Workshops on the Lawns of Tissington Hall

The NWUK Festival Team are back into full planning mode following the success of the RUSTICK festival in the Peak District over the May Bank Holiday. This mini Festival was a sell out and participants enjoyed 75 amazing walks and workshops for  all levels in the stunning setting of Tissington Hall. Watch the video here 

The event was pulled together by the HQ Festival Team and local Instructor Sam Armstrong with a huge amount of help from her dedicated Team of Instructors, Walk Leaders and Walkers. The HQ Tutors and Specialists provided a range of workshops and other NWUK Instructors and Leaders from around the UK pitched in to recce, lead and backmark walks. It was a real team effort and many of those involved are now working hard on the larger Purbeck festival in Dorset this September which is likely to sell out in the next few weeks (especially now the schedules are live – see below)

Our rustic caterers produce lovely local food

This year there will be over 80 Festival hosts, leading and backmarking walks, helping at registration and generally pitching in! The event has moved to a more exclusive HUB so its possible to provide more workshops, better catering (including our Purple bus) more shopping opportunities and best of all….. a pasta party on Friday night and a Saturday Night Feast event with live music & Hog Roast.

There will be circa 120 lead walks and workshops to choose from and they range from gentle or wellbeing walks to hill climbs, longer walks and scenic or themed routes. Many involve the chance to enjoy the best food and drink Dorset has to offer plus the chance to learn about the area or simply enjoy nordic walking with enthusiasts from around the world. Come and join us to enjoy walking to Old Harry rocks, at RSPB Arne, Brownsea Island, Kimmeridge Bay, Studland and a host of other locations across the unique Isle of Purbeck. We have something for eveyone, including some amazing Friday night Supper walks, Art and literary walks, Workout walks and even History and Geology walks!

The workshops cover everything from advanced technique and stretching masterclass to ski fit, running with poles and how to prepare for endurance events. Other topics include walking for rehabilition, kit reviews, adding resistence to walking and some showcase demos of the latest innovations.  Non nordic walkers are welcome to join us for the social events or to come and take part in Tasters and even a Fast Track Learn to Nordic Walk course plus beginner walks schedule. There will be so much to enjoy for only £25 a day and places are filling fast – book your ticket now – this page will explan how it all works TICKETS & PRICES

Click HERE to see the walk schedules which have now been released and give a great idea of what we will have in store each day.

Finally, if the walks are not long enough for you – why not enrol for one the ultimate Nordic walking distance challenges on tough but exquisite paths along the South West coast path. Choose from 16 or 27 miles either to see how quick you are or simply to challenge yourself to complete the distance. These two Ladies did it last year and are really glad they did – click here to read their stories. The events are part of the Festival but organised by the local running Marathon event – its brilliantly well organised and all participants gain a T shirt and medal too

One thing we know for sure is that once you have experienced the magic of our festival and the wonders of Purbeck, you will want to return

Visit the Festival website for links to accomodation – info about the challenges and to secure your place before tickets run out (Hurry last year was a sell out)

See you there ?