Maidenhead & Windsor

Two more Maidenhead Royal Borough villages are leading residents and visitors "up the parish path" with the latest colourful information leaflets for guided walks and cycle routes around the borough.

Holyport has taken the lead in the Maidenhead Royal Borough's healthy living stakes with its innovative health walk leaflet which sets out the benefits of walking alongside a step-by-step half-hour guided walk around the village – and Datchet's leaflet details all the public rights of way around the parish for both cyclists and walkers.

They follow in the footsteps of Sunningdale's popular self-guided walks leaflet, first produced in 2003 and reprinted last year, and Bray village rights of way map – both of which have helped walkers to safely explore some of the more scenic areas of the borough.

Holyport's health walk leaflet reminds walkers of the British Heart Foundation's recommendation of the benefits of a 30-minute brisk walk five times a week – reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and many other conditions – as well as being "simple and free".

Its self-guided walk takes ramblers on a 1.7 mile route around the village, starting and finishing at the Memorial Hall in Moneyrow Green and walking via Holyport Street, the village pond and war memorial, over the River Bourne and Bartletts Lane and back to the car park.

Datchet's leaflet gives walkers a brief history of the area - (including reference to the Royal Stag pub and its reputation as a haunted house, and the ferry service which carried horse and foot traffic across river to Windsor Castle before it was replaced in 1706 by a bridge) – as well as providing a detailed map of the network of rights of way and footpaths criss-crossing the parish.

Both leaflets reinforce the importance of the Country Code:
· be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
· leave gates and property as you find them
· protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
· keep dogs under close control
· consider other people.

Maidenhead Cllr Mrs Margaret Cubley, chair of the rights of way and highway licensing panel, said: "Walking and cycling are great ways of getting out and about and enjoying some of the more beautiful parts of our picturesque and historic borough.

"These new leaflets reinforce the council's commitment to safe cycling and walking by pointing walkers and cyclists in the right direction – with very clear, easy-to-read maps and instructions – as well as highlighting the health benefits of taking regular exercise. So come on everyone, make the most of the lovely summer weather to learn more about the fascinating area we live in."

Both leaflets have been produced by the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Parish Paths Initiative in conjunction with the parish councils – with contributions from Holyport resident Martin Cox in the preparation of the Holyport leaflet and from Rob Gordon and Janet Kennish in Datchet's leaflet.

Two more parishes – White Waltham and Waltham St Lawrence – are currently preparing similar leaflets.

The Holyport and Datchet leaflets are available from parish council offices, as well as the Town Hall, Maidenhead Library and Braywick Nature Centre.

For further information contact the public rights of way team on 01628 683800.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead