Go "Country Walking" (Outdoor Sports Magazines in general)

Member Name: Stew Hall

Product:	Outdoor Sports Magazines in general
Date:	19/06/01 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Of interest to all., plenty walks in detail., Fantastic photos.

Disadvantages: Adverts

Country Walking.
This is a monthly magazine filled with interesting articles for everyone from the older,casual walker to the more experienced trekker.

I purchased Country Walking purely by chance from a local filling station prior to working a nightshift last year,(2000).

I intend to do more walking as my kids are all at the stage where I can consider packing them, a tent & some motivation into a weeekend away somewhere more pleasant than the urban area called home!

I will take you briefly through the January 2001 edition as its near at hand & you can judge yourself if this is for you.

The first 2 pages are adverts followed by the editors introduction. Page 6 & 7 welcome the reader into the contents with a well laid out contents at a glance.

Five pages follow highlighting current issues for the walker such as a "St Cuthberts Way" web watch, newly opened tracks in Scotland & how the National Trust are attempting to find out how many of us consider the importance of views & scenery before choosing a holiday in places such as the Lake District.

After another couple of adverts, there are 2 pages of readers letters. Then follows an 8 page article on the Scilly Isles with plenty enticing glossy photos.

The next 3 pages were taken up by an unbiased test on what to wear close to the skin on the top half.After scoring each item on price,quality, fit & ability to wick away moisture. The Best Buy was then highlighted with reasons why!

After another winter clothing test(it is the January issue after all?), a 2 page item addresses a Willow coppicing session in Leicestershire,an advert for walking boots & a holiday in the Scottish Highlands.

My favourite article followed over 6 pages about a bunch of women from around Sheffield who with the aid of a Local Authority Project Officer, formed a walking group & explore the nearby countryside together.
It was inter
esting to see the photos show that this wasn"t about a Womens Institute meeting filled with Old Crones!
Some of these girls looked in their 20"s & all told how the appropriate partners either didn"t share an interest of the countryside; or couldn"t be bothered.

The real usefullness of this magazine then comes to the fore with details of twenty six walks throughout the UK. No matter where you live, one of these walks will be near to where you live or can reasonably expected to reach at a weekend.

Each walk is covered on an A4 page & contains details on the route, distance,where to park & to start,terrain, nearest town,public toilets/transport, refreshments, who the walk is suitable for & which O/S maps would be of benefit.

Also covered in the mag was a 2 page reader survey, 2 competitions & an 8 page article on fossil hunting on the Dorset coast!

There are of course plenty of adverts along the way but if it keeps the price of publishing down, then I feel this is a necessary evil we should put up with.

All in all, an interesting mag for almost everybody at a reasonable price. I am forever going back to mine for reference,as good a recommendation as any I feel.

Summary: