Walk this May – exploring on foot with B&P

From Boxshop and Dumbarton in the North to Swindon, Oxford and Bristol in the South our Boxes and Packaging sites are sprinkled across the UK.

As you will know a team of employees got the walking bug back in March when they tackled Walk All Over Cancer raising almost £16,000 in just 31 days. Now as National Walking Month takes place organisers Living Streets are asking you to #WalkthisMay and pledge to undertake a walk each day for the month and discover how much CO2 you’ve saved, how many calories you’ve burnt and how much you’ve enjoyed it! Even 20 minutes a day can have a great impact on your overall health and wellbeing.

We take a very quick look at some great walks close to our B&P sites across the UK to get you started.

Staring in Dumbarton, the famous Langs Craig Circuit is a challenging walk that offers some amazing vantage points over to Dumbarton and the water beyond. Or, just a ten minute drive away are the shores of Loch Lomond and the gateway to the Trossachs where scenic walks are aplenty.

Just 27 miles away, in a southerly direction is our Boxshop site in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Calderglen Country Park offers sedate walking routes and lovely views with a scenic wooded glen and waterfall.

It’s a fair trek to our next nearest site, Merseyside; just 223 miles from East Kilbride! Whilst there is much to explore in Liverpool on foot, the Otterspool Promenade (part of the Trans Pennine Trail) hugs the banks of the River Mersey from Otterspool (where there is parking) all the way to Albert Dock or even Pier Head if you fancy it.

Just 39 miles in an easterly direction takes you to our Manchester site at Bredbury situated on the fringes of industrial Manchester in one direction and the beautiful Peak District in the other. Just a few miles south from our site is the stunning Goyt Valley that offers a number of walks to enjoy ranging from one mile to around 12 miles.

Heading over the Pennines takes us to our Doncaster site and its satellite distribution centre at Thorne. Just about equidistance between the two is the stunning Hatfield Moors; part of the Humberhead Peatlands Project. With lakes, wildlife and complete peace it’s a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life (and boxes!)

Heading south we find ourselves at our Leicester site. Just three miles from here is Watermead Country Park where a series of paths wind their way through 340 acres of lakes and woodlands to the North of the City.

Staying in the Midlands we head to our Birmingham site, right in the heart of the city. Pretty much on its doorstep and close to the infamous Spaghetti Junction, Aston Reservoir is within walking distance of our site. It’s 0.7 mile circular route around the water and is perfect for a lunchtime stroll. However, further afield, there are some canal walks to take where you can view the juxtaposition of the cities heritage and twenty first century life.

From industrial Birmingham we head to academic Oxford, the ‘city of dreaming spires’. Our site is located a little outside the city, close to the River Thame and its Thame Valley Walk which meanders for about 15 miles. Or, for architectural views like no other, pop into the city and admire its historic buildings.

Heading South West takes us to our Swindon site where you’ll be spoilt from choice walk wise. Just a few miles from the picturesque Cotswold Water Park, the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs AONB, we’ll let you decide which part to explore first on foot.

And finally, we reach Bristol. Not too far from our site is the Avon Valley Woodland Nature Reserve with a variety of walking options, or head to the city for waterside and heritage walks.

With so many walks to enjoy across the UK we hope you feel just a little inspired to check out some walks nearby and #WalkthisMay.