The National Trust has unveiled some secret places and stories in East Sussex ahead of its Great British Walk 2013.
A two month walking festival, the Great British Walk encourages everyone to explore the outdoors and discover secret spots and special stories that can only be discovered on foot at National Trust places and spaces.
A vast and varied selection of walks is available, from those chosen by the public to handpicked walks from National Trust experts.
Of the land the Trust looks after in East Sussex, 278 hectares is always open to the public, 791 hectares are within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and over 10 kilometres are coastline owned by the Trust.
Within these areas, the Great British Walk has uncovered some of the region’s most hidden vistas, stories and places including deserted iron ore pits dug by hand and the views that inspired much of Rudyard Kipling’s work at Bateman’s.
At Sheffield Park and Garden, children can discover creatures and beasties on the Sheffield Safari trail and adults can stumble across a historic cricket pitch (catching the odd game on a Sunday). In addition Sheffield Park offers chance to explore the wartime use of the parkland as a camp for Canadian troops or learn of the industrial history of the River Ouse, its canalisation and the subsequent development of the steam railway network of which the Bluebell Railway forms a part.
Running from 1 September to 3 November, this year’s Great British Walk will encourage everyone from young families to seasoned ramblers to explore the outdoors.
Alex Tarling, digital consultant for the National Trust, in London and the South East adds: “We’d love everyone to get involved in this year’s Great British Walk by sharing pictures of your favourite walk with us using #GBwalk. Planning your walk is easy – simply download a walk or submit your own favourite onto the online map and join the thousands of others celebrating the Great British Walk with us this autumn”.
Share your walking pictures and the secrets you uncover in East Sussex on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using #GBwalk. For more information and to download walks visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greatbritishwalk