National Walking Month is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the health benefits that walking can offer, especially for those over 55. Walking is not just a simple way to stay active, but it is also an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, it not only boosts your mood but it can improve your overall health and wellbeing.  

Let’s start with the benefits of walking.  

If you’re not a regular at the local tennis courts or an avid marathon runner, low-impact walking is going to be one of the easiest ways to get back into exercise. 

Walking can provide a range of health benefits for those over 55, and getting outdoors near your retirement living apartment is free and easy to do. If the feeling of the sun on your face and the fresh air in your lungs still doesn’t entice you to start this healthy habit, we have pulled together 3 of the key benefits of walking that might just motivate you to head out on a walk this May. 

1. Improved Heart Health: Walking regularly can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve cardiovascular health.
2. Increased Mobility: Walking can help improve mobility and flexibility, which can be especially beneficial for older adults who may experience stiffness or joint pain. 
3. Better Mood: Walking can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall mental health and well-being.

3 Easy Walks to Try Out 

Our retirement living villages in Brighouse, Derby and Thornton Cleveleys are perfectly positioned for enjoying a variety of interesting walks. We have picked our favourite walks near each retirement living location. 

1) Alderman Lodge, Brighouse  

The Brighouse Canal Walk is a scenic route that showcases beautiful views of the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal and the surrounding countryside. The walk begins at Brighouse Basin, which is a picturesque starting point in itself. If you fancy something light to eat before you walk, we recommend stopping at Jeremy’s at the Boathouse for some tapas and sitting on one of the outside tables. It’s a great place to people-watch as the basin is a popular spot for boaters and visitors alike, and it offers a peaceful and tranquil environment to start your walk. 

This is an easy walk (we estimate that it will take around 1.5 hours to complete) and can be cut short by simply turning around or cutting across one of the locks. To complete our full recommended walk, you need to follow the canal path towards Cooper Bridge and cross several locks before turning around and heading back the way you came. The locks offer a glimpse into the history of the canal and the industrial heritage of the area and are an impressive feat of engineering that are still used today by boats navigating the canal. 

As you walk along, you’ll be guaranteed to be entertained, there is a healthy mixture of countryside and urban landscapes, with sections passing through woodland areas and others through the more built-up areas of Brighouse. If you are lucky, you might even spot a duck, swan, or one of the other waterfowl that live on the canal! 

One of the highlights of the walk is entering the edge of the charming town of Mirfield at Cooper Bridge, which provides a handy pitstop! This area is home to several pubs and cafes, where you can stop for a coffee or a bite to eat and take a break from your walk. 

Once you have had your pitstop, you can either cross to the other side of the canal to walk back to Brighouse Basin or turn around and use the same path. The marina (at Brighouse Basin) flanks the beginning and end of the walk and is a bustling hub of activity, with boats coming and going, it offers a great place to stop and watch the world go by. 

This is an easy walk suitable for all ages and abilities, and it’s a great way to get some fresh air and exercise in a beautiful and peaceful setting. 

2) Albany Lodge, Derby 

Markeaton Park Walk – This easy walk is a great way to explore the beautiful Markeaton Park in Derby. The walk is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes around 1 hour to complete. The walk offers stunning views of the park’s gardens, lake, and woodland areas and is perfect for those looking for a leisurely stroll. 

Just a 5 minute drive from Albany Lodge retirement living village sits Markeaton Park. The Markeaton Park walk is a delightful stroll that is particularly beautiful in springtime, when the trees are starting to bud, and the flowers are blooming, making it an excellent time to take in nature. 

The walk begins at the Markeaton Park car park (where you can park your car for free) and is signposted at the car park entrance. From here, the walk takes you through the park’s stunning gardens, which are in full bloom during the spring months. You’ll see a variety of colourful flowers, including tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, as well as blossoming trees such as cherry blossom and apple trees. 

If you are a nature lover, the walk is perfect for you as it takes you to the park’s lake, which is home to a variety of waterfowl, including ducks and swans (perfect to bring the Grandchildren to feed the ducks over long May bank holiday weekends). If you have some extra time, we suggest a slight detour of walking around the lake, taking in the serene and tranquil surroundings and admiring the views of the park. 

If you follow the trail, you’ll be guided to the woodland area of the park which is particularly enchanting in the spring months, with the trees starting to grow and snowdrops shooting up from the earth. The woodland area is also home to confident squirrels (who often sit on the path) so you’ll be sure to spot one. 

Whilst this walk is very short (around an hour long), if you did want to take a break during your walk, there’s a lovely café located in the park’s courtyard, which offers a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Alternatively, there are several picnic areas in the park where you can stop and enjoy a packed lunch or a cup of tea. 

We love this walk as it changes with the seasons, it is particularly nice to enjoy nature on weekday mornings to beat the lunch crowd and enjoy the tranquillity of the area. 

3) Royles Lodge, Thornton Cleveleys  

Thornton Cleveleys Coastal Walk – We couldn’t recommend a walk in Thornton Cleveleys that didn’t have sea views! Whilst there are many inland options (including King George’s Playing Fields that are steps away from our retirement living apartments at Royles Lodge) nothing clears out the cobwebs like fresh sea air! 

The Thornton Cleveleys Coastal Walk is a beautiful and scenic route that takes you along the Fylde Coast and offers breath-taking views of the sea and the surrounding countryside. The walk starts at Cleveleys Promenade and ends at Rossell Beach Promenade, and it is approximately 3 miles long. 

The walk is best enjoyed during low tide when you can see the vast expanse of the beach and the sea creatures that call it home. You might spot some sea birds, crabs, and other marine life in the tidal pools and exposed rocks. 

One of the highlights of the walk is the picturesque Cleveleys Beach, a beautiful stretch of golden sand that is perfect for relaxing and taking in the stunning views of the Irish Sea. The beach is a great spot for a picnic, sunbathing, or, if you could even bring your cossie for a refreshing dip in the sea during the warmer months. 

As you walk along the coast, you’ll also see the art installation, Mary’s Shell, and the iconic seafront shelters, which are a popular spot for taking a break and enjoying the view. You’ll pass through the beautiful Jubilee Gardens, where we recommend taking a moment to relax and appreciate the beautiful floral displays and the sea views. 

If you need a refreshment break during your walk, there are several cafes and pubs along the route where you can stop for a coffee, tea, or a bite to eat. Locals favourites include, The Venue, which is located on the seafront or The Queensway, which is situated just off the coastal path. 

The Thornton Cleveleys Coastal Walk is a wonderful way to get some exercise and take in the views of the Fylde Coast. With plenty of highlights along the way, it’s a great way to spend a few hours exploring this beautiful part of the country.

When you come to live with us in a luxury retirement living apartment, you are never too far away from a scenic walk. Walking is a simple and enjoyable way for those over 55 to stay active, boost their mood, and improve their overall health and well-being. So, why not take advantage of National Walking Month and try out these easy walks in Brighouse, Derby, and Thornton Cleveleys? You won’t regret it! 

Do you find the sea air irresistible and look forward to trips to the Fylde Coast every summer? 18 million of us do and for good reason! This quaint seaside destination has plenty of great choices of places to stay from full-service hotels, to welcoming country inns and cosy holiday cottages as well as friendly caravan parks and glamping sites for those who enjoy the great outdoors.

With a great mixture of beaches, quaint seaside towns and sprawling countryside, it’s little wonder why this coastline was the destination of choice for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert when they visited in the summer of 1874.

If you enjoy holidays on the Fylde coast, why not look beyond just staying in a cosy B&B and tucking into ice creams for two weeks in the summer and instead, think about living in Thornton Cleveleys full time?

What makes Thornton-Cleveleys the perfect home?

It’s flat!

You can walk in any direction, without ending up out of breath because this terrific seaside town isn’t plagued with hills! This smooth and level town is ideal for anyone and accessible to all, making it the idea place to retire too if you plan on enjoying a quieter pace of life.

The easy terrain is also fantastic for bike rides. You can cycle to the Ribble Estuary at Lytham or to Fleetwood in Wyre using the scenic coastal path. Plus, if you’re feeling adventurous, at Wyre you can hop on the ferry to Knott End and carry on your exploits.

The glorious promenade

This award-winning promenade has been recently renovated in a sea defence project and includes steps leading down to the beach for easy access. The promenade doesn’t just boast fabulous views, it is also clean, attractive and has plenty of built-in seating which is perfect for those all-important ice cream pit stops.

Shopping

If you are a fan of retail therapy, there are some excellent shops along Cleveleys bustling high street, with well known stores and independent shops side by side.

From well-loved local brands such as “Elegant Clothing” (a ladies boutique) to popular big-name shops such as M&Co, Bonmarche and Home Bargains; Cleveleys high street has something for everyone.

It’s easy to get around

 When moving to an area, it’s important to have great transport options. The town has a well-connected bus and tram network and handily has a plethora of buses running across town and further afield starting at the bus station which is located next to the main shopping street.

The trams are frequent and the main stops run along the promenade, which is a beautiful route to take at sunset.

The people are really nice

No, it’s not just a holiday glow, people are nice all year around! There is a strong sense of community spirit in Thornton Cleveleys with groups and events galore! There are clubs for everything you can think of, from gardening to music! If you’re not one for organised activities and just fancy a night out, there is great evening entertainment in Marine Hall and Thornton Little Theatre and of course, lots of trendy new cocktail bars popping up along the coastline.

The local area

With its neat hedgerows, golf courses and upmarket restaurants, the elegant Lytham St Annes has all the trappings of a wealthy Cheshire town. If you’re a golf fan, this town is just half an hour away from Thornton Cleveleys and is home to 4 golf clubs including, the “Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club” which one of the premier links courses in the World.

Just 15 minutes away from the heart of Thonton-Cleveleys is trendy Blackpool. Famed for its nightlife, with theatres and entertainment galore! From the notorious Grand Theatre, to the renowned Winter Gardens and of course the Opera House, Blackpool provides ample opportunity to enjoy musicals, plays, operas, pantomimes, stand-up comedy and concerts!

The Lakes are only an hour away from Thornton-Cleveleys, the area is well known for its fantastic trails and mountains and offers everything from short walks that are perfect for beginners to more demanding trails that are ideal for those seeking a challenge.

Royles Lodge is in the heart of Thornton-Cleveleys, near the famous Marsh Mill. This luxury retirement village could be your new home if you choose to extend your seaside holiday… permanently! Find out more about our retirement living community by giving us a call on 0800 999 1989.

When choosing to live at Royles Lodge you will have a vast number of beaches and seaside experiences at your disposal all of which are practically on your doorstep! Leaving by the coast means that there are plenty of opportunities to take the grandchildren out for the day and enjoy the summer sun. From Blackpool Pier to hidden beaches on the Fylde coast, there’s something for every occasion! 

Blackpool with the Grandchildren 

Thornton Cleveleys is an idyllic location for those who crave the sea air, there are so many seaside locations to choose to visit and we know that you’ll be spoilt for choice!  

If you have the day with the grandchildren we recommend that you take them to Blackpool for the day as it’s only a 20-minute bus ride away from the retirement community living. Blackpool has arcades, rides and a beach, so there is plenty to keep the kids entertained before heading back to your retirement apartment and watching them fall asleep happily on the sofa. Pleasure Beach theme park on the pier has so much to offer with small to giant roller coasters so there is a thrill factor for everyone to enjoy. If that’s not your family’s kind of thing there’s also a huge choice of fish and chip shops to choose lunch from and you could always just get a bucket and spade for the grandkids to pass the time whilst you relax reading a book next to them.  

Ferry To Knott End  

If you want to spend some quality time with your new neighbours and are looking for a quiet seaside day out then we would recommend visiting the Fleetwood Esplanade and catching the ferry from Ferry Beach over to Knott End (which is just over the other side of the River Wyre). Knott End is a quiet area where you can take leisurely walks and look out for local wildlife on the north-western coast! This would be a great place to get away from it all and have a peaceful afternoon just soaking up your surroundings.  

Beach Cleaning  

If you are looking to do some volunteering why not get involved in a beach clean, it’s a brilliant way to meet new people and get involved in the wider community. There are monthly beach clean-ups along Cleveleys beach, including one run by the beach-clean and brew society. After a long morning of cleaning, the group gets a coffee at The Venue Cafe across the street, meaning it’s even easier to make friends and chat! If you feel nervous about going alone why not ask a neighbour from your over 55s community at Royles Lodge to join you? It’s a very rewarding feeling and being a part of a group aiming for the same result will give you extra motivation you need to clean up the beautiful beaches of the northwest!  

Trip to the Park  

Anchorsholme Park is an idyllic location to take your four-legged friends on a walk- being just a 3-minute walk from Royles Lodge. The park is very open and vast and boasts views across the water giving. Your furry friend will love a wander around on a warm summer’s evening and you don’t have to go far to take them to what we’re sure will be their new favourite park!  

There is always something to do around the Thornton-Cleveleys area but it is just made even better in the summer sun. Royles Lodge becomes like your own slice of paradise once the sun comes out. This is the perfect retirement location as the area is packed with beautiful beaches on your doorstep and the opportunity to make wonderful memories. Your retirement living community will be there for you all year round, but whilst the weather is nice make use of it to get out and explore. This is the way retirement living is supposed to be done.  

Many people dream of living by the sea their whole lives, yet only 5% of UK residents actually take the leap. At Royles Lodge, we believe that the time is now! Our brand new 

retirement village is situated in the craft village of Marsh Mills near Thornton-Cleveleys, meaning that you too could be breathing in coastal air. 

 Val and Brian D’Arcy are uprooting from Leicestershire to move to Royles Lodge and feel that living by the coast is an adventure they are excitedly anticipating. Not only will they be by the sea, but they will be lucky enough to be closer to their family. Having long distance family relationships can be difficult for more mature family members with 61% of them saying they don’t see family enough, with this in mind, the pull of relatives is an important reason for Val and Brian’s move. 

 They are looking forward to being closer to family but also excited by the prospect of their friends and neighbours from Leicestershire coming to stay in their spare room or in the guest suite at Royles Lodge. The two equal-sized ensuite bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes was part of the appeal of the development when Val and Brian were considering where to live. “The large bedrooms as well as the generous lounge with space for a dining table was a real find for us. As we are downsizing, we still do need the space and the second bedroom can double up as a second TV room as well as a guest room.” 

 One of the things they are most looking forward to is being part of a new community and they have worked with Ruth from Unique Estate Agency pouring over the floorplans to ensure they get the perfect plot. They decided on a corner apartment overlooking the carpark so they can see the comings and goings of their new neighbours. The communal lounge is also a great place to meet new friends and Val is looking forward to lending her skills as a former florist and different crafts to her new community in some of their organised events. 

 Martin Hudson, Managing Director of Torsion Care says “Burghley Retirement is the result of years of research and planning to get the right homes to the right people, in the right places. We are delighted to bring a new standard of living to the market and look forward to seeing the difference it makes to our customers.” 

 When the apartments are ready to move into in 2022, Val and Brian will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary and they cannot wait for their friends and family – old and new to be part of the festivities. 

Find out how you can make the move like Val and Brian here