Alton Walking Festival was bigger and better than ever before – and has underlined its reputation as one of the best events of its kind in the country.

Alton Town Council played a huge role in the success of the festival, and clerk Leah Coney said: “As we reflect on its triumph, and the epic offering of more 100 walks, 2022 has seen the event successfully advance to the next level in terms of its offering and appeal.

“With walking festivals springing up all over the country and a number of new ones launched just this year, the event has needed to diversify and extend its reach to continue to stand out from the crowd.

“In rising to this challenge, a new partnership was formed with South Western Railway to take marketing of the event beyond local.

“Utilising station-platform advertising and QR code links, promotion of the event went regional this year with some advertising stretching beyond, with walkers from as far afield as Cornwall and an enquiry about how to set up a similar walking festival from someone in Australia!

“National publicity through inclusion in a national broadsheet as one of the “ten best walking festivals in the uk this spring” also gave a welcome boost to the event.

“While still advocating walking for improved physical and mental health and well-being, in trying to strengthen our reputation as a destination town for walking and promoting the responsible tourism agenda, the event is now starting to have a demonstrable impact on the local economy, as participants use local facilities, cafes and accommodation while visiting Alton.

“With some ‘walkie talkie’ walks around the town centre, together with the inclusion of wildlife, trees, foraging, history and heritage walks – as well the beautiful surrounding countryside offering a plethora of distances and unspoilt landscapes both inside and outside the South Downs National Park – the tenth year of the Alton Walking Festival has really pushed the envelope.

“We hope we have attracted new visitors to the town as well as keeping our regular supporters inspired with original and varied experiences.

“This year also saw a new Alton Walk your Own Way for local residents who may not have the opportunity to join organised sessions throughout the month, so they could take up the challenge of completing 100 miles in the month.

“Administering the festival takes Alton Town Council officers hundreds of hours and, of course, the event would not take place without the support of the amazing Walk Alton and our wonderful volunteer walk leaders and back markers.

“Many thanks to our sponsors, McCarthy Stone and Newbury Building Society and, of course, our supporters at South Western Railway and Walkers are Welcome.

“We hope Alton Walking Festival underpins our offering as a destination town for walking all year round.

“As we now turn our attention to welcoming delegates from around the country to the Walkers are Welcome annual gathering, being held in Alton in early October, our week-long mini-festival will give us the opportunity to showcase Alton to a national audience as well as our loyal local supporters.”