It’s just over two weeks to go until this year’s North Kesteven Walking Festival!

Starting on Saturday 8 July, the North Kesteven Walking Festival is set to be its best yet with 2 full weeks of walking and family fun for all ages!
 
North Kesteven is privileged to a vast open countryside with fascinating heritage and diverse wildlife. The NK Walking Festival aims to showcase these opportunities bringing them to you to enjoy the great outdoors.  The NK Walking Festival will take place from Saturday 8 to Saturday 22 July and is packed full of walks across the district designed for all ages and abilities to enable as many people as possible to take part. Each walk will be led by a walk leader with the majority of walks free to attend.
 
Popular walks so far include herb walks with herbalist Hannah Sylvester on Saturday 8, 15 & 22 July, An Introduction to Bloxholm Wood on Saturday 8 July, Templars on the Heath on Monday 10 July, and Whisby Pie Night on Thursday 20 July. Event organisers have doubled the walk programme again this year with nearly 40 walks available showcasing what the district has to offer as well as being able to offer longer walks including evening and weekend walks.
 
Make sure you get your favourites booked and call the events team on 01522 694353 or email countrysdienk@1life.co.uk. You can also view the full programme online by visiting www.1Life.co.uk/NKWalkingFestival; you’ll be sure to find a walk for you!
 
Explore Sleaford’s fascinating past; discover beautiful artworks or visit the incredible Doomsday Book at Lincoln Castle during the festival’s opening weekend. We’ll also be going on a Bear Hunt, learning new tips and tricks in a Dog Behaviour & Agility Walk, or join us as we explore North Kesteven District Council’s NEW Stepping Out Walk in Heckington on Tuesday 18 July.

Enjoy the dramatic views on the Coleby Circular walk.

There's so many walks to choose from this year!

Here are some of the walks that will be taking place:
 
Spires & Steeples Arts & Heritage Trail Part 1
Saturday 8th July, 9am. Distance: 13 miles (allow 6hrs)
Discover the rich history and heritage of North Kesteven along the Spires & Steeples Arts & Heritage Trail. Finishing at Lincoln Castle, why not take the opportunity to discover the infamous Domesday Book! (Charges apply). Cost includes travel back to Metheringham.
Start Point: Metheringham Playing Field Car Park, LN4 3DE
 
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
Sunday 9th July, 10:15am for 10:30am start. Distance: 1 mile (allow 2 hrs)
We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one, we’re not scared! Join us for a family fun trail around the millennium Green, see if you can spot all the teddy bears hiding, and then join us for a teddy bears picnic overlooking the lakes. BYO picnic and favourite teddy bear.
Start Point: Millennium Green, off Station Road, North Hykeham, LN6 9FF
 
Ice Cream Wednesdae!
Wednesday 12th July, 10am. Distance: 10 miles (allow 5 hours)
A picturesque walk through Whisby Nature Park and Doddington Village to Daisy Maid for ice cream! The walk then continues through the beautiful Skellingthorpe Wood and back to Whisby. (Charges apply)
Start Point: Whisby Natural World Centre, Moor Lane, Thorpe-on-the-Hill, LN6 9BW

Learn the many uses of herbs and other plants with local herbalist Hannah Sylvester

Join Dog Adventure Centre and learn great tips and tricks for you and your four legged friend.

A Waddington Rake
Thursday 20th July, 10am for 10:15am start. Distance: 6 miles
Be the first to walk ‘Ridges and Furrows’, a new trail celebrating cultural heritage from Sleaford to Whisby. Join ArtsNK on a ramble featuring stories, music and memories emerging from the project with historian Dave Reeves.
Start Point: Redwood Community Centre, Waddington, LN5 9BY
 
There will also be a chance to explore the newly installed When in Sleaford... Arts & Heritage Trail on Wednesday 12 July. Join us for a family fun evening following the bronze roundels to discover public artworks, historical buildings and interesting places to visit in the town. 

For more information or to book on any of the walks please contact Jade Oliver on 01522 694353 or email countrysidenk@1life.co.uk. You can also keep up to date with what’s happening by following us on Twitter @NKWalking or finding us on Facebook /NK Walking Festival.

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