"The Pub Walker" Free Newsletter - Third Edition

"The Pub Walker" Free Newsletter - Third Edition

This is just a quick post to say that the latest edition of our 2-monthly free newsletter, also called "The Pub Walker" has just been distributed to our subscribers. Visitors to this blog can also follow a link to it below.

In this issue: (click on a title to jump straight to the article)

• 2008 - What's New?
• Award-winning pubs and where to find them
• New pub walks to enjoy - and another competition winner
• Gift idea - not too late for Mothers' Day!s
• Dates for your Diary - special events, festivals and deadlines

If you are not already registered with us and would like to receive your own free copy straight to your inbox in future then please simply click on subscribe.

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This Week's Free Pub Walks - Competition Winners

This Week's Free Pub Walks - Competition Winners

Instead of the usual one free pub walk to download, this week there are four of the winning entries from the competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. The coupons for these can be found in the latest Pub Walker newsletter which are valid until 30 November 2007. If you missed them, just click on the link below:

• Winning Pub Walks to Download for Free

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"The Pub Walker" Free Newsletter - Second Edition

"The Pub Walker" Free Newsletter - Second Edition

This is just a quick post to say that the second edition of our 2-monthly free newsletter, also called "The Pub Walker" has just been distributed to our subscribers.

In this issue: (click on a title to jump straight to the article)

• The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk - 2007 Winners
• Award-winning pubs and where to find them
• Winning Pub Walks to Download for Free
• Christmas Gift Ideas for Pub Walkers
• Dates for your Diary - special events, festivals and deadlines

If you are not already registered with us and would like to receive your own free copy straight to your inbox in future then please simply click on subscribe.

The Pub Walker
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How to Get Free Pub Walks - Update

How to Get Free Pub Walks - Update

Now that the competition to find the Nation’s Favourite Pub Walk has closed and judging is underway, there are still 4 ways to download pub walks for free from the MyFavouritePubWalks.com website. Here's how:

1. Visit this blog regularly which will now feature a free pub walk each week - in addition to continuing to report on current issues affecting our countryside, our community pubs and more. Remember it's easy to subscribe so you needn't miss a single pub walk (each pub walk is free for that week only).

2. Register for our free newsletter with its regular collection of free pub walks to download, award-winning pubs, features, promotions and offers (we guarantee your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time).

3. Simply send us a pub walk to qualify for a year's free membership with unlimited downloads of all the pub walks in our growing database. Not only that, we want your favourite pub walks so badly that we will pay you!

4. Or take out an annual subscription for unlimited downloads of all our pub walks. With 10 Reasons to Join including our 12-month, no questions asked, money-back guarantee, you really have nothing to lose.

This Week's Free Pub Walk is here


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Legal Right of Access to our Coast

Legal Right of Access to our Coast

Last week the government confirmed that it would legislate to give a legal right of access to the English coastline. This was a very welcome announcement at the Labour Party Conference and followed strong lobbying by Natural England, the Ramblers Association and many others.

The public consultation period only ended on 11 September (see earlier post) so this was an unexpectedly quick decision from the government and no doubt the timing of the conference had a helping hand in this. Whatever the reason though, this is very welcome news for anyone that gets real pleasure from our varied and dramatic coastline.

Read more at The Government Backs Coastal Access

Today's coastal pub walk: Sailor's Return in East Chaldon, Dorset.

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Last Chance to Vote for Your Favourite Pub Walks

Last Chance to Vote for Your Favourite Pub Walks

Voting is about to close for our website MyFavouritePubWalks.com’s first-ever competition. to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. Excuse the quick plug here but there are Good Pub Guides, The Ramblers “Walking Companion” and Blacks vouchers to be won, not just for entrants but for voters too.

So why not find time this weekend to download a pub walk for free, give it a try and then cast your “vote” by adding a rating or review to the site. More details can be found at MyFavouritePubWalks.com/competition.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: Beaulieu Road Inn near Beaulieu Station, New Forest.

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Coastal Access - Public Consultation Ends

Coastal Access - Public Consultation Ends

11 September marks the end of the public consultation period of proposals to open up an uninterrupted public access corridor around the English coast. I last wrote about this in June in my post Coastal Access - Right to Roam our English Coastline when the consultation process began.

According to The Ramblers Association, 94% of the English public support the wide-ranging proposals presented to the government by Natural England. Let's all just hope now that the government has been listening.

Read more at Coastal Access and the right to roam our English coastline
See update...

Today's Pub Walk: The George Inn in Middlezoy, Somerset.

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Last Chance to Nominate a Favourite Pub Walk

Last Chance to Nominate a Favourite Pub Walk

Well this weekend marks the last opportunity to send in your entry in the first ever competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. The weather forecast promises plenty of sunshine so this could be an ideal time to make the most of what was meant to be summer - enjoy a walk in country or town and finish off in one of your favourite pubs with perhaps a pint of real ale and maybe a traditional pub lunch.

Afterwards, if it surpasses expectations, you could tell your fellow pub walkers about it by entering the competition. All entries before midnight of Sunday 9th September will be eligible to win prizes.

Full details of the competition and its many prizes can be found at Nation's Favourite Pub Walk.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: The Mussell Inn at Down Thomas, Plymouth, Devon.

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Concern for Pubs after Disastrous Summer Sales

Concern for Pubs after Disastrous Summer Sales

Fears are growing that the disastrous summer pub sales slump is causing a sharp increase in the number of licensees giving notice to quit.

Many pubs are suffering as a direct result of the poor summer weather and floods which have come in the wake of the smoking ban.

Add to that the rises in interest rates which not only push up their own borrowing costs but also reduce customers’ cash for leisure then it is easy to see why it’s been a tough few months for publicans.

Let’s all hope a sunny September can give a shot in the arm to our ailing pub community. To read more click on Concern for Pubs after Disastrous Summer Sales.

With the end of September also seeing the close of voting for The Nation’s Favourite Pub Walk, why not use the month to not only help our pubs but also to try some more pub walks and cast your votes?

Today's pub walk: The Hole in the Wall near Cambridge.

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Our Favourite Pub Walk - Entries by 9 Sep 2007

The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk - Entries By 9 September 2007

Good Pub Guides, Ramblers Association books and Blacks/Millets vouchers are still up for grabs in the on-line competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. As well as a chance to win these prizes, every entrant also gets 1 year's free access to all the pub walks in the MyFavouritePubWalks.com database and a share in the website's profits.

Everyone has until Sunday 9th September 2007 to enter their favourite pub walks into the competition, so why not go ahead and enter one for your favourite local, or maybe one you've just discovered on holiday. To find out more, click on Pub Walks On-line Competition.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: The White Hart (walk 4) in Campton, Bedfordshire.

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St. Ives wins vote for improved coastal access

St. Ives wins vote for improved coastal access

The Guardian’s ‘Best Seaside Town Award’ has just been won by St. Ives in Cornwall with one of the reasons for it earning this award being cited as improved access for walkers.

The 22 judges included Chairman of the Ramblers’ Association who highlighted members’ enthusiasm for the improved coastal access with public transport around St. Ives helping walkers explore the South West Coast Path.

You might have seen in my previous posting on coastal access that the competition for the Nation’s Favourite Pub Walk has a special "Favourite Coastal Pub Walk" category with its own prize for the person submitting the walk - maybe St. Ives could be the setting for the winning entry for that too!

The coast path here is one of the best stretches in my view with some rugged walking and spectacular coastal scenery. St. Ives also has its share of historic pubs to entice pub walkers and I was already trying to book a last-minute holiday in the area. So keep your eyes open for some new pub walks there this summer (not that I would qualify for my own prize of course)!

To find out more click on coastal access helps St. Ives win award.

Today's pub walk: The Victoria Inn in Plymouth, Devon, which includes a section of the South West Coast Path.


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Coastal Access - Right to Roam our Coastline

Coastal Access - Right to Roam our English Coastline

Yesterday saw the start of the public consultation over coastal access. The question is whether the right to roam should be extended to grant uninterrupted public access along the length of the English coastline.

Natural England first presented their proposals to Defra earlier this year and I wrote about this then at Coastal Access is on its Way. Public support is very strong for a continual coastal corridor which would bring England into line with Scotland and shortly Wales. However it is strongly opposed by landowners and the battle is not yet won. Read more at Coastal Access and the right to roam our English coastline

To help maintain public and media focus on this initiative, MyFavouritePubWalks.com has decided to add a special "Favourite Coastal Pub Walk" category in its search for The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. The additional prize will be a copy of "The Walkers Companion", published and donated by The Ramblers Association who have been strong campaigners for coastal access.

Today's participating pub: The Inn with the Well in Ogbourne St. George, Wiltshire.
Prizes offered: 1st - Meal for 2 with wine; 2nd - Bottle of Chianti or Pinot Grigio.

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Download Pub Walks Free until 30 September 2007

Download Pub Walks Free until 30 September 2007

The competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk has been extended following popular demand from pub walkers wanting to continue their search over the Summer holiday period.

With so many of us exploring new areas of the UK for our holidays and discovering new pub walks, as lead sponsors MyFavouritePubWalks.com felt it was only right to take this feedback on board. Pubs and walking feature high on the list of leisure activities on holiday and we often return having discovered some new gems that we love to share with others visiting the area.

So now everyone has until Sunday 9th September 2007 to enter their favourite pub walks into the competition, with the deadline for voting also extended by two monthts to 30 September.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: The Blue Bell Inn in Flintshire, Wales.

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Open Farm Sunday - 10 June 2007

Open Farm Sunday - 10 June 2007

Anyone who appreciates the English countryside knows that farms are important and play a critical role as custodians of our landscape. However we often have very little understanding of what farming today is all about.

Open Farm Sunday is a national day organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) with the aim of showing how farmers have to balance their care of the environment with their fundamental need to produceing safe, wholesome and affordable food.

We often have a distorted view of the farmer's life and this is an ideal opportunity for farmers to help change that. It is also a great way for children to be introduced to the countryside and all the pleasures of walking (farm walks are a common feature on the farms).

Last year was a pilot for this event and involved nearly 300 farms. This year LEAF have high hopes that it will be even bigger. To find out more, as well as details of an event near you, click on Open Farm Sunday.

Today's participating pub: The Cyder House in Shackleford, Surrey.
Prizes offered: £40 meal voucher, 2-course meal for two and bottle of champagne.

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Easy to download, share and review pub walks

Easy to download, share and review pub walks online

OK, we didn't get it right first time. But just take another look at MyFavouritePubWalks.com now! We listened to the feedback we received from our fellow pub walkers (thanks everybody!) and have made the whole site simpler to use. The main changes include:

• one-time registration - whether you are submitting your favourite pub walks, just downloading pub walks or even becoming a participating pub.

• email your own favourite pub walks to us - no longer any need to access the secure area of the site to upload the details (we do that for you now).

• the instructions on how to submit your favourite pub walks are now much simpler.
  

So with only 4 weeks left to submit your entry for The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk, why not join in and go for one of the prizes...

Today's participating pub: Live and let Live in Whitbourne, Worcs.
Prizes offered: A meal for two.

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Essex Community Pub Saved

Essex Community Pub Saved

Ye Olde Cherry Tree in Little Oakley, near Harwich, Essex has a story to tell. Despite having a history of excellence, it has recently had to really fight for its survival against a backdrop of forced periods of closure over the past couple of years - changing hands and landlords several times.

Now however it is under new management and is proud of its chequered history and the valiant efforts and campaigning that has kept this community pub alive. It is an inspiring story and you can read more about how this Essex community pub was saved.

I am very pleased to see them join in the Quest for the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk and I have selected them as "Today's participating pub" below.

Today's participating pub: Ye Olde Cherry Tree in Little Oakley, Essex.
Prizes offered: A 3-course Sunday Lunch for two.

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Bank Holiday Pub Walks - Local Competitions

Bank Holiday Pub Walks - Local Competitions

The great thing about bank holidays is they give us chance to both get out in the fresh air and to indulge ourselves a little. Sounds to me like a pub walk is calling!

With a growing number of pubs participating in the Quest for the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk by organising local contests of their own, this is a great chance to maybe win a meal for two as well as one of the national prizes simply by submiting your favourite pub walk.

Even those who just vote can win prizes too. To find whether there is a participating pub near you, click on local competitions.

Today's participating pub: The Good Companions in Surrey.
Prizes offered: A bottle of champagne or top quality wine (3 winners).

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Participating Pubs and Prizes

My last posting highlighted an article in The Publican, promoting the use of pub walks by pubs to generate new business from the walking community. Pubs are already starting to register as Participating Pubs so I thought it would be good to sometimes include a "Participating Pub" at the foot of my blog instead of a "Today's Pub Walk". So here we go with the first one ...

Today's participating pub: The King's Head in Swaledale, North Yorks.
Prize offered: Meal for two.

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The Publican encourages Pubs to Find Best Walks

The Publican magazine for the trade includes an article in today's edition showing publicans how they can use a pub walk to market themselves to the walking community. It includes a 10 step guide showing them how to maximise the publicity they get from the event and includes quotes from yours truly! It is a well presented article and if you'd like to take a look just click on Walk into new trade.

If you are a publican who would like to participate in the event and benefit from the free advertising, you should also take a look at MyFavouritePubWalks.com/publicans to get further details.

Today's pub walk: The Rising Sun in Warsash, Hampshire.

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The best pub walks can be town walks

We get used to the idea of the best pub walks being those that take us away from populated areas and out into rural surroundings where we can start to feel at one with nature. There is something special about escaping from the cities and savouring the sense of freedom that this can inspire.

But some of the best pub walks can also be town walks where the route can reflect a fascinating mix of historic buildings, famous landmarks, rivers, parks and more. Take today's pub walk below, for example, which includes views from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a National Trust trail, woodlands and refreshments at a riverside pub. Now that sounds a great mix!

Today's pub walk: The Cottage Inn in Bristol, Avon.

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