Type of Walk: Walking for Health

'Want to get walking but not sure where to start? Wondering what’s so brilliant about walking in the first place? Then you’re in the right place. Find out more about the benefits of walking, how you can get started and how your local health walk scheme can help. There’s more information about walking with certain health conditions too – as well as stories from our walkers.'

Covers England. There are similar initiatives for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

'Healthy walking and Health Walks in Adur and Worthing.'

'Fancy getting fit? Enjoy walking and meeting new people? Join us for a Health Walk in Amber Valley! If you are new or returning to exercise, or are just wanting to get more active, these walks may be just what you're looking for ...'

Healthy Walks in Arun 'started in the Arun district in 2001 by Inspire Leisure, is still going strong, with now over 500 registered walkers, walking in Arundel, Littlehampton, Aldwick and Bognor Regis'.

'Our Health walks have been set up and are delivered in partnership by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's Community Sports and Physical Activity team, Rangers service and North East London Foundation Trust,  Improving Access to Psychological Therapies  (IAPT) service alongside "Walking for Health" to provide opportunities for the community to improve their health and fitness, as well as make friends.'

'Bedfordshire's Walk 4 Health scheme, managed by BRCC and led by the Ramblers, is part of a national campaign which is led by Natural England. Health Walks are free and open to all – though aimed particularly at people who are presently doing little or no exercise. The walks are led by trained volunteers and usually last for about an hour.'

Blackpool Steps to Health 'aims to encourage local residents to leave the sofa, stretch their legs and get some fresh air, as well as meet new friends. The main aim is to increase the amount of physical activity for people who would normally do little exercise and to assist with the challenge of meeting the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity per day, 5 days a week'.

'Walk for Health Bristol supports a number of Walking for Health groups across Bristol, offering a variety of free friendly walks from 10 - 90 minutes. Walk for Health Bristol works in partnership with other Bristol based schemes (Hengrove Park Leisure, Knowle West Health Park and Linkage Bristol) to offer programmes of regular, short, led walks.'

'Broxbourne Health Walks take place at a variety of locations, including two of our award-winning Greenflag parks in Cheshunt (Cedars Park and Cheshunt Park), the award-winning Greenflag Lee Valley Regional Park, and at Barclay Park in Hoddesdon. These locations offer a variety of different walks, and can be adapted to suit almost all walkers.'

'Simply Walk is part of a countywide programme of free, volunteer - led walks, which aims to help people get outdoors and be more active. We organise over 60 led walks to suit most abilities.The walks are all sociable and you don't need any special equipment to join in, just comfortable shoes.'

'Join our free Weekly Health Walks and walk in a relaxed and friendly environment, while enjoying some beautiful green spaces. These walks are designed for those that are new to exercise and last between 1 and 2 hours.'

'Welcome to Heart and Sole, Chelmsford's Health Walk scheme. We hope that you join our programme of walks and find them enjoyable and beneficial to your health. Heart and Sole is run in partnership between Chelmsford City Council and Provide, and is accredited by Walking for Health.'

'Health Walks is part of the national 'Walking the Way to Health' initiative, which has been developed locally by the NHS, Cherwell District Council and voluntary organisation partners.'

'HeartSmart walks are free, fun and full of local beauty. These walks are led by volunteer Walk Leaders and are designed to cater for all ages and abilities. The walks offer opportunities to exercise and meet new people in a safe and friendly environment.'

'Led by fully trained volunteer walk leaders our Walks are an ideal way to improve fitness or mobility in a sociable atmosphere and are held in a regular fortnightly pattern on alternate Fridays and Sundays throughout the year ... Free tea or coffee available afterwards. Stout footwear advisable.'

'We have a vast range of Walks that run across the whole city and these are open to everyone. We believe our walks cater for everybody's needs and that everybody in the city has a chance to enjoy them.'

'Health walks are provided free of charge and all you need are comfortable, laced shoes. Walks are supervised by qualified walk leaders to ensure your safety and enjoyment ... If you would like to try some other walking routes around Crawley please take a look at the Greenways page , where you can find various circular walks that can be done in your own time.'

'We run programmes of led and self-guided short walks (1-4 miles) in local parks and open spaces. It's a great way to meet new people and become active.'

'Part of a countywide programme of free, volunteer - led walks, which aims to help people get outdoors, get more active and reap the benefits. The walks are all sociable and you don't need any special equipment to join in, just comfortable shoes. To register to walk either sign up online at our Website or just turn up a few minutes early for your first walk.'

Walking for Health 'A programme of led walks across the Derbyshire Dales, supporting local communities to maintain active lifestyles and improve the health and wellbeing of local people.  It's a great way of meeting new friends with the chance to socialise and enjoy refreshments either during or after the walk.  Why not encourage a friend to come with you? We always welcome new walkers throughout the year!'

Doncaster Walking for Health Scheme 'These are regular weekly short walks, designed with health in mind and are perfect for those who would like to become more active or perhaps lack the confidence and knowledge about where to walk.'

'All our health walks are delivered in conjunction with Walking for Health - a national initiative that helps people access short, free and friendly health walks in their local area. Our progression walks are harder and are longer in duration, over 90 minutes.'

'From July 2011 SCA [Southall Community Alliance] will be arranging a borough wide Health Walks programme. Previously the walks programme had been delivered by Ealing Primary Care Trust but SCA successfully applied to run the programme and we are keenly looking forward to arranging the walks around Ealing.'

'Welcome to the East Sussex Health Walks. We offer free short walks which last no longer than an hour and some walks also have the option of a 30 minute walk. Our programme consists of community health walks which are open to all and walks for specific groups. The walks take place every week throughout the year (but not on public holidays and bank holidays) unless otherwise stated ...'

'We love our walks and we hope you will too. We've been organising them for more than 10 years with both regular and new people joining us weekly. Walks are great for meeting new friends, filling your lungs with fresh air and discovering new places in your local area. With Walking for Health, you can take part in a free short walk near you to help you get active at a pace that works for you. Free walks of varying distance and pace lasting from 10 minutes to 3 hours take place around the Borough regularly.'

Walking for Health 'Our local health walks provide low intensity walks which are suitable for people of all abilities. The walks are mostly on flat ground with no stiles to climb; the walks last for approximately 1 - 1.5 hours and are varied week by week. The walks are also suitable for people with a range of medical conditions which would benefit from increased physical activity levels.'

'Our Health Walks are organised, volunteer led walks that generally last about an hour and are generally no more than 3 miles long, often less. They are FREE to take part in and are a great way to help you get more active and meet new people. They are suitable for everyone regardless of age or ability, and you need no specialist equipment. Our walks are graded from level 1 to level 3 ...'

'Fylde Coast YMCA provide FREE Healthy Walks in different areas of the Fylde Coast. If you find it difficult to get active, why not start walking? It's really easy to get started, you don't need any special equipment – and best of all it counts towards your recommended amount of physical activity.'

'Get Going in Gedling is our free healthy walking scheme that helps people to increase their levels of physical activity. With the help of trained volunteers, we run a series of walks through local parks, countryside and residential areas.'

'Goring Gap Health Walks are part of The Ramblers' Walking for Health Initiative (WfH) and one of the most successful fully independent WfH groups in the country. There are nearly 600 other groups all over the country with 10,000 trained leaders and over 75,000 participants currently. Since its official launch in 2000 over 1 Million walkers have walked under the scheme.'

'You can find, and print, maps of most of the routes we use on the Walk4life site on our Maps page. Each one is hyperlinked to the correct page.'

'Greenwich Get Walking is a programme offereing weekly and monthly led walks starting from various points around the Royal Borough of Greenwich encompassing local green spaces including the Green Chain, the Thames Path and areas of Greenwich's rich heritage ... Also a range of walking route maps for those that want to walk independently or take friends for a walk, and a range of cycle maps that can be used as extended walking routes.'

'Hambleton Strollers organises led walks which start from doctors' surgeries, leisure centres and other central points in Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Bedale, Easingwold and Great Ayton plus some nearby villages.'

Walk Your Way to Health Programme  'We're keen to encourage people in Haringey to become more physically active. Evidence shows that increasing physical activity can help to prevent and manage a range of health conditions including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, some cancers and stroke. It can also help to improve your mental health and wellbeing.'

'Havant Walking for Health is free to attend and suitable for people of all abilities, from beginners to more experienced walkers (progression walks).'

'The Hertsmere Health Walks is part of a countywide programme of free, volunteer - led walks, which aims to help people get outdoors, get more active and reap the benefits. The walks are all sociable and you don't need any special equipment to join in, just comfortable shoes.'

'The Huntingdonshire Health Walks scheme is provided free as part of the national Walking for Health initiative. The scheme runs a range of regular walks across the district. You can enjoy the walk at your own pace, but with the added benefit of being in the company of other walkers and trained walk leaders.'

'The Stepping Out Project aims to encourage more people to take up walking as an enjoyable form of physical activity.' Stepping Out is now teaming up with Hyndburn Ramblers to help 'lead some local walks for those on the Stepping Out programme who are now ready to walk further than Stepping Out can provide'.

'Kettering Borough Council organise free health walks led by volunteers lasting 30-90 minutes ... New walks are starting all the time so to find a health walk in your area visit Walking for Health.'.

'The Kingston Walking for Health Scheme arranges regular walks for different levels of fitness across the borough. Every walk is led by a qualified walk leader, who have been trained by the National Walking for Health Initiative.'

Access to List of Regular Weekly Walks: 'You can just turn up at the start but for the walks marked * we recommend you contact the walk leader listed before your first walk, as the walk routes vary considerably each week'.

'For other nearby walks see walkingforhealth and Walk4Life.'

'Our Walk 4life Programme encourages and supports residents to walk more as it is beneficial for health and well being. Our walks are free, suitable for all ages and abilities and suit both beginner and intermediate levels. The walks last for around 50 minutes to an hour and you walk at your own pace for as long as you want,within the safety of a group with trained walk leaders. We walk in all weathers so come along and join us!'

Link to details of some100 - one hundred - regular 'Healthy Walks' around and about the New Forest.

'North Kesteven Social Strollers health walk scheme is a Public Health funded project, accredited with the national 'Walking for Health' initiative.'

'Walking the Way to Health is an initiative that aims to encourage you to walk in your own community.'

'North Somerset Walking for Health welcomes over 300 regular walkers in and around Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead, Weston-super-Mare, Winscombe and Yatton. Our health walks last about an hour with the option of a shorter distance of up to 30 minutes.  We welcome all abilities.'

'There are a number of Weekly and Bi-weekly Walks taking place in North Tyneside of varying lengths for varying abilities. The led walks include a social element  where the group finishes up with tea/coffee as the walk concludes. This allows for all walkers to return in their own time within the group environment,  therefore walking at their own comfortable pace and not missing the social element afterwards.'

'Walking the Way to Health initiative (WHI) aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in area's of poor health. We will be promoting walking within the area with events throughout the coming year ... Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) aims to increase the number of walkers locally. Anyone of any age and ability are welcome to the walks and our walk leaders will help you to walk at a pace that is right for you.'

'Welcome to Peterborough's Walking for Health Scheme. Everybody is welcome on the walks, including people who wouldn't call themselves active, but we are especially keen to meet people who are trying to build up their daily activity levels, people who have or are at risk of experiencing poor health, and people who maybe feel isolated and would like to meet new people.'

'Our Sport & Health team are working in partnership with Walking for Health to provide weekly walks in various parks across the Borough ... '

'Rochford District Council coordinates the health walks programme for both the Rochford District and the Castle Point Borough. Our Health Walks programme is designed for anyone wishing to improve their health, meet new people and take part in some fun physical activity ... For a full list of walks in the local area please visit the Walking for Health website.'

'Active Spaces Rossendale has lots of opportunities to get you moving.  The project includes a range of walks, cycling and gentle exercise.  Sessions are particularly focussed around having fun and are ideal for people who might not take part in regular exercise or perhaps would rather walk in a group than alone.'

'The Walking for Health program Halton run a schedule of weekly health walks lead by volunteers in Widnes and Runcorn ... A monthly schedule of walks is available on request.'

'Rushcliffe's programme of free, friendly, health walks are a great way to meet new people and socialise while walking to benefit your health ... Move and Mingle walks are led by Walking for Health trained leaders and you can walk at your own pace.'

Access also Rushcliffe Council's Self-guided 'Move + Mingle' Walks with maps and instructions.

'Our array of Walking for Health Groups offer a friendly, inclusive, vibrant atmosphere for all newcomers and regular walkers. They aim to get you out in the beautiful Rutland countryside, exercise your body, mind and soul while having a good old natter.'

'Sandhurst Health Walks has been in operation since February 2014. The walks are led and organised by a group of dedicated volunteers. We endeavour to have two walk leaders on every walk to ensure our walkers are well looked-after.'

'Sefton Active Walks is a Walking for Health programme, that provides a programme of walks across Sefton. The Walks are free to join and no booking is required, just turn up at the walk of your choice, meet our experienced walk leaders and enjoy the walk and the company. If you enjoy walking, but you don't want to walk alone, there are several walks available up and down the borough for you to come along to!'

'We coordinate a programme of health walks in the district which are accredited by a national initiative called Walking for Health. The aim is to provide opportunities for people who currently do little or no exercise to take advantage of this free, easy and beneficial activity.'

The Spelthorne Walking for Health Scheme aims to improve health and fitness of local people, especially those who are not physically active and want to become more active.

Self-led walk packs 'There are seven guided walks around Spelthorne with easy to follow instructions and maps.  The routes are varied in length and one is accessible for wheelchairs and push chairs.  Historical facts about points of interest on the routes are also available.'

'Welcome to the St Helens "Get Yourself Outdoors!" Walks Programme. Coordinated by the Health Improvement Team St Helens; the aim of the scheme is to promote the benefits of Walking for Health across St Helens through a programme of led activity ... '

'Welcome to the Stevenage Health Walks programme, part of a countywide scheme of free, led walks, which aim to help people get outdoors, get more active and reap the benefits of being more active.'

'Stepping out in Suffolk is a programme of Health Walks offered across the County. Improve your health by joining us on one of our walks!'

'The Wellness Service currently has a "3 Tier Walking Programme", aiming to have a level of walking for all ages, fitness levels and abilities.'

'Healthy walks take place across Surrey so you're sure to find a walk near you. If there's nothing listed ... near to where you live, try looking at Walking For Health.'

'An established health walks programme organised by Surrey Heath Borough Council staff and it's team of volunteer walk leaders who provide people with the opportunity to take part in short, safe, sociable walks within local communities ... '

'Walk Tower Hamlets is our local health walk scheme. There are currently seven walking groups across the Borough - all are based at a local health centre or community centre. These weekly walks typically last about 60-90 minutes, ending back at the centre, with some of the groups also exploring further afield with monthly walks using the DLR to get to alternative destinations.'

'Walk On is a programme of led walks in parks and countryside sites across the borough of Walsall. The walks are delivered by both a qualified walk leader and back marker to be able to cater for a range of abilities. All walks are free of charge.'

Wandsworth Walk 4 Life 'The Council, with Wandsworth Public Health, has organised a series of walks to help you get fitter and healthier.'

'The Watford and Three Rivers Health Walks is part of a countywide programme of free, volunteer - led walks, which aims to help people get outdoors, get more active and reap the benefits. The walks are all sociable and you don't need any special equipment to join in, just comfortable shoes.'

'Health Walks have been set up to encourage groups and individuals to make walking a regular part of their lives ... We have eight weekly walks in West Northumberland, leaving from Allendale, Bellingham, Corbridge, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Prudhoe, Stocksfield and Wark.'

Get Wiltshire Walking  'A Public Health funded project which aims to ensure every community within the county has access to a FREE weekly led walk ... Each walk has its regular starting venue on the same day and time every week. We try to vary the routes each week.'

Walking for Health Scheme 'Every week there are 17 volunteer led walks across the whole of Wokingham Borough. The aim of the walks is to help you improve your health by walking briskly ...'