Why not put a 'spring' in your step and step outside and enjoy the beautiful Suffolk Countryside by taking part in the annual South and Heart of Suffolk 2010 Walking Festival?
 
Taking place between Saturday 15 May and Sunday 6 June, the annual South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival will feature around 30 guided walks, in a variety of locations, to suit different tastes and fitness levels.
 
The region, with its softly undulating landscapes, pretty villages and magnificent cultural heritage, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the fresh air while exploring its countryside on foot.
 
Walks range from gentle 2-3 mile country rambles and medieval meanders through ancient villages and towns, to longer and more energetic outings of up to 12 miles through Suffolk’s beautiful countryside. Many include lunch and afternoon tea stops with a chance to sample some fresh local produce, while for others, walkers can bring their own picnic to enjoy along the way.
 
This year is a different kind of walking festival, which will feature four of the walks being accompanied by poet and storyteller, Dean Park. There will also be a photographic walk on 22 May starting out from the Beyond the Image Gallery at Thornham Magna when everyone is encouraged to bring a camera. There is also a chance to visit the sites associated with the famous murder of Maria Marten in the Red Barn at Polstead on 23rd May.  
 
Special interest outings have also been arranged which include the Wildlife Discovery on 15 May, a circular walk taking in the habitats at Grove Farm, near Thurston where conservation and farming can be seen working side by side, and an early morning walk on 22 May around Arger Fen, to watch and hear the dawn wildlife and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the designation of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This ends with breakfast at the idyllic Assington Mill.
 
There are also several walks to attract a younger audience too such as, Mister Stevenson’s Light Railway on Bank Holiday Monday (31 May), which follows the route of the ‘Middy’ to discover how to interpret landscape clues, and also the Scavenger Hunt at Thornham Walks – a gentle afternoon stroll through the woods hunting for a given list of items.
 
The South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival is organised by Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Councils and sponsored by the Discover Suffolk Project, which aims to encourage local residents and visitors to get out and about in the scenic Suffolk countryside.
 
Pre-booking for all walks is essential as they are popular, please telephone either the Tourist Information Centre at Lavenham on 01787 248207 or in Mid Suffolk on 01449 676800.
 
For further information about the walks, please visit: www.southandheartofsuffolk.org.uk
 
-ENDS-
 
Media contact:
 
Mid Suffolk - Vicky Smy, Senior Communications Officer at Mid Suffolk District Council, telephone: 01449 724850, email: vicky.smy@midsuffolk.gov.uk
Babergh - Emma Morton, Communications Officer (01473) 825745 e-mail: emma.morton@babergh.gov.uk
 
Notes to editors:
 
The official launch of the walks will take place on Saturday 15 May at 10.30am at The Suffolk Food Hall in Wherstead. There will be numerous photo opportunities - including the opportunity to attend one of the two walks.  If you would like to attend, please contact either Vicky or Emma/Paul, for further details.