WALKERS will soon be visiting some of Dorset’s and Wiltshire’s most beautiful locations at this year’s Gillingham Walking Festival.

The volunteer-led festival is returning to the town from August 30 to September 6 and aims to encourage walking in the local area and offers shorter walks of just over a mile to longer walks of up to 12 miles to appeal to people of all walking abilities.

The festival, which will be launched by Gillingham Mayor councillor Fiona Cullen, starts with a train ride from Gillingham to Tisbury, from where walkers will enjoy a spectacular 12-mile walk back to Gillingham, taking in the delights of Wardour Old Castle, Oyster Coppice, Semley Common and King’s Court.

Other longer walks include a circular walk near Kingston Deverill, a stride out from Gillingham Town Meadow to Mere, led by the Mere Walking Group, and other walks taking in Silton, West Bourton, Cucklington, Eccliffe and Madjeston.

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A highlight of this year’s festival is a pilgrimage walk on September 6 from Ashmore to Shaftesbury, moving through a wooded valley and onto the hills of the Fontmell Nature Reserve and Melbury, before weaving along quiet lanes and joining St Edward the Martyr’s Way up iconic Gold Hill to finish in Shaftesbury.

Among the shorter walks are opportunities for nature and bird spotting, walking meditation and social and chatty walks of just one to two miles.

Organisers said: “The festival aims to promote the health benefits of walking, as well as enjoyment and respect for what the local countryside offers, and gives local people and visitors the opportunity to learn about the culture, heritage and biodiversity of Gillingham and the surrounding countryside; there is even the opportunity to enjoy tea and cakes on some of the walks in exchange for a charitable donation.”

Most walks start from the Gillingham Town Meadow, and some include local and laid-on transport to the further start points.

Full details can be found in pamphlets distributed throughout Gillingham (including at the railway station and library) and online at https://gillwalkersarewelcome.chessck.co.uk/WalkingFestival