Flatford: One of the most popular walks

A WALKING route at Flatford Mill in Suffolk is one of the most popular in the country, according to the National Trust.

More than 350,000 walks were downloaded from the National Trust website last year, with a route showcasing the Bath skyline proving the most popular.

In second place was Alderley Edge in Cheshire, followed by Flatford Mill – made famous by Constable’s painting The Hay Wain.

Walking guides were downloaded at a rate of one every one-and-a-half minutes, giving people maps, directions and points of interest for 240 different walks.

The National Trust said the number of people downloading the walking guides rose by more than 100,000 in the past year – up from 250,000 in 2009 to 350,888 in 2010.

Jo Burgon, outdoor programme director at the National Trust, said: “We have seen a remarkable growth in the popularity of walking in the past couple of years.

“Our downloadable walks cater for a wide range of walkers with everything from short circular routes to the more challenging hill walks.

“We’re finding that more people want to get out into the great outdoors but often need to be pointed in the right direction.”

The National Trust is aiming to have 1,000 downloadable trails on its website by spring 2012, including cycle routes, horse-riding tracks and canoe trails.