Somerset Moves Activity Tracker
The Somerset Moves Activity Finder helps you find activities near where you live.
You can search for:
- Exercise classes
- Sports clubs
- Walking groups
- Family activities
- Activities for different ages and abilities
It’s a great way to try something new, meet people and become more active.
View the Somerset Moves Activity Finder on the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership website
Active travel
Active travel means walking, cycling, wheeling or scooting for everyday journeys instead of using the car where possible.
For example:
- Walking to school
- Cycling to work
- Scooting to a club or activity
- Walking part of your journey
In Somerset, we want to make it easy and enjoyable for you to get around this way, even if it’s just for part of your journey.
When you and others in your community choose active travel, it can:
- Help you stay more active and feel good
- Improve your health and fitness
- Reduce pollution in your local area and protect the environment
- Make the roads you use every day safer
- Help your community feel friendlier, safer and more connected
Why not try using active travel for journeys you already make? It’s a simple way for you to build exercise into your day, and you could even save time and money too!
If you would like help building your confidence cycling on the road, check out Bikeability
Thinking about starting a “bike bus” at your local school? Take a look at Bike Bus for ideas and support.
Find more information on active travel in Somerset on the Somerset Council Active Travel Citizen Space
Parks and parkrun
Parks are great places to be active, exercise and play.
Many parks also have free outdoor gym equipment that anyone can use.
We have 94 parks and play areas across Somerset. Find your local park or play area
Parkrun
Parkrun is a free, weekly and timed 5km event, which takes place in parks or open spaces. These events are usually at the weekend (Saturday or Sunday mornings depending on age) and is available for all ages and abilities. Somerset hosts several adult and junior park runs across the county. To find out more visit the Parkrun UK website.
SASP
SASP is Somerset’s physical activity partnership. They have a range of support mechanisms in place to support people to live happy, healthy and physically active lives.
They offer information, advice and programmes for:
- Children and young people
- Families
- Adults
- Older people
- People living with health conditions
They can help you find activities and support that suit your needs. Find out more on the SASP website
Walking for health and fitness
Walks are a great way to exercise and meet people in your local area whilst enjoying the beautiful Somerset countryside. Walking for health and fitness can also be easily combined with going to work, school, shopping or walking the dog.
Walking regularly will make you healthier in many ways:
- relieving stress
- improving heart health
- lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels
You can find out more about the health benefits of walking on the NHS Choices website.
Local walks
A great way for you to get started on the path to better health is to get involved in local walks. These are aimed particularly at people who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health.
Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. It’s an underrated form of exercise but walking is ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels who want to be more active, and you could even make new friends whilst doing it.
Organised walks can have a positive impact on your health, boost your social life and give you a break from the stresses and pressures of everyday life.
Walks are organised by a variety of organisations. You can find information about walks in Somerset, and throughout South West England on the Rambler Wellbeing Walks website. You can also read about Somerset Health Walks by visiting Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP).
Nordic walking
Nordic Walking is adapted from off-season cross-country ski training, in which skiers kept in shape over the summer by using their poles without snow.
Nordic walkers use hand-held poles to propel themselves forwards while walking. This means the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs and you can move faster than ordinary walking. Your body works harder, but the support given by the poles makes it feel easier and takes the pressure off the knees and leg joints.
Nordic Walking is becoming ever more popular as a form of exercise.
- It is good for cardiovascular fitness
- It tones both the upper and lower body
- It burns more calories than regular walking
Nordic Walking can be done by anybody but does require a specific technique that must be learnt properly in order to get the most out of the activity.
For more information about Nordic Walking and how you can get in touch with an instructor near you, go to the Nordic Walking website.
Start a walking programme
If you are looking to start walking regularly to improve your health and fitness, then following a walking plan is a good way to start. It allows you to build up the length and intensity of your walks gradually and is achievable for people of all ages and levels of fitness. You can find walking plans and advice on how to get started on the Rambler Wellbeing Walks and Ramblers websites.
Accessible walks
We have a range of useful links and advice on our Accessible Somerset page, which includes information on sensory walks as well as accessible options for mobility scooter, wheelchair and buggy use.
Buggy walks are designed to give everyone in Somerset with young children a chance to exercise and meet new people. They are led by qualified leaders and are suitable for both pushchairs and wheelchairs. Children remain the responsibility of the adult they came with.
Balsam Buggy Walks at Stourhead occur every other Thursday (phone for next walk). Meet at Stourhead Visitors Centre, Stourhead. Walks last approximately 45 minutes depending on the speed of any toddlers walking and will take place on paths around the beautiful gardens of the Stourhead estate. To find out more contact The Balsam Centre:
Phone: 01963 31842
Email: info@balsamcentre.org.uk