Stag Walkers is a local walking group aimed mainly at people in their 20s and 30s, hosting walks across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and south Cambridgeshire every week.
The group is part of the Ramblers, the charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces, and to improving Britain’s most popular and least-known walking places.
In the run up to the 2024 general election, the Ramblers is calling on all political parties to commit to a transformational new Access to Nature Bill. This bill will break down barriers to the outdoors so everyone in England can enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature. Walking outdoors is one of the most effective things we can do to improve our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Stag Walkers has encouraged its members to contact their election candidates about this topic.
The local area benefits from lots of green space and a reasonably well-maintained rights of way network but around the country access isn’t equal, with a recent report finding the path network blocked in at least 32,000 places.
Stag Walkers group chair, Al Maceachern, said “Our members are keenly aware of the health and wellbeing benefits of walking in the local countryside and how important it is to be able to access nature close to home. It’s vital that these benefits are made available to everyone across the country”.
Local residents can visit the Ramblers’ Outdoors Unlocked webpage for more information and guidance on contacting election candidates on this issue www.ramblers.org.uk/outdoors-unlocked
New walkers can join three Ramblers walks for free before they are asked to sign up for a membership with the charity, which costs £3.42 per month or £41 per year. Not only does this provide access to hundreds of great walks but supports the Ramblers’ work to improve access to the countryside.
