Join a pop-up walking event (and eat free cake!)

Before the summer holidays are out, get the family into their walking shoes and try these two pop-up walks (free cake included…)

Two guided walks, one in the south of England, one in the north, led by local experts promise a great and free opportunity for families and other small groups to get outside in the open air, enjoy beautiful scenery, and treat themselves to some (also free) homemade cake!

Holnicote House, Selworthy, Exmoor
Holnicote House, Selworthy, Exmoor

On Saturday 27th August, you can join a tour of the dramatic landscape of Exmoor. Meet at Holnicote House, located near the village of Selworthy in the heart of Exmoor National Park, at 10am for a 6 mile (10km) walk to the summit of Selworthy Beacon, which offers stunning views over the Bristol Channel and Porlock Bay.

If you’re in the north of England, head to the Peak District National Park on Saturday 3 September for a guided walk over hill and dale. Meet at country house, The Peveril of the Peak, at 10am for the start of a 5.5 mile (9km) walk across the limestone plateau, past the rocky outcrops of the Nabs to Dove Holes and along the river to the famous stepping stones at Dovedale Gorge.

Family Walking Holiday

To ensure that there is enough cake and local leaders on hand for each event, walkers are encouraged to register their attendance:

To register for the Exmoor pop-up walk visit: www.meetup.com/HF-Holidays-Pop-Up-Walk/events/232775968/

To register for the Peak District pop-up walk visit: www.meetup.com/HF-Holidays-Pop-Up-Walk/events/232863197/

The free walks have been organised by walking holiday provider HF Holidays. For more information visit www.hfholidays.co.uk or call 020 3424 6162.

Rubbish in a new light at Totally Thames festival, London

Salvaged art and river clear-ups, inspiring free events at the inaugural Totally Thames festival

For the whole of September, over 100 events will take place along the 42 miles of London’s River Thames. The Totally Thames season is full of great events for all ages – from river races, floating cinema, cultural crawls, archeology talks, exhibitions, tall ships, guided walks….the list is endless! Goodtrippers has picked out a few eco-friendly events to get you started…

‘River Works’, an exhibition by Jacques Limousin (5 – 7 Sept)

French sculptor and architect Jacques Limousin has long been fascinated with the flotsam and jetsom that washes up on the shores of our rivers. His years spent scouring the banks of the River Thames, picking up Mediaeval German beer mugs, Roman coins and random pieces of glass, metal, brick and bones have now been turned into witty and unexpected pieces of art. See the results at this free exhibition – you’ll never see rubbish in the same light again!

Date/Time/Location: FREE – 10am – 5pm daily, 5-7 Sept 2014. The Crystal, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1GB

The Big Thames Tidy, picture by Jenna Foxton
The Big Thames Tidy, picture by Jenna Foxton

The Big Thames Tidy (31 Aug – 1 Sept)

Don your rubber gloves and wellies this coming weekend and help clean up the River Thames! Well, not exactly the whole river but The Big Thames Tidy with Thames 21, part of London’s Totally Thames festival, aims to bring together volunteers of all ages in one of the biggest events of its kind. Help clear litter and tidy up the Thames banks with other like-minded river lovers. You’ll also get a chance to hear more about the history and ecology of London’s famous river in this two-day event.

Date/Time/Location: FREE – 10.30am – 1pm, 31 Aug-1 Sept 2014. No need to book, just meet at Gabriel’s Wharf foreshore via the steps to Gabriel’s Wharf, London SE1 9PH

Cleaner Thames Challenge (1 Sept)

The Isle of Dogs is one of the most littered parts of the River Thames with plastic bags and other debris posing a real threat to bird and marine wildlife – so help out by joining in with a big litter clean-up at this free event! No need to book, just bring suitable clothing and footwear, plus lots of enthusiasm!

Date/Time/Location: FREE – 11am – 1.30pm, 1 Sept 2014. Meet at Newcastle Draw Dock, Isle of Dogs, London E14 3BW

For more information about all of the events during the Totally Thames season visit www.totallythames.org