Wanted: Hike Heroes, Local Legends, Walkpreneurs & Family Funsters
22nd July 2021
We’re on the hunt for North Downs Way Ambassadors and have a programme of free training available for people in Kent and Surrey who love being outdoors, love walking, love their local area and want to share that passion with others.
With interest in the outdoors, walking for wellbeing and focus on supporting local seeing huge increases during the pandemic we’re delighted to re-launch our North Downs Way Ambassadors programme which combines all three! Led by walking and outdoor adventure company Pied-a-Terre, this will provide a springboard for keen walkers to share their passion for the outdoors and develop their trail knowledge to create a range of engaging, professional and safe guided tours for visitors.
Training will consist of 6 sessions starting in September. The course will cover multiple topics about the North Downs Way including nature, history, art, food and drink, family fun as well as practical sessions on insurance, risk assessment and walking tour business development. Lessons will be offered online and in person including trips out onto the trail itself to test and feedback on the skills and knowledge learnt before being assessed and finally let loose in Kent and Surrey as fully fledged Ambassadors.
Applications are now open until 20th August and we’re looking to attract guides from all different backgrounds and locations along the trail including minority groups, disabled trail enthusiasts and family guides who can attract new and diverse audiences and help remove some of the access barriers to the glorious British countryside.
Pete Morris, North Downs Way Trail Manager said “The North Downs Way has so much to offer with 153 miles of beautiful views, stunning historic castles, cathedrals, palaces and artworks plus delicious produce and most importantly local beer! We’re delighted to be setting up this programme with Richard to help more people discover it.”
Richard Betts from Pied-a-Terre Adventures said “This is a great opportunity for us and we’re excited to be working with the Kent Downs AONB and North Downs Way teams to deliver a programme of training that will ultimately encourage more people to explore the outdoors. By combining local expertise with route knowledge these tours can be really engaging offering visitors a chance to experience the local area in a totally different way – without the car! Hopefully they’ll get the walking bug just like we have.”