Taking a hike: Exploring leisure walkers embodied experiences

Stevenson, N. and Farrell, H.C. 2018. Taking a hike: Exploring leisure walkers embodied experiences. Social and Cultural Geography. 19 (4), pp. 429-447. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2017.1280615

TitleTaking a hike: Exploring leisure walkers embodied experiences
TypeJournal article
AuthorsStevenson, N. and Farrell, H.C.
Abstract

This paper uses walk along interviewing to investigate embodied experiences of walking on the South Downs Way, a long distance trail in southern England. Using a qualitative methodology - encompassing 93 walk-along interviews and auto-ethnographic reflections of two walker/researchers - it explores how walkers conceptualise their own walking experiences and captures this information while they are walking. It contributes to and extends the emerging body of literature which explores people’s experience, specifically aiming to develop a deeper understanding of leisure walking experiences in the dynamic space of the walk. It examines a range of bodily sensations and emotional states associated with the leisure walking experience in the context of temporal and environmental aspects, identifying those feelings that are innate and those which are mediated by external conditions. Current experiences intertwine with memories of other places and times in a process where connections are made between mind, body, the immediate physical environment, self and others, and disconnections from everyday life and the wider environment. These connections and disconnections create a sense of perspective, achievement and well-being.

Keywordswalk-along interviews, walking, experiences
JournalSocial and Cultural Geography
Journal citation19 (4), pp. 429-447
ISSN1464-9365
Year2018
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2017.1280615
Publication dates
Published in print2018
Published online23 Jan 2017
Published23 Jan 2017

Related outputs

Rural Tourism: current challenges in constructing the Rural Tourism and Hospitality Experience in Northumberland
Farrell, H.C. and Wilson-Youlden, L. 2023. Rural Tourism: current challenges in constructing the Rural Tourism and Hospitality Experience in Northumberland. The Rural Entrepreneurship Conference. Glasgow 17 - 19 May 2023

The Wellbeing Effects of Developing and Staging a Community Festival During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Stevenson, Nancy 2023. The Wellbeing Effects of Developing and Staging a Community Festival During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Event Management. 27 (3), pp. 407-421. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599522x16419948695198

The contribution of community events to social sustainability in local neighbourhoods
Stevenson, N. 2022. The contribution of community events to social sustainability in local neighbourhoods. in: Smith, A. and Mair, J. (ed.) Events and Sustainability Routledge.

Developing academic wellbeing through writing retreats
Stevenson, N. 2021. Developing academic wellbeing through writing retreats. Journal of Further and Higher Education. 45 (6), pp. 717-729. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2020.1812549

The contribution of community events to social sustainability in local neighbourhoods
Stevenson, N. 2021. The contribution of community events to social sustainability in local neighbourhoods. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 29 (11-12), pp. 1776-1791. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1808664

The street party: pleasurable community practices and place making
Stevenson, N. 2020. The street party: pleasurable community practices and place making. International Journal of Event and Festival Management. 10 (3), pp. 304-318. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-02-2019-0014

Having a say? The potential of local events to articulate community responses to regeneration.
Stevenson, N. 2020. Having a say? The potential of local events to articulate community responses to regeneration. Event Management. 24 (4), pp. 435-445. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599519X15506259855940

The Tourist Experience of Heritage Urban Spaces: Valletta as a Case Study
Ebejer, J., Smith, A., Maitland, R. and Stevenson, N. 2020. The Tourist Experience of Heritage Urban Spaces: Valletta as a Case Study. Tourism Planning & Development. 17 (4), pp. 458-474. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2019.1683886

Developing cultural understanding through story-telling
Stevenson, N. 2019. Developing cultural understanding through story-telling. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism. 19 (1), pp. 8-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2018.1560528

Beyond image: Imagined experiences of a destination
Cherifi, B., Smith, A., Maitland, R. and Stevenson, N. 2018. Beyond image: Imagined experiences of a destination. International Journal of Tourism Research . 20 (6), pp. 748-755. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2227

Redressing the balance: inverted hierarchies in the tourism classroom
Pappalepore, I. and Farrell, H.C. 2017. Redressing the balance: inverted hierarchies in the tourism classroom. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education. 21 (Part B), pp. 144-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2016.10.001

Culture and the 2012 Games: creating a tourism legacy?
Stevenson, N. 2016. Culture and the 2012 Games: creating a tourism legacy? in: Robinson, M. and Ploner, J. (ed.) Tourism at the Olympic Games: Visiting the World Abingdon Routledge.

Designing New Tourism Areas in London
Stevenson, N. 2016. Designing New Tourism Areas in London . Taiwan European Culture Forum . Taipei 26 - 26 Nov 2016

Local festivals, social capital and sustainable destination development: experiences in East London
Stevenson, N. 2016. Local festivals, social capital and sustainable destination development: experiences in East London. Journal of Sustainable Tourism . 24 (7), pp. 990-1006. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1128943

Reflections Upon the Experience of Longitudinal Research into Cultural Event Production in a Developing Destination
Stevenson, N. 2016. Reflections Upon the Experience of Longitudinal Research into Cultural Event Production in a Developing Destination. International Journal of Tourism Research. 18 (5), pp. 486-493. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2066

Destination images of non-visitors
Cherifi, B., Smith, A., Maitland, R. and Stevenson, N. 2014. Destination images of non-visitors. Annals of Tourism Research . 49, pp. 190-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.09.008

Cultural Programmes for Sporting Mega Events: London 2012 – A Case Study
Stevenson, N. 2013. Cultural Programmes for Sporting Mega Events: London 2012 – A Case Study . in: Garrod, B. and Fyall, A. (ed.) Contemporary Cases in Sport: Volume 1 Oxford Goodfellow Publishers.

The complexities of tourism and regeneration: the case of the 2012 Olympic Games
Stevenson, N. 2013. The complexities of tourism and regeneration: the case of the 2012 Olympic Games. Tourism Planning and Development. 10 (1), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2012.723038

The (unintended) benefits of green exercise
Farrell, H.C. and Price, L. 2013. The (unintended) benefits of green exercise. in: Conference Proceedings of Active Countryside Tourism, 23-25 January 2013, Leeds, UK International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality, Leeds Metropolitan University.

Experiencing sport tourism
Shipway, Richard and Stevenson, Nancy 2012. Experiencing sport tourism. Journal of Sport & Tourism. 17 (2), pp. 81-84. https://doi.org/10.1080/14775085.2012.729897

The cultural legacy of the 2012 games
Stevenson, N. 2012. The cultural legacy of the 2012 games. in: Shipway, R. and Fyall, A. (ed.) International sports events: impacts, experiences and identities Routledge.

Using complexity theory to develop understanding of tourism and the environment
Stevenson, N. 2012. Using complexity theory to develop understanding of tourism and the environment. in: Holden, A. and Fennell, D. (ed.) The Routledge handbook of tourism and the environment Routledge. pp. 84-93

Culture and the 2012 games: creating a tourism legacy?
Stevenson, N. 2012. Culture and the 2012 games: creating a tourism legacy? Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. 10 (2), pp. 137-149. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2012.682478

Tourism entrepreneurs in Northumberland
Bosworth, G. and Farrell, H.C. 2011. Tourism entrepreneurs in Northumberland. Annals of Tourism Research. 38 (4), pp. 1474-1494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2011.03.015

The 2012 games: the regeneration legacy
Smith, A., Stevenson, N. and Edmundson, T. 2011. The 2012 games: the regeneration legacy. RICS.

Rural tourism
Farrell, H.C. and Russell, S. 2011. Rural tourism. in: Robinson, P., Heitmann, S. and Dieke, P. (ed.) Research themes for tourism CABI. pp. 100-113

Seeing the sites: perceptions of London
Stevenson, N. and Inskip, C. 2010. Seeing the sites: perceptions of London. in: Maitland, R. and Richie, B. (ed.) City tourism: national capital perspectives Wallingford CABI.

London 2012: developing and delivering a cultural legacy
Stevenson, N. 2010. London 2012: developing and delivering a cultural legacy. 11th World Leisure Congress. ChunCheon, Korea 28 Aug - 02 Sep 2010

Events and cultural regeneration: creating a cultural legacy from the 2012 Games
Stevenson, N. 2010. Events and cultural regeneration: creating a cultural legacy from the 2012 Games. Global Events Congress IV: Events and Festivals Research 'State of the Art'. Leeds Metropolitan University 14 - 16 Jul 2010

Networking among rural tourism entrepreneurs
Farrell, H.C., Bosworth, G. and Newbery, R. 2010. Networking among rural tourism entrepreneurs. in: Brebbia, C.A. (ed.) The sustainable world Southampton Wessex Institute of Technology Press. pp. 713-724

Image and attachment: migrants perceptions of London metropolis in flux: contemporary cultural migrations in London
Stevenson, N. and Inskip, C. 2009. Image and attachment: migrants perceptions of London metropolis in flux: contemporary cultural migrations in London. London University of Westminster.

Complexity theory and tourism policy research
Stevenson, N., Airey, D. and Miller, G. 2009. Complexity theory and tourism policy research. International Journal of Tourism Policy. 2 (3), pp. 206-220. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTP.2009.024553

The ebbs and flows of tourism: a case study of Leeds
Stevenson, N. 2009. The ebbs and flows of tourism: a case study of Leeds. in: Thomas, R. (ed.) Managing regional tourism: a case study of Yorkshire, England Ilkley, West Yorkshire Great Northern Press.

London 2010: developing a cultural legacy for local communities in Hackney
Stevenson, N. 2009. London 2010: developing a cultural legacy for local communities in Hackney. University of Westminster for the IOC.

Enhancing the student experience by embedding personal tutoring in the curriculum
Stevenson, N. 2009. Enhancing the student experience by embedding personal tutoring in the curriculum. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education. 8 (2), pp. 117-122. https://doi.org/10.3794/johlste.82.218

A review of tourism policy for the 2012 Olympics
Smith, A. and Stevenson, N. 2009. A review of tourism policy for the 2012 Olympics. Cultural Trends. 18 (1), pp. 97-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548960802651377

Visualising London
Stevenson, N. and Inskip, C. 2008. Visualising London. London Journal of Tourism, Sport and Creative Industries. 1 (1), pp. 3-12.

The ebbs and flows of tourism: a case study of Leeds
Stevenson, N. 2008. The ebbs and flows of tourism: a case study of Leeds. in: Smith, M. and Onderwater, L. (ed.) Selling or Telling? Paradoxes in tourism, culture and heritage Arnhem, The Netherlands ATLAS.

Developing and delivering the vision: culture, growth and regeneration in Colchester
Stevenson, N. 2008. Developing and delivering the vision: culture, growth and regeneration in Colchester. ATLAS annual conference 2008: Selling or Telling? Paradoxes in Tourism, Culture and Heritage. University of Brighton, United Kingdom 02 - 04 Jul 2008

Tourism policy making: the policymakers' perspectives
Stevenson, N., Airey, D. and Miller, G. 2008. Tourism policy making: the policymakers' perspectives. Annals of Tourism Research. 35 (3), pp. 732-750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2008.05.002

Researching the experiences and perspectives of tourism policy makers
Stevenson, N. 2007. Researching the experiences and perspectives of tourism policy makers. in: Tribe, J. and Airey, D. (ed.) Developments in tourism research Amsterdam ; Oxford Elsevier. pp. 185-198

Policy at the margins: the experiences and perspectives of tourism policy makers in an English local authority
Stevenson, N. 2006. Policy at the margins: the experiences and perspectives of tourism policy makers in an English local authority. ATLAS Annual Conference 2006: the Transformation of Tourism Spaces. Lodz, Poland 20 - 22 Dep 2006

Integrating personal tutoring with personal development planning
Stevenson, N. 2006. Integrating personal tutoring with personal development planning. in: Barfield, S., Hixenbaugh, P. and Thomas, L. (ed.) Critical reflections and positive interventions: an electronic casebook on good practice in personal tutoring York, UK Higher Education Academy.

Designing a research strategy to understand and build theory around the experiences and perspectives of tourism policy makers
Stevenson, N. 2006. Designing a research strategy to understand and build theory around the experiences and perspectives of tourism policy makers. Cutting Edge Research in Tourism: New Directions, Challenges and Applications. University of Surrey 06 - 09 Jun 2006

Landscape character assessment in the Republic of Ireland
Farrell, H.C., Boyle, K. and Rybaczuk, K. 2006. Landscape character assessment in the Republic of Ireland. LCN news: the Landscape Character Network newsletter. 21.

The role of English local authorities in tourism
Stevenson, N. 2002. The role of English local authorities in tourism. Insights.

The role of English local authorities in tourism survey 2000
Stevenson, N. and Lovatt, S. 2001. The role of English local authorities in tourism survey 2000. London Centre for Tourism, School of of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Westminster.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9z4zv/taking-a-hike-exploring-leisure-walkers-embodied-experiences


Share this

Usage statistics

156 total views
525 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.