The Islands of Barrow and Furness Peninsula Walking Festival gathers pace

The Sunday Times on 21 June 2009 declared this Festival one of the best 8 Walking Festivals in the UK. The 2012 Walking Festival gathers pace as its second week explores the diverse built and natural history of the peninsula.  Why not join John Murphy as he looks at the magnificent ruins of Furness Abbey, exploring the Cistercian roots of the area around Dalton, or Bill Shaw from the Herpetological Conservation Trust as he seeks out the rare Natterjack toad on North Walney Nature Reserve.

The remaining programme of Walks is as follows:

8 July Heritage of Furness Walk 1pm meet John Murphy at Furness Abbey Amphitheatre car park for a stroll towards Newton, meander up Dickie Pinks’ Lane to Dalton past Dalton Castle returning to Furness Abbey via The Haggs (5 miles circular)

Tuesday 10th July North Walney Natterjack Walk. 10am–2 pm

Meet at Bill Shaw at Earnse Bay car park. A walk through the Reserve then around the north end to look for evidence of Natterjack toads and other wildlife. Bring packed lunch.  No dogs please

11^th July 10.30am Get on Track Walk from Roose Station to Cavendish Dock and on to Dock Museum

12 July Walney Sunset Ramble 6.45pm Meet Richard Scott at Earnse Bay Car Park, Walney Island for a walk around North Walney Nature Reserve

14 July Walney Walk and Widows Crossing 11am Meet John Murphy at Dock Museum for a stroll onto Walney Island, along Biggar Bank to Earnse Bay returning via North Scale and Widows Crossing 

19 July Walney Sunset Ramble 6.45 pm Meet Richard Scott at Earnse Bay Car Park, Walney Island for a walk around North Walney Nature Reserve.

20 July Evening Walk to Piel Island 4.30pm at Dock Museum (for car convoy to Snab) or 5pm from Snab Point Stroll across the Sands of with John Murphy.  Meet the King of Piel Island in the Ship Inn where refreshments are available

21 July Wildside Bonanza in Barrow Park 12noon–4pm (meet at The Bandstand) A celebration of Barrow’s local wildlife with lots of free fun activities for all the family.  Try a spot of pond-dipping, nature trail, crafts, quizzes, story-telling and much more.

22 July South Walney Nature reserve guided walk 1.30-3.30pm

A guided walk looking at the waders, wildfowl and mammals of this fantastic Cumbria Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Bring binoculars if you have them. Contact South Walney Nature Reserve on 01229 471066 if you would like to use the electric off-road buggy

26 July 2pm Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve Beachcombing Family Event meet at National Trust Car Park on Hawthwaite Lane, Roanhead

26 July Walney Sunset Ramble 6.45pm Meet Richard Scott at Earnse Bay Car Park, Walney Island for a walk around North Walney Nature Reserve

28 July Sandscale Beach clean 10-12noon  Meet at National Trust Car Park, Hawthwaite Lane, Roanhead

28 July 2pm Wildlife Walk with Rangers from National Trust, Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve meet at National Trust Car Park on Hawthwaite Lane, Roanhead

29 July Walk to Piel Island 11.30am at Dock Museum (for car convoy to Snab) or 12 noon from Snab Point Stroll across the Sands of with John Murphy.  Meet the King of Piel Island in the Ship Inn where refreshments are available

Feet First in Furness weekly short walks are:

11am Monday – Meet Dalton Tudor Square - various routes around old Dalton

11am Tuesday - Channelside or Ormsgill reservoir walk meet at ASDA

1.30pm Wednesday – Meet Walney Mill Lane shops - Coastal walk from Earnse Bay

10.30am Thursday – Meet Greengate Childrens' Centre - Barrow Public Park Walk

Copies of the Walking Festival leaflet can be downloaded at http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/PDF/BBC%20Walking%20Leaflet%2012%20website.pdf

Mrs. Ann Taylforth, Barrow Town Centre and Festivals Manager commented “This is the ninth Walking Festival we have organised and it has proved very successful.  Every year we try to find something a little different to add to the Festival programme as well as the well loved favourites.  This year we are joining with the Barrow Wildside Project being run by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and their Wildlife Bonanza in Barrow Park.  There is something for everyone, from Walks across to Piel island, to an evening ramble around North Walney nature reserve listening for Natterjack Toads with Bill Shaw, children’s beachcombing at Sandscale Haws and a Get on Track Walk with the Outthere project. 

All walks are being led by qualified walking guides and we are delighted to be working in collaboration with SeaChange, Feet First in Furness, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.  Walking Festival leaflets is available from Barrow Tourist Information Centre, outlets across South Cumbria and are featured in the What’s on in South Lakeland Guide.  Details of all walks are available on line at www.barrowtourism.co.uk”

John Murphy, commented “The Furness Peninsula is a wonderful area of the country with stunning heritage and charming, picturesque walks.  I urge everyone to come and explore with me the coastal fringes and byways of this wonderful area”

The Islands of Barrow and Peninsulas Walking Festival is a five week festival of walks against the stunning backdrop of the Furness Peninsula and featuring the islands of Barrow and is a Barrow-in-Furness Sea Change Cultural Event.  Follow ancient trails, greenways and coastal paths exploring the natural and built history of this south western corner of Cumbria.

“Walk and be happy, walk and be healthy” Charles Dickens