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July Newsletter
Welcome to the July issue of the Contours Holidays newsletter. Despite the weather being a bit unpredictable so far this year, we are optimistic that the summer will soon improve so you can really make the most of the Great British countryside. To everyone who has already taken a holiday with us, we hope you all had an amazing time regardless!
In this month’s newsletter, Contours Director Karen shares her experience of walking the Shropshire Hills, while Customer Services Manager Christine describes the marvellous Usk Valley Walk in Wales. Regular contributor Beth Pipe returns with more fascinating Lake District stories, and we have our usual array of other features for you to enjoy. Thanks for reading and happy walking!
Featured Video: Summer Walking Advice
Here in the UK, the most popular time of year to enjoy an outdoor holiday is during the summer, when we can enjoy long, warm days, clear skies and bright sunshine. While the sunny weather is normally great for our health and wellbeing, too much exposure can cause some problems. This short film was made to offer some basic tips to help you stay well when walking during warm weather in the UK.
Click here to watch the video.
Walking the Shropshire Hills
By Karen Simons
When I set out from Church Stretton on Contours’ Shropshire Hills walking holiday it was with a spring in my step and the great anticipation of revisiting some of my favourite places in the country. Church Stretton itself is one of those towns that I have fond memories of and it makes an ideal starting and finishing point for this circular trail.
The first part of the walk sets the tone: it wanders up the charming Carding Mill Valley, following a bubbling clear brook to the top of the famous Long Mynd.
Continue reading ...
Usk Valley Walk
By Christine Saul
This March I had the opportunity to get out of the office and update our route notes for the Usk Valley Walk. This trail, from Usk to Brecon, would be my ‘outdoor office’ for a few days.
Lying between the Brecon Beacons to the west and the Black Mountains to the east, the Usk Valley is a wide valley in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. Often overlooked in favour of the more popular Wye Valley Walk, the Usk Valley Walk is just as spectacular.
Continue reading ...
Ulverston's Claims to Fame
By Beth Pipe
Right at the start of the Cumbria Way sits Ulverston, a small south Cumbrian town which isn’t at the top of many folks’ “must visit” list but which has a whole host of claims to fame to explore before you head off on your long hike north.
I’m starting with the most obvious and best known. The town was the birthplace of Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame and a blue plaque marks the house where he was born. He didn’t live in the town for many years but he did come back and visit regularly and always spoke very fondly of the place.
Continue reading ...
Featured Posts
The autumn/winter season is the perfect time for the Contours Customer Service Team to get away from our desks after a very busy season and go out for a walk ourselves. During this time we're often out and about researching new trails and updating route notes for our existing trails. I was lucky enough to get to walk in the Cotswolds in October.
Read more...
I have several friends who own a dog, all of whom enjoy walking; I guess you wouldn’t have a dog if you didn’t! I myself don’t own a dog, and perhaps that’s why the number of people out walking with their dogs seems to me to be on the increase.
Read more...
In last month’s issue, Contours Manager Christine shared the team’s experience of completing the Cleveland Way Challenge Walk, while her colleague Ben Roughton discussed (and illustrated!) the lessons he learned when walking Wainwright’s Coast to Coast. We also had two great articles written by regular contributors Beth Pipe and Catherine Sempill, along with plenty of other interesting features to enjoy. Thanks for reading, and happy walking!
Read more...
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Featured Trail:
Land’s End Round
The Land's End Round combines the Far West of Cornwall coastal trail with the inland path of St Michael's Way, forming a circular walk exploring the wonderful Land's End Peninsula. This walk is perfect for those eager to explore the exciting history associated with the Land's End Peninsula, including the world-famous Pirates of Penzance and the ancient pilgrim's route of the Santiago de Compostela.
Click here to learn more about the Land’s End Round.
Walking Pro-Tip: Choose the Right Socks
A good pair of hiking socks can make all the difference between an enjoyable hike and an uncomfortable one. It’s important to take your time when choosing walking socks and consider which will best suit the type of walk and conditions you may encounter. Some key features to look out for include temperature regulation, shock absorption, blister prevention and promotion of good circulation.
Information gathered from mountainwarehouse.com.
Enter our Photo Competition!
Our photography competition has grown in popularity year on year since its commencement, and we never tire of looking through your impressive holiday snaps. If you return from a Contours Walking Holiday and have some memories to share, send your photos to us for the chance to win up to £150 off your next Contours Holiday!
To be eligible to enter, you must have been on a Contours Walking Holiday, and your photographs must capture your time spent on our walks during the years 2018 and 2019.
Click here to find out more and enter the competition.
Did you know?
A group of Ravens is called an ‘unkindness’.
The Raven is a massive crow, which can be found on mountains and in forests where it feeds on carrion. Ravens nest on cliffs around the coast, on mountains, in quarries and in large trees in parkland.
Steeped in myth and legend, tame Ravens famously guard the Tower of London. It is believed that if the Ravens leave, the City of London will fall.
Information gathered from wildlifetrusts.org.
Last Month's Competition: Guess Where?
Congratulations to Michiel de Both for being the only one who correctly identified the Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay.
(click image to watch the video)
To be in with a chance of winning a £20 Contours Holidays voucher, why not try this month's competition below?
Competition Time: Guess Where?
To be in with a chance of winning this month's competition, can you guess the name of this castle?
(click image to watch the video)
A winner will be chosen at random from all the correct entries to win a £20 Contours Holidays gift voucher. Good luck!
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