Great British Walk set for take-off

Buy photos » Actress, singer and writer Toyah Wilcox is encouraging as many people as possible to take in the Great British Walk. (s)

PERSHORE celebrity Toyah Wilcox is urging people in the Vale to explore the sights of the countryside by taking part in the Great British Walk.

The actress, singer and writer wants as many people to join National Trust's new campaign which aims to celebrate the British countryside in the autumn season.

In order to celebrate this, more than 3,000 walking events, activities and trails at National Trust places across Britain including the Vale's own Croome Court near Pershore.

And the former I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star urged people to view the surroundings at Croome. "Croome Park is just absolutely stunning," she said.

"It’s designed yet you think you’re in natural countryside. You look out across these gentle rolling hills and you see wonderful monuments, follies and statues and the lake in particular is really lovely. You truly feel you own the whole park while you walk around it."

As part of the campaign, the Trust is also launching a nationwide search to find the country's top ten best walks with walkers being encouraged to tell of their favourite walks. People who enter will get the chance to win a stay in a National Trust holiday cottage.

Beccy Speight, regional director for the National Trust in the Midlands, added: "For me, walking is about experiencing great landscapes by becoming part of them, about finding the space to think.

"For others it's about exploring our great outdoor spaces, getting fit, sharing precious time with family and friends or escaping the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.

"We have some spectacular outdoor spaces here in Worcestershire and what better time to enjoy them than the season of crunching leaves, magnificent colours and steaming bowls of hearty soup."

To enter the competition visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greatbritishwalk. And free guides to some of the county's most spectacular walks are available to download by visiting www.nationaltrust.org.uk/midlandsautumn.

Regional news »