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February Newsletter
Welcome to the February edition of the Contours Holidays newsletter. We hope you are all keeping safe and well and are looking forward to the oncoming spring season – the Contours team are certainly itching to return to their favourite trails! In the meantime, we are here to help you get back out there and enjoy your next big adventure. We can’t wait to see what you all get up to!
In this month’s issue, we are asking all our awesome followers to take part in a 2-minute survey to help our ongoing holiday developments; simply scroll down to learn more. We also share some personal stories of the amazing efforts of the Mountain Rescue team, from both the perspective of the rescuers and the rescuees! There is certainly plenty of good stuff to sink your teeth into here, so grab a cuppa and enjoy. Happy Adventures!
Featured Video:
Walking the Kennet and Avon Canal
The Kennet and Avon Canal walking trail enjoys 95 miles of gentle canal towpaths, staying close to the River Avon as it meanders through the North Wessex Downs from Reading to Bristol. Along the way you will find plenty of beautiful scenery, as well unique insights into England’s industrial history.
Our Stile Free Kennet and Avon Canal tour takes in much of the views you would expect from the full route, but at a more manageable pace, meandering from Devizes to Bath along 23 miles of level, easy terrain. The views of the canals and surrounding countryside are truly stunning as you stroll along the Avon Valley.
Watch our Kennet and Avon Canal video here.
Mountain Rescue
Many years ago, I moved to the Lake District and started up Contours, first as a guided walking holiday company, and in later times, the self-guided holiday company that we run today.
At the time I felt relatively fit, enjoyed the outdoors — in particular walking and climbing — and wanted to put something back into the local community.
My dear friend Dave and I, with our three dogs, started to talk about joining Mountain Rescue as we went on our daily walks onto the fells.
Continue reading ...
Check out our Short Daily Mileage Walks
If you’re considering a Contours Walking Holiday this year but aren’t keen on the idea of walking big distances every day, these tours may well be perfect for you.
We define a short daily mileage walk as a tour that does not exceed ten miles of walking in a single day. These itineraries are perfect for those just starting their long-distance walking adventures, or indeed those just looking for a more relaxed pace on their holiday. We have a wide range of short daily mileage holidays ranging from weekend getaways to extended breaks of up to 13 days, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Explore the exceptional UK landscapes at your own pace and enjoy a restorative ramble in the countryside – you deserve it!
Click here to view our full range of Short Daily Mileage walks.
Featured Posts
The benefits of walking are pretty much limitless: it’s good for the mind, the body and the soul. But do we really get the most we can out of each walk? How often have you daydreamed your way around a walk? Or been so wrapped up and preoccupied with something at work that you drift around in a bit of a daze?
Read more...
There’s a tradition amongst Coast to Coast hikers, and one that will surely confuse geologists scouring England’s coasts in a few thousand years! Pick up a pebble from St Bee’s beach, pop it in your pocket, and carry it along your 190+ mile adventure across the country. When you reach Robin Hood’s Bay, throw it in the North Sea. It’s a wonderful feeling, and you’ll be sad to let it go when you do.
Read more...
Contours Director Karen shared her fond memories of the ruined Welsh castle of Castell y Bere, and we announced the winner of the 2021 Feedback Prize Draw, among plenty of other great features for you to enjoy.
Read more...
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We want to
hear from you!
Contours Holidays would like to invite you to take part in a quick survey about a new range of walking holidays we are planning behind the scenes. Your views are important to ensure we get things right and continue to provide the perfect outdoor getaways for our customers. The survey should only take a couple of minutes to complete, and all the answers are anonymous.
Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to let us know your thoughts – we are very grateful!
Click here to complete our survey.
Apps to enhance your walking experience
There are oodles of walk-recording apps out there focused on fitness and keeping a log of your activity.
But if you’re more interested in augmenting your walks or enticing a reluctant friend or family member onto their first rambles, tech has even more interesting solutions.
Plenty of these options do all the work from the safety of your pocket, so you won’t need to keep your face buried in your phone while out in the countryside. These apps are perfect to check in on when you get home instead.
Continue reading ...
In the Middle of a Mountain Rescue
By Richard Jones
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, no matter how confident you are in your ability to tackle the terrain around you, or how experienced you are, or what the weather is doing and so on.
The job that the various mountain rescue services do around the country is critical in being able to respond to potentially life or death situations. As I know only too well.
Continue reading ...
Win a £250
Contours voucher with
Live for the Outdoors!
We have teamed up with Live for the Outdoors to offer a marvellous prize to one lucky winner - £250 in vouchers to spend how you please on any Contours Walking, Trail Running or Cycling Holiday!
Simply follow the link below and fill in the short form to be in with a chance of winning, but be quick – the competition closes on 14th February. Good luck!
Click here to enter the competition.
Last Month's
Competition:
Congratulations to James D. on being the lucky winner who correctly identified the Borders Abbeys Way.
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Competition Time:
Guess Where?
To be in with a chance of winning this month's competition, can you guess the name of this National Park?
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A winner will be chosen at random using an online wheel spinner from all the correct entries to win a £20 Contours Holidays gift voucher. Good luck!
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