|
Sunday 2nd |
Area Rally 2006 - Organised by Northants Area RA 'Use your Footpaths Week' Pitsford Water - a campaign to link the severed paths around north Pitsford Water. Walk: 7 miles around north Pitsford Water, by permission of Anglian Water. Meet: 10.00am at Holcot Village Hall, Back Lane, Holcot (GR SP 79306965). Please park in Moulton Road. Lunch: Please bring your own food which can be eaten in the Village Hall. There will be a speaker from the RA. This event is organised by the Area Committee - check their website for latest details |
|
Wednesday 5th |
Evening Walk, followed by pub meet Meet at The George, Tiffield (just north of Towcester,
between the A5 and A43), Walk will be about 3.5 miles, finishing 9 to 9:30 for a drink at the pub. Grid ref 698519. It rained so heavily last time I led walk that I had to miss half of it out. So, this covers the other half of that walk, starting from a different village! Interesting things on the way include a goat, some geese, and a folly. If you don't want to do the walk, just meet at the pub to find out more about the group and future walks, trips, events etc. Maps of Walk Start - James III walk leader |
|
Sunday 16th |
National Walk Start at Dedham, Essex at car park. Grid Ref TM 057 335 Round Flatford Mill - Constable country. 4 miles long in the morning and depending on how we feel we could hire rowing boats in the afternoon or move to Lavenham Suffolk and do a 5 mile walk there. Plan is to leave Sixfields at 9am and get there at 11am, this is to allow the late risers to go. Best way is to go A14. This area comes highly recommended as John's Mum and Dad went at Easter ! Maps of walk start - John leader |
|
Wednesday 19th |
Evening Walk, followed by pub meet Meet at 7.30pm at the Stags Head, Great Doddington for an approx 3 mile walk to Summer Leys and back to Great Doddington. If you don't want to do the walk, just meet at the pub
from 9.30pm Maps of walk start - Vicki B leader |
|
Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd |
Weekend Away Derbyshire Underbank Camping Barn in the Peak District. The camping barn has no bunks but has all the mod cons of a kitchen, showers, toilets and a living area, all you need to bring is a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. The farm itself has a tea room and icecream parlour and it is only half a mile from the pub. Tim has suggested some very nice local walks and he should know as he is from down the road! All the info is on the YHA website Organised by John |
|
Sunday 30th |
Local Walk A figure of 8 walk starting from the historic Ampthill Park (TL024382). There is plenty of free parking. Meet at 10.30am in the car park for the morning half or all day, or at 1:30pm in the park, near Katherine's Cross, for the afternoon only. Ampthill Park was a royal hunting park, visited by Henry VIII. There are great views here looking across the Marston Vale to Bedford and beyond. The morning walk is 6 miles long, walking along the Greensand Ridge through the woods to Millbrook and Lidlington. We pass by the Millbrook proving grounds, fingers crossed we may see an exotic car driving round, or 4x4's attempting the "1 in 1" gradient. We return back to have a picnic lunch in the park. The afternoon walk is also 6 miles long, this time we walk along the Greensand Ridge in the opposite direction to the ruins of Houghton House (currently being restored), through the King's Wood nature reserve to the village of Houghton Conquest. We return passing the rather grand Ampthill Park House. There will be a pub stop at Houghton Conquest in the afternoon. Fingers crossed, there may be an ice cream van at the finish. Maps of walk start - Tim leader |
|
Wednesday 2nd |
Evening Walk, followed by pub meet Starting outside the Spencer Arms pub at Chapel Brampton, a scenic 3.5 mile walk going to nearby Church Brampton, then through the fields and back along beside an old railway track. There looks to be plenty of parking in the village, and the pub is obvious if you drive in on the A5199 from Northampton. Meet at 7.30 at the pub for the walk, or if you don't want to do the walk, just meet at the pub from 9.00 - 9.30 to find out more about the group and future walks, trips, events etc. Maps of walk start - James III walk leader |
|
Saturday 5th |
Extra Walk - By invitation of West Midlands Walking Group Note this is a Saturday! Braunston and Ashby St Ledgers. 10.30 start. Easy 8 miles. Pleasant west Northants countryside with a busy canal junction and passing one of the secret meeting places of the Gunpowder Plot. Start point - by the church in Braunston, on a side road off the A45 - Coventry to Daventry road Andy Page of WMWG walk leader See WMWG Website for latest details Contact Via Sue if necessary |
|
Sunday 13th |
Not a walk, but a "Fun and Games Day" in Hyde Park !!!!! This follows the London Pub Crawl the day before and since some of you may not feel like doing much after the alcohol, we are having a fun day! Anyone who would like to join us meet at 11 am at the Lido cafe, Hyde Park These are the details - The Lido Café: With stunning views along The Serpentine and a large alfresco dining area, the Lido is a great place to get refreshed and watch the world go by. The restaurant is licensed for alcohol; facilities include toilets, baby change, high chairs, newspapers, and outdoor seating. What we actually do after meeting in the cafe will depend on how everyone feels, however there are various options - game of rounders / short walk / picnic etc - or including swimming in the lido, so bring your speedos !! Grid Ref TQ 271 800 |
|
Sunday 20th |
Extra Walk - By invitation of West Midlands Walking Group Badby. 10.30 start. Straightforward 11 miles. Taking in a couple of villages. Possible pub stop. Start point - Meet at the post office on the village green in Badby, park in the surrounding streets. Badby is off the A361. Ian Wilkinson of WMWG walk leader See WMWG Website for latest details Contact Via Sue if necessary |
|
Tuesday 22nd to Tuesday 29th |
|
|
Tuesday 22nd |
The last evening walk of the season !! Please note that this is a TUESDAY, not a Wednesday. Meet 7.30 Carpenters Arms, Irchester, for a short walk across the fields to Irchester country park, a lap around the park and back to the pub. Approx 3 miles. There is also the opportunity for Frisbee throwing in the park. If it has been raining the fields could be muddy. Please note that there are two pubs in the village, this one is opposite the church. Plenty of parking in the street outside the church. Maps of Walk Start - Jenni leader |
|
Sunday 27th |
National Walk Meet Grindleford train Station 10.30, Grid Ref - SK 250788, for a walk very similar to Clive's last year. 10 - 12 miles, pub stop around about lunch time, there will be a few small hills. Fantastic views of the Hope Valley. Grindleford Station > Padley Gorge > Stanage Edge > Froggat Edge > Curbar Edge > Grindleford Station > Tea and Cakes. Meet 8.30 am at Sixfields, near Frankie and Bennies, for car share. Jon C and Esther will be there. Please note Vicki will meet you in Grindleford. There are toilets at Grindleford station, but please note you will need to buy a coffee before they will let you use them!! Maps of Walk Start - Please let Vicki know if you plan to go. Vicki B + Esther + Jon C joint leaders ! |
|
Sunday 3rd |
Joint walk with Peterborough Younger Walkers Meet outside Badby Church (limited parking), map/grid ref. 206/SP560588 at 10:00. Walk via Fawsley Park, Preston Capes and Everdon and return via Newnham along the Nene Way. 17km (10½ miles). Paul B (of Peterborough Younger Walkers) leader. Maps of Walk Start - |
|||
|
Wednesday 6th |
Monthly pub meeting (no walk as it is now getting dark too soon!) The Stag's Head, Great Doddington. Meet at the pub from 8pm to find out more about the group and future walks, trips, events etc. Maps of pub location - |
|||
|
Sunday 10th |
Local Walk Walk starts at Hellidon SW of Daventry (Grid Ref SP 518 580). Meet outside the Red Lion pub at 10.30. Figure of 8, 11 miles long - 6 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. Parking is a bit limited but there should be enough for 10 cars on the grass verge outside the pub. DON'T PARK IN PUB CAR PARK!! Would be a good idea to car share where possible. As it is a figure of 8 people can leave and join at lunch which will be at the pub. They serve food but John didn't get to see the menu. Anyone wishing to join us in the afternoon should get to the pub at 1pm. If we are not there we should not be long - get yourself and the walk leader a drink and wait for us in the garden. Highlights of the walk include a windmill and a priory. Maps of Walk Start - John leader |
|||
|
Friday 15th to Sunday 17th |
Weekend
away Andy's 40th Birthday
Extravaganza !! Space for up to 14 people, but now considered to be fully booked with 12, on the advice of the bunkhouse to give a bit of breathing space ! The bunkhouse has separate rooms with bunk beds (not just a floor like some places!) and a kitchen and showers etc. so really it is more like a hostel. Price is £14 per person per night,which includes breakfast (coffee and cereal). There will be a slight supplement as we are 12 rather than 14. The location will allow for some excellent coastal walking along the south west coastal path, followed of course by the chance to swim in the sea! The plan for Saturday is to head along the coast to the south of Swanage, to Chapman's Pool and then back to Worth Matravers which reportedly has an excellent pub ! Then return to Swanage either back along the coast again or we could go via two more pubs in Langton Matravers !! As the Saturday is Andy's 40th birthday, part of the plan is also to celebrate this in suitable style on Saturday night. This will start with a meal the bunkhouse - they do what sounds like a very good alpine style evening meal. On the Sunday the plan is for a steam train ride to Corfe Castle and walk back into Swanage through the Purbeck Hills (at least I think they are part of the Purbeck Hills) - approximately the walk shown in This Link Other "lighter" options for Sunday are a steam train to Corfe Castle, have a look at the castle and train back to Swanage, or another walk along the coast, this time heading north, including more time on the beach / sea in Swanage or nearby, if weather permits. There is a nudist beach nearby at Studland, which we will encounter if we walk far enough north ! (Not planning to take full advantage myself, but the option is there!!). Also chance to see / visit Brownsea Island but this would make the walk a bit long if we start from Swanage. Swanage is 168 miles from Northampton (similar distance to Cadair Idris or Brecon Beacons) and should take 3 hours 20 mins driving at legal speeds (assuming no traffic on M25!) (or there are quicker / less busy routes available) The bunkhouse is now booked for 14, deposit is £14 per person. If you are booked on this and have not yet paid, please Contact Andy ASAP and arrange to send a cheque (deposit already paid to hostel). On the advice of the hostel, and apparent lack of interest from anyone else, I have decided to cap the numbers at 12, which may result in a slight surcharge. Map of Swanage - showing areas we will walk (South West Coast Path) Organised by Andy Editors Note: As many of you will be aware, Andy was not able to attend his own 40th birthday event. The weekend went ahead as a "normal" weekend. Details above have been left as a historical record of what was planned. |
|
Sunday 2nd |
National Walk Walk will start at Shipston on Stour, going via Todenham and Stretton-on-Fosse. Meet at the car park opposite the Old Mill pub in Shipston, which is FREE. It is over the bridge on your right as you come from Banbury (which is the way everyone will probably go).Grid Ref SP 259 405. Walk is approx 7.9 miles. It takes in two pubs (which incidentally do REAL Ales for those that like that sort of thing) I figure we will have time for a stop in both. Also for those that like a NICE cup of Tea there is an offer of refreshments (and toilet) at my parents house after the walk. We do also pass a small REAL ALE Brewery and some gift shops although when I asked yesterday they said the brewery would be closed. Maps of Walk Start - Vikki C leader |
|
Wednesday 4th |
Pub meeting Toby Carvery from 8pm. Meet at the pub to find out more about the group and future walks, trips, events etc. We will also be finalising the new walks programme for January to June 2007 Anyone wanting to lead a walk should come to this meeting and get their name down. If you want to lead a walk but can't come e-mail Andy with the date you would like to lead. |
|
Sunday 15th |
Local Walk Walk will be starting from the church at Little Harrowden. Grid Ref SP 871 716. Meet at 10.30. We will go across the fields to Pytchley and then onwards to Isham (with a panoramic view of Weetabix!) before completing the circuit back to LH. I believe that this is about 5 1/2 to 6 miles. If there is sufficient light we can also do another circular walk from LH to Great Harrowden and back (the latter is one of the Northamptonshire pub walks) in the afternoon. The latter walk is 4 1/2 miles. There are pubs at Pytchley, Isham and Little Harrowden itself. There is also a shop in Isham which was open the last time I did this walk on a Sunday afternoon about two months ago (early July). Parking will have to be by the road side in LH. Maps of Walk Start - Bill leader |
|
Sunday 29th |
National Walk Meet at Burrough Hill Country Park, near Melton Mowbray, at 10.30am (Grid Ref SK 765 115). Or meet at Sixfields (Northampton) at 9.20am to share lifts. Costs £1.50 to park, lots of room. Walk is 9.25 miles across rolling countryside with a pub stop at Somerby. Info on Burrough Hill Country Park Maps of Walk Start - John leader |
|
Wednesday 1st |
Pub meeting Toby Carvery from 8pm. Meet at the pub to find out more about the group and future walks, trips, events etc. |
|
Friday 10th to Sunday 12th |
Weekend Away John has found what looks like a very nice hostel between Corwen and Betws-Y-Coed on the A5, a bit further in Wales than first planned but there are some great walks in the area. Should take 3 hours 20 mins from Northampton (Sixfields). Grid Ref SH 930 503. 8 beds have been provisionally booked so if you wish to go send John your money now - £10 deposit, should cost no more than £30 for bed breakfast and packed lunch. ( 3 or 4 definites already known about will get first priority) Sat dinner will be in one of the local pubs, 4 in a 4 mile radius. Details of walks still to be worked out but lots of great options virtually on the doorstep of the hostel. Location Maps - Please Contact John ASAP and he will send details for sending money. |
|
Sunday 19th |
The Northamptonshire Area AGM The AGM is at 3pm at Weedon Bec Village Hall, West Street, Weedon (Grid Ref SP626593). The Daventry Group, who are kindly hosting this year's AGM, have arranged 2 walks before the AGM, both starting from the village hall. One will start at 8.30am and will be 10 miles; a packed lunch is required and the walk leader will be Brian Davies. The second walk will start at 11.45am and will be 5 or 6 miles; the walk leader is Sally Pearson. The speaker at the AGM itself will be Kevin Matthews. Kevin, aged 30, is a member of the RA Board of Trustees and has been an active RA member since 1989. He is a member of the Advisory Panel on Walk Leading and Navigation. He formed the Notts and Derby Group for younger members in 1997 and has subsequently helped many other Areas to form similar groups. He is particularly interested in the modernisation of the RA and recruiting members from a wider section of the community. He also organises the annual "Big Event", now known as "HikeFest". Members of our group are encouraged to attend, particularly as Kevin is the speaker as this should prove interesting to us and could result in a lively discussion! Maps of AGM Location / Walks Start - |
|
Sunday 26th |
Local Walk Meet at 10.30am at Greens Norton playing fields, there is a car park here or you can park opposite in Calvert Road near the primary school. Greens Norton is a village about 2 miles from Towcester, take the road off the A5/A43 roundabout going past Towcestrians rugby club, the playing field is on the right hand side as you enter the village. N.B. If you are travelling from the South, please note that the M1 will be closed, between Junctions 9 and 11, until 10am on the morning of this walk! The walk is approximately 9 miles going through the villages of Blakesley and Bradden before returning to Greens Norton. I plan to stop in Blakesley for lunch, so please bring a packed lunch. We will also stop at the Bartholomew Arms in Blakesley for a drink (they serve a range of real ales, wines and soft drinks) I am giving this walk a short friendliness rating of minus 10, as James got severely stung when we reckied it recently (recently being July) so hopefully by November you should be safe to wear shorts if you really want to! Just don't blame me if you get frost bite on your knees! Maps of Walk Start - Jayne leader |
|
Sunday 3rd |
National Walk St Albans A semi-urban walk starting from St Albans City Station and taking in many historic features of this ancient city, as well as the surrounding countryside, in a 9.5 miles circular tour. There is a pub at the mid point of the walk there is also the possibility of many pubs in St Albans before, during and after the walk! (But please note this is a walk and not a pub crawl, so we won't visit them all!!) The walk is taken from "Walking Britain" see it on This Link Meet at St Albans City station at 10.30, or outside the ticket barriers at Bedford Station at 9.35 for the 9.50 direct train (which arrives at St Albans at 10.27). You need to meet outside the barriers as there is an offer for 4 for tickets the price of 2, so don't buy your ticket until you have joined up with a group of 4. Full fare is £10.30. There are also trains / buses from other destinations - Northampton depart 8.10 (bus) > Milton Keynes arrive 8.55 > (then as below) Milton Keynes depart 9:20 (bus) > Luton arrive 10:05 > Luton depart 10:14 > St Albans arrive 10:27 Wellingborough depart 9.29 > Luton arrive 10.08 > Luton depart 10.14 > St Albans arrive 10.27 There are later trains from Luton, we will wait for the one arriving at 10.33 for those who may have missed the fairly tight connections but if you are planning to come on one of the journeys with connections it is advisable to e-mail walk leader Andy in advance so we know you are coming. Travelling by car is not really recommended but if you do you could park at the station and meet us there or use central St Albans car parks and meet by the tourist information in Market Place, at around 10.50am, as there is little of interest between the station and the city centre (except Cotswold outdoor shop!). Tourist Info is a big white building with classical columns, standing on its own, right in the middle of the market - you can't miss it! Just in case you do it is shown on the far left hand side of the local area map linked to below. Again, best to e-mail Andy if you are taking this option. There appear to be adequate trains / buses back to all starting points well after the walk will have ended. But you are recommended to check your own journey details on thetrainline.com or elsewhere. Maps of Walk Start - Location Map of Bedford Station Timetables - Bedford to St Albans St Albans to Bedford Walk Details on Walking Britain Andy leader |
|
Wednesday 6th |
Monthly pub meeting The Stag's Head, Great Doddington. Meet at the pub from 8pm to find out more about the group and future walks, trips, events etc. Maps of pub location - |
|
Sunday 17th |
Local Walk We will meet at the war memorial in Emberton at 10.30am (Grid Ref SP 886 495). You can park in the country park or in the village (considerately of course.) We will walk to Sherrington (the birth place of Mark Wallace!) where we will lunch before returning to Emberton. About five miles in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. Pretty straightforward really! If anyone fancies only half the walk, with prior arrangement we could pick people up in Sherrington at 10.10am and they could walk to their cars there. It's nice and flat! Maps of Walk Start - Erica leader |
|
Tuesday 26th |
Local Boxing Day Walk Meet at 11.00am at Main St Southwick (TL 017 920) for an 8.6 mile walk. The walk takes in Southwick Hall, the village of Cotterstock with its hall and mill, and the ancient market town of Oundle with its public school (V Hogworts). Here we will find our lunchtime pub, The Ship, which is listed in the Good Beer Guide, before heading back via Short Wood Nature Reserve. Part of the "Festival of Winter Walks" Maps of Walk Start - John leader |