What we do
The Ramblers open the way for everyone to enjoy the simple pleasures of walking. And we step up to protect the places we all love to wander.
When you join the Ramblers team, you’re joining a talented, dedicated group of people with a passion for walking and the outdoors. Every one of us has a commitment and resilience to bring ambitious plans to life and a huge appreciation for the volunteers, members and supporters who help us make it happen.
Since 1935, we’ve been doing everything we can to make sure everyone everywhere can enjoy nature on foot. Today we’re Britain’s biggest and most vibrant walking community too.
We lead the way, and the walks, for a community of 100,000 walkers. And we help thousands more every year find their feet out in the open to boost their wellbeing naturally.
The Ramblers is a charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces and to preserving and improving hundreds of thousands of miles of well-loved paths, tracks and trails across England, Scotland, and Wales. We're committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers.
Our history
Early barriers to walking
In the 19th century walking for pleasure grew in popularity with city dwellers heading into the open countryside to get away from pollution and the stresses of daily life. At the same time, land that had been common land was becoming privately owned thanks to the Enclosure Movement. Often this led to walls, fences or hedges being put up. These barriers prevented walkers accessing the places where they loved to walk. In response, walking clubs and groups were formed to campaign for walkers’ rights.
The historic Kinder Scout Trespass
In 1931 six regional groups representing walkers from all over Britain joined to create the National Council of Ramblers Federations. Their aim was to create a national body to represent walkers’ rights. Then in 1932, 400 walkers took part in the Kinder Scout Trespass a landmark moment in the campaign.
Creation of the Ramblers Association
On 1 January 1935 the Ramblers Association was officially created. In 1938 our first office opened in Liverpool and, in 1945, Tom Stephenson became secretary and our first full-time employee. Over the years the organisation has grown and evolved. Formally, we are still the Ramblers’ Association, but today we are known as the Ramblers.
Together, we achieve much more
Today we have a small staff team but we achieve big things thanks to people who believe in our cause, like our members, volunteers, campaigners, funders and partners. Together, we’ve already achieved significant success and we have ambitious plans for the future.
Together, we achieve much more.
While we’re a small staff team, we achieve big things thanks to people who believe in our cause, like our members, volunteers, campaigners, funders and partners. Together, we’ve already achieved significant success and we have ambitious plans for the future.
Our successes
We fought to establish National Parks and National Trails – and we won. And we successfully campaigned for everyone to enjoy Britain's coastline on foot. We've helped open up vast swathes of the British countryside which was out of bounds, and we made sure laws were amended and added to keep it that way.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Ramblers has started an ambitious journey of addressing diversity and inclusion through all elements of its work. Our vision is to ensure everyone feels they belong in the outdoors, remove any barriers and can enjoy walking in green spaces.
We are realistic that change will only happen over a period of time.
We want all of our employees to be comfortable and confident in addressing diversity matters. Working in close partnership with our 25,000 volunteers and over 100,000 members to deliver the change needed.
Our future focus
There’s still more to do. So we continue to secure support from government and help construct national and local policies and programmes to build a future fit for everyone everywhere to walk outdoors. We keep on engaging communities and organisations across England, Scotland, and Wales to help us achieve our ambitions. And we’re opening up a world of walking opportunities for even more people. You can read our vision and strategic framework here.