The Great Millennium Circle
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by Robert McCaffrey
The Great Millenium Circle (GMC) is the
longest possible circular path in the UK. The 'pure line' of the
GMC is approximately 750km long, and the centre of the circle
is near Kidderminster. The GMC is constrained mainly by three
bodies of water, the River Severn, the Wash, and the Dee/Mersey.
The GMC passes through some of the UK's most beautiful scenery,
as well as several town and cities, and diversity of experience
is a constant theme.
In an effort to avoid the destruction which has come with specifying
long distance footpaths too closely, to encourage an absolutely
unique experience for anyone attempting the GMC, and in the spirit
of the Millennium, the GMC may be followed by anyone following
paths within 2000m of the 'central line'. Because the GMC is not
specified as a single path, it cannot be waymarked in the normal
sense of the word. Anyone attempting the GMC will need to decide
upon their own route, and be able to follow the map to acheive
their aim. Also, because following the 'pure path' of the GMC
is physically and legally impossible, the traveller along the
GMC will necessarily take a longer route. How much longer is up
to the individual.
I have walked the circle (with about 150km of cycling through the Fens), and it was brilliant!
This site contains several useful resources:
Excerpts from
the book of the Great Millennium Circle:
'A walk on the mild side.'
Golf on the GMC
Accommodation on the GMC
Links to sites useful for the GMC
The end of the Great Millennium Circle, on 16 April 2000.
Left to right: Margaret Crane, Elizabeth Ross, Robert McCaffrey (pushing Elizabeth Daisy McCaffrey in the push chair), Lewis McCaffrey, Valerie McCaffrey, Sally McCaffrey and Walter McCaffrey. Also present, Barrie Crane and Catherine Lyons.