Specially for ‘It’s A Shoe Thing’, we’re asking our store teams to put on their favourite walking shoes and spotlight their home towns or cities, sharing their local knowledge with you. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to make a trip or two – and don’t forget to pop in to see them when you do, you’re guaranteed a very warm welcome!
Simply scroll down to discover wonderful walks created by our store teams in Truro, Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Leeds, Fleetwood and Norwich…
Take A Trip To Truro
First up is the Truro store who take you on a journey from town to country, along the river and down to the coast.
Town and country comes together in the Truro town walk. We recommend this walk because you can enjoy all that Truro has to offer, whether it be the shopping or the history. For this walk you will need to start at Lemon Quay and walk through the subway, from here take the path by the riverside before turning right up Gas Hill. On your left there is a cycle path and footpath; did you know this is the old Newham Railway Line? Follow the path until it ends, just near Truro train station.
You can then head back down the hill into the city for some light refreshments in one of the city’s many cafes or bars, or indeed indulge in a little shopping on Pydar Street where the Hotter store is situated, we also recommend Boscawen, River Street or Lemon street for some great shops. Whilst you’re in the city we highly recommend a visit to the cathedral or museum too.
This walk is 4 miles long, so should take you around 3 hours to complete plus some time for a spot of lunch and some shopping.
The museum
Malpas To Tresillian
A walk favoured by store manager Nicky and her family is the Malpas to Tresillian walk. The beautiful little village of Malpas is only a short walk from the city centre. It is situated along the banks of the Fal River and boasts beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife.
We recommend it because in the centre of Malpas is a fantastic park and play area for children, along with the Heron Inn for a delicious lunch. After lunch, follow the path out of Malpas to St Clement and follow the river along to Tresillian.
Malpas Park
This is a 3 mile walk which should take about 2 hours to do, plus return time.
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Exploring Aberdeen – Places To Visit
We asked the Aberdeen store team to share their ‘must-see’ attractions, their Hotter picks, and why they love their sparkling town.
His Majesty’s Theatre and Union Terrace Gardens
This magnificent theatre was built in 1906 and is the largest theatre in North East Scotland with capacity for 1,491 people. The theatre is open all year round with performances from the Scottish Ballet, opera, local theatre groups, pantomimes and national West End tours.
From the theatre you can enjoy the beautiful views of Union Terrace Gardens. The sunken gardens opened to the public in 1879, and cover approximately two and a half acres . The gardens are used for occasional concerts as well as leisure activities and relaxation.
His Majesty’s Theatre/Union Terrace Gardens
Duthie Park
This beautiful park covers 44 acres and first opened to the public in 1883. There’s lots to do and see in the park, from boating in the ponds to cricket on the lawns. Within the park you’ll also come across Winter Gardens, which houses the largest collection of cacti in Britain.
Duthie Park. Photo credit: https://www.visitabdn.com/
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Discover Bournemouth
This walk has been created by Bournemouth walking guide Hattie Miles, who is a photographer, writer and local historian who, for the past two years, has run Bournemouth’s popular guided walkingtalks tours. For 24 years she worked on the town’s daily newspaper and her walks aim to share her enthusiasm for the area and tell some of the history and hidden stories of this popular tourist destination.
Our walk begins in Old Christchurch Road outside the Hotter store, BH1 1DS.
Discover shoes to fall in love with, perfect for a walking tour of Bournemouth at the lovely Hotter store, where Alise and the team will be delighted to give you a warm welcome.
Opposite the Hotter store is the big department store House of Fraser … unremarkable until you look up above ground level where you will discover that it is a rather splendid Art Deco building with some interesting sun motifs.
Now walk up the hill and look for a blue plaque on the left, opposite an arcade. This marks the site of “Ashley Cottages”, thatched houses built in 1812. They were demolished to make way for Bournemouth’s first Town Hall in 1875.
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Step Out In Style With Hotter Fleetwood
The team at Fleetwood shares their highlights of the local area with its famous landmarks and must do activities (which of course includes shoe shopping!).
Walk This Way
Being situated on the most Northerly point of the Fylde Coast, Fleetwood offers stunning, picturesque walks to suit all.
The team recommend a visit to The Wyre Estuary Nature Reserve, ideal for dog walkers and keen photographers. This spot offers views of abandoned shipwrecks and maritime birds across the River Wyre. On a clear day you can take in the spectacular views of Fleetwood, Knottend, Thornton Skippool Creek, then out onto the Irish Sea.
The other option is to cycle or walk along the Promenade from Fleetwood to Cleveleys then onto Blackpool, approximately 11 miles but the views can be outstanding, taking in Morecambe bay, the Lake District and Barrow-in-Furness. Rachel, a Customer Service Advisor at Fleetwood, loves nothing more than getting on her bike with her little boy and cycling along this picturesque prom.
Let’s go back in time
Fleetwood itself is a very historical place with a huge fishing industry background.
There are 2 lighthouses in the town which have stood since 1840, the Beach lighthouse and the Pharos Lighthouse. These were lifelines for the local fishermen with help guiding them through the Wyre estuary. The Beach Lighthouse is also a Grade 2 listed building. The fishing industry may not be as prominent as it once was, but Fleetwood remains a very proud, community based town. Most families are connected through the fishing trade, and have gone onto setting up their own fishmonger businesses and rounds, that way keeping the traditional industry alive. Many of the Fleetwood teams family and friends are employed within the fishing industry locally.
The Beach Lighthouse
Pharos Lighthouse
The North Euston hotel is another Grade 2 listed building paid for by Sir Peter Hesketh and was built in 1841. The North Euston hotel is still a fully operational hotel now, holding many a vintage fair which plenty of our customers attend.
North Euston hotel
A huge contributor to the local economy at Fleetwood is the Lofthouse family. That name may not be familiar to most, but the brand name they developed back in 1865 more than likely will be. In 1865 a local Fleetwood pharmacist developed a syrup for the local fishermen, to use whilst they were at sea. Nowadays it comes as a lozenger, it is of course Fisherman’s Friends. Doreen Lofthouse is a great ambassador for Fleetwood, she has donated a lot to the local community and even donated a statue…..the statue of Eros.
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Explore Norwich In Style
Assistant Store Manager Kylie shares her highlights of this beautiful city with its famous landmarks and must do activities. Discover her top five things to do whilst out and about in the city…
You must visit the market, it’s the country’s largest open air market and it’s open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday. You can buy a variety of items from flowers, fish, meat, bread, to cheese and books!
There are plenty of shops to visit in Norwich, with something to suit everyone. You’ll find department stores, beautiful boutiques, independent retailers and two shopping malls. Jarrolds is one of the family run department stores and has been part of Norwich for over 200 years! Not forgetting the Norwich Lanes, where you’ll find lots of independent retailers and coffee shops, the perfect pit stop to relax and recharge those batteries.
If you want to explore further than the city centre, Norwich Cathedral is just a 15 minute walk away. The cathedral spire measures an impressive 315 feet and is the second tallest in England despite being struck by lightning in 1169, less than two years after it was completed.
