Walking festival returns with 400 events

An annual festival celebrating walking and its health benefits has returned.

Bristol Walk Fest is holding more than 400 walks throughout the month of May, run by more than 70 organisations.

Many of the walks are free, and most are themed – with topics including everything from the Blitz to the Bristol Bus Boycott, fossils along the river Frome and Victorian medicine.

Karen Lloyd, the festival's director, said: "With a choice of free walks every single day of the month, you're bound to find something to pique your interest."

There are also options for those with specific accessibility needs.

Among the history-themed walks are routes titled 'Blackbeard to Banksy' and '1831 Bristol Riots: A City in Flames'.

Those more interested in nature than history can join groups exploring Steart Marshes nature reserve, and the Failand bluebell trail.

The festival also includes walking versions of rugby, football, cricket and tennis, and Nordic walking, which involves the use of poles to move the upper body.

The festival began with a panel discussion on the benefits of walking for wellbeing and mental health.

Those who took part included Bristol Rovers player Taylor Moore, Claire Allen, who helped raise £25,000 for homelessness charities by walking 5,000 miles around Britain and Orla Hennessy, founder of Girls Who Walk Bristol.

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