[A]s part of the very first Kendal Walking Festival, Friends of the Lake District is offering a free guided walk on the popular Helm hill on Sunday 4 June.
The Helm is a prominent hilltop in Oxenholme, Kendal. It has spectacular views and was once a hillfort. Half of it is now owned and managed by local conservation charity, Friends of the Lake District whose volunteers can be seen regularly caring for its flora and fauna.
A volunteer from Friends of the Lake District, Arthur Robinson, will give walkers an insight into the lesser known details of the popular hill including its geology, ecology and archaeology.
An impressive 23 guided walks will available during the two-day walking festival, from 2 – 4 June. Each walk is guided by a walking enthusiast from one of Kendal’s many walking groups who have offered their expertise because of their love of the town and its surrounding countryside.
Janine Bickerstaff, of Friends of the Lake District, said: “As a charity dedicated to the protection of the Cumbrian landscape, we’re really pleased to be able to support this inaugural festival which encourages people to appreciate the landscape on their doorstep. The Helm is a much-loved and well-used part of the landscape for people in the Kendal area. However, there is much more to it than first meets the eye. Since we took over the management of half of it, our volunteers have worked hard to return it to a healthy state and we have improved its access for the public. This walk will give us a chance to share our love and knowledge of the hill with others”.
The Kendal Walking Festival is organised by Kendal Town Council and runs from Friday 2 – Sunday 4 June and most walks are free. ‘The Helm and its Geology, Archaeology and Ecology’ walk is on Sunday 4 June. Meet at the Abbot Hall car park at 9am.To book on this, or any of the other walks as part of the festival, please visit the Brewery Arts website https://www.breweryarts.co.uk/lakes-tickets/category/kendal-walking-festival or call them on 01539 725133.
