It's a wrap on 2018!
Happy holidays! We have officially made it to the end of 2018, and what a year it has been. We couldn't have made it without the amazing support from the greater Go Jauntly community. So, a big thank you to all of the jaunters out there for supporting the app, going on walks, and creating your own!
There were a lot of exciting moments for the Go Jauntly team this year. Here are just a few of them:
Featured in The Guardian
Nominated for a Webby award
Awarded funding from Innovate UK
Won the Civic Innovation Challenge and partnered with Transport for London on new active travel features.
After all of that, we are looking forward to winding down over the holidays and going on some winter walks with family and friends. Hopefully you will have an opportunity to do the same! Need some inspiration? Here are five of this year's popular walks plus five festive staff-favourites.
5 Popular Walks from 2018
With many of London's big sights along the route, including Trafalgar Square, St. James Park, Parliament and Big Ben, it's no surprise this is one of our most popular jaunts. Perfect for the Londoner who wants to mix up their daily commute or the visitor exploring the city for the first time.
2. Ladybower Loop
A stroll around Ladybower Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley of the Peak District. Walk the beautiful woodland trails and marvel at the historic Ashopton Viaduct and Derwent Dam. This route would be perfect for walking off the Christmas Turkey.
3. Fairytale Trail
Take the family to Clifton Country Park in Salford to enjoy this magical Fairytale Trail. There are 10 wooden sculptures carved by artist Mike Burgess which can be found dotted along the edge of a lovely lake. Kids will love searching for the woodland creatures, witches, and wood sprites and parents will love the lakeside scenery.
4. Gilwern Canal and Lonely Shepherd
If you are in South Wales, why not enjoy a stretch of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal before moving up into the hills to find Lonely Shepherd, a limestone pillar supposedly left there by quarry workers that overlooks all of the surrounding area. The views are more than worth the walk!
5. Follow the Kelvin to the Park & Art
Don't let a little chilly weather stop you from heading out on this jaunt along the River Kelvin in Glasgow. You can warm up with a stop at the Botanic Gardens glass house and finish off the route at the stunning Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
5 Festive Favourites
1. Gunwalloe to Poldhu Cove
Cornwall may inspire thoughts of summer days on the beach, but this stretch of coast is wonderful anytime of year. If the picturesque beaches and ancient church yards along the route look familiar, it might be because they were used as a filming location for the popular BBC show Poldark.
2. Beddington Park Life Adventures
This relaxing park along the banks of the River Wandle feels like a magical slice of countryside right in the heart of Croydon. And its not just lovely to look at! It is also one of the most rich archaeological sites in South West London with evidence of settlements dating back to the Bronze age.
3. Hareshaw Linn
A moderate hike through a dense wooded valley ending at a spectacular waterfall. The whole area is designated a site of special scientific interest for it's rare ferns and lichen. Plus if your are lucky you might spot some other wildlife such as red squirrels, great spotted woodpeckers, or wood warblers.
4. Gosbecks Park Loop
This 65 hectare archaeological park is said to be one of the country's premier Iron Age and Roman monuments. It lay at the heart of pre-Roman Camulodunum when it was the pre-eminent tribal capital of south eastern Britain. Aside from the fascinating history, it's also just a beautiful spot for a jaunt!
5. Port Ceiriad to Abersoch Beach
We just can't get enough of these incredible coastal jaunts. This one explores the coves and headlands of the Llŷn Peninsula in Northern Wales. Sure it might be cold this time of year, but at least you will have the trails all to yourself!
Do you have any favourites that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments below! Or if you know a great jaunt that isn’t in the app yet, why not walk it over the holidays and upload it? We can’t wait to see all of the amazing walks uploaded in the new year.
Happy holidays!
Hana, Steve, & the Go Jauntly Team
