Local author Sylvia Vetta is encouraging people to join the Ramblers and enjoy free walks across Oxfordshire

During Covid lockdowns, the Oxford Mail encouraged readers to connect with nature and explore our beautiful county on foot.

Those readers who tried out the walks written by Wendy Thomas, Elaine Steane and me, will have discovered how good it is for our physical, mental and spiritual heath. In these difficult times financially for many families, it has the added advantage that walking is free.

One of the greatest treasures of this country is the thousands of miles of public footpaths which give access to stunning scenery.

Oxford Mail:

Read again: Enjoy a ramble which takes in Iffley village

My first book was a walks book published by The Oxford Times.

Oxfordshire Rambles was 10 circular walks devised by the late Jack and Margaret Ibbott.

I got the impression that they knew every Oxfordshire footpath.

When people like Elaine and Wendy are so well informed, then you don’t need to be. All you need to do is join the Ramblers, which has over 2,000 members in Oxfordshire.

Oxford Mail:

To begin with just try it out. Look at the website and book or just turn up on walks and see if it suits you. They are from 3-12 miles, some easy and others more strenuous but all are described. If after a few walks you are hooked, then it is appreciated if you join the Ramblers Association for £35.80 a year. Membership includes national and local magazines and discounted walking holidays, as well as the extensive weekly programme of the Oxfordshire Ramblers groups. At the end of Oxfordshire Rambles I wrote: 'Walkers often enjoy the best conversations.'

Read more: 10 photos of the Cowley Road

It is an easy, inclusive and friendly way to meet people. If you don’t want to talk, no one will mind, but, if you do, it’s easy to move from one walker to another and most walks end at pubs.

Below is a list of all the groups in Oxfordshire. As a member you will receive the programme for all of them. While you join one group, you can walk with all of them. When I ended my business and became a freelance writer and author, and was able to work in a flexible manner, I joined the Oxford City group.

Oxford Mail:

In the early days I did more walks with Bicester and Banbury because I didn’t know that part of our county well and it was a great way to discover new places. You don’t need a map, just suitable footwear. You turn up in good time to be led by people like Wendy Thomas and Greg Burton. Wendy was the walks organiser for the Oxford group for many years but last year handed over the reins to Greg.

Read again: 5,000 runners take part in Town and Gown race

For the Oxford Mail I recently rounded up four walks for families with young children. That is the one thing missing from the Oxfordshire walking scene - a group for young families.

One to 2.5 miles is a good way to introduce young children to the joys of exploring the countryside. If there are young families who would like to start a group, contact James Parke, the new chairman of Oxfordshire Ramblers.

Visit ramblers.org.uk/oxfordshire.

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