Silly Walks

Inspired by 1970s comedy troupe Monty Python - whose ‘Ministry of Silly Walking’ sketch is recognised as one of the most hilarious in the British comedy archives - the National Trust South West has launched an online campaign to find the nation’s ‘silliest walkers’.

Over the next few weeks, people of all ages and backgrounds are being encouraged to record themselves ‘silly walking’, ideally in National Trust-managed landscapes around the country, and upload their videos and pictures to www.ntsouthwest.co.uk/sillywalks most ridiculous ‘silly walking’ will win a weekend in a National Trust holiday cottage and ten runners-up will win family day entry tickets to any National Trust property or grounds.  The campaign will culminate with an event at Studland Beach, Purbeck, Dorset on October 23rd in which students from Bournemouth University, members of the public and families, led by actors and actresses from acclaimed South West-based theatre company Rogue Theatre, will congregate for a special celebration of ‘silly walking’ in true Pythonesque fashion. Everyone is welcome and fancy dress is optional – just bring your silliest walk and leave your inhibitions in the car park!

The ‘National Trust Silly Walking’ initiative forms part of ‘National Trust One’ – a new set of 101 downloadable, regional mile-long walks. The National Trust is also launching a new Walking Festival and between October 22 and October 30, events will be happening across the country to co-incide with both concepts.  More information on all elements is available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walkingfestival.

Designed by experts on everything from animal and plantlife to history and architecture, the short trails can be followed at your leisure or as part of a guided stomp. Whether you fancy a quick stroll after lunch, a burst of exercise for the kids, a romantic wander, an informative back-to-nature jaunt, or, of course, a setting for your silly walk, ‘National Trust One’ has a one-mile walk for everyone regardless of age, ability, shape or size.

Rachael Johnston, Head of Marketingfrom National Trust South West says: “The silly walking campaign is all about putting a little bit of fun back into walking and getting people out into the landscape. There are so many amazing places to explore and experience and we want people to find their own personal walking wonderlands and get a little silly. We can’t wait to see the films people will make of themselves doing silly walks and we also can’t wait to see how many people we get together – all silly walking at once – on the 23rd October. Some of our rangers have already done theirs so check them out online and get involved!”