Enjoy Roots and Routes in the East Riding with a FREE Open Access Walks booklet

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s countryside access team is getting involved in Hull UK City of Culture 2017 by giving away free copies of its Open Access Walks booklet (normally costing £2 each), covering 19 Open Access walks in the area. Walks are graded from gentle through moderate to strenuous, so they cater for all levels of fitness.

For a limited period only, the books will be available free of charge at Tourist Information Centres in the East Riding and in Hull, and at East Riding Leisure Centres, between April and June, to coincide with the Roots and Routes Theme of the second season of Hull 2017.

Patrick Wharam, countryside access manager, said: “We want people to take up the challenge to do some walking in the countryside as another contribution to Hull 2017.

“Some of our best countryside in the East Riding is hidden away in the Yorkshire Wolds. I hope that people will make use of the excellent variety of cafes and pubs in the Wolds, stay overnight perhaps, or maybe add a few days’ walking to a short break in the area.

“Many of the best walks are just a short car journey away, and many can be accessed by public transport.”

‘Open Access’ means that people can walk through some of the green dry Wolds valleys that were out of bounds to the public before 2005, when the right of Open Access began in the East Riding.

Councillor Richard Burton, portfolio holder for civic wellbeing and culture, added : “Walking on Open Access land gives people a chance to enjoy huge stretches of outdoors land in the stunning East Riding without the need to stick to paths, which is great for our health and wellbeing, and the rural economy.

 “Being mindful of the bird nesting season from 1 March to 31 July – you can walk, run, climb, picnic and watch wildlife in some superb parts of the East Riding!”

Open Access land is shown on Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps published since May 2005, which are available from bookshops.  The Natural England website also has details of Open Access land at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

In the East Riding, the walks described in the booklet include a walk from Hotham village; Beverley Commons; North Newbald; walks around Huggate, Warter, Millington and Fridaythorpe in the heart of the Wolds; Sancton; and Allerthorpe Common.

Walkers are reminded that they are responsible for taking proper care of themselves and any children and dogs that accompany them. Dogs are allowed on Open Access land, but must be kept on leads between March and July.

Other walks in the East Riding can be found on the Walking the Riding website atwww.walkingtheriding.co.uk