Creative landscape history and walks
Join artist Ruth Singer for a creative exploration of landscape history in Charnwood.
Over the summer and autumn there will be free guided walks and wild workshops in the countryside.
In the winter there will be chance to do research and use archives indoors as well as contribute to a booklet of research and take part in making a handmade map.
The project is about sharing your experience of the Charnwood* countryside, collect your stories, your creative or historical research to share in our booklet or map. We might look at your favourite places, the history of paths, the names of woodlands, signs of old land use, old meadows or boundaries and how you feel about these places and traces.
When does the project take place?
Over the summer and autumn of 2024 there will be walks and wild workshops in the countryside.
In the winter there will be chance to do research and use archives indoors as well as contribute to a booklet of research and take part in making a handmade map.
There will be a small exhibition in spring 2025 where we will share our handmade map created with the stories collected.
The event dates are below.
Where does the project take place?
The activities take place across the project area in woodlands, on footpaths and in country parks.
* The project covers part of Charnwood Forest, working out from south west Loughborough from Epinal Way / Ling Road south to the A50 at Markfield. The eastern edge is the Great Central Way and the western edge of our zone is the M1. To the north we stop at A512 Ashby Road. This includes Outwoods, Bradgate and the Beacon, Swithland woods as well as nature reserves and many miles of footpaths and small roads.
Who is this project for?
We welcome participants who live in or visit this area. The project is designed for adults.
Please ask in advance about bringing dogs. The sessions are designed to be quiet and mindful so please be considerate if your dog is more lively and impatient and leave them at home. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Access info
Some of the walks will be in more accessible locations, some will be less accessible because of gates, stiles or ground conditions. I will give as much information as possible about each location and the access facilities. Please do ask if you want to know more or to discuss possible adaptations which we are happy to make if feasible.
I hope the workshops will be more accessible than the walks and indoor sessions in the winter will be in accessible buildings. Please get in touch if you have requirements that we can help with.
Events Summer 2024
Friday 28th June 10am-12pm. Outwoods visitor centre, at the covered picnic benches near the cafe.
We will be in the covered picnic area 10am-11am to introduce you to the project and take part in a creative activity if you wish.
At 11 we will have a short walk around the edge of the woods and along bridleways, approx 1.5miles. You can also do this walk independently with a leaflet available on the day.
Friday 19th July 10-11.30am. Walk on the bridleway towards the Outwoods from Loughborough. Approx 2 miles of slow, mindful walking with things to do and look out for. This walk is mainly level but the path itself is very uneven and rocky, and in some areas could be very muddy if it has been wet.
Friday 22nd August. 10-11.30am. Wild workshop, location TBC possibly Groby Pool
Friday 20th September. 10-11.30am. Walk from Woodhouse Eaves. Length of walk variable, with a short and a longer option.
Friday 18th October 10-11.30am. Wild workshop in an outdoor location in Charnwood, tbc
Future dates tbc
22nd Nov
13th Dec
24th Jan
28th Feb
28th March
25th April
Celebration and exhibition in May 2025
Sign Up
Register here to get info by email (this is not for events bookings). We will only contact you with information about this project.
Supported by Charnwood Forest Geopark Community Heritage Grant Scheme and Arts Council England through my Cultures of Care project
Ruth Singer 