ORGANISERS of a walking festival were overwhelmed by the success of this year's event - and have released next year's dates due to demand.
More than 400 bookings were made to take part in the Haltwhistle Walking Festival, which is run by Haltwhistle Walking Festival Ltd, which is registered as a charity and established 10 years ago.
Members of the group were 'amazed' by the popularity of their returning recent event which started on April 22 and finished on May 4.
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The event welcomed visitors as they were able to enjoy from the regions of Edinburgh, Kelso, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Oldham, Reading, Kensington, and The Hague, as well as from Northumberland, Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland, and Cumbria.
Overall guests were able to enjoy 27 walks including the mysterious Mithraic Temple at Brocolitia, a walk along the most photographed sections of the wall from Steel Rigg, and a singing walk along with parts of the wall and The Emperor Hadrian’s Round.
The event returning was also very significant as walks were linked to the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 celebrations and helped to boost bed nights and restaurant bookings in and around the Northumberland area.
Chair of the charity, Catriona Mulligan said: "We were amazed and delighted that it was supported by so many people from so many different parts of the UK.
"We can see the festival going onwards and upwards, so we need to build on this.
"We would also like to thank Chris Eames of Baynes Travel, despite the recent tragic loss of Nigel Baynes and Donna of Jethro’s, of Haltwhistle, who catered for both walk lunches and the Festival Social in the market square in Haltwhistle.
"Additional thanks to the Comrades Club and The Manor House in Haltwhistle, who continued to provide excellent venues for post-walk chats and refreshment."
"People are already asking bout 2023, so we have released the dates which are April 23 to May 1.
"We have great walks planned, including our showpiece one-day walk to Cauldron Snout.
"You will need a head for heights and nimble feet but this spectacular day out is one not to be missed."
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