Latest news with #OutstandingNaturalBeauty
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK's oldest road that's 87-miles long and was used by people 5,000 years ago
The Ridgeway National Trail is Britain's oldest road, and dates back to over 5,000 years ago. The 87-mile prehistoric track was used by travellers, shepherds and warriors Touted as Britain's oldest road, the Ridgeway National Trail is a timeworn path that has witnessed over 5,000 years of footsteps. Starting at the World Heritage Site in Avebury, Wiltshire, this prehistoric track spans 87 miles and culminates at Ivinghoe Beacon, known for its breathtaking vistas in the Chiltern Hills. The trail not only offers a walk through history but also guides explorers past an array of remarkable sites, from Neolithic tombs to the folkloric Uffington White Horse, and diverse habitats like Barbury Castle, Wallingford Castle, and even the whimsical Pitstone Windmill. The Sanctuary, dating back to about 2500 BC with its original configuration of wooden posts and stones connected to Avebury, is now indicated with concrete markers denoting where these structures once stood. National Trails revealed the longstanding significance of the trail by stating: "For, at least 5,000 years and maybe many more, people, including drovers, traders and invaders, have walked or ridden The Ridgeway." They further explained: "As part of a prehistoric track, once stretching about 250 miles (400 Km) from the Dorset coast to the Wash on the Norfolk coast, it provided a route over the high ground for travellers which was less wooded and drier than routes through the springline villages below." Currently, the storied path is a favoured spot for hikers, runners, cyclists, and horse riders, drawn by both its natural splendour and its deep historical roots, reports the Express. The Ridgeway National Trail, spanning an impressive 87 miles across the English countryside, is teeming with history and stunning landscapes. Two unparalleled Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – the North Wessex Downs and The Chilterns – beckon explorers along this divided six-section path known for its breathtaking scenery from West of the River Thames to the enchanting East. The trail boasts awe-inspiring vistas of open downland, secluded tracks, and a treasure trove of historical sites in the West, while walkers can indulge in the scenic beauty of wooded valleys, flourishing nature reserves, and idyllic villages in The Chilterns. TripAdvisor user Louise Head shared her experience, saying: "The walk to see Wayland Smithy is so worth it. It is a beautiful place so atmospheric. "The walk up too White Horse hill is a lovely walk thoroughly recommend it." Another hiker from Aberdeen marvelled at the ancient connection, writing: "The Ridgeway follows an 87 mile long route used since prehistoric times by travellers and herdsmen. "It's amazing to think you're treading in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors." One more trekker added: "The trail runs from Overton Hill to Ivinghoe Beacon, but of course you don't have to walk it all! We walked a section in the Chilterns, and midweek it was very quiet. It's a well signposted route offering lovely views over rolling countryside." A TripAdvisor user from Exeter shared their experience: "Myself and a friend rode the full length of the ridgeway, starting in West Kennet and picking up the Swan way and Icknield way riders route east of Streatley where the Ridgeway itself becomes a footpath. "We averaged 18 - 20 miles per day which was a nice easy pace allowing time for sightseeing. "Our total mileage was 103. It is a lovely ride with stunning scenery and little roadwork. We found horse friendly B&B's along the route which meant we had to carry less gear. Highly recommend!"
North Wales Live
09-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Future of famous North Wales holiday camp could soon be decided
Liverpool Council is to formally begin the process of settling the future of a much-loved outdoor centre in North Wales. Originally a site for evacuee children from Liverpool during World War Two, Colomendy, in Loggerheads, near Mold, became a pilgrimage shared by Scousers and North Walians alike on a regular basis. After the war the site was transferred to Liverpool Council, with a covenant which retained its use for the benefit of the city's children. After seven decades providing educational away days for young people, it was confirmed in March the site would close with immediate effect. In January Kingswood Colomendy Ltd, the site's tenant, and its parent company, Inspiring Learning Ltd, both ceased trading and administrators were appointed. The city council issued a 30 year lease for the site in 2007. Now the local authority is to formally begin the process of securing the long-term future of the location in north east Wales. Administrators appointed to the business have confirmed the lease will be returned to Liverpool Council in a process known as disclaiming. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone This will be signed off when cabinet members meet at Liverpool Town Hall next month. The Local Democracy Reporting Service [LDRS] understands that since March, the keys have been handed over to the city on an informal basis. An official options appraisal will now begin for the land. Representatives on both sides of the border have told the LDRS previously how they hope the site can be revived for the benefit of young people in Merseyside and North Wales. Carolyn Thomas, North Wales MS, was previously chair of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) partnership – where Colomendy is located – and said a future could be found for the site that would benefit all parties. She said: "Colomendy lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, hopefully soon to be re-designated as a national park. It is situated next to Loggerheads country park, a tourism hot spot and has been used for generations from Merseyside. "I often meet families at Loggerheads who are reminiscing, bringing their children and grandchildren, to relive and share their experiences. It has an employment and economic benefit to the local economy and has farms. "It would be great to maintain it as an outdoor education facility but there are also other ideas. I would encourage local authorities to engage with Liverpool Council now the lease for the site has been returned." The LDRS understands it would be the preferred option of Liverpool Council for an outdoor education firm to take on the lease. It is expected the full appraisal and handing over of terms to a preferred bidder could take up to 12 months.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- BBC News
Moel Famau: 'Chaos' worries over beauty spot cafe plan
A proposed new cafe in one of the busiest spots in the Clwydian Range could "cause chaos" by attracting more visitors, those opposed to the plans building, which would include toilets and a rangers' office, would be at the bottom of the main path up Moel in favour hope it will improve facilities and bring more money to the area. But others are worried about the possible effect on businesses and councillors will discuss the matter on Wednesday, with the plans recommended for council has been approached for comment. Moel Famau, the highest point in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is estimated to attract about 300,000 walkers a cafe is aimed at helping meet the "challenges" associated with increasing footfall - but some fear it will only draw more Clwydian Range Tourism Group is "split" on the issue according to its chair, Julie Masters."A lot of people are worried about the infrastructure if we attract more people to Moel Famau," she said."The roads are narrow. They worry there could be some chaos."But others feel that if there are wardens up there all the time, that will help. It could help give people a better idea of rural tourism and the Vale of Clwyd." Plans include an earth mound roof covered in sedum plants, so the stone-clad, curved, single-storey building blends into its surroundings at the Bwlch Pen Barras car Edytae McGinn, who visits the area regularly with her family from their home in Wirral, is worried about the environmental impact of the plans."I think it will bring more visitors which is an advantage in some ways, but it will also bring disadvantages like bigger crowds and damage to the environment," she said."People will need to more conscious when they come here or we risk harming nature."Others see the cafe as an opportunity to improve walker experience. Katy Whittingham, who visits the area from Cheshire regularly, said: "I think it's a good idea because a lot of people visit here and I'm sure they'd use a cafe. "It's always busy here and so bound to be popular. Toilets are also definitely a good idea, especially for the little ones." A stone's throw from the propsed building site is the pub where Elyse Gerrard works. She says she can "see the benefits" of a new cafe but does worry about local businesses."We get a lot of people who come for a drink or some lunch after hiking up Moel Famau and I think fewer will do that if there's a cafe on site. So it's not great news for us," she said. Under the current plans the cafe would open daily between 10:00 and 16:00 and would serve "grab and go" refreshments from a small planning application is being presented by Denbighshire council to its planning committee on project would be funded by £1.3m from the UK government's levelling up Welsh government wants to create a new national park in north east Wales which would include the current AONB and a consultation on those proposals was held last year.
