Guest blog: 5 fantastic stile-free routes you can reach by train
Join The Ramblers, a charity dedicated to protecting and expanding access to the countryside and promoting walking for health and wellbeing, in this special guest blog as they share their insights around stile-free routes – highlighting five fantastic walks you can reach by train, all designed to be inclusive and barrier-free.
By The Ramblers
We recently shared research that reveals there is 140,000 stiles across England and Wales. That’s an average of at least one stile for every mile of path. And as many local authorities were unable to disclose just how many stiles were in their patch, the actual figure is likely to be much higher.
Why does this matter? According to a YouGov survey, 25% of people don’t use much of the path network because of physical barriers like stiles. These barriers are not an essential part of the landscape – in fact, most are unnecessary and can be replaced with better, easier to access options. We are calling on the UK government to introduce an Access to Nature Bill in England that tackles all unnecessary barriers to the outdoors, including outdated stiles, so nobody misses out on the benefits of walking in nature.
In the meantime, we’ve brought together our 5 best stile-free routes, all of which can be easily reached by train.
Potter around London’s Royal Parks
Despite being in the heart of England’s capital, London’s Royal Parks provide a haven of green space and wildlife. And pelicans aren’t the only things you’ll be spotting on this 4.75-mile route; you’ll also pass by some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, from the Houses of Parliament to Kensington Palace.
What you need to know
- Length: 4.75 miles
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Navigation: Easy
- Terrain: Urban
- Suitable for wheelchair users
Benjamin Elliott for Unsplash
Marvel at Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire
Starting out in the historic market town of Beverley, our route winds through the wetlands of Swinemoor Common along the banks of the River Hull before looping back through sprawling common pastures to the old town and the spectacular Beverley Minster, a Gothic masterpiece and one the largest churches in the UK.
What you need to know
- Length: 5.25 miles
- Duration: 2 hours
- Navigation: Novice
- Terrain: Town and field
Beverley | Luke Thornton for Unsplash
Navigate the historic Neath Canal
In this station-to-station route, you’ll start out at Briton Ferry station before winding your way along the historic Neath Canal, once used to transport huge amounts of coal, iron ore and even gunpowder! Now home to a wide variety of bird life, you’ll follow the canal until reach the centre of Neath, and the train station, with plenty of opportunities to toast your walk on Green Street.
What you need to know
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Duration: 90 minute
- Navigation: Easy
- Terrain: Town and towpath
Watch out for wildlife in Wareham, Dorset
Want the chance to spot deer, lizards and woodlarks? Close to the pretty Dorset riverside town of Wareham, you’ll find a conifer plantation interspersed with rare lowland heath that is buzzing with wildlife. And that’s not all – the area’s well-maintained paths mean this is a walk suitable for everyone, whether you’re a wheelchair user or want to introduce young ones to the wonders of nature.
What you need to know
- Length: 2 miles
- Duration: 1 hour
- Navigation: Novice
- Terrain: Well-maintained paths through forest and heath
- Suitable for wheelchair users
See iconic Scottish sculptures in Falkirk
Falkirk | Alpha Perspective for Unsplash
Hopping off the train in Falkirk, this amble around Falkirk will take you past one of Scotland’s most iconic sculptures: the Kelpies. 30m high steel horse heads, the Kelpies act as monuments to the horses that towed the boats along the canal. After passing them, you’ll head into a community woodland, with yet more sculptures to see, before heading back via a wetland boardwalk.
What you need to know
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Duration: 1 hour
- Navigation: Novice
- Terrain: Boardwalk, well-maintained paths and town
- Suitable for wheelchair users
Want to find out more? Check out all the details of our proposed Access to Nature Bill.
About The Ramblers
The Ramblers are the only 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. Committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all, The Ramblers fight for the things that matter most to walkers. Find out more here.
