Walk of art - in step with the Norfolk landscape

Can you pinch more than an inch after the Christmas festivities? Confounded by cabin fever? Stuck in a creative block? Follow in the footsteps of William Wordsworth and Charles Darwin - beat the January blues by joining one of North Norfolk's many free guided walks...

Darwin and Wordsworth were both famous walkers. Darwin trod his 'thinking path' - the Sandwalk at Down House - early each morning whilst formulating his Origin of Species. Wordsworth took regular 'creative' walks through the Lake District with his sister Dorothy, when the rhythm of his steps would help guide the meter and form of his poetic style.

As well as lubricating the mind, walking's also not bad for the bod. NHS guidelines state that 'Adults should do a minimum of 30 minutes moderate-intensity physical activity, at least five days a week.' This translates as any physical activity which leads you to feel warm, and slightly out of breath. People who are obese may need to do 60 to 90 minutes a day to lose weight. Activities such as brisk walking are considered ideal for weight loss.

As part of the county-wide 'Active Norfolk' campaign, 'Fit together' is a Lloyds Pharmacy-sponsored programme of country walks aimed at those 'in mid-life and beyond'.

The schedule incorporates walks of varying duration and intensity, guided through beautiful Norfolk landscapes, to suit a range of abilities and fitness levels.

The Jan/Feb programme includes:

Mon 26th Jan: Kelling Heath/Bodham Woods, 4 mile walk, 10.30am
Tue 27th Jan: Gresham 'Three Churches', 4.5 mile walk, 10.30am;
Sheringham Prom, wheelchair-friendly 1.3 mile walk, 1pm
Wed 28th Jan: Baconsthorpe Castle, 3 mile walk, 10.30am
Fri 30th Jan: Holkham Lake, 2.5 mile walk, 10.30am
Mon 2nd Feb: Salthouse, 3.75 mile walk, 10.30am
Tue 3rd Feb: Holt, 1.5 mile walk, 10.30am
Wed 4th Feb: Walsingham, 3.7 mile walk, 10.30am;
Sculthorpe, 1.8 mile walk, 2pm
Thur 5th Feb: Cromer Cliff top, 2 mile walk, 10.30am
Mon 9th Feb: Bengate Weaver's Way, 1.4 mile walk, 12.30pm
Tue 10th Feb: Holt, 2 mile walk, 10.30am
Thur 12th Feb: Felbrigg Victory and Lake, 3.5 mile walk, 10.30am
Fri 13th Feb: Bayfield Brecks, 4 mile walk, 10.30am

For further details, Click Here to see the 'Fit Together' web page, where you can download a Word Doc containing the full programme.

To incentivise you still further, Holt Library are running a competition to find the 'Best Winter Walks Photograph' of the local area. All entries must be snapped and submitted to the library by Saturday 28th February, 2009. Entries will be on public display throughout March for viewing and voting.