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August Newsletter
Welcome to the August edition of the Contours Newsletter. We hope everyone is enjoying the glorious summer we’ve been having; however, if you’re waiting for the weather to cool down a little before heading out into the countryside, read on to learn more about how we can help.
In this edition, we are looking ahead to the upcoming autumn season. We discuss the various reasons why autumn is a great time to enjoy a long-distance walk, while Beth Pipe returns with her choice of terrific town walks in Cumbria. New contributor Neil Cooper shares some simple tricks to prepare your body for fell walking, and we also have an array of amazing competitions, special offers and features to sink your teeth into. Thanks for reading, and happy walking!
We are giving away a fantastic holiday along the Borders Abbeys Way in Scotland over on our Facebook page!
Wander through incredible landscapes and visit the four great ruined monasteries in Scotland's border country - Jedburgh, Melrose, Dryburgh and Kelso Abbeys - with this fantastic self-guided, three-night walking holiday for two people.
This competition closes on 8th August, so click here to enter now!
Do you have an idea, article or account of your walk that you would like to share? Send an email to newsletter@contours.co.uk to contribute to our newsletter.
Savour the Season of Colour
Why you should walk in autumn
As summer gradually draws to an end here in the UK, many walkers tend to store their boots away for another year, choosing to wait out the colder months before re-emerging in the spring. However, the autumn season is arguably just as good a time of year in which to explore the Great British countryside. Here at Contours, we want to celebrate the season of colour and highlight all the reasons why you should enjoy a walk in the autumn.
Continue reading ...
Terrific Town Walks in Cumbria
By Beth Pipe
I think it’s fair to say that when most people head to Cumbria, they’re more focused on the great outdoors than strolling through the towns – and who can blame them? I’m no great shopper myself (that’s an understatement, I really do hate shopping!) but some of our towns have got much more to offer than the latest fashions. There’s amazing architecture, interesting nuggets of history and the odd impressive statue or two to explore. So, where are the best towns to head for?
Continue reading ...
Featured Video:
Autumn Walking
Walking in the autumn season is usually an adventure full of beautiful colours, dramatic low lighting and abundant wildlife encounters. Check out our short film, produced by Summit Fever Media and Damian Hall, all about the pleasures of exploring the UK countryside in autumn.
Advice: From Road to Fell
How to get your body fell ready, by Neil Cooper.
Many of us started our walking or running journey on tarmacked roads or hard-packed paths in local parks. It is a great way to get out and enjoy exercising and an outdoor lifestyle, but there comes a time when the trails and fells start to seem a more attractive alternative. The hard-earned reward of a breath-taking view from the top of a mountain is hard to beat.
Continue reading ...
Featured Posts
Autumn in Cumbria isn’t just about the beautiful woodlands though – the fells change colour with the bracken turning from luscious green to russet brown, the autumnal tides are higher and the chips on the prom taste sweeter when there’s a chill in the air.
Read more...
In the last month's newsletter, Beth Pipe returned with her selection of the one-way walks in Cumbria, while Contours team member Jude shared her experience of spending a day on the Offa’s Dyke Path in Wales. We also had plenty of advice for walking during the hot summer months, as well as our usual selection of features for you to enjoy.
Read more...
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Featured Trail:
The Cotswolds Highlights
Beginning and ending at the beautiful old town of Chipping Campden, the delightful Cotswolds Highlights Trail is a circular walk that links the show piece villages and towns that the northern Cotswolds is renowned for, including Stow-on-the-Wold, Winchcombe, Stanton and Broadway.
To find out more and to book your next Contours Walking Holiday, click here.
Did you know?
One of the great journeys of the natural world comes to a close at the end of the autumn: the great Atlantic salmon run.
Salmon navigate to their rivers of birth, gathering at river mouths around our coasts after five years' maturing in the Atlantic. As the river levels rise with the rains, the journey upstream begins. Gather at the riverside and cheer them on as they swiftly dip in and out of sight, flying over obstacles!
To find the best places to watch the salmon run this autumn, visit the Wildlife Trusts website here.
Competition:
'Spot the Differences'
Congratulations to Thomas Witzel for being the first to spot all 8 differences!
 (click image for answer)
To be in with a chance of winning a £20 Contours Walking Holidays voucher, why not try this month's competition below!
Competition:
'Quiz'
To be in with a chance of winning this month's competition, can you identify these trees just by looking at their autumn leaves below?
 (click image to zoom)
The first person to name all 6, or get the most correct, will receive a £20 Contours Walking Holidays gift voucher. Good luck!
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