Private Walks
With so many walking apps, guidebooks and free online resources, there has never been an easier time to explore the outdoors on your own. However, it is this same excess of information that has also made it harder than ever to find the right walk. Generic walking sites have to be all things to all people, all year round, which often means they disappoint.
If you have limited time, feel overwhelmed by walk information, or don’t have the confidence to navigate on your own, why not book a private guided walk, one that has been personally curated just for you.
With information about you/your group’s composition, abilities, interests, availability etc I use my extensive local knowledge to select the best routes for the season. Throw in a little creativity and art of mud avoidance and hopefully you have the perfect walk! However, adaptability is also key. Knowing the shortcut if the weather on the day takes a turn for the worst or adjusting the route if anyone struggles can make the difference between enjoyment & disappointment, as this walker from Holland experienced:
“I come from the Netherlands and can walk about 20 km a day there, but that turned out not to be feasible in the UK because of the hills! Routes were adjusted (I think [Malinka] knows every route there is) and we just made beautiful walks….. Have I already said we will definitely be back?!”
C Qualm
Cost
A private walk with Rural Strides will cost you neither an arm nor a leg …..which is handy is you will likely need both for our journey together! Each curated, guided walk is priced individually, but generally they are calculated as follows:
- Up to 2 hour walk for 2 people from £40
- Up to 3 hour walk for 2 people from £50
- Up to 5 hour walk for 2 people from £80
- Additional walkers from £5 per person up to a maximum of 10 in a group.
What is included:
- Dedicated, qualified, knowledgeable & insured guide for the duration of the walk
- Planned and risk assessed walk based on your requirements
- Qualified outdoor first aider
What is not included:
- Transport to/from the start & any parking charges (we try to use free locations)
- Walking clothing/footwear
- Water & lunch (if required)
- Any entrance fees if the walk visits a local attraction, or costs associated with pub/cafe/restaurant visits
Cost
A private walk with Rural Strides will cost you neither an arm nor a leg …..which is handy is you will likely need both for our journey together! Each curated, guided walk is priced individually, but generally they are calculated as follows:
- Up to 2 hour walk for 2 people from £40
- Up to 3 hour walk for 2 people from £50
- Up to 5 hour walk for 2 people from £80
- Additional walkers from £5 per person up to a maximum of 10 in a group.
What is included:
- Dedicated, qualified, knowledgeable & insured guide for the duration of the walk
- Planned and risk assessed walk based on your requirements
- Qualified outdoor first aider
What is not included:
- Transport to/from the start & any parking charges (we try to use free locations)
- Walking clothing/footwear
- Water & lunch (if required)
- Any entrance fees if the walk visits a local attraction, or costs associated with pub/cafe/restaurant visits
Food for thought
If you have just moved to the Western Weald or are visiting for the first time, it is natural not to know where to begin planning a walk. So here are a few ideas to get you started. Don’t forget to check the list of Open Walks too – any of these can always be recreated as private walks. And if all you are after is a gentle, scenic stroll to the pub, that’s perfectly fine – sometimes simple really is best.
Vineyard or brewery walks – explore the local terroir before you enjoy a tasting.
Local history – delve into the Wealden iron industry, the imprint of war locally, the yew tree’s connection to graveyards, or the history of the Weald told through how man has managed its trees over thousands of years…and so much more
Landscape literacy – learn to “read” the Downs, the Weald, and the countless flint walls crisscrossing the area. There’s more to the views, and the ground beneath your feet, than meets the eye.
Seasonal walks – spot bluebells, wild garlic, orchids, chalk grassland flowers, lavender, heather, sweet chestnuts, or time your walk around art festivals and polo matches.
Sunrise or sunset walks – ending at spectacular local viewpoints.
Night walks – a never-to-be-forgotten sensory experience after dark.
Challenge walks – take on the Petworth Way, the Hangers Way, or sections of the South Downs Way, or other local routes.
Navigation sessions – develop map and compass skills, ideal for children and beginners alike.
Walks to local points of interest – gardens, historic houses and churches.
Enquire about a walk
These are just a few ideas to help whet your appetite. To enquire about a walk please get in touch using the form.