How the Pennine Way Has Changed the UK 60 Years On
This April England's first National Trail, the Pennine Way, celebrates its 60th anniversary
Tracing the spine of northern England from the Scottish Border to the Peak District, in 1965 the Pennine Way became the first ever National Trail in England – a full 30 years after it was first mentioned by journalist and outdoorsman Tom Stephenson in his article Wanted – A Long, Green Trail.
‘There’s a story that he got a letter from two girls from America who’d done the Appalachian Trail and they were writing to him as a journalist to ask if there was anything like it in England that people could do, so he wrote the article,’ explains Hannah Kay, Pennines National Trails Partnership Manager. In just over 1,000 words, Stephenson painted a stunning picture of England’s landscape, already envisioning what would eventually become the Pennine Way.
In the mid-20th century the public’s attitude towards the countryside was changing. ‘After World War Two people just had the feeling that they needed to get out more,’ Hannah says. Even before this, the mood had shifted, and the public had begun to push back against restrictions on access to the countryside. In the 1930s, the Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout was a protest against the privatisation of open countryside and saw hundreds of young men and women walking across what would later become the Peak District. Then, in 1949, a key piece of legislation came into effect to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty, nature reserves and public rights of way. Buoyed by this, the Pennine Way set a precedent for the other National Trails which followed it.
As the first, and arguably most iconic, of the National Trails, the Pennine Way holds a special place in people’s hearts. ‘I think the fact that it’s such a long trail is important too. It passes through so many different landscapes, and there’s so many different areas to engage with along the way,’ Hannah says. Officially covering 268 miles, running south to north the trail begins in Edale in the Peak District and snakes its way up into the Yorkshire Dales before continuing on into the North East, passing through the land of the Prince Bishops and on into Hadrian’s Wall country, past The Cheviot Hills before finishing at Kirk Yetholm just across the Scottish Border.
Unsurprisingly, the trail boasts a myriad of stunningly scenic highlights, from sweeping wild moorland to man-made structures and breathtaking natural features. ‘It’s all a highlight,’ Hannah says. ‘You've got the Yorkshire Dales National Park as well as Malham Cove and the highest pub in England, the Tan Hill Inn, and in the North East there's High Force and Low Force – they’re amazing. Going on you’ve got Cauldron Snout (a lot of good waterfalls actually), and obviously High Cup Nick.’ Hannah also says that part of the appeal is the wide, uninterrupted expanses where walkers can lose themselves. ‘I think the beautiful thing about the Pennine Way is the distances in between places – you’ve got vast areas where you can really cover some ground. People really love that.’
As part of the year of celebration a new exhibition has been created using contributions from artists inspired by the Pennine Way. The Trail of Inspiration (currently showing at Dales Countryside Museum until May, and then touring) is an ode to the trail from those who love it most and the exhibition was inspired by a quote from Tom Stephenson’s original article: ‘None could walk that Pennine Way without being improved in mind and body, inspired and invigorated and filled with the desire to explore every corner of this lovely island.’
‘We really wanted to pick up on that idea of inspiration,’ Hannah explains. ‘Although it’s a long-distance walking route, for so many people it’s more than that. It’s their local place to go for a walk, it’s where they go on holiday and it’s a source of inspiration for art, literature, music and film. We’ve tried to incorporate all of that into the exhibition.’
After putting a call out for work from artists, as well as contacting artists she was already aware of, Hannah ended up with an outpouring of support and creativity. ‘We have different artists with a variety of backgrounds and all with very different relationships and experiences with the Pennine Way. Some of them have walked the whole trail, some of them just enjoy sections,’ says Hannah. The stories behind the art are touching, highlighting connections with the trail which span decades. ‘There’s a lady called Cat Lee who’s done the most beautiful painting. She used to walk the trail but now she has mobility issues and sadly can’t access it. And another artist, Kat Wheatley, has some mobility issues as well and she really struggles to get out. She managed to make it up Pen-y-ghent once many years ago and it was a huge achievement for her,’ Hannah explains.
As well as art, the exhibition includes poignant extracts from respected writers sharing their thoughts and feelings on the Pennine Way. ‘We’ve got Anita Sethi who’s quite a renowned author and lecturer. She’s written a book called I Belong Here. She was on a train going through the Pennines and got racially abused on the train, and was so affected by it that she then walked the whole of the Pennine Way and has written a book about her journey of reclamation, proving that she belongs there,’ Hannah explains. ‘We’ve also got Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, who has written his own book about the Pennine Way and we’ve got his poetry displayed as well.’
A collage has also been made for the exhibition so that the wider public could get involved. ‘I wanted to get the public as involved as possible, so I asked for any photos that people had that they were willing to share of them experiencing the trail in any way. I didn’t want the traditional landscapes, I wanted people enjoying themselves,’ Hannah continues. ‘I think we received about 300 photos in the end. We put them into a collage and it makes the centrepiece to the exhibition about the people who have walked the trail. That is really important.’
When asked what the next 60 years looks like for the Pennine Way, Hannah sticks to the original aim which formed the Pennine Way all those years ago – making the countryside accessible to all.
‘It’s got to be about protecting the landscape and making sure that everybody can access the countryside in whatever way they can,’ she says. ‘It’s about engaging with the local countryside, protecting it and seeing it as part of a bigger whole. Everybody can do it. You don’t need to be an amazing hiker.’ There are practical elements to this too. ‘We’re also working on trying to make sure that it’s literally accessible to all by making sure people can get to the route, and where possible we’re replacing stiles with gates to help,’ says Hannah. ‘But the real hope for this exhibition, and for this year, is to raise awareness of the Pennine Way as a trail that is meant for all.’
NORTH EAST
Haltwhistle Walking Festival
A chance to hike deep into the moorland and forest of Northumberland.
26th April to 5th May, Bellingham, Housesteads, Greenhead and Haltwhistle.
Hexham Ramblers
Relaxed walks in the landscape around Hexham every Sunday.
April to October, regionwide.
A Trail of Inspiration Exhibition
A rolling exhibition of art and literature inspired by the Pennine Way.
July and August, Bowlees Visitor Centre
September to November, The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
YORKSHIRE
A Trail of Inspiration Exhibition
A rolling exhibition of art and literature inspired by the Pennine Way.
Until May, Dales Countryside Museum
May, Hebden Bridge Town Hall
June, Malham National Park Visitor Centre
Pennine Way at 60, Access for All
An easy three-mile walk where rangers tell you about the history of public countryside access.
7th June, Marsden Moor
