Walks July - September 2009
Sunday 5th July - Kenilworth
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: An easy 8 mile walk from Kenilworth .
Start Point: 10:30am the main castle car park (NOT the one opposite the pub) Click here for start point map
Leader: Jocasta Gardner
Sunday 12th July - Middle Littleton to Cleeve Prior
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: An easy 9 ¾ mile walk in the vale of Evesham. This is a gentle walk between the two villages and return along the River Avon.
Start Point: 10:30am Park in Middle Littleton and meet at the village hall (SP078469) Click here for start point map
Leader: Andrew Kennard
Sunday 19th July -Mickleton, Ilmington, Ebrington, Chipping Campden and Drovers Hill
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: An undulating 12 mile walk mainly through farmland with some good views. From the village we'll head east towards Ilmington before turning south to Ebrington and across to Chipping Campden and Drovers Hill and back to Mickleton.
Start Point: 10:30am St. Lawrence's Church in Mickleton (GR SP161435). Just before the village centre look out for a lane on your left (if coming from Stratford) with the church sign. Parking is in the lane or surrounding streets in the village. Click here for start point map
Leader: Tania Young
Sunday 25th July - Sowndonia Weekend Away
Grade: M3 (explained here)
Info: Sorry this weekend is fully booked
Start Point: Click here for start point map
Leader: Kathryn Dalgleish
Sunday 2nd August - Malvern Challenge
Grade: D2 (explained here)
Info: All the peaks before the final bus of the day 16:34. 13 miles. More details to follow
Start Point: 10am Click here for start point map
Leader: Michael Potter
Sunday 9th August - Stanton & Laverton from Broadway
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: This 7.5 mile walk uses the Cotswold Way National Trail to explore three Gloucestershire villages to the south of Broadway with the route offering many fine views.
Start Point: 10:30am The long stay pay and display car park in Broadway of Leamington Road under the Housing Development arch -see map - PC's available Click here for start point map
Leader: Paul Thornton
Sunday 16th August - Afternoon "Hangover Cure" Walk/Pub Meal - Long Itchington - Stockton - Southam
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: An easy 6 mile walk from Long Itchington passing through farmland, woodland and along a canal tow path. A nice relaxing way to spend the afternoon! The plan is to get back to Long Itchington by 5pm and have a meal at the award winning Duck on the Pond pub on the village green. The menu is currently being revised and the new one will be available on Saturday 8th August, (see http://www.duckonthepond.co.uk/ to get an idea of current offerings). **Please can you express an interest in the pub meal ASAP so that I can book for the right number of people**
Start Point: 2pm Duck on the Pond Pub, Long Itchington, CV47 9QJ
Leader: Sarah & David
Sunday 22nd August - Bears Summer Holiday (weekend) on the Isle of Wight
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: There is one place left ... if you are very quick!
Start Point: Click here for start point map
Leader: Andrew Kennard
Sunday 6th September - Hatterall Ridge Walk, Brecon Beacons
Grade: M3 (explained here)
Info: 10 miles. Starting at the picturesque ruins of Llanthony Priory, this walk begins by following a valley floor. A steep ascent (552m/1820ft) is followed by 4 miles of ridge walk with outstanding views of the stunning Breacon Beacons national park. At this point, the route takes in part of the Offa's Dyke path, an ancient earthworks that roughly follows the Welsh/English border and is attributed to King Offa, a great but terrifying ruler in Anglo-Saxon times. A steady descent brings us back down into the valley reaching the finish and a well-earned drink! NB: It should take about 1.30/2hrs to drive to the start point from Leamington Spa/surrouding area.
Start Point: 11am Free car park at Llanthony Priory (toilets and refreshments available) Grid ref: SO288278
Leader: Susie Murray
Saturday 12th September - Haworth in the South Pennines, West Yorkshire Weekend Away
Grade: M2 (explained here)
Info: Weekend Away - Cost is £35 for the two nights which includes a contribution to breakfast - I'll bring cereal & toast etc. Haworth is north of Halifax / west of Bradford and is known as the home of the Bronte sisters. Saturdays walk would be 10 miles or so incorporating features relating to the Bronte sister such as Top Withins and the Bronte waterfalls. On Sunday, there are various options depending on what people want to do but I have a few walks in mind slightly further south in the Calder valley. Please email us if you are interested by the end of July.
Start Point: Click here for start point map
Leader: Tania Young
Sunday 20th September - Welcombe in the Hills around Snitterfield
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: Great views over the River Avon and surrounding Warwickshire countryside are provided by the Welcombe Hills in this 8 mile walk near Snitterfield. The centrepiece of the country park is a huge obelisk that stands high on the hillside and is visible for most of this walk,
Start Point: 10:30am Parking at Welcombe Hills Country Park (taking the A46 of the M40 take the A439 towards Stratford (first exit of round about) then the second right. Please car share where possible as layby is reasonably small)
Leader: Dave Searle
Sunday 27th September - Staverton (near Daventry)
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: A generally flat 10 mile walk starting at Staverton near Daventry. Walking out of the village we drop down off the ridge with great views of the surrounding countryside. The route takes us to Flecknoe and on to Lower Shuckborough via the Oxford Canal toe path. The path climbs out of Shuckborough then heads south before joining the Jurassic Way passing an impressive disused viaduct heading back to Staverton. The route crosses a number of arable fields and therefore it could be pretty muddy depending on the weather.
Start Point: 10:30am The grassy triangle in the centre of the village where Manor Road, Oakham Lane and The Orchard meet. Click here for start point map
Leader: Clive Taylor
Sunday 4th October - Sudeley Castle & Cleeve Hill (New Date)
Grade: M1 (explained here)
Info: 10 Mile Route: From Cleeve Common to Winchcombe and the fantastic Sudeley Castle (where Liz Hurley got married) and once home of Anne Boleyn, back up to the highest point in the Cotswolds via Belas Knap neolithic long barrow.
Start Point: 10:30am Golf club car park on Cleeve Common Click here for start point map
Leader: Jo Porter
If you would like to lead a walk and are stuck for ideas you can view our previous programmes here.
To contact the walk leader or put in your own ideas! email bearwalkinggroup@hotmail.co.uk