|
|
Wednesday 2nd
|
Pub Meet (no
walk)
Toby Carvery, East Hunsbury
This month we return to what was our regular
monthly pub meet for several years!
Map
of pub location
Meet from 8pm
|
|
Sunday 6th
|
Local New
Member'sWalk
This is the annual walk
at the start of the year where potential new
members are particularly encouraged to come along,
as there will be lots of other new people. But if
you are new and can't make this one do feel free to
come along anytime!
Start at Harold Country
Park at 10.30am. Lots of parking in the park there
is a pound donation for parking.
Morning walk 4 miles
heading through the park to Odell over the Great
Ouse and looping back via Chellington Church to the
park for lunch.
For lunch we can have
sandwiches in the park and the is a very nice cafe
that does hot drinks and light snacks.
The afternoon walk is 4
miles out through the histroric village of Harold
into Odell Great Wood back through Odell and a
different route through the park.
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
John
H leader
|
|
Sunday 13th
|
Local Walk
Figure of 8
Start from the Yeoman of
England pub in Wootton - parking respectfully
around the village
For the morning half meet
at 10.30, the morning walk is through Collingtree
park and over to Milton Malsor - Approx 5
miles
For the afternoon meet at
the Yeoman of England again, starting at
1.30pm.
This walk heads to
Quinton, passing through Preston Deanery and back
to Wootton over the fields - Approx 4
miles
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Claire and Andrew
leaders
|
|
Sunday 20th
|
THIS WALK WAS POSTPONED TO
MAY 19TH
|
|
Sunday 3rd
|
A stroll along the Nene
Valley, with a quirky pub and a game of skittles to
end :0)
Little Addington >
Woodford Mill > Woodford Shrubbery > Woodford
> Great Addington > Little
Addington.
Approx 8 - 10 miles
depending on weather and ground
conditions
Please meet outside the
Church in Little Addington at 10.30 prompt. Please
park carefully around the village.
After leaving Little
Addington we will meander along the beautiful Nene
Valley towards Woodford Mill, if it rains a lot
this week Wellies may be the preferred option for
footwear as the reccie yesterday was very wet, if
it really rains allot may be you will need wet
suits, flippers and snorkels :0) although I am
quite confident ground conditions could not be any
worse than yesterday after the thaw of snow and
rain all night on Saturday, we all made it to the
pub at lunchtime ;0) but there were a few wet feet
along the way.
We then head out onto the
right wing towards Denford, with a good cross to
the left wing we take a nice stroll through
Woodford Shrubbery and then a well earnt half time
drink and team talk at the Duke's arms Pub in
Woodford, with an outside sitting area/patio with
open fire and from here the last train can be
caught from platform 3 at 12am. (you have to work
this one out)
Please go through to the
outside sitting area where there is a place to
leave muddy boots before going into the
pub.
There is a nice green to
eat lunch in front of the pub, please don't eat
your sarnies at the pub.
After lunch we head out of
Woodford along the road then across the fields back
to Great Addington and return to Little Addington
along the road with a drink at the Bell Inn at the
end.
As always a pub in every
village and please pack a sense of humour in your
rucksack.
UPDATE - Please note
that the route may be changed due to weather
conditions but it will definitely be going
ahead.
If you want to be kept up
to date with proposed changes e-mail
Vicki who will send out a
message on Saturday.
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Walk Leader Vicki
B
|
|
Wednesday 6th
|
Pub Meet (no
walk)
The Railway, Rushden town
centre
Meet from 8pm
Map
of Pub Location
|
|
Friday 8th to
Sunday 10th
|
|
Mankinholes,
South Pennines - Friday 8th to Sunday 10th
February
Youth
hostel in Mankinholes on the Lancs
Yorkshire border in the South Pennines,
near to Hebden Bridge and Haworth (Bronte
country).
Due to
the limited number of showers (3 or 4
depending on which way you read the
website) the plan is to limit the numbers
to 20ish. This will be on a first come
first served basis, based on that number
it will cost around £35 plus food.
More
Details of the Hostel
Info
on Haworth
Organised
by John
H
|
|
|
Sunday 17th
|
Local Walk
Another stroll along the
Nene Valley
Grendon>Summer
Leys>Great
Doddington>Wollaston>Grendon
Approx 8 - 10 miles
depending on weather and ground
conditions
Please meet outside the
Church in Grendon at 10.30. Please park carefully
around the village.
Leaving Grendon across the
fields towards the Nene Valley where we will
(unsurprisingly) pass through a nature reserve
– Summer Leys to be precise. Then along the
disused railway and up the slope (not hill) to
Great Doddington. The pub stop is here at The Stags
Head, there’s a large beer garden or benches
in the village for lunch.
The afternoon takes us
back down and over the River, past some more lakes
and onto the outskirts of Wollaston. Coming out of
Wollaston we pass some Llamas, cross (carefully)
the A509 and follow the byway from Strixton to
Grendon where there is final optional pub
stop.
Cows = None, Stiles = Low,
Mud = Medium/Lots, Bridge shot potential =
High
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Matt J leader
|
|
Sunday 3rd
|
National Walk
NO DOGS
ALLOWED
Draycote Water, between Daventry and Rugby.
A 6.5 mile walk around Draycote water (very
large reservoir with lots of birds to see including
a hide which we will visit) and taking in the
pretty village of Thurlaston (thatched cottages
etc) and the attractive town of Dunchurch, with a
pub stop in Dunchurch.
Other highlights of the walk include a walk up
Hensborough Hill (possibly the smallest hill
bearing the name!) and alpacas, which we may see
being walked like dogs!!
Meet in the car park of Draycote Water for a
10.30 start. Please note that the parking charge is
£2.50 so would be worth car sharing.
Please note also that unfortunately NO DOGS are
allowed, also please note that it was very muddy
when I reccied it (only on the footpaths, round the
lake is fine as hard paths).
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Andy leader
|
|
Wednesday 6th
|
Pub Meet (no
walk)
Stags Head, Great Doddington
Meet from 8pm
Map
of Pub Location
|
|
Sunday 17th
|
Local Walk
A 10 mile walk from Stoke Bruerne a picturesque
village by the Grand Union Canal. A walk with
plenty of opportunities to take your perfect group
bridge shot.
Meet in the museum car park (signposted once you
reach the village), which costs £2.50 to park
all day. There is no parking in the village as it
is all double yellow lines. (Grid reference SP 743
497)
The walk starts with a gentle stroll along the
canal, watching the boats navigate the flight of
locks. We then walk through fields to Ashton &
Grafton Regis where sadly the snowdrop strewn bank
near the church is likely to be gone by the time of
the walk.
The pub stop is at Grafton Regis where we can
have a quick pint of Guinness with your packed
lunch in the pub garden. Well it is St Patricks
Day!
The highlight of the afternoon is a rare truly
pointless stile and some bumps and lumps in a field
that Time Team & Baldrick visited a few years
ago in Alderton. And then back to Stoke Bruerne for
a well deserved ice cream, cake, or lager shandy
depending on what is open.
Please bring a packed lunch.
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Tim leader
|
|
Sunday 24th
|
National Walk
The walk starts from Braunston, meet for a 10.30
start. There is reasonable parking in the village
on the roadside, and I suggest we meet outside the
Village Hall (OS Map Ref SP543663).
From Braunston we will drop down to the Canal,
heading along the canal to then go through the
remains of the old villages of Braunstonbury and
Wolfhampcote, we then pick up the canal again
heading west.
Lunch will be at Flecknoe I haven't been able to
check out the pub yet, it looked really busy when I
checked the walk out, so would assume we can't eat
our sandwiches there, but we can stop for a drink
at least.
After lunch we continue heading west, till we
pick up the Jurassic Way heading north, and finally
returning to Braunston. From which there is a short
work along the canal back to the starting
point.
Approx 5 miles in the morning and 4 in the
afternoon
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Nathan leader
Nathan leader
|
|
Thursday 28th to
Monday April 1st
|
|
Isle
of Man - 28th March to 1st
April
Fastyr
mie (Good evening in
Manx/Gaelic!),
We
would like to offer an Easter trip to the
Isle of Man to the group for 2013. It's
fair to say plans are in the early stages
as we'd like to know if this is something
people would like to do first.
So...
If you
want something to keep you away from all
those eggs next Easter!...if you've ever
wondered what that bit in between Ireland
and The Lake District is like...or if
you've always wanted to know if Manx cats
really are tail-less...wanted to trace the
route of a famous motorcycle race (if you
really have to!), travel around a
beautiful island on foot, by ferry, car,
bike, tram, or miniature train...or talk
to fairies, visit water wheels (and even
calves), explore castles and
lighthouses...and of course have at your
disposal as many different walking
terrains as you can shake a walking pole
at, then you should carry on reading for
this once-in-a-few-year
opportunity!
Summary
- We're basically proposing to get the
ferry from Liverpool on the Thursday
before Easter returning on Easter Monday,
staying in self-catering cottages. The
approximate overall cost for travel,
accommodation and some food is working out
at about £200 per person.
Here
are a few more of the essential facts and
thoughts:-
Dates
- Thurs 28th March to Monday 1st April
(travelling late Thurs and returning late
Mon means no time off work necessary, with
4 full days there...there might be options
for people to take a day off and travel on
the Thursday morning too though, getting
more value for money from the
accommodation!).
Travel
- The plan is to ferry across from
Liverpool to Douglas. Ferry times and
prices for next Easter are not available
yet, but 2012 prices were £191 for 1
car and 2 passengers return. Extra
passengers are coming out at about
£41 each. So, approximate cost for a
car of 4 would be £75 per person.
Flights would prob be easiest with Flybe
from the Midlands, but aren't available
for April yet and are looking more
expensive even discounting airport parking
and transport once in Douglas; so we think
ferry is def the way to go.
Accommodation
- The plan is to stay near Douglas as
that will give us good flexibility once
there. The digs we're favouring are self
catering cottages at about £20 per
person per night (with 4 or 6 sharing), so
approx £80 for 4 nights. We like
these
that are currently still
available.
Food
/ overall cost:- We plan to provide
food for breakfast / lunches and at least
one evening meal at the cottages for about
£15 per person. So car, ferry, fuel,
cottage and food (excluding 2-3 evening
meals) is looking at about £200 per
person.
Activities
- Walking (really?!) as much or as
little as people want to though. We can
offer shorter and longer walks for just 2
days or all 4 days, all depending on
people's preferences. One walk that we'll
definitely offer is Snaefell, the highest
mountain and only summit higher than 2000m
on the island (2,034m or 620 feet above
sea level) - and there is a train to the
top also anyway! But no activities will be
compulsory and people can have some
independence if they wish; public
transport is also good / best from
Douglas. There are also lots of coastal
paths (95 miles!) and disused railway line
walks (= flat!).
We'll
also look into bike rides and plan for
less-active things like the heritage
railways (Ian will certainly be doing some
of those!), and wildlife visits that there
are lots of on the island. We won't expect
to stay as one group all the time if
different people want to do different
things, and if we can accommodate that
basically. Ian would quite like to spend
as little time with Mel as possible so
there should be at least 2 different
things offered each day!
Web
sites for more information /
browsing:-
Visit
Isle of Man
Isle
of Man.com
This
trip is full at the moment; please still
let us know if you're interested though as
we have a reserve list, and we may offer
more places if practical to do
so
If
interested please
Contact
Ian and Mel
|
|
|
Wednesday 3rd
|
Pub Meet (no
walk)
The Walnut Tree in Blissworth, meet from 8pm
We will also be planning the New Walks Programme
from July to December 2013
If you would like to lead a walk come along and
sign up (exisitng members only)
Maps of Pub Location
Local
Area
Relative
to Nearby Towns
Pub
Info
|
|
Sunday 7th
|
Local Walk
The walk is between 8 and 9 miles and will be
starting from Castlethorpe. Meet at 10:30 outside
the village hall. There is quite a lot of parking
nearby but please park considerably as ever.
We will be taking the Hanslope circular ride
bridleway out of Castlethorpe. We will be walking
near the train line for a large part of the morning
so lots to keep those train enthusiasts interested,
you know who you are!! We will pass under the train
tracks and arrive around 12:30 – 12:45 in the
village of Hanslope which is apparently the largest
village in Buckinghamshire!
There is a nice, CAMRA award winning pub called
The Watts Arms where we can have some refreshment
at lunchtime.
For the afternoon we will continue through the
village, exit past the church and continue on to
enjoy some woodland walking and some nice views of
Buckinghamshire along the way. We will return to
Castlethorpe via the bridleway.
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Dave leader
|
|
Sunday 14th
|
National Walk
Trains and boats and planes walk
We are starting at Northampton station meeting
there at 9.15 catching the 09.31 train (train 1)
there is plenty of on road free parking on
Gladstone rd less than 5 mins walk from the
station. We can buy groupsave travelcard tickets on
the day ( up to 4 for the price of 2 working out at
£15 if we can get groups of 4)
Once at Euston we get on the northern line
(train 2) to embankment to pick up Thames clipper
(boat 1) to canary wharf taking in the views from
the river.
Starting the walk from canary wharf taking in
Canada Square, Millwall park under the Thames in
the foot tunnel coming out at the Cutty Sark (boat
2) at Greenwich into Greenwich park up to the Royal
Observatory and back the Naval College and the a
walk along to bank of the Thames to the O2 and we
will flying over the Thames in the Emirates air
line (plane) (the new cable car across the
Thames)
We will head back via DLR underground and
mainline to Northampton
All travel will be included in the cost of the
travel card that we will get from Northampton apart
from the Thames clipper at £4 and Emirates air
line £3.20.
Can people let John know if they are coming so
he can work out numbers for tickets
John H leader
|
|
Wednesday 17th
|
Pub Meet & Evening
Walk
Meet for a 7.30 start at the Malt Shovel Tavern
on Bridge St in Northampton.
The walk takes us along the Nene Way, following
the river, past the new flats and into Becketts
Park, where we may see some squirrels. We continue
into Midsummer Meadow, taking the riverside
walk.
After crossing Barnes Meadow we reach a section
of flood channel and after this we return along the
main river channel and past the whitewater /
canoeing course, before returning through Barnes
Meadow, Midsummer Meadow and the park and then back
along the riverside.
The walk in total is approx 4 miles, we should
be back at the pub by 9.30 at the latest.
As this is a town pub they will not appreciate
muddy boots, but this shouldn't be an issue as
barring extreme weather before the walk it will be
do-able in trainers with no mud to see as it is
mostly on hard paths and just a bit of grass.
On returning to the pub we will see live blues /
jazz so the pub will be fairly crowded. However
that shouldn't stop us sampling the impressive
array of real ales!
There is no parking at the Malt Shovel - you can
park for free fairly near at St Peters Way (near
Argos) or you can probably get away with parking
next to the pub in Morrisons. Alternatively there
is the St John's multi storey.
Pub
Info
Maps of Pub / Walk Start -
Local
Area (Street Level Map)
Relative
To Northampton and Neighbouring Towns
Andy leader
|
|
Sunday 28th
|
Bluebell Walk
Millie’s Bluebell Walk, Sunday 28th April,
2013, Start time 10:30
Bluebell Walk – Ashridge Estate, 8-10
miles
On Sunday 28th April, I will lead a Bluebell
Walk starting from the Ashridge Estate, featuring
bluebells (of course!), lots of nice views of the
woodlands, Chiltern Hills, Ivinhoe Beacon, canals,
one of the most picturesque villages (featured in
films/TVs apparently), a duck pond, and maybe even
deer in the woods. Tea room/café and perhaps
a pub visit too.
The walk will start at the usual time at
10:30.
The start of the walk is about 1-hour car
journey from Northampton. Meet at the green next to
the visitor centre of the National Trust Ashridge
Estate (facing the 108 feet high Bridgewater
Monument side so you can’t miss it); Grid Ref:
SP970131 (For those that prefer a post code
reference, you may use Postcode HP4 1LX, which will
take you very close to the meeting point –
follow the signs for Ashridge Estate). Although
this is a National Trust estate, it’s free for
all and free parking too. (If in case the car park
is full there is lots more extra parking on
hardstandings off to the left of the drive down to
the Monument).
The Brownlow Café (which is right next to
the visitor centre) is open from 8:00 – 18:00
and serves breakfast, light lunches and tea/cakes.
Feel free if you want to get there early for
breakfast/coffee before the walk starts. The
visitor centre has toilet facilities and also
features a shop that sells some nice local produce,
plus a second hand book room, open from 08:00
– 17:00 well worth a visit too either before
or after the walk. And if you want to climb to the
top of the Bridgewater Monument – built in
1832 and 108 feet high (opens 12:00 – 16:30),
it costs £2.50 (free for NT members).
The Ashridge Estate is well known for its
beautiful bluebells during the season and often
considered a top 10 bluebell site in the UK –
so hopefully we will see some beautiful bluebells
:-0
Ashridge
Estate Info
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Millie leader
|
|
Wednesday 1st
|
Evening Walk & Pub Meet
Meet at 7.30pm outside the Saracen's Head,
Little Brington for a walk of around 3.5 miles.
Firstly we will go to the hamlet of Nobottle
(apparently one of the smallest hamlets in Britain,
with only 13 houses), before picking up firstly the
Midshires way (past the former Nobottle rifle
range, which now seems to be mainly composed of
fairly impressive anthills!) and then the Macmillan
Way, to bring us back to Little Brington for a
drink at around 8:45 pm.
If it rains a lot in the next couple of weeks
there will be some mud to contend with and light
walking boots may be recommended, but it was
recce’d quite successfully wearing approach
shoes and is mostly on Bridleways. The footpath
over the first kilometre or so is across bare
fields and the paths haven’t been well
reinstated yet, but there is a good and wide track
around the edges of these fields, so we may follow
this instead. The route is fairly flat, though
there is a small sting in the tail in the form of
around 40 metres of ascent over the last couple of
kilometers!
Please park considerately around the village,
though there should be plenty of space for our
cars.
Starting Grid Reference - SP 661 637
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Ray leader
|
|
Friday 10th to
Sunday 12th
|
Waendel Walk
The Waendel Walk is an annual walking festival
around Wellingborough, with walks of up to 26 miles
on the Saturday and Sunday.
Usually members of our
group will do the 26 miles walk on Saturday and /
or Sunday and some people will do other walks as
well.
If you would like to join
us just Contact Andy
stating what walk and what day you would like to
do, by the end of April. He will then co-ordinate
this to bring people together who want to do the
same walk.
|
|
Wednesday 15th
|
Evening Walk & Pub Meet
Meet outside the Olde Red Lion in Kislingbury at
7:30, after parking considerately around the
village.
Walk is towards Upton along the Nene Way, aiming
to be be back at the pub around 8:45.
May be muddy in places.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Chris B leader
|
|
Sunday 19th
|
National Walk
This is
the walk which was postponed from January due to
bad weather
Approx 7 miles total
Car share at Sixfields at
9.40am. 28 miles to Maulden. Suggested driving time
40 minutes
The start point of the
walk is from outside the Church at Maulden. Please
park respectfully around the village. 10.30 am
start.
The morning section is
approx 4.5 miles which starts on Greensand Ridge
which leads into Maulden woods.
After exploring the woods
,packed lunches can be eaten at the edge of the
woods at approx 12pm, which will provide shelter.
It is then a short walk to the pub stop at The Dog
and Badger. No personal food is allowed to be eaten
anywhere on their premises.
After Lunch there is a
short walk passing through Water End returning to
the start point at approx 2pm .
No stiles were recorded on
the recce.
Maps of walk start:-
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
More
info on Maulden Woods
More
info on Dog and Badger pub
John A leader
|
|
Wednesday 5th
|
Pub Meet & Evening
Walk
Dallington
Please
note slightly earlier start than usual -
7.15pm
A brisk walk of 4 – 5
miles, starting promptly at 7.15pm from The
Wheatsheaf pub in Dallington. If the pub car park
looks full, we think we can park in the church hall
car park opposite. Please be aware that the pub
doesn’t serve food in the evening – bar
snacks such as crisps and nuts only.
We head out of Dallington
across an open field towards Harlestone Heath,
taking in a picturesque brook and some contrasting
urban decay! Paths through the woods take us past a
saw mill, across Dallington Heath and under a
railway line. The final section heads back to
Northampton for a well-deserved drink in the
pub.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Nicola and Mel
leaders
|
|
Saturday 8th
|
Annual BBQ
Wickstead Park,
Kettering
It is that time of year
again, when we hold our annual BBQ, combined with
the AGM!
We will be holding the BBQ
at Wicksteed Park and camping there afterwards. It
is apparently also "the world's first theme park"
and has various rides such as the Rollercoaster and
"Rocky River Falls" (log flume). Last year we saw
some of these and wished we had taken advantage of
them, so there is also the option this year to
arrive a bit earlier and have a go on some of
them!
For camping it is 20
pounds per tent, but no limit on the number of
people in it.
The plan is to meet at 1pm
for the rides, and light the BBQ at approx 5pm,
with the food going on at 6.
Obviously it will be
glorious sunshine on that day but in case not there
are options for shelter in the area.
Whether camping or not it
is also a good idea to bring a folding camping
chair or picnic rug.
More details have been
sent out to members in an e-mail, please respond to
that if you would like to come.
|
|
Sunday 9th
|
Local Walk
Kettering, starting from
Wickstead Park
The walk is a 9 mile saunter around
Northamptonshire countryside and villages.
Please park considerately around the village of
Isham, and meet by St Peters church (grid ref
SP885739) for an 11am start, or start from the
previous nights camping field at 10.30, meet 10.15
(see below for more on this).
We'll then head west across farmland, taking in
Pytchley and Orlingbury. I've had 3 separate
recommendations for the pub at Orlingbury, so I
think we should take the opportunity to check it
out! We then return via Little Harrowden back to
Isham.
Stile count: fairly high, as this walk goes over
farmland, so there are a number of stiles to
cross.
Animal watch: On the recce there was also 1
(avoidable) field of cows and 2 fields with
tethered horses. They may have moved/ multiplied or
miraculously disappeared since.
For those who are super-keen and/or camping,
there is also the option to add on a bonus 2 miles
(each way!) to the start and end of the walk,
starting from the south-west corner of the camping
field at Wicksteed (grid ref SP878763). Bear in
mind that it costs £6 to take a car into
Wicksteed, and also that the walking is past the
edge of Kettering and the Weetabix factory, so
cannot be guaranteed to be totally scenic! If you
do want do this extra part of the walk, please let
Andy know, so we make sure we wait for you. The
start time is 10.30 for this option, but if you are
not camping meet us there at 10.15.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Louise leader
|
|
Sunday 16th
|
Local Father's Day
Walk
Length
reduced from first version, to be more Father
Friendly!
The walk is around 8.75
miles long and will start at Culworth, outside the
Red Lion, at 10.30am
Although the postcode is
an Oxfordshire one, OX17 2BD, this is in
Northamptonshire.
Park respectfully in the
village near to the Red Lion pub.
We will initially head
North crossing a dismantled railway and on towards
the site of the Medieval village of Trafford. We
will then head towards Stafford bridge and onto the
Millenium Way, passing close to the area of the War
of the Roses' Battle of Edgcote. After crossing the
railway once more we'll go on to the village of
Thorpe Mandeville for some refreshment at the 3
Conies pub (apparently an old name for rabbits).
After the pub stop we'll take a route to loop back
onto the Millenium Way, diverting around Hill Farm
and North to join the Battlefields Trail which will
take us back to Culworth.
We may be walking in the
steps of the notorious Culworth Gang, an 18 Century
group that over a 20 year period menaced the county
with such acts as highway robbery. My wife's family
can be traced back to one of it's members so you
could say I have out-laws for in-laws!
The location of this walk
possibly stretches the 'local' element of the walk
as it's a little drive to the south of the county,
but I think worth it.
Please note this part of
the county has a number of hills and this walk
includes a few.
For car sharing meet at
Sixfields, near Frankie and Bennies on the raised
car park, for a 9.45 departure.
As this is the Father's
Day Walk do bring along your Fathers!
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Kevin leader
|
|
Wednesday 19th
|
Pub Meet & Evening
Walk
Silverstone, approx 1
hours walk
Park considerately around
Silverstone Village
Meet by the war memorial
next to the White Horse Pub at 7.30
From here we walk across
to Whittlebury village and then back via
Whittlebury Hall and the back of the Silverstone
track.
This is about 4.7 miles so
it will be quite a brisk walk aiming to get back to
the pub for 9pm.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Jayne leader
|
|
Sunday 23rd
|
National Walk
Ely
The walk details
This is an 11 mile circular walk, starting from
the historic town on Ely and heading north to the
hamlet of Chettisham and on to the village of
Little Downham, before heading back south to Ely.
Along the way, we can watch the boats on the river
and enjoy the big skies that the flat countryside
of the fens allows. For some of the way we will be
following the waymarked path the Bishops Way
More
Info
After the walk you can explore the cathedral
(where there was choral Evensong service underway
after the reccie), visit one of the many tea rooms,
or soak up the atmosphere by the river.
There’s plenty to do! More
Info
We will stop along the way to eat our sandwiches
at lunchtime, and visit The Anchor in Little
Downham for an afternoon pint or tea and cake.
Start time and location
The walk will start at 10.30am from the free car
park on Barton Road. I would like to leave promptly
to allow as much time as possible for sightseeing
at the end of the day.
The car park is signposted as the cathedral car
park when approaching Ely from the A10. The
postcode for the car park is CB7 4HZ.
There are free toilets nearby. More
info on car parks
Travel and car sharing
Travel time from Northampton was 1h 20minutes on
the reccie – both ways! As it is a national
walk, it would be good to car share – either
by using the email addresses on the website
(http://www.lgrtr.org.uk/car-sharing.htm) to
arrange your own lift or meeting at Sixfields for
an 8.50am departure. (Allowing boot-putting on time
and an increase in traffic as it will be summer*
(*hopefully!)).
Should it be shorts weather, the nettle count is
negligible!
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Belinda leader
|
|
Sunday 30th
|
Local Walk
Cancelled
Due To Clash With Silverstone
Racing
|
|
Wednesday 3rd
|
Evening Walk
Geddington, Star
Inn
Meet outside the pub after
parking thoughtfully around the village.
7.30 start, 3
miles
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
John leader
|
|
Sunday 14th
|
Local Walk
Just over 10 miles long.
It starts from Sywell
country park, where there is a car parking charge
of £2.60.
The walk will consist of
walking towards sywell and pass the aerodrome,
where we may catch a glimpse of the blades in the
skies above if they are practicing on that day or
taking off for an air show, (who knows).
We will then head towards
Sywell wood and that will be our lunch stop, after
we will head towards Hardwick and then onto Mears
Ashby (there is an information board on the village
green with details of a crash that happened during
the war, if any of you aviators out there are
interested in) where we will stop for a well earned
pint or whatever your beverage is.
Then its off to do a part
of the Sywell Reservoir and across the dam before
heading down through the senses and wildlife
gardens and onto the car park and toilets, which
will then conclude my walk.
May the sun be with us and
i hope those who come will enjoy the walk and
views.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Elaine leader
|
|
Wednesday 17th
|
Evening Walk
Tonight's walk is based
around the village of Slipton near the A14 (It is
about 30 minutes from Northampton sorry)
It may be sensible to car
share from Northampton, see the Car Sharing Page
for info, please contact Ian or Mel if you have any
problems with arranging lifts.
Please park sensibly
around the village of Slipton (its a small
village!).
Starting off in the
direction of Home farm and Drayton Park, we then
head off towards Tywell.
The Pubs beer index is a
good 5.
The pub are happy with us
parking at the far end of the car park away from
the pub.
Also its Pie Night at the
pub so people may want to get there at 6 and have
pie but it is expensive
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Ian leader
|
|
Sunday 21st
|
National Walk
An 8.5 mile walk
from Napton on the Hill in Warwickshire taking
in the canals, paths, hills (well one) and pubs of
the area.
We pass along the Grand
Union Canal, past a marina and up Stockton Locks
before arriving at the Blue Lias Pub for
lunch.
We then head through
Stockton and along paths back to Napton.
Meet for a 10.30 start at
the Crown Inn in Napton after parking thoughtfully
around the village.
For car sharing meet at
Sixfields, on the raised area near Frankie and
Bennies, for a 9.45 departure.
The route from Sixfields
is the A45 to Daventry then the A425 on to
Napton.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Andy leader
|
|
Sunday 28th
|
Extra Walk - 20 Mile Training Walk !
John & Vicki are doing a 20 mile training
walk from Lyddington at 9.30am.
If you would like to join them please Contact
Vicki
|
|
Wednesday 7th
|
Evening Walk
Meet for a 7.30pm start from the Half Moon at
Grendon
3.75 miles, an easy walk with a few gradual
ascents.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Vicki B leader
|
|
Sunday 11th
|
National Walk
Marton & Ryton Pools Country Park,
Warwickshire
A 10.5 mile walk starting from the village of
Marton, from where we'll explore Ryton Pools
Country Park, local woodland and villages.
Start - At 10:30am from the Church at Marton, OR
car share from Sixfields, the large main cinema car
park but just near to Frankie & Benny's,
leaving at 9:45 promptly. There isn't loads of
parking obvious in the village, so it would be good
if people can meet at Sixfields to car share where
possible. I'm avoiding parking at the Country Park
due to the £2.50 charge, and because it should
make a nice lunch spot...
Lunch - In the Country Park, where we'll
hopefully find picnic tables, and can take
advantage of the toilet facilities. The web site
says there is a snack / mobile refreshment van at
the park (new cafe not open yet L ) but please
bring a packed lunch in case there isn't. We should
be able to fit in a cheeky afternoon pub stop as
well.
If you've any questions, please let Mel know,
thanks.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Mel Leader
|
|
Wednesday 14th
|
Evening Walk
Twywell, approx 4 miles
Park considerably around Twywell village. Meet
at 7.30pm at the Old Friar Pub (NN14 3AH). Then a 4
mile walk through Twywell Hills and Dales, up to
the village of Slipton and back down to Twywell.
Aiming to be back to the Pub by 9.30pm for a
drink.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Ray leader
|
|
Sunday 18th
|
Local Walk
Blisworth to Gayton, 10.5 miles
Please meet at Blisworth church at 10:30am;
please park carefully around the village. Starting
at the church in Blisworth we will join the grand
union canal and meander along the canal path.
Leaving the canal we head towards Eastcote for
lunch and pub stop. After lunch we will head across
the fields back to Blisworth. Distance 10.5
miles.
Vicki and Dave will call in at the walnut tree
pub for a drink after the walk. If anyone else
would like to join us you are quite welcome.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Vicki leader
|
|
Sunday 1st
|
National Walk
Naunton, 12 miles
This walk is approx 12 miles long and starts
from Naunton Grid ref:-SP116234, and please park
considerately along this part of the village. Meet
by the fingerpost which says village hall and
Historic Dovecote.
Please meet at sixfields (main car park but near
Frankie & Bennys end) for car sharing and aim
to leave between 8.45-9am as walk starts at
10.30am. It's approx 1 1/2hours drive from
Northampton.
We will leave Naunton and head towards Guiting
Power following the Wardens Way and go through a
scenic wood which follows a stream and then onwards
towards Kineton and the lunch time stop at the
Halfway PH (where i asked if we could eat our
sandwiches in the garden and the answer was no as
they served food, so if we eat our food outside in
the lane then purchase drinks and go into the
garden). sorry. This part is just over 5 miles
long.
The afternoon section includes the "Cotswolds
Farm Park" made famous by COUNTRYFILE as its "Adam
Henson's Farm". He was no where to be seen on my
recci but i did see his house, Eric the bull and
some rare breed sheep. Once we have walked through
the farm we continue on the Wardens Way through
(disused) quarries and back into Naunton. It is
hilly in places with some lovely views to be
seen.
Hope to have nice weather on the day of the
walk, like i had when i reccied it.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Elaine leader
|
|
Wednesday 4th
|
Pub Meet (no walk)
The Old Cherry Tree, Great Houghton
Meet from 7.30 / 8.00
They serve food until 9pm.
Pub
Web Site
|
|
Sunday 8th
|
Local Walk
Farthingstone figure of 8 walk, 5 miles +
5.5miles
A figure of 8 walk starting in
Farthingstone.
Meet at 10:30 outside the King's Arms after
parking thoughtfully around the village.
The morning walk is approximately 5 miles, via
Maidford and Knightley Wood.
The afternoon walk will start around 1pm and is
around 5.5 miles, via Upper Stowe and Litchborough.
Hopefully there will be time to stop for tea and
cake at the Old Dairy Farm in Upper Stowe.
Walk Start: Grid Ref SP613550, postcode NN12
8EZ.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Chris leader
|
|
Sunday 15th
|
Local Walk
An 8 mile walk starting from Moreton Pinkney
church (grid ref 574491) at 10:30am, taking in
Culworth, stopping at the Star Inn at Sulgrave
around lunch, then past Sulgrave manor then on to
Weston and back.
Pub
Info
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
John leader
|
|
Sunday 29th
|
National Walk
Broxbourne Woods, 10miles
Broxbourne wood nr Hatfield Hertfordshire.
10 miles starting at Broxbourne woods west car
park (not the main one), GR TL324070 at
10:30am.
Meet at Sixfields (the main car park but near to
Frankie & Bennys) at 9:00am to share lifts.
The walk will be through small villages,
woodland and rolling countryside of rural
Hertfordshire.
We will stop for lunch at one of the many
villages on the walk.
More
Info
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
John leader
|
|
Wednesday 2nd
|
Pub Meet (no walk)
The Queen's Arms, Orlingbury, NN14 1JD, meet
from 8pm
More
Info (including map)
|
|
Sunday 6th
|
Local Walk
Don't
forget that the clocks go BACK on the morning of
this walk!
So make
sure you change yours to GMT to avoid being an hour
early!!
A 10 mile walk starting from the village of Cold
Ashby. We will meet outside the main church gate at
10:30am. Please park considerately around the
village.
The walk goes along the Jurassic Way along Honey
Hill, with sweet views across the rolling
Northamptonshire countryside, before a gentle
stroll along the Grand Union Canal. We leave the
canal to go through the Hemplow Woods to enjoy the
autumnal colours, before visiting Welford.
We walk through the village to the Wharf Inn for
lunch where there is a good selection of local real
ales on tap. There is plenty of space by the canal
to eat our packed lunches. After lunch we walk back
through the Northamptonshire countryside to Cold
Ashby.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Tim leader
|
|
Friday 11th to
Sunday 13th
|
|
Friday
11th to Sunday 13th October
Snowdonia
Accomodation is in a 4star
Bunkhouse
The bunk house is delightful, very
modern, looks exactly how it is on the
website so I think you are all in for a
bit of a treat :0) Dave and I were very
impressed with it. Time to get your best
slippers out :0) I think it is the
classiest Bunk House out there.
Muddy boots will NOT BE allowed
anywhere inside the building :0)
We will be eating at a pub close by on
the Saturday evening and ordering food for
breakfast in by delivery from Sainsbury's
for the weekend.
There will be the chance to do plenty
of hill walking over the weekend and if
the weather is good some scrambling. If
you are new to the group and would like to
have a chance to try some scrambling you
are welcome to join us on this weekend,
but the walking in general will be tougher
than the usual Sunday walks and a slight
head for heights may be needed at
times.
We reccied the Scramble on the Saturday
and whilst it is a Grade 1 scramble we
think most people whose ability we know,
that are going will handle it. The less
experienced will be grouped with a more
experienced person due to numbers.
The walk in is quite long through a
beautiful valley, we do gain quite a bit
of height before we start to scramble so
good fitness will be needed.
In my opinion if you have managed Crib
Goch you will be ok, its slightly more
technical than both Striding Edge &
Sharp Edge in a few places, the drops are
not so great as those two but care will
need to be taken as it definitely is a
Grade 1 Scramble. previous experience is
always good. There are 3 or 4 places which
can not be avoided that do need slight
technical moves.
For insurance purposes you must all
have up to date membership of the
Ramblers.
Obviously if you do not like heights,
or have any fitness issues please don't
attempt it.
Cost of the accommodation is approx
£32.50 per person for 2 nights if we
can fill the 20 places. Food will be
extra. There may be the possibility of
arranging the saturday meal at a local
pub.
Organised by John
|
|
|
Sunday 27th
|
National Walk
Length approximately 7.5 miles
Meet at Grindleford Station at 10:15 for 10:30
start.
For car sharing meet for a 9am departure at the
New Car Sharing Location of Upton Country
Park - For consistency and ease of
finding people, park to the left hand side of the
car park, as you enter it, and gather there.
There is a Cafe at the station for anyone who
wants a bite to eat before the walk starts
Grindleford Station Padley Gorge Burbage
Bridge> Hathersage Moor Higger Tor Upper Burbage
Bridge Burbage Rocks Fox House Pub Longshaw Estate
Granby Wood Yarncliff Wood Grindleford Station
This is a really nice walk in the Peak District
and worth going a bit further afield with some
spectacular views of the local area. We will stop
for lunch at a point we can enjoy the view and then
it is a short walk to the afternoon pit stop at the
Fox House Pub for refreshments and then continue
through the National Trust Longshaw Estate before
arriving back at the station around 3:30pm.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Dave leader
|
|
Wednesday 6th
|
Pub Meet
The Sun Inn, Hardingstone, meet there from
8pm.
The address is 9 High Street, Hardingstone,
Northampton, NN4 7BT.
They serve food until 9 for anyone wanting to
munch!
Pub
Info
|
|
Sunday 10th
|
Local walk
The walk is around 11 miles and starts from the
village of Arthingworth, just off junction 2 of the
A14, near the A508. We will meet at 10:30am in the
car park of the Bulls Head pub, though please park
considerately around the village (unless you are
planning on having a drink at the pub after the
walk).
The morning is around 5.5 miles and heads to
Harrington across fields, before going to
Braybrooke via the hamlet of Thorpe Underwood. A
bit of the route near Braybrooke seemed a little
cow-tastic when recce'd, so there is an option to
go along the road instead if there is an issue with
this, but that would mean something like 3 miles of
road in the morning so we will make a decision
about this bit on the day!
Lunch will be at the Swan in Braybrooke, where
they are happy for us to eat our sandwiches in the
(covered) area in the garden as long as we buy a
drink.
The afternoon is also around 5.5 miles (though
with options to shorten slightly depending on
weather, my preference on the day etc...). We head
from Braybrooke across fields to the old railway
line that is now the Midshires way, and follow that
most of the way back to Arthingworth. One highlight
of the afternoon is the tunnel at Great Oxenden -
there is an option to go round it on a footpath
(not recce'd), but we found great fun in going
through the tunnel with no lights - so for those
going through the tunnel we will be doing it
without any torches!
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Ray leader
|
|
Friday 15th to
Sunday 17th
|
|
Friday
15th to Monday 18th November
Dorset
We have booked
four caravans at the LookOut holiday park
nearWareham in Dorset. (Yep, we're
planning a trip to the seaside!). This is
a stunning stretch of the south coast,
part of the Jurassic Coast, England's
first natural World Heritage
Site.
Each caravan can
accommodate 5- 6 people - in one double
and two twin rooms. We've estimated that
the cost of the weekend will be £45
per person. This will cover the cost of
the accommodation, and a pre-ordered food
kitty for people to make their own
breakfasts and lunches.On Friday night
we'll leave everyone to do their own thing
for an evening meal. On Saturday, we'll
organise a group meal local to where we
staying and we'll play Sunday night by
ear.
Dorset is an
approximately 3 hour drive away from
Northampton, so the plan would be to
organise car sharing on Friday afternoon /
evening, according to people's plans. The
caravans are booked on a three night break
basis, so we can stay Monday night if we'd
like to.
We haven’t
given thought to the walks as yet, but
we’d definitely want to include
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door on the
Saturday walk.
If you're
interested in coming along, please
Contact
Belinda to hold a
place. She will then confirm your place
and ask for a £25 deposit! The
remaining money will be payable by the end
of October.
Organised by
Belinda and Tim
|
|
|
Sunday 24th
|
Area Annual General Meeting
24 November 2013 at 3pm
Kettering Group are the Hosts this year and have
arranged for the meeting to be held at Barnwell
Village Hall; please do give this event your
support
The AGM is preceded by two walks -
10.30am start, 9 miles
11.30am start, 6 miles
|
|
Sunday 1st
|
Local Walk - Moreton Pinkney
An 8 mile walk starting from Moreton Pinkney
church grid ref 574491 at 10:30am, taking in
Culworth and stopping by the Star Inn in Sulgrave
at lunchtime, then past Sulgrave manor then on to
Weston and back.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Pub
Info
Francisco leader
|
|
Wednesday 4th
|
Pub meet
Our usual monthly gathering...this month please
meet at The World's End in Ecton from 8pm. The bar
serves food until 9:15pm.
Pub
Info
|
|
Sunday 15th
|
Santa Hat Walk
Meet in Kilsby, Northants,
at the juntion of Main Road and Chapel St (not by
the church as previously posted), after
parking considerately around the village.
The walk is 7 miles and
starts at 10.30am.
This is a circular walk
taking in Barby and Ashby St Ledgers before heading
back to Kilsby.
We will be stopping for
lunch (i.e. our sandwiches) at the pub in Ashby St
Ledgers (Old Coach House).
The main features of this
walk are some nice views across rolling countryside
and the stunning village of Ashby St Ledgers, which
includes the location of the Gunpowder Plot (so our
visit is a bit mistimed!).
Santa hats are compulsory
on this walk, unless you want to go for other
Christmas attire i..e Elf Costume, Reindeer Onesie
etc!!!
At the end of the walk
there will be an optional Christmas drink at the
George in Kilsby.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
Pub
Info (Ashby St Ledgers)
Pub
Info (Kilsby)
Santa leader
|
|
Thursday 26th
|
Local Boxing DayWalk - Castle Ashby
Meet outside the Falcon Hotel, at the later time
of 11am, after parking considerately around the
village.
The walk will be approximately 5 miles, taking
in surrounding villages.
Maps of Walk Start -
Local
Area
Relative
To Nearby Towns
John leader
|
|