The latest trails have been introduced as schools break up for the summer holidays, giving families the chance to explore parts of Swindon while keeping active during the six-week break.
The new downloadable routes take in Pinehurst, Wichelstowe and Stanton Park. Walkers can explore Hreod Burna Urban Forest and St Mark’s Recreation Ground in Pinehurst, canal in Wichelstowe, and the countryside at Stanton Park.
Speaking at the launch event at Pine Trees Community Centre, Claire Fleming, Travel Planning Officer, said the trails had already attracted plenty of interest since they were first introduced last year. She said:
“We choose short trails between one and three miles across various parts of Swindon. The idea is to get people out exploring their local area, finding new bits of greenery, heritage, culture or art that they might never have noticed before.”
Families who complete a trail can enter a free prize draw and collect a wildlife-themed badge, with a different design available for each route. Claire Fleming said:
“Once they’ve walked the trail they come back to the host venue, fill in a prize draw postcard and they could win a prize at the end of the season.
“Children, and big kids like adults, also receive a badge to show they’ve completed the trail. Hopefully people will collect the whole set.”
The scheme is free to take part in and is intended to provide families with a low-cost activity during the school holidays.
She added:
“They’ve got six long weeks to try and entertain the children, so it’s absolutely free to do.”
Trail booklets are available from Swindon’s main libraries and participating community venues. All current and previous routes can also be downloaded from the Swindon Travel Choices website.
Councillor Jake Chandler said the initiative was designed to encourage more people to become active while discovering places they may not have visited before. He said:
“Each route is between one and three miles and the idea is just to get people out, exercising and getting fitter.”
He added:
“Swindon is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, but around us there’s also a huge amount of heritage. You only need to go off the beaten track and have a bit of an explore to find things you’ve never seen before. That’s what these routes are about.”
Councillor Chandler said encouraging residents to spend more time outdoors could also bring wider health benefits. He said:
“It’s all about better quality of life. Health is obviously a major thing, but it also gives people more independence as they live longer. It gives people the opportunity to get around the town they live in and see more of their community.”
He added that Swindon already has a wide range of outdoor activities, including the Huntly orienteering app, which offers around 36 routes.
Organisers hope the new trails will encourage more residents to discover Swindon’s green spaces and heritage sites throughout the summer holidays.
