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This is a little bit outside the area, but we all love Stonehenge and it is situated conveniently on one of the two main routes from the Westcountry to London. English Heritage has just released details of an excellent winter walk adjacent to the monument which fit but jaded drivers might like to tackle on their way to or from the capital.

The eight-mile round trip starts in the nearby town of Amesbury, and follows paths through the breathtaking landscape around Stonehenge. There are many historical highlights including prehistoric monuments, Bronze Age burial mounds and Woodhenge, as well as the Stonehenge stone circle itself.

“This is an excellent way of appreciating the scale of Stonehenge and the efforts of the people who built it between 3000BC and 1500BC,” I was told by a spokesperson from English Heritage.

To find more details check out: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Unblocking Cornish Footpaths

Walkers in Cornwall have been celebrating the re-opening of a mile-long blocked footpath that has been impassable for more than a decade and a half. The footpath, at Crantock near Newquay - though situated in a strategically useful location - had been choked by all manner of obstacles including large boulders and had fallen into general disuse.

But it is one of a number of rights of way that have been cleared in the county this year thanks to volunteer rambler groups acting upon recently implemented government legislation.

The Newquay group of the Ramblers' Association, which successfully persuaded Cornwall County Council to spend thousands of pounds on clearance work by invoking measures from the CROW Act, staged a celebratory walk along the path - known as Crantock 11 - which runs from the village's Vosporth Hill to Little Trevithick.

Mike Knutton, public relations officer for the Ramblers' Cornish Footpaths Campaign, said the reopening was important because it made possible a number of circular walks, "that would be a great asset both to local residents and the Newquay area tourist industry."

Calorie counter

If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, there's the perfect chance to walk off the excesses during the Ramblers' Association's (RA) Festival of Winter Walks (December 26th to January 2nd).

According to Britain's premier walking organisation, the average person gains 5 lbs in the four-week Christmas period. You would need to walk 13 miles to burn off the calories from just the Christmas dinner alone"

"So why not kick-start your weight loss programme, enjoy some fresh air and escape the TV schedules this festive season by joining one of hundreds of free led walks taking place across Britain during the RA's festival," says a spokesman.

"To help inspire the nation to get on its feet this festive season, the RA has come up with some examples of how far you need to walk to burn off the calories from some traditional Christmas treats. On average a brisk one-mile walk, done in 20 minutes, on level terrain, burns 100 calories. So even a short walk round the park could burn off one or two of those mince pies."

The Festival of Winter Walks is now in its 18th year and attracts more than 15,000 people every year. Hundreds of varied walks led by Ramblers members, all free and open to everyone, are planned throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Many are relatively short and, at an easy-going pace, suitable for all the family.

For full walks details visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks or call 020 7339 8500.

Explore the wonder of Stonehenge by foot

The great and ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is one of the wonders of the world and to help visitors fully appreciate the stone circle and the surrounding landscape, English Heritage is releasing details of a stunning Winter walk through the Wiltshire countryside.

An eight and a half mile round trip starting in the nearby town of Amesbury, the walk follows paths and tracks through breathtaking National Trust owned Stonehenge landscape, fields and woodland and incorporates many historical highlights including prehistoric monuments, Bronze Age burial mounds and Woodhenge, as well as the Stonehenge stone circle itself.

An excellent way of appreciating the scale of Stonehenge and the efforts of the people who built it between 3000BC and 1500BC, the walk takes about four and a half hours with opportunities for refreshment in the pubs and cafes of Amesbury as well as snacks being available at Stonehenge visitor centre.

Trail details

Distance: 8 miles (13.7km)
Time: 4.5 hours
Maps: OS Explorer 130
Start/Parking: Recreation Ground car park, Amesbury. Grid reference 150412
Nearest Town: Amesbury
Terrain: Field paths and tracks
Refreshment: Public houses and cafes in Amesbury. Snacks at Stonehenge
Public Transport: Rail: Salisbury, Buses: Travel Line - Tel: 0870 6082608
Property Opening Times
Tel: 01980 624715
www.english-heritage.org.uk

'Trails to Trust, Heritage Hikes, South West - Volume 1' contains full details of this walk and is available in most English Heritage site gift shops or by calling 01761 452 966 (code: 50341). For more information on opening times and entry costs for Stonehenge please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 0870 333 1181.

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