to ask if anyone has a LONG walking commute every day

On the way to work, my DH gets off the tube far enough away from work to give himself a 40 minute walk to the office. If the going is good at the end of the day he will walk back to the same tube station, but if he’s not feeling it he gets the tube home from the nearest station to work. Knowing that he doesn’t have to do it both ways if he’s had a tough day really helps so is there any way you could get public transport back (or part way) if you needed to? Also, if 60 mins starts to feel like a drag, could you park the car /get public transport part-way and walk the rest?

Also to say that going prepared and dressed for the weather makes all the difference. He keeps work shoes in his locker at work and wears his walking shoes to and from work. He has a full set of waterproofs and spare clothes at work just in case of a soaking.

I did it for years, 3 and a bit miles each way, almost exactly an hour. I really miss it now that I work from home full time. It might feel long the first couple of times and then it becomes normal although be prepared for colleagues to gasp in shock that you do it.

My tips: keep shoes in work and change into something comfortable and waterproof for walking (leather trainers or flat boots for example); get a waterproof coat with a decent hood but nothing too warm as you'll generate heat even on the coldest days; don't bother with an umbrella if it's windy as a hood is better; don't play games with yourself as to whether you'll do it or not - just accept it's your commute and you'll be fine; know that in even the very worst of rain and wind it gets better after about 5-10 mins of walking so don't be put off; you'll gain fitness really quickly and feel a difference in your leg muscles and the amount you can eat. Most of those tips are for bad weather but a lot of the time it's an absolute joy and you never have that irritation of leaving the office 2 minutes late causing you to miss a bus and have to wait ages for the next one. Such freedom.

As a non driver I do this and it gives me an enormous sense of wellbeing

Really? I have walked for years and have never needed up a stinking sweaty mess after walking for under an hour.

In summer? Walking briskly? Mid menopause?

Yes I’d be hot and sweaty.

I used to do nearly 50 minutes each way to work healthcare when I had no car, Im a runner but didn’t want to get sweaty so I’d march there then it was less faff and waiting for bus if I just walked straight home. yep sometimes it’s raining ☔️

As you’re starting in Winter I would begin with the drive and park part way for now. Or - if you’re in the office every day - do the full route once or twice a week and the part drive option the rest of the week.

I've lived rurally with no streetlights or foothpaths, in quiet country towns and in bustling cities - I have never once felt unsafe walking on my own in the dark.

Agreed. I walk through a deserted town centre (with the odd homeless person in a doorway) to the gym at 9pm. I feel like some on Mumsnet would melt into a puddle at the very thought.

I’d love this. I cycle 30 mins each way and I’d prefer an hour walk as there would be less things to think about (clothing,lights, locks)

I walk an hour (around 4 miles) each way. Mostly love it, especially in the mornings. Don’t love it so much in heavy rain, but I have waterproofs and they keep me as dry as possible. I listen to podcasts, or music. It’s a great way you can get some extra exercise into my day.

I think having a torch and being seen is very important
I was on a country road the other day at dusk, passed a lady with a pram. I was on them before I noticed them, and too late to really slow for them, which I would normally do if I'm passing people on the road.

Its a walk, you really shouldn't end up a sweaty mess in a 50min walk.

Can you have a shower at work? If it was me doing that walk each morning I’d turn up to work a sweaty stinky mess!

I'd do it, OP! My regular commute is 10 mins walk to the station, train, then 20 mins walk at the other end, but during Covid I used to walk into work which took me over an hour. I also swim in an outdoor pool 3x a week and usually then walk 30 mins to the pool and either 30 mins back home (if working at home) or about 15 mins with a train in the middle in to work. I love walking, even in wet weather, and you see so much more than you do using other modes of transport.

Agree - I frequently walk in places which aren't busy, don't have cafes or pavements - or even street lighting.

If someone doesn't fancy it - fair enough. What stood out, was the implication that someone might genuinely not leave their house unless it's daylight. Given the winter hours of darkness in the UK, that would be pretty restrictive!

But where are you talking about? Seriously?

I live on the edge of a city. I have walked in the dark in the city, in my suburb, on side roads, on main roads. What are people worried about? I refuse to stay indoors after 4pm for three months of the year.

As far as crossing a road goes, I always make sure a car has stopped on a zebra or other crossing anyway - and that's in the daylight too.

Otherwise - yes there really isn't an attacker at every street corner. And if there were, what is to stop them attacking in the daytime? I just went out on my lunchbreak and there were a lot fewer people around than there will be at 5.30pm tbh.

I used to walk 3 miles to and from work every day - you get good at it (i.e. you will walk faster) and as you say, it's a great way to stay active and burn a few extra calories.

I used to walk an hour each way in London along the river. Loved it. Best commute I ever had. Plug into a podcast and get into the day or relax at the end of it. Highly recommended if you enjoy walking.

Agree. I have always walked at least part of the way to and from work. I have walked in cities, towns and countryside after dark. There really isnt someone on every corner ready to do you harm. Yes there may be some people who would want to do you harm but there always was. I only see this kind of blanket, women cant go out alone after dark other own on mumsnet. In my real life experience women of all ages carry on with their lives in the dark. They walk to and from work, they go for walks, run, cycle, go to the gym.

Not exactly a commute but I walk my son to nursery every day, then work from
home - 2 miles each way, so 8 miles for me altogether (4 for him but he’s in a pram!). If it’s really crap weather then I’ll drive but I try to avoid that.

I like it, I think any exercise that you can work into your daily routine is great.

I have lived in the middle of the countryside and in a town. I have lived in places with roads with no footpaths at all and places with streetlights and dodgy characters. In none of those places have I been unable to walk places at 6pm. In the countryside I took a torch and a fluorescent jacket and in the town I keep my wits about me.

For me at that time of day is the risk of being hit by a car or something. Someone being a bit fast of their marks at lights and not actually seeing you.

But thats a mix of dark clothes, modern street lights and the risk of drivers being blinded by really bright headlights coming towards them.

I'm not saying everyone needs to be in worker grade Hi-vis reflective stuff, but even light coloured piping or reflictive bits on a coat would help.

I’m baffled that some people are baffled. Not everyone lives where a commute on foot is populated by people and shops and cafes. Walking home at 5 pm in the dark
in some places is clearly safer than in other places.

is this another one of those situations where posters can’t comprehend that other peoples lives are different from theirs?