February

Wednesday 4th	Pub Meet This month we'd like to head to The Lamb Inn in Little Harrowden, NN9 5BH where we can partake in a game of skittles if we so fancy one! Please meet from 8pm, they do serve food in the evenings according to their website. Further info can be found here
Sunday 8th	Local Walk, East Hunsbury Meet at the Toby Carvery East Hunsbury car park for 10.30am. Post Code NN4 0TG. The walk will be 6 and a half miles through East Hunsbury to Milton Malsor and back through Collingtree. There is then an option to stay and eat a Carvery when back at the pub. Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Jayne
Sunday 15th	Joint Walk with Milton Keynes Group - Buckingham & Stowe This is a joint walk with our equivalent group in Milton Keynes, Hike MK. Start time is a little later than usual for us, at 11:00am Please park and meet in the car park behind Waitrose in the centre of Buckingham, off the High Street, MK18 1RS or Grid Ref SP698341. Free parking on a Sunday. 9 mile circular walk starting along the river in Buckingham before picking up the railway line and heading into Stowe where we will circumnavigate the gardens, returning via Chackmore. Please bring a packed lunch. There will be an opportunity for a drink in one of the pubs or cafes in Buckingham at the end of the walk. Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Stephen of MK Group
Friday 27th Feb to Sunday 1st March	Weekend Away - Wales When: Fri 27th Feb until Sunday 1st March, 2015 Location: Near Newtown, Wales - see link below then click on 'What's in the area' Accommodation: Lodges of 6's or maybe 8's with mostly 2 double and 1-2 twin rooms - see link below for more detail Cost: Between £55 and £65 including breakfast and packed lunches Walks: There is lots of walking around the area - exact walks will be decided nearer to the time   If you'd like to go then please contact John on:   Please be ready to give John a £10 deposit to secure your place (which may be non-refundable if you later drop out and your place is not filled). If you've any questions then let us know!   Link: more info on accommodation

March

Wednesday 4th	Pub Meet Meet at The Golden Lion pub, 19 Sheep Street, Wellingborough, NN8 1BL from 8pm. They serve food until 9pm if you want to eat there too. Further info can be found here
Sunday 8th	Local Walk Turvey, Bedfordshire This is a figure of 8 walk so you can do the morning, the afternoon, or both. Please meet at the Church in the village of Turvey for a 10:30am start for the morning, and / or a 12:30pm start for the afternoon. The location grid ref is 941525. The morning half will be approximately 5 miles, and the afternoon approximately 4 miles. Lunch break will be taken at the pub next to the Church, but please bring a packed lunch. Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - John
Sunday 29th	Local Walk Marston Vale, Bedfordshire A 10.5 mile walk starting at 10:30am from the Marston Vale Forest Centre, which is near Marston Moretaine, just off the A421 between the M1 J13 and Bedford. It is well signposted from the A421, just follow the brown signs. The post code for sat nav is MK43 0PR and the grid reference is TL004417. The Forest Centre has a cafe (the cheesy chips after the walk recee were very nice) and toilets. We will be following a shortened version of the Timberland Trail that heads through the woods at Millbrook, then Ampthill Park with views across the valley, stopping in the historic market town of Ampthill to eat our packed lunch and have a quick drink at a pub. In the afternoon we will walk past the ruins of Houghton House, and back across the fields via Stewartby village and the forest park. Note that the clocks go forward to BST on that Saturday night, so don’t forget to set your alarm clock accordingly! Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Tim

April

Wednesday 1st	Pub Meet Meet at The Toby Carvery, East Hunsbury, NN4 0TG from 8pm. Further info can be found here
Monday 6th	Easter Monday Walk Ferry Meadows, Peterborough, with possible steam train! Please meet at Ferry Meadows Country Park, PE2 5UU, outside the visitors Centre ready to start at 10.30. The entrance to ferry meadows is off Ham Lane. The walk will be approximately 8-10 miles, from Ferry Meadows to Wansford and Back. We will walk through the nature reserve and pick up the Nene valley railway after crossing the tracks we will meander along the river Following the Nene way to Castor Mills where Elliott will hand over the walk leadership to me :0) or John. We will make our way across the fields to Castor where there are two pubs. Please don't eat sarnies there as I have not asked. There are plenty of places to eat lunch along the river. After the pub stop we will head back to the river past the site of Roman Pottery Kilns and rejoin the Nene Way to Wandsford Station where we will then join the train back to Ferry Meadows. There is a parking charge at Ferry Meadows although I can't find the price. Tickets for the steam trains are 14.50 that's for all day roving no single tickets available. There are numerous opportunities for Train Spotting :0) along the way The length of the walk is approx 8 miles. Weather is looking good at the moment for Monday. There were a few muddy bits near the river so walking boots probably best.   More Information on Ferry Meadows Country Park, Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leaders – Vicki & Elliott
Wednesday 15th	Pub Meet & Evening Walk The now traditional annual Northampton riverside evening walk Setting off from the Malt Shovel and followed by a live band and real ales at the pub Meet for a 7.30PM start at the Malt Shovel Tavern on Bridge St in Northampton. Address: 121 Bridge Street, Northampton, NN1 1QF The walk takes us along the Nene Way, following the river, into Becketts Park and past the marina. We continue into Midsummer Meadow, taking the riverside walk past the skatepark and boat restaurant. After crossing Barnes Meadow we head out along a section of flood channel and then return along the main river channel and past the whitewater / canoeing course, before returning via a slightly different route through Barnes Meadow, Midsummer Meadow and the park and then back along the riverside. During the walk there is the chance to see some of the Northampton wildlife, including swans and possibly cygnets, if they have hatched. Almost certainly we will see ducks and squirrells! The walk in total is approx 4 miles, we should be back at the pub at around 9. 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 be able to see a live gig rather appropriately by the Riverside Blues Band! As well as sampling the impressive array of real ales! There is no parking at the Malt Shovel pub itself - 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 (free parking for max. 3 hours for Morrisons customers - they now have cameras in the car park so you will most certainly get a parking fine if you exceed the 3-hr limit). Alternatively there is the St John's multi storey which is £1 for all evening. Pub Info Band Info Maps of Pub / Walk Start - Local Area (Street Level Map) Relative To Northampton and Neighbouring Towns Leader - Andy
Sunday 19th	Local Walk From Ashby St Ledgers, featuring the Grand Union Canal Please park considerately in the village and meet near to the church, for a 10:30am start. This is a figure of 8 walk, so you can join us for just the morning, just the afternoon, or both! The morning section is approx 5 miles and we go south towards Welton and then back into Ashby St Ledgers, where our pub stop is the Olde Coach House which i am reliably informed from a local that its very friendly and is ok with ramblers/walkers. The afternoon section is about 4 1/2 miles and goes out towards Barby and back round into our start point. Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Elaine
Sunday 26th	Local Bluebell Walk From Badby, via Fawsley Park, Everdon, Little Everdon, Newnham returning to Badby. Please park considerately in Badby village, parking on the left hand side just past the Maltsers Inn near to the Village Hall, and meet by the Village Hall for a 10:30am start. Address: The Green, Badby , NN11 3AF The walk is approx. a leisurely 7.5 miles in total (although there are some hills) We start in Badby village walking into the woods first where we will hopefully see some bluebells. We continue across Fawsley Hill down towards the lake where we will take in the adjacent historical early 13th century St Mary's church. We then climb steadily through fields, going across Everdon Hill and down to the village of Everdon where lunch takes place on the village green before enjoying a leisurely pint (good proper beer on offer) in the beer garden at The Plough Inn. The pub has some quirky country garden stables in the beer garden as well bursting with retro & vintage furniture collectibles. Next it's onto Little Everdon passing Everdon Hall before heading across fields into Newnham before returning to Badby by following the River Nene Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Lee

May

Wednesday 6th	Evening Walk and Pub Meet - Kislingbury A 3.5 mile walk starting at 7:30pm from the Sun Inn in Kislingbury, 6 Mill Rd, NN7 4BB. We'll head southwest out of the village and across the River Nene to Harpole, before returning via the North of Kislingbury village, and ending with a drink at the pub for anybody that wants to stop for one. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Ian
Friday 8th - Monday 10th	Waendel Walk Weekend It is the 36th Annual International Waendel Walk on 8th, 9th and 10th May. Start location is the same for all walks (The Castle, 10 Castle Way, Wellingborough NN8 1XA) but please see below for the different walk lengths and start times on offer. Walks are self-led with instructions and arrows to follow, and checkpoints offering food and drink along the way. Walks are different on each day even where they have the same length. Walking means registering at The Castle on the day or in advance (can be done on-line, follow link below) and this comes with a cost, but you can get a medal / certificate too! If you would like to walk, please can you let Mel know (letsgetreadytoramble@gmail.com) any you are interested in (by end of Tues 5th May initially) and I will then send a summary message to those walking so we can see who is up for what. Anybody after that can still join in on the walks that others have chosen to do (or do their own!). I have already had interest expressed for the 25km field and track on Saturday as well as a Sunday walk. We have traditionally done the 42km field and track on the Sat but let me know what you fancy! ***Friday Night Friendship Walks*** 5km Black Arrow Route. Start Time 18:15pm and Latest Start Time 19:00pm. 10km Yellow Arrow Route. Start Time 18:15pm and Latest Start Time 19:00pm. **Limited edition children's trail - available with the 5km route.** ***Saturday Routes*** 5km Waendel Walk (3 miles). Start Time 10:00am and Latest Start Time is 12 Noon. 10km Waendel Walk (6 miles). Start Time is 09:30am and Latest Start Time is 12 Noon. 15km Waendel Walk (9 miles). Start Time is 09:00am and Latest Start Time is 12 Noon. 25km Waendel Walk (16 miles) all road. Start Time is 08:00am and Latest Start Time is 11am. 25km Waendel Walk (16 miles) field and track. Start Time is 08:00am and Latest Start Time is 11am. 42km Waendel Walk all road route (26 miles). Start Time is 07:00am and Latest Start Time is 09:00am. 42km Waendel Walk Field and Track (26 miles). Start Time is 07:00 and Latest Start Time is 09:00am. ***Sunday Routes*** 5km Waendel Walk (3 miles). Start Time 10:00am and Latest Start Time is 12 Noon. 10km Waendel Walk (6 miles). Start Time is 09:30am and Latest Start Time is 12 Noon. 15km Waendel Walk (9 miles). Start Time is 09:00am and Latest Start Time is 12 Noon. 25km Waendel Walk (16 miles) Track and Field. Start Time is 08:00am and Latest Start Time is 11am. 25km Waendel Walk (16 miles) all road. Start Time is 08:00am and Latest Start Time is 11am. 42km Waendel Walk all road route (26 miles). Start Time is 07:00am and Latest Start Time is 9am. 42km Waendel Walk field and track (26 miles). Start Time is 07:00am and Latest Start Time is 9am. 42km Waendel Walk field and track (26 miles). Start Time is 07:00am and Latest Start Time is 9am. 42km Waendel Walk field and track (26 miles). Start Time is 07:00am and Latest Start Time is 9am More Info
Sunday 17th	Local Walk - West Haddon Meet by the Church in the centre of West Haddon for a 10.30 start. We will head north and take a section of the Jurassic Way, which has some surprisingly "upland" terrain for Northamptonshire, and on to Honey Hill, which offers spectacular views for miles around. We will eat our lunch on the hillside before heading to the pub at Yelvertoft, and then returning to West Haddon along a short section of canal. The walk is 9.5 miles in total, and does involve some moderately hilly terrain but it is all shorts friendly and almost mud free when reccied (other than an unavoidable very muddy bit!!) Maps of Walk Start: Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Andy
Wednesday 20th	This walk is being combined with a comedy night social at the Stables in Wavendon (near Milton Keynes). Show tickets have been bought for those who have already shown interest, but there is one spare ticket available (£12:15 inc booking fee) - please contact Socials if you would like it. Alternatively tickets are available online, it starts at 8:45 pm. More Info However, everyone is welcome to go to just the walk, even if you don't stay on for the comedy. We will meet in the Stables car park (MK17 8LU), which is a free car park and looks to be open all day. To allow us to have time to do the walk before the comedy, please meet ready to leave at 7pm. The walk will basically be from the Stables in Wavendon, to Woburn Sands and back again by one of a couple of routes. It'll be a distance of around 4 miles (a mixture of roads and footpaths). We will need to be back at the cars not much after 8:30pm to be in time for the show. Map of Walk Start (Google) Directions to the Stables
Friday 22nd - 25th	Weekend Away - Please see 'Weekends' page for details
Sunday 31st	Corby Walking Festival - 9.5 mile Linear walk from Gretton Village Hall to East Carlton Park As this is a linear walk there is a pick up point at East Carlton Park Coach parking area (the finishing point of the walk), where walkers are responsible for parking their cars safely. A minibus will take walkers to the starting point at Gretton Village Hall, Kirby road, Gretton, NN17 3DB. The walk will start promptly at 10.00 from Gretton, and the minibus will leave East Carlton Park at 09:30. To book a place on the minibus or for more information please contact the walk leader in advance; Bob Seaton on 07446 049140 or 01536 205260. (Donations towards the cost of the transport will be given to the Corby Walking Festival Charity 2015: Lakelands). Please note that other walks are available as part of the Corby Walking Festival - go to http://www.corbywalkingfestival.org.uk/content/2015-programme for more details Walk Leader - Bob Seaton Map of walk finish and pick up point if you want to take the minibus (contact leader as detailed above to book a place and confirm exact location) Map of Walk Start

June

Wednesday 3rd June	Evening Walk & Pub Meet - Woodford A 3.5 mile walk starting at 7:30pm from the Dukes Arms in Woodford (nr Kettering), NN14 4HE. Please park considerately around the green / village. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Vicki
Sunday 7th June	Cotswolds - taking in the villages of Ilmington, Ebrington and Hidcote. 8-10 miles We start at 10:30 from the village green in Ilmington, about 1h10m driving from Northampton. Car sharing is recommended, suggest meeting at Upton Country Park in time to leave at about 9:20. Please note that walk leader Chris won't be there and will meet you in Ilmington. Please park considerately around the village green, if you aim for the brilliantly-named Grump Street, postcode CV36 4LE, you'll find it. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area (OS Map) Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Chris
Saturday 13th June	Annual AGM & BBQ Wicksteed Park, Kettering The plan is to arrive in the afternoon on Sat 13th June, from 1-2pm ish, and visit the attractions at Wicksteed (as per Socials e-mail) for a couple of hours before chilling in the sunshine and starting the BBQ from approx 5pm, followed by our AGM, which I will send further information about next week. Wicksteed has a campsite so you are encouraged to stay over too, ready to join the post-AGM walk from Wicksteed Pk the next morning! We hope to see you there...! Please can you let me know:- 1. If you are planning to join us, and from approx. what time 2. If you would like to camp (please say whether you have a tent with or without space for others, or need tent space if available from somebody else). 3. If you would like to partake in a batch of real ale that one of us can get 4. If you would like to eat some communal burgers or just bring your own food I (Mel) will then get back to those coming or interested with further details / arrangements / prices. Pls contact Mel if you have any questions. See wicksteedpark.org for further information.
Sunday 14th June	Local Walk - Barton Seagrave, Kettering A approx 8 mile walk starting at 11:00am from the church at Barton Seagrave, NN15 6SR. We will head out to Grafton Underwood. Please park considerately around the village. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - John
Wednesday 17th June	Evening Walk & Pub Meet - Hardingstone A 3.5 mile walk starting at 7:30pm from the Sun Inn in Hardingstone, NN4 7BT. Please park considerately around the village. We will head to Delapre before returning back to Hardingstone village. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - John
Sunday 28th June	Local Walk - Whilton This approximately 9 mile walk starts in Whilton village. Heading South initially we will turn and make our way through Brockhall and over the motorway to join the canal towpath. This will take us North via Long Buckby Wharf and on to the New Inn where we can take a well-earned rest. After a break we will head back across the motorway to Long Buckby and skirting around the south of the town we will head back down to Whilton. The starting point is The Green, Whilton (the parish church of St Andrew, a phone box and post box are all located here, nearby postcode NN11 2SJ). We will meet to start the walk at 10:30am. Please be considerate when parking in the village.   Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Kevin
July
Wednesday 1st July	Evening Walk & Pub Meet - Approx 3 mile walk which is buggy friendly and includes a playground! Meet outside The Golden Lion, Wellingborough at 7:30pm. There is no parking at the pub but you should be able to park on Doddington Road or other nearby streets. We'll then head into the pub for a drink afterwards Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Vicki
Sunday 12th July	Local Walk - Gayton Approx 5 mile walk starting at 10:30am from the outside the Queen Victoria Inn pub in Gayton (10 High St Gayton, Northamptonshire NN7 3HD). Please park considerately around the village. We will be exploring various forms of transport with a good stretch along the Grand Union Canal, and crossing various railways lines and roads. We'll then head to the pub for a drink afterwards, hopefully while soaking up some more sunshine! We expect to be finished and at the pub by 12:30-12:45. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Ian
Wednesday 15th July	Pub Meet & Evening Walk - Cogenhoe Meet at 7.30pm outside The Royal Oak pub in Cogenhoe for a 3 mile walk taking in the River Nene. The address of the pub is Whiston Road, Cogenhoe, NN7 1NL. Please park considerately around the village. We'll then head into the pub for a drink afterwards. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - John & Tracey
Sunday 19th July	Local Walk - Scaldwell Meet at 10:30am outside the Church (of St. Peter & St. Paul) in Scaldwell village for a 9-10 mile walk taking in local villages. Address is Old Road, Scaldwell, Northamptonshire NN6 9EJ. Please park considerately around the village. Maps of Walk Start:- Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - Ray
Sunday 26th July	Figure of 8 Walk - Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire This is a figure of 8 walk where we return to the start for our lunch stop, so you can join us for just the morning, just the afternoon or the whole thing. Meet outside the Church (St. Andrews, postcode PE28 0BF) at 10:30am for the morning walk. This will be a 4 mile walk heading south through Kimbolton Park, down to Pavenham & back by Kimbolton School. We'll then head to the pub for a drink and hopefully to eat our sandwiches (please bring a packed lunch). Meet at the pub, The White Horse, Kimbolton PE28 0HU, at 12:30pm for our afternoon walk. This will again be 4 miles heading north of the town. Please park considerately around the village. Maps of Walk Start:- Morning - Church Local Area Afternoon - Pub Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns Leader - John
August
Sunday 2nd	Local Walk - Astcote  Start in Astcote, SP677533 (nn12 8nn) for the usual 10.30am start.  Please park considerately around the village and meet at the red phone box on the small triangular green  Walk through Eastcote to Bugbrook then onto Nether Heyford. Stop in one of the pubs for a lunchtime drink (please bring a packed lunch).  Afternoon follows the canal on the towpath to Bugbrook Wharf, across the fields to Pattishall then back to Astcote.  Approx 4.5 miles in both the morning and afternoon.  Maps of Walk Start - Local Area Relative To Nearby Towns  Leader - Jayne
Wednesday 5th	Evening Walk & Pub Meet Start in Maidwell, Approx grid reference SP746768 for a 7.30pm start The walk will start from the cross roads at the village (soon after entering the village on the left hand side if travelling from Northampton). Please park considerately near the start. There's space for 3-4 cars in the left hand side road and a few small laybys nearby that do not appear to be bus stops! Initially the path is a bit overgrown (I'll bring a walking pole – shorts not recommended) but we soon emerge to walk across the fields to a ridge with lovely views across the Northamptonshire countryside, returning along easy paths and a quiet road. After the walk we'll head for a drink in the village pub the Stags Head by approx 9pm. Distance: approx 3.5 miles Maps of start location Map of local area: Map Of Local Area   Relative To Nearby Towns Walk leader: Belinda
Sunday 9th	Local Walk - Blisworth  A 3.5 mile walk starting at the later than usual time of 11am from the Ramblers Association gazebo – this will be situated just inside the entrance of Blisworth House on Church Lane, Blisworth (just behind the church).  The approximate Grid Reference is SP 726534 or see the map links below where the arrows show the location.  Our walk will begin by heading south along the canal, before turning West into fields towards the village of Gayton, and then heading back East towards Blisworth.  Please use festival parking.  Maps of start location:-  Local Area Relative to neaby Towns Leader – Mel
Sunday 16th	Local Walk - Canons Ashby  Meet at 10:30am in the National Trust car park at Canons Ashby, postcode NN11 3SD for the morning walk, or 12:45-1pm for the afternoon walk.  This will be a figure of 8 walk so you can join us for just the morning, just the afternoon, or both parts.    We believe the car park is free but please be prepared to pay for parking in case this has changed recently!  The morning and afternoon sections will both be approximately 4-4.5 miles long.  The afternoon walk will start between 12:45 and 1pm, so meet us by 1pm if you’d like to join us for the afternoon only.  Lunch can be bought from the cafe there or please bring a packed lunch.  For more information on the property (the house and gardens should be open until 5pm if you want to stay to look around), please see National Trust - Canons Ashby - Link Maps of start location:-  Local Area Relative to nearby Towns Leader – John
September
Wednesday 2nd	Pub Meet The Navigation Inn, Stoke Bruerne, meet for a chat and a catch up from 8pm. http://www.navigationpubtowcester.co.uk/
Sunday 13th	National Walk - London Meet at Northampton station at 9.15am to catch 9.31 train. The plan is to buy a 'GroupSave' ticket which saves money by groups of 4 people catching the same trains (train 1) there and back.  There is an alternative option to meet us at Euston station in London at 11am, but please contact us ahead of the day if you intend to do this, so we know to look out for you.    Once at Euston we will walk to Leicester Square, from there we will follow an edited version of the Jubilee Walkway walk. We'll take our time round the walk, taking in the sights with plenty of time to take pictures.    To make the most of the day we aim to return to Northampton around 7-8pm.    Distance: ~ 8 miles    Location of Northampton station   Very detailed  Relative to the rest of the town centre
Sunday 20th	National Walk - Kenilworth Meet at 9.30am at Upton Country Park car park for car sharing OR Meet at 10.30am in the car park of Kenilworth Castle if travelling independently.    There is a £2 charge for parking at the Castle, refundable if you visit the castle after the walk. (If car sharing, please check if you're all wanting to visit the castle after the walk!).    6.5 mile walk in the morning, with fantastic views of this spectacular castle visiting the village of Honiley and past the site of where a moated, Tudor manor house (The Pleasance) once stood. We'll eat our lunch towards the end of the walk, in sight of the castle.The afternoon will be free to visit a 'proper' castle if you choose.    Kenilworth was a living castle for over 900 years, where Dudley built a tower to woo Queen Elizabeth 1. The Elizabethan Gardens here have recently been restored. It is owned by English Heritage and adult admission is £9.60.    Distance: 6.5 miles    Location of car sharing    Local map of start of walk  Map of walk relative to nearby towns
Sunday 27th	Local Walk - Hanslope A 9 mile walk starting from the village of Hanslope. We will meet on the green besides the Watts Arm pub at the junction of Castlethorpe Road and Gold Street at 10:30am. Please park considerately around the village. The postcode of the pub is MK19 7LG and the grid reference is SP802470.  The walk goes through rolling countryside to the village of Hartwell before heading for Salcey Forest to the cafe for a quick cup of tea/coffee and cake, and to eat our packed lunches.   After the lunch stop we will visit the Tree Top Way and walk through the woods before heading back to Hanslope through the Northamptonshire countryside.  Distance: 9 miles  Map local to starting point  Map of the nearby area
October
Wednesday 7th	Meet from 8pm onwards at the Golden Lion pub[ link: http://www.thegoldenlionwellingborough.co.uk/ in Wellingborough town centre NN8 1BL.   Come and say hello before venturing out on a walk with us. For the regular members, its a chance to catch up – and help Belinda fill the walks calendar for the first half of 2016!
Sunday 11th	Tracey's Local walk will be an 8 mile figure of eight walk starting in Ravensthorpe.     Meeting at 10.30am for the morning walk at St Deny's church. The church is on Church Hill, Ravensthorpe, Northants, NN6 8EP .     We will do a 4 mile walk in the morning leaving the village & heading over fields to Guilsborough & back to Ravensthorpe over the causeway.    Lunch will be at The Chequers Pub in the village which is on Chequers Lane, NN6 8ER.    Leaving the pub at approx 1 P.m in the afternoon we will do another 4 mile loop out of the village in the opposite direction towards East Haddon returning to Ravensthorpe.    Distance: ~ 8 miles  Meeting place for morning walk (10.30am)  Meeting place for afternoon walk (1pm)    Map relative to nearby towns
Sunday 18th	Meet at 10.30am in Upton Country Park car park, NN5 4EQ for a 9 mile Local walk visiting Rothersthorpe and Kislingbury along the way. Please bring a packed lunch with you, we may stop at a pub for a drink along the way, but we won't be there long enough for people to order food in the pub.    Distance: 9 miles    Map of starting point:  Map relative to nearby towns:
November
Sunday 1st	Local Walk - Earls Barton Area We will meet at 10:30am. The walk starts from the small car park on Station Road between Earls Barton and Grendon. From Earls Barton and the A45 the car park is on the left hand side as the road bends to the right after the controlled single track road over the bridge.    We will start the walk heading towards Northampton along the Nene Valley Way, before travelling  North and venturing into Earls Barton for a while before heading back across the A45 towards the river. We'll follow the river towards Great Doddington.     We'll stop at Great Doddington for lunch/drinks and then in the afternoon we will take a route through Grendon Lakes to arrive back at the car park.     Distance: approx 9.5 miles   Map of starting point:  Map relative to nearby towns:
Wednesday 4th	Meet from 7pm in The Wig & Pen Northampton for food or later if you want to sample the excellent selection of real ales only. Come along to say hello before venturing out on your first walk, or catch up for a chat ir you're a regular walker.
Sunday 8th	National Walk – Woodwalton For car sharing please meet at Upton Country Park for 9.30 am Please park considerately in the Village. The walk will start from outside the Elephant and Castle pub at 10.45 am The morning section is approx 4.5 miles to the Cross keys pub Upwood for approx 12.15p.m Assume permission is not granted to eat our pack lunch in the large beer garden but there is a bench are nearby. Depart approx 13.00 for a 3.8 mile walk back to the start Estimated 2.30 finish for a daylight return to Northampton. For the observant I have used this Walk from the Autumn 2015 magazine ! Total distance approx 8.3 miles Map of car sharing location (Upton Country Park) Map of starting point Map relative to nearby towns
Sunday 15th	"A sort of local walk as it does start in the county of Northamptonshire, but then we soon cross the border to visit neighbouring Oxfordshire Meet for a 10.30am start on the small green by the George and Dragon pub in Chacombe (not the church as previously stated as this is hard to find by car), after parking considerately around the village This is a roughly eight mile walk heading over the Northamptonshire border taking in the Oxfordshire villages of Upper Wardington, Wardington, Cropredy and Williamscot and surrounding rolling countryside. Lunch will be on the green in Cropredy (bring a packed lunch or there is a shop in Cropredy which sells sandwiches), followed by a pint at the Brasenose Arms. From Cropredy we will probably take the canal for a short section before heading back past Williamscot. Please note that this is not a figure of 8 walk, those wanting a shorter walk could leave us at Cropredy which is 5 miles into the walk, or join us there but there will then be just 3 miles left to do." Map of start (local area) Map of start (relative to nearby Towns)
Sunday 29th	Each November the local Ramblers groups in the county get together for a combined walk, followed by our area Annual General Meeting. After a brief business meeting, there will be a talk from the Chair of the Trustees of the Ramblers Association. There are two walks on offer (both starting from Weedon Village Hall). They will return to the village hall in time for the AGM itself. Map of Weedon village hall Map of Weedon village hall 9 mile walk – 9.30am start 5 mile walk – 10.30am start The AGM will start at 2.30pm, followed by a talk from Des Garrahan, Chair of Trustees, Ramblers Association. Des is active on social media, so if you'd like a sneak preview, you can read his blogs on http://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/blogs/meet-our-bloggers/walking-class-hero.aspx   and follow him on Twitter @walkingclasshero (or for the 'official' line on @ramblerdes ) (If you don't 'do' twitter, try  https://twitter.com/walkingclasshero to find out more!).
December
Wednesday 2nd	Our pub meet this month will be at The Royal Oak in Cogenhoe (Whiston Road, NN7 1NJ) from 8pm please feel free to come & join us.
Sunday 6th	Starting at 10.30am from the car park on the edge of Ringstead village / Ringstead Lakes. We will walk round the lakes and then along the Nene Valley Way to Little Addington. From here we will head to the back of Stanwick Lake and back along the old railway line to Woodford Mill tea rooms where we finish the walk. (The tea rooms are on the outskirts of Ringstead – a short walk from the car park where we started) http://www.woodfordmilltearooms.co.uk/ As this is only a 5 mile walk, we will not stop for lunch along the walk, with an option of stopping at the tea rooms afterwards. Map of Local Area Map relative to nearby towns
Sunday 13th	Here are the details for the Santa Hat Walk which I have just received from Santa! Sunday 13th is the day of the now legendary "Santa Hat Walk" which will once again will be lead by Santa himself, even though he is very busy at this time of year! Everyone must wear a Santa hat, or otherwise dress in a Christmas theme - any sort of xmas costume (elves, reindeer etc) is of course encouraged!! Spare Santa hats will be available for those who have "forgotten", including the "hat of shame", which is a cowgirl hat !! Meet outside the Bull on High Street in Harpole for a 10.30 start after parking thoughtfully around the village. The walk takes us over the hills - hopefully be enhanced by snow for that Christmas look! - and down into Flore, where will eat our packed lunch on the green, before heading on to Nether Heyford for a pint at the Olde Sun. We then head back to Harpole via Bugbrooke Mill and Kislingbury. The walk is approx 8 miles in total. Map of the starting point Map relative to the local area Leader - Santa
Sunday 20th	Joint Walk with Hike MK, to be confirmed.
Saturday 26th	Meet at the Church on High Street, Upper Dean, Bedford, PE 28 0NA after parking considerately around the village. 11.00am start The walk will be 4.5 miles heading out from Upper Dean to Shelton then on to Lower Dean and back into Upper Dean with the option of a drink at the end of the walk in the Three Compasses.