Things to do during National Countryside Week
Get out for a walk in the Surrey countryside this month (Photo Simon Greig - iStock) - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
With The Prince’s Countryside Fund encouraging the nation to celebrate British Countryside Week later this month, here Christine Howard, chairman of the Surrey Hills Society, suggests five things we can do to support our local countryside...
How about a stay in a 1930s shepherd's hut near Thursley in the heart of the Surrey Hills - Credit: TBC
Need to know:
National Countryside Week takes place from Sunday July 13 to Sunday July 20. For more information, visit The Prince’s Countryside Fund website at princescountrysidefund.org.uk
* To help preserve the countryside for future generations, please support The Prince’s Countryside Fund. You can make a donation to them online at princescountrysidefund.org.uk, at the Post Office or by text. Simply text PCF to 70300 and a £3 donation will be made.
Surrey Hills Society chairman Christine Howard helps out with some practical volunteering on Headley Heath - Credit: TBC
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1. Visit a country pub or café
Surrey has some fantastic country pubs and cafés, many of which champion local food and drink too. For inspiration on where to go, take a look at the winners of last year’s Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards. Follow the links for our favourite summer pubs and Surrey cafés.
The launch of the Surrey Hills Heritage Sausage at the Jolly Farmers in Buckland - Credit: TBC
2. Buy from our local producers
Look out for local box schemes or farmers’ markets in your area – not only are they a great way to source the freshest produce with minimum food miles, it’s the ideal way to support local producers too. Some of the best include Dorking Food Float and Guildford and Milford Farmers’ Markets.
Enjoying the Stephan Langton pub on Abinger Common - Credit: TBC
3. Enjoy a staycation
There are some amazing places to stay in Surrey. Check out our special feature in July's Surrey Life magazine to find some of the county’s hidden gems – from glamping to grand mansions and much more – providing the perfect base to explore the spectacular local countryside.
4. Join a countryside group
To learn more about your local countryside and get out there enjoying and protecting it, why not join a local countryside group? The Surrey Hills Society, the National Trust, the British Conservation Volunteers and Surrey Wildlife Trust are just a few of the organisations that are active in Surrey.
5. Take a stroll
During National Countryside Week, The Prince’s Country- side Fund is inviting the nation to ‘Walk a Country Mile’ to help raise awareness of the countryside. To register your support and make a suggested £3 donation, visit princescountrysidefund.org.uk. Once you have signed up, you will receive an e-mail with maps, ideas and tips.
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READ ON
5 places to walk a country mile for National Countryside Week
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