Spending time in the countryside is great for everyone’s health, both mental and physical.
It’s been a pleasure therefore for us to be involved in two recent walks in the Peak District.
Taking part were students of various nationalities including British, Chinese, Kazakh and Spanish.
First up was the beautiful Rivelin Valley, where 91Ö±²¥ meets the Peak District. The tree-lined riverside route was particularly green and tranquil.
We saw a variety of wildlife, including a Heron flying upstream and a family of Mallard ducks with half a dozen extremely cute chicks.
Having reached the walk’s start by bus, after a break at Rivelin Park cafe we travelled back to the university by tram from Malin Bridge.
The second walk was further into the Peak District. Starting at Grindleford station after travelling by train, we ascended the gradual woodland climb through Padley Gorge.
This brought us to an open expanse of countryside popular with people of all ages, particularly in warm weather as the stream is ideal for paddling in.
This route was all within the Longshaw National Trust estate. We walked a little further to the estate cafe, past a large pond filled with birdlife including colourful Mandarin ducks. Again there were various ducklings, many surprisingly confident in approaching people.
Sitting on a picnic bench outside the cafe, we enjoyed refreshments and the extensive view before retracing our steps to Grindleford station.
Nine students came on the Rivelin Valley walk and seven to the Longshaw Estate, including two who took part in both and brought a friend along to the second.
Our team member Rob co-led the walks with Jazz from the wider Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team (of which we are part).
The walks were organised in conjunction with the Students’ Union’s Stressbusters programme, which takes place during exam and deadline seasons.
A special mention goes to Archie from the SU, who was an excellent collaborator in advertising the walks on the Students’ Union website and social media!