Walking Wanderers: Step into Adventure and Embrace Wellbeing

The Caravan and Motorhome Club challenges its one million members to collectively walk 120 million miles in a new nationwide campaign

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is launching an exciting new campaign: Walking Wanderers - challenging its one million members to collectively walk 120 million miles in just one year. 

Designed to encourage healthier lifestyles, one step at a time, the campaign is inspired by The Wanderer, the world’s first leisure caravan built in the late 1800s.  Over the next year, each member is encouraged to walk at least 120 miles (10 miles a month), whether setting off from the gate of a Club campsite or exploring wherever their travels lead. Together, the goal is to match the distance of the entire global road network.

The Walking Wanderers campaign brings attention to the many outdoor adventures waiting to be discovered. The Club offers a wide selection of campsites in the UK, Europe and beyond, allowing members to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of walking while exploring new landscapes.

Members can log their miles via the Club’s website, share routes, and connect with fellow Walking Wanderers. The campaign celebrates the joy of walking, while promoting its proven physical and mental health benefits.

Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Leisure vehicle holidays in the great outdoors provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy walks which connect us to nature, our surroundings and ourselves. Through Walking Wanderers, we’re celebrating the simple joy of being outdoors, whether it’s for mental clarity, fitness or the pleasure of discovery. This is about taking that first step and rediscovering the world from a new perspective.”

Why 120 Million Miles?

There are an estimated 120 million miles of roads across the globe. By walking this symbolic distance together, Club members will honour the spirit of The Wanderer while embracing a healthier, more connected lifestyle.

According to Club research, 80 percent of members already enjoy walks to local villages, pubs, and scenic routes from campsites while on tour. Walking Wanderers builds on this by encouraging more intentional, trackable activity and an opportunity to share experiences across the Club community.

Health Benefits Backed by Science

Dr Xand van Tulleken, doctor, broadcaster and public health expert said, “One hundred and twenty miles is a long way. I hope you’re excited for the challenge - if you are, you don’t need encouragement from me - but maybe you’re pausing at the threshold thinking my knees hurt! My back hurts! Well, your body is, in a way, your own permanent, personal motorhome, with one crucial difference: the miles of walking strengthen it rather than wear it out. There’s very good evidence that walking will reduce our aches and pains as well as cutting our risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Walking outdoors, somewhere beautiful, can lower stress, improve sleep and lift our mood. Maybe even more importantly, it’ll keep you alive!  

“Every extra 1,000 steps you can add to your day reduces your risk of death by around six percent. A respected Australian study found that going from around 1,000 steps a day to around 10,000 was linked to a 46 percent reduction in risk of death over the next decade. There’s no drug on the planet that will do all that for a healthy person. So, enjoy the miles, enjoy adding them up and seeing everyone around you start to feel better. Good luck!”

Walking Habits Across the UK

The Walking Wanderers campaign aims to not only inspire more people to explore on foot, but also to shine a light on regional disparities in walking habits across the UK.

• In South West England, walking is a way of life - 62 percent of adults walk for leisure at least once a week, the highest rate in the country. Scotland also ranks highly, with 40–45 percent of residents walking regularly for pleasure and clocking up an average of 7,416 steps per day - the most in the UK.
• In Greater London, walking is often a practical choice. 52 percent of Londoners walk weekly for transport, and the city’s daily step average sits at 7,377, just behind Scotland.
• The North West is another high-performing region, averaging 7,259 daily steps, with 45 percent of adults walking for leisure weekly. It’s ranked the third most active region in the UK.
• In the Midlands - both East and West - walking rates are solid but sit in the middle of the national picture. Around 35–45 percent of adults walk weekly for leisure. While these figures are below those of the North West or South West, they remain higher than those in the South East.
• By contrast, South East England shows lower participation in leisure walking, with only 15–25 percent of adults walking weekly. Car dependency and less pedestrian-friendly infrastructure are key contributing factors.
• In Yorkshire and the Humber, a significant 40 percent of adults aged 40 to 60 walk briskly for less than 10 minutes per month, highlighting a need for increased activity in midlife populations.

Walking for All – Including Four-Legged Friends

Walking Wanderers also celebrates the joy of dog walking, so furry companions are very much part of the journey. A recent survey by the Caravan and Motorhome Club reveals that 86 percent of pet owners take their furry friends on holiday because they consider them part of the family. Regular walks are essential for a dog’s physical and mental wellbeing. They provide exercise, stimulate the senses, reduce behavioural issues and allow dogs to explore the world around them in a safe and structured way. It’s not just the dogs who benefit, walking together strengthens the emotional bond between dog and owner, reduces stress and creates a shared routine that supports mental health and happiness for both.

Prizes, Sharing, and Social Media

Members who log their walks through the Club website will be entered into a prize draw with rewards ranging from walking gear to free campsite stays.

Participants are encouraged to post their favourite routes, photos, and stories on social media using the hashtag #WalkingWanderers, building a digital community of like-minded adventurers.

Matt Allwright, TV presenter, journalist, campervanner, and Club member, adds:
“There’s nothing quite like lacing up your trainers or walking boots and heading out for a walk. It’s a chance to clear your mind, reconnect with the present moment and enjoy the simple joy of being outdoors. I always return feeling refreshed, it’s the perfect way to blow away the cobwebs.”  

Join the Journey

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or prefer a gentle stroll, the Caravan and Motorhome Club invites you to embrace the Walking Wanderers spirit. Together, we can walk the world - one step at a time.

To log your miles, discover walking routes, or learn more, visit camc.com/walkingwanderers

 

ENDS

 

Sources:

• Sport England Active Lives Survey, 2023 – Walking and Cycling Statistics England
• YuLife Step Data, 2024 – NationalWorld, LondonWorld
• JAMA Internal Medicine, 2021 – Study on steps per day and mortality
  ManchesterWorld (2024)
• Public Health England Physical Inactivity Data (2015–16)

About the Caravan and Motorhome Club

With over 1 million members and 118 years of experience, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is the UK’s No 1 touring club - as rated on TrustPilot - and helps its members get more from the great outdoors, whether glamping or touring.

• Membership: £66 per year
• Access to 2,700+ campsites across the UK and Europe
• Escorted tours in Europe, North America, Australasia & Africa
• Expert travel advice and member offers
• Visit UK holiday deals & offers to see the range of offers   

Find out more or join:
www.camc.com | 01342 318 813

More Ways to Stay: Experience Freedom

Want to try glamping? Experience Freedom, from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, offers luxury stays in safari tents, glamping pods, yurts, motorhome hire, tent camping and more – across 10 beautiful UK locations. Open to both members and non-members, Experience Freedom combines comfort with the great outdoors. Operated by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the brand benefits from decades of expertise in high-quality campsite management. Club members enjoy up to 20% off glamping stays for themselves and their guests.

Find out more or join:
www.experiencefreedom.co.uk | 01342 777533

Media Contacts:
Caravan and Motorhome Club - Nikki Nichol - nikki.nichol@camc.com | 07771 834443
Four Agency (Helen Coop, Manav Hartono, Maja Bull) - camc@four.agency