The National Forest Walking Festival

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Record numbers took part in this year’s National Forest Walking Festival.

Initial figures suggest over 1,200 walkers donned their boots for walks across South Derbyshire, East Staffordshire and parts of Leicestershire.

This figure smashes last year’s previous best of 950 walkers by 20 per cent.

Visitors to the 2010 festival, held between May 22 and June 2, came from as far and wide as Cheshire and London.

Feedback was very positive, with comments including: “Last year’s festival was good. This was even better.”

Compliments were also received about the scenery, the organisation, the personable nature of the walk leaders – and the weather.

This year’s festival was extended from 10 to 12 days to meet a growth in demand and the walks were increased from 42 to 46.

Bob Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “The festival continues to go from strength to strength.

“The festival offers a superb opportunity for people to get fit and healthy and take in the magnificence of the area.

“We are delighted with the figures and feedback, which demonstrates that South Derbyshire and The National Forest is a huge draw for people both locally and across the country.

“Attention is already turning to next year’s festival to ensure that it continues to develop its growing reputation.”

This year’s festival included walks by local groups, the opportunity to try Nordic walking, and a series of themed routes such as a pub walk, a teatime walk, walks for older people and a pushchair walk.

Watch out for a selection of photographs of the 2010 Walking Festival, which will be added to the site during July.  Click on links below to see the winning pictures from the 2008 and 2009 Photography Competitions.

If you would like to be among the first to receive details of the 2011 National Forest Walking Festival, please sign up below and we look forward to keeping you up to date.

2009 photo competition winners

2008 photo competition winners

The National Forest

The National Forest is Britain's boldest environmental project and the largest scale afforestation for more than a thousand years! Come and experience for yourself the creation of a new forest for the nation across 200 square miles embracing parts of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire.

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