You have probably heard of Pink Ribbonwalks, key events in the Breast Cancer Care fundraising and awareness raising calendar that take place across the UK.  As the summer walks get into full swing, we wanted to tell you a little more about our charity partner’s wonderful initiative because it’s time to get involved!

The Pink Ribbonwalks include five, 10 and 20 mile walks that help the charity to be there for women with breast cancer.  Locations include Blenheim Palace, Polesden Lacey, Chatsworth, Stourhead, Glasgow and London, and each feature something unique to experience about the location, whether it’s the iconic night walk in the capital or experiencing the historic beauty of some of the UK’s most spectacular country houses.

In a move that sparked nationwide change the spa industry, Spabreaks.com launched Recovery Retreats in 2012 to provide dedicated spa days and breaks for anyone with or recovering from cancer to ensure safe and appropriate spa treatments in beautiful environments.  Aside from the wonderful cause and work that the walks support, the concept is particularly close to Spabreaks.com’s heart because it’s all about feel good factor that we can all enjoy.  It’s not a race, it’s not a competition, it’s a proactive and collective way of supporting one another in an incredibly positive and beautiful environment (even if you do opt for the 20 mile version, in which case we highly recommend several spa treatments to recover afterwards).

So what does each walk have to offer?

VISIT SPABREAKS.COM’S RECOVERY RETREATS

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire – 14th May

Known as ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’, the World Heritage site of Blenheim Palace provides a stunning base for our walk. You’ll enjoy woodland trails and picturesque Oxfordshire villages while taking in the best of the Cotswolds’ splendid rural scenery.

SPA IN OXFORDSHIRE AFTER YOUR PINK RIBBONWALK

Polesden Lacey, Surrey – 21st May

Described as a “delicious house” by the Queen Mother during her honeymoon at the property in 1923, this idyllic location provides a perfect base to explore the wider 1,400 acre estate and surrounding Surrey Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

SPA IN SURREY AFTER YOUR PINK RIBBONWALK

Chatsworth, Derbyshire – 4th June

Chatsworth is the one of the treasure houses of England, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and one of Britain’s best-loved and most visited historic attractions.

SPA IN DERBYSHIRE AFTER YOUR PINK RIBBONWALK

Stourhead, Wiltshire – 11th June

Boasting a Palladian mansion and world-famous landscape garden, Stourhead has been best described as a ‘living work of art’. With a magnificent lake reflecting glass temples, mystical grottoes and rare and exotic trees, the estate provides the perfect base for a splendid day exploring the best of Wiltshire’s historic rural scenery.

SPA IN WILTSHIRE AFTER YOUR PINK RIBBONWALK

Glasgow at Night – 25th June

A brand new addition to the Pink Ribbonwalks. The Glasgow at Night Pink Ribbonwalk is an urban walk showcasing many of the magnificent historic and contemporary highlights that this fast developing and truly inspiring city has to offer. The routes will showcase the highlights of Glasgow City Centre and it’s buzzing atmosphere on what promises to be a wonderful and truly memorable night.

SPA IN GLASGOW AFTER YOUR PINK RIBBONWALK

London at Night – 9th July

The London at Night Pink Ribbonwalk is an urban walk showcasing many of the magnificent historic and contemporary highlights the capital has to offer. The glittering London skyline will take centre stage for what promises to be a wonderful and truly memorable night.

SPA IN LONDON AFTER YOUR PINK RIBBONWALK

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Last year Breast Cancer Care supporter Jackie Scully did the 20 mile London Ribbonwalk in four hours and 45 minutes. This is what she had to say…

“This city has been my home these last 12 years. But, I have to say, doing this walk made me see it for the first time with fresh eyes. When you’ve walked from Tower Bridge to the Royal Albert Hall then by the entrance to the Chelsea Flower Show (when it’s on), starting and finishing at the Imperial War Museum, you realise just how close the Capital’s landmarks are. Who needs a tube, when you have a pair of walking trainers and enough energy to stay up most of the night.

I confess, I thought I’d be spending the night part walking, part taking photos. The absence of photos [taken] however, wasn’t because my phone died, but because my mum and I (she was walking with me to celebrate us both surviving days in the chemo ward last year) decided it would be a bit of fun to try and keep up with the group leading the walk (safety in numbers after all). At mile four (doing 8-minute KMs), we thought we were doing well (we were aiming for 10-minute KMs).

At mile 18 (still doing 8-minute KMs), we thought maybe we should have made the most of the rest stops rather than ploughing on (I think the marshals thought we were a bit crazy). In fact, at one point we were going so fast, the man adding glow sticks to the pink direction arrows to help them stand out was behind us even on his bike!”

SIGN UP FOR A PINK RIBBONWALK TODAY