Why Heligan’s Wellbeing Walk is about more than the steps

Kathryn doesn’t come to Heligan Gardens for the exercise, not really. She comes because on the days she’s feeling low, there’s a group of people waiting who will actually ask how she is and mean it. The walking is almost the excuse.

A short walk with a long list of partners

Across Cornwall, Active Cornwall coordinates a series of Wellbeing Walks in partnership with the Ramblers and other local partners, open to all abilities. One of them meets at Heligan Gardens, weaving through the estate’s animals, plants and changing seasons on a route led by trained volunteers.

They’re free, and they’re built around the idea that a short, regular walk beats an occasional big one for long-term health. Medical evidence shows the benefits of staying active in later life go well beyond the physical. Regular movement helps maintain strength and balance, cuts the risk of falls, supports independence, and does as much for mental health as it does for the body.

“It’s just good to talk”

Kathryn is one of the regulars at the Heligan walk.

“If I’m feeling down I come, because I know I have built these friendship groups up and it really helps lift my spirits,” she said. “We see the animals, we see the plants and every week there is something different going on. The people I’m with, they ask how you are, it’s just good to talk.”

Rob Harrison, from Active Cornwall, says that’s the part people underestimate.

“There are obviously physical benefits of getting out and being active, but also the social element is massively important,” he said. “You could come to walk on your own, but you go away with friends and have that network and community.”

The doctor’s advice, and the council’s pitch

In a 2026 report, Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, recommends adults, including those over 65, aim for around 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, and says a brisk walk counts towards it.

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, Councillor Jim McKenna, points to that guidance directly.

“The guidance is clear, some activity is always better than none, and any amount brings benefits over sitting still,” he said.

Small, regular movement rather than intense exercise sits at the heart of the approach, and Cornwall’s free wellbeing walks lean into that. They’re held everywhere from coast paths to garden estates to town parks, all led by trained volunteers and open to all abilities.

Cornwall’s place in a bigger, older idea

Earlier this year Cornwall became part of the Network of Age Friendly Communities, and Cllr McKenna names keeping people active as one of the county’s key priorities for ageing well.

“Age-friendly communities work together to help people stay active and more connected, which promotes better health and reduces our need for urgent care and treatment,” he said.

The idea itself isn’t new. The Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities programme was developed by the World Health Organisation and launched in 2007, built around making things like community spaces accessible and helping people stay active and socially engaged as they age.

Finding a walk

There’s no barrier to entry beyond turning up. For more on the Wellbeing Walks, visit the Active Cornwall website, and for more on walking and other physical activity for people across Cornwall, there’s the Age Friendly Cornwall website.

Kathryn, for what it’s worth, isn’t in it for her step count.

“You know, I am a people person,” she said.

📷Credit: Age Friendly Cornwall / Cornwall Council