the long cut
TIP 7 – Walk to the local shops
TIP 8 – Try a scavenger hunt
TIP 9 – Have a family adventure
TIP 10 – Walk to school
TIP 11 – Wear some ‘happy shoes’ to encourage you
TIP 12 – Go ahead and treat yourself!
TIP 13 – Lunch alfresco, not ‘aldesko’
TIP 14 – Take a romantic promenade
TIP 15 – Embark on a mindful meander
TIP 16 – Kill two birds with one stone, by doing errands while walking
TIP 17 – Prepare for the weather
TIP 18 – Go to visit someone and make their day
TIP 19 – Power walk to the finish
TIP 20 – Share your highlights to encourage others

For more information about these 20 ideas and the #Try20 campaign, visit the Living Streets website.