Here’s some good news, two of England’s National Parks are to be expanded so what better reason is there to make sure you have your walking boots ready for action. The Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales expansions have now been approved by the Defra Secretary of State, Elizabeth Truss. The announcement was made while she was visiting the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes earlier this week. These come into effect from August 2016 so that gives you plenty of time to plan a trip. Both extensions will help to protect these stunning and important landscapes, and will not only benefit walkers and visitors but also the local rural economies.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park will be increased by almost a quarter over the next year, with the Lake District growing by around 3%.  The Dales expansion will include parts of the Orton Fells, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang to the north and, to the west, Barbon, Middleton, Casterton and Leck Fells, the River Lune, and part of Firbeck Fell and other fells to the west of the River Lune.

The Lake District National Park will absorb an area from Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common to the east and an area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth Valley to the south.

Both Parks have been in favour of the extensions as they consider it long overdue as it now creates a boundary line that is more appropriate for the landscape. When the Parks were first established back in the 1950s they were set to follow local political administration boundaries, rather than the natural geography of the landscape.

Make sure you check out the latest arrivals in the footwear section of the website and be ready to hit new areas of already well loved National Parks. And while you look at the boots and shoes, why not make sure all your walking kit as we have a great range of top quality brands available that will cover you from head to toe and at process that won’t break the bank.