Get active and enjoy the great outdoors this Christmas

​Wakefield’s Year of Walking is well underway and there are lots of fun, free family activities available across the district between Christmas and New Year.

Wakefield Council is encouraging residents to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and explore some of the fantastic countryside the district has to offer.

The Council’s Aspire Health app includes lots of trails, maps and activities for all the family to walk off that Christmas dinner.

Residents can also download the Love Exploring App, where children can discover dinosaurs at Pugneys Country Park and Sandal Castle, find fairies at Newmillerdam and search for planets at Anglers Country Park (including Haw Park Wood).

​Cllr Jacquie Speight, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Walking is one of the easiest ways to get more active, especially after we’ve all over-indulged at Christmas!

“There are lots of free walking trails and activities to take part in across our district and there really is something for everyone.

“So why not start your New Year on the right foot and get out and about and enjoy the lovely parks and greenspace we are lucky to have across our district.”

Residents are also encouraged to sign up to the ‘500 miles challenge’ – which equates to 2,500 steps per day over the course of a year - on the Aspire Health app and track their steps against other people on the leader board.

There’ll be monthly prizes, a calendar of events, hints and tips and new challenges and events will also be added throughout the year.

The Aspire Health app and Love Exploring app are available in the App Store and Google Play store.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become fit. It's simple, free and ideal for people of all ages.

To find out more about Wakefield’s Year of Walking or to download walking maps and routes, visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/walking