Get on your walking boots for a litfest with a difference

It seems that nearly every town and city across the country now boasts a literary festival, but one which requires you to get your walking boots on? Well, Richmond likes do to things a little differently. The North Yorkshire market town’s Alt-Berg Walking and Book Festival, now in its sixth year, combines the joys of reading with the great outdoors.

This year, alongside appearances from literary festival favourites Pam Ayres, crimewriter Ann Cleeves and Shirley Williams, the week-long event also hopes to get visitors to put their best foot forward with a series of historical walks. The programme of 50 walks, includes a route which traces the story of the Little Drummer Boy from Richmond Castle and along the River Swale to the last place he was seen or heard and another which follows in the footsteps of Lewis Carroll. Local historian Mark Whyman will lead another expedition around the town’s historical wynds and storytellers will also be on hand to bring the folk lore and ghosts of Richmond to life.

“Richmond is steeped in history and there is something to discover around every corner,” says town manager Colin Grant. “The history doesn’t stop with the walks in and around the town. For the more adventurous there are routes which take in sites occupied by Vikings and Romans, visiting the old Swaledale smelt mines and the corners of the Yorkshire Dales which inspired Alfred Wainwright. “We hope we have created a diverse programme of events and something for all ages and abilities.”

For more information on all the events at the Alt-Berg Richmond Walking and Book Festival visit www.books and boots.org.