Full details of each walk are listed on the Walking Festival webpage. Walking Festival – North Wessex Downs

Booking and tickets: All walks require advance online booking. You can add more than one walk to your basket so you can add your details only once. Please list all the walkers’ names and contact details. You will receive an email confirmation of your bookings. If anyone in your group is unable to attend a walk, please cancel their place. Instructions on how to do this are on your booking confirmation.

If a walk is full, you can opt to go on a waiting list and will be informed if a place becomes available.

The walk leader will have a list of the people booked on their walk, but it is helpful if you bring your booking confirmation with you.

On the day contact:  If you have any problems on the day of the walk, please contact the walk leader directly. Their details can be found on the reminder emailed to you shortly before your walk.

Event cancellation: There is a minimum number booked for a walk to go ahead and this varies. You will be notified if your chosen walk has to be cancelled for this or any other reason. We aim for all walks to go ahead, but if a walk has to be cancelled, we will contact you by email or telephone. Please check your emails before setting off.

Ticket pricing: Many walks are free (but still require booking) but for some there is a charge payable at the time of booking online (unless otherwise specified on the walk information itself).  There will be no refunds available if you are unable to attend the walk or miss the start of the walk; refunds will only be payable if the walk has to be cancelled.

Meeting arrangements: Details of where to meet are given on each walk details page. Where available, public transport options are included. Please ensure you arrive in good time so that other walkers are not kept waiting.  The walk leader may not be able to wait for you if you are late.

Your health & wellbeing: Please inform the walk leader at the start of the walk of any medical conditions or impairments relevant to the walk (e.g. arthritis, asthma, allergies).

Please make sure you wear suitable clothing and footwear for your comfort, the walk and weather conditions, e.g. wet weather gear, sun hat. Consider applying sun cream and insect repellent. We highly recommend long trousers due to the risk from ticks, and tall vegetation such as nettles at this time of the year. The walk details provide information on any toilets available nearby, along with any local places for food and drink. We recommend you carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer especially if you walk includes stops for refreshments. Please note that personal possessions are not covered by the walk insurance.

Anyone attending alone will be asked when booking for details of a contact in case of emergency on the day.

Walk leaders will be checking routes close to the day of the walk. If conditions dictate, the walk leader may alter the route from that advertised.

Suitability: Together, the events have tried to cater for a range of ages, abilities and fitness levels. Please read the full details to ensure the walks is suitable for you / your family. Walks are graded as follows:

  • Easy – pretty flat, good paths
  • Fairly easy – some gentle inclines, steps/stiles
  • Moderate – more challenging, for keen/active walkers
  • Fairly strenuous – challenging – steep gradients, rough terrain
  • Strenuous – long/challenging walk for fit/experienced walkers

Children and vulnerable adults:  All children under 16 and vulnerable adults must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Children aged 16-17 attending alone must complete a consent form (available here) and bring it with them.

Dogs: Some walks are suitable for dogs on short leads. If you wish to bring your dog, please check that your chosen walk allows them.

Photographs:  A photographer may be taking photos on the day for future promotion by the North Wessex Downs and the organisation leading the walk; they will be identified at the start of the walk.  If you do not wish to be in any photos, please let the photographer know.

We hope you enjoy the festival!

If you have any questions or queries regarding the festival, please contact the Office  info@northwesexdowns.org.uk  – Tel 01249 706101