Cymraeg

COVID 19 Update. Last Updated: Wednesday 6th January 2021

Important: All National Trail users need to ensure they are following the latest Government rules and guidance. The relevant links are provided below.

There is guidance in England and Wales on staying safe and protecting others in green spaces.

Exercise is important for health and wellbeing, but please follow guidance to stay safe and protect others.

Offa’s Dyke Path crosses over the Welsh-English border many times. Please check the guidelines in both countries below before travelling to the trail.

All of Wales is now in Tier 4, the highest possible level with tighter restrictions to control the spread of coronavirus with essential travel only and non essential retail closing.

During Tier 4 lockdown, the path will only be available to those who are able to walk, run or cycle from their homes. Please follow our guidance for a safer time walking whilst adhering to the travel restrictions in place.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) measures in Wales are different to those in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Regulations and guidance can change at very short notice so please keep up to date with latest guidance. Read the Welsh Government up to date coronavirus guidance

Check for the latest temporary path diversions.

Read the full up-to-date rules effective in England here. Those relevant to visiting green space include you:

  • must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary.
  • may leave your home to exercise once per day.
  • may exercise outside of your home with your household (or support bubble) or with one other person,
  • should not travel outside your local area, but you can travel a short distance within your area to exercise if necessary (for example, to access an open space).
  • must wear a face covering in most enclosed public settings, unless you have an exemption
  • should follow the rules on meeting others safely
  • must not go out for exercise if you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms, are sharing a household or support bubble with somebody with symptoms, or have been told to self-isolate after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

You should read the full advice and regulations for England here before exercising outdoors.

Relevant advice when using National Trails in England:

  • Wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors.
  • Take hand sanitiser with you in case there are no handwashing facilities.
  • Make space and stay at least 2 metres apart from anyone outside your household or support bubble where possible, or at least 1 metre with precautions, such as wearing a face mask.
  • Follow the Countryside Code. Leave no trace of your visit, take all your litter home and don’t light fires or barbecues.
  • Keep dogs under effective control and on a lead when you are around farm animals.
  • Leave gates as you find them or follow instructions on signs.
  • Use footpaths and follow signs where they suggest an alternative route to protect other people and protect the natural environment.
  • Take the time to read signage. Respect the measures that local authorities and site management have put in place to help ensure social distancing
  • Remember your actions can affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

Remember – ‘Hands. Face. Space’

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

New Business Support along the North Downs Way

Book your place on one of the fantastic webinars or support programmes available to businesses of all shapes and sizes in Kent and Surrey. Read on to find out more...

 

The North Downs Way have teamed up with the Kent Downs AONB as part of the new EXPERIENCE project co-financed by the European Union European and Regional Development Fund. They are currently looking for organisations and businesses to come forward with ideas for new or adapted ‘experiences’ that might appeal to visitors to Kent and Surrey. We want to involve a variety of contributors –from major attractions right through to off-the-beaten-track experts such as foresters and artisans, who may have little experience in tourism. There are already several schemes available with free training, support and promotional opportunities on offer to those accepted, hurry as spaces are limited.

  • Countryside Experience Development Programme is open for applications from Kent and Surrey businesses until 5th March. It will help existing rural businesses to diversify and new sustainable tourism businesses to develop with free support available from concept all the way through to launch. To find our more you can watch their introductory webinar all about the programme and how you can get involved.
  • Visit Kent’s Business Development Programme is open until 26th February to all tourism businesses in Kent, with any type of experience idea and already has over 100 businesses enrolled on the programme.
  • Cycling UK have launched Cycle Friendly Places, it’s a new accreditation scheme that allows your business to stand out from the crowd. It recognises outstanding hospitality and accommodation businesses, which make a cyclist’s stay memorable.
  • Produced in Kent are also offering food and drink businesses the chance to learn more about getting online, PR and Marketing with their series of webinars running through February and March.
  • Kent Downs AONB have launched new webinars for farmers and land managers to help them understand more about Environmental Land Management (ELM) and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Working with Paul Cobb from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and colleagues in Natural England, they are hosting webinars on the 3rd, 9th or 11th March.

So if your business is located or operates in Kent or Surrey there’s plenty of fantastic support available, simply get in touch and book your place.