What a joy to read John Harris’s piece on the cultural changes taking place in rural areas (Walking the Peak District, I discovered a wonderful rejection of the right’s monotone vision of England, 23 August. My husband and I have walked many miles in the Peak District and we would comment on the monocultural nature of other walkers. As a headteacher, I also took groups of children to stay in Hartington Hall, where Harris stayed with his own children, and other school groups also appeared to be monocultural. We knew nothing about Black Girls Hike or Steppers UK that Harris mentions, but hope that these movements will support positive change.
Nina Young
Collingham, Nottinghamshire
• John Harris rightly highlights the cost of gastropubs and boutique Airbnbs replacing budget alternatives as an issue, but overlooked another. The replacement of basic (cheap) campsites with (expensive) glamping yurts and fully serviced campervan pitches is threatening dirt-cheap summer holidays spent backpacking around the country and learning to appreciate new landscapes and peoples, from which many of us oldies benefited greatly.
Mike Coogan
Abbeystead, Lancashire
• John Harris omits one critical issue that impacts participation. Public transport outside cities and towns is often poor. To places like Bellever on Dartmoor, the location of one of his favourite hostels, buses are very limited indeed.
Les Bright
Exeter
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