Very disappointed on this 'Guided' day…
Very disappointed on this 'Guided' day walk from Bolton Abbey to the top of Simons Seat in the Yorkshire Dales. There was no 'guiding' and no information about the history of Bolton Abbey, the river, the climate, the local farming, the birdlife, the plantlife, the valley of desolation, the mythology of Simons Seat, etc. Just a race to the top of Simons Seat and back again. Only paid £19 so not a great loss. But the fantastic opportunity to teach and inform the group of 9 was completely lost.....and no way could the day be described as 'Guided'. On reflection I could have purchased a 'Guide' book at the Village Shop for much less than £19 and joined some of the many hundreds of others slowly enjoying the walk in the countryside and learning about the area. I suppose the moral of the story is.......enjoy these walks with family and friends you know, purchase your own guide book and enjoy a peaceful enjoyable walk in the beautiful countryside.
Great Outdoors have given a reply which to be honest is meaningless. A 'Guided Walk' up and down Simons Seat is not required. Probably 300 people do the walk every day. The "well worn" path is obvious and almost the size of the M1 motorway.....impossible to get lost or lose your way. I didnt pay £19 to show me the path....I paid the £19 for the 'Guided' walk. Fully expecting the 'Guide' to give out lots of local information as above. Nobody needs a 'Guide' to show them the path. Blimey, children as young 5 or 6 were running up and down the path. Just buy a Guide book, take a gentle walk up and down, enjoy frequent stops, and have a picnic. Enjoy the day....dont race....and learn all about the location.......
Great Outdoors have responded by saying they dont understand why I would choose a 'Guided Tour' in the first place. Well Ime afraid its quite clear. If I book a Guided Tour at the Tower of London.....the Guide tells me all about the Tower of London. If I book a Guided Tour of Castle Howard......the Guide tells me all about Castle Howard. If I book a Guided Tour of York.....the Guide tells me all about York. If I book a Guided Tour of the BBC Studios in Leeds.....the Guide explains all about the BBC Studio. Clearly, I was expecting your Guide to tell me something of the area...the farming, the history, the river, the valley of desolation, the legend of Simons Seat. And all I got was follow the path and the Guide plus 8 followers raced off into the distance. I followed at leisure talking with fellow ramblers, taking in the scenery, enjoying a chat with a local farmer and met the rest of the group at the top of Simons Seat......who then immediately proceeded to race off again down to Barden Towers. The Guide explained that she tried to do the whole 10 miles up and down within 6 hours including an hour for lunch at the top and often in a lot less time than that. It was just a mad race up and down. Infact it was so ridiculous that when we reached Barden Towers I told the group to go on without me which they did at speed. And after a short rest and an icecream I joined some fellow ramblers and we strolled at a sensible pace back down the side of the river to Bolton Abbey.......and yes, I did then call at the shop by the car park and bought the 'Guide Book'.
15 de octubre de 2023
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