Member Benefits
When you join the Society you automatically become eligible for a wide range of member benefits and these continue to be added to year by year….
….but we believe that what is most important is that members know they are helping to fulfil our constitutional aims, which focus on keeping Alfred Wainwright’s works alive for future generations and adding a voice to matters which we believe AW felt important to him and other lovers of the fells and upland areas. This would not be possible to achieve these aims without the team of dedicated volunteers and the support of our members.
Member Discounts
Members can take advantage of a wide range of discounts for our members, mainly with local Cumbrian businesses including accommodation, gear, retail and leisure. We get numerous reports of members saving more than their membership fee through these offers.
To view these please click here.
Free Magazine for members only
The Society is proud of its top-quality colour magazine, Footsteps. Normally 32 pages, A5 and in full colour, this is published four times a year and delivered free to members. Articles are almost exclusively by members and each issue includes Society news, walks, events, competitions, updates on the latest discounts we have arranged, Society merchandise and much more. Footsteps magazine has its own section on the website where you will find more information and where you can read recent editions.
Challenge Events
Each year the Society organises a Challenge event to raise funds for our annual main beneficiary. The Challenges are wide-ranging and can be undertaken anytime from Jan 1st to June 1st.
We produce a Challenge Book recounting members’ and often their family or friends’ experiences. Participants are encouraged to make a small donation to our main beneficiary. Each Challenge involves a choice of up to 100 ‘targets’ from which members select their own personal walk. The subject area of the Challenge changes every year. In this way we avoid leaving a heavy footprint on one particular route or location.
Full details can be located on the website Challenges page.
Organised Walks between late March and early October
Join Society Members on a range of walks between late March and early October, led by our Walks’ Leader. These walks are free to members and vary in length and difficulty. Since the Society was formed more than 130 walks have been arranged in areas associated with Wainwright’s books, not necessarily in the Lake District.
The walks are popular with most being enjoyed by 12 to 24 people. Dogs are welcome. If possible a cafe or hostelry is often found on completion of the walk.
Full details can be located on the website at Society Walks under “Society Walks Programme 2026”.
Lectures with reduced prices for members
Each year the Society holds a Memorial Lecture and occasional extra lectures. Past speakers have included Sir Chris Bonington, Derry Brabbs, Alan Hinkes OBE, Doug Scott CBE and Terry Abraham. Society members are entitled to discounted admission prices and these popular lectures, always with a Wainwright connection, are very often sold out.
Merchandise
We have developed a range of Merchandise for members, usually at the request or suggestion of members themselves. These are often priced to only cover the cost of supply and delivery so are excellent value for members. The complete range is now on our website shop and most items can be purchased either by order form and cheque or via PayPal.
E-Newsletters
Every 3 months, and timed to appear roughly between issues of our Footsteps magazine, we send an E-Newsletter to all members who have given us permission to contact them by email. These newsletters contain notification of Society events, comments on any Campaigns in which we are involved, updates on Member Discounts, our latest fundraising activities and anything which we think is of interest to our members.
‘Members Only’ section access
As a member you will be given a username and password to gain access to the Members Only section of this website. This section will give you access to some of our policies, discount codes, meeting minutes, accounts and our full constitution.