Walks October - December 2009
If you are wishing to arrange a car share please use the discussion board in our Facebook group here
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
Sunday 11th October - Stokesay Castle and the Secret Hills
Grade: E2 (explained here)
Info: 8 Miles taking in woodland, river bank (often kingfishers to be seen) and views across to the Clee Hills this walk also includes remarkable Stokesay Castle - reputedly the finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England, dating back to 1281.
Start Point: 10:30am Secret Hills Discovery Centre, School Rd , Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9RS. Free parking Click here for start point map
Leader: Charlotte Brook
Sunday 18th October - Bledington, Westcote and Ilcomb
Grade: E1 (explained here)
Info: An easy 7 mile walk exploring some of the more tucked away and less well-known villages of the Cotswolds. There are broad and extensive views over the surrounding countryside.
Start Point: 10.30am . The King's Head pub, the village green, Bledington (coming South on the A429, turn left at Stow-on-the-Wold to take the A436, then fork right onto the B4450). Please park responsibly in the village (not in the pub car park or on the green) - there should be room if you turn left after the village green. Please car share where possible. Click here for start point map
Leader: Sara Taylor and Gill Blundell
Sunday 25th October - Banbury and the Surrounds
Grade: M1(explained here)
Info: 10 Miles, starting on the edge of Banbury and heading along the Oxford canal, cutting across country to the moated Broughton Castle, and then heading back to Banbury (and a view of the famous Banbury Cross). There’s a brief stretch along a busy country road.
Start Point: 10:30am Riverside Car Park, Banbury OX16 2PR (off the M40 at Junction 11, down the A422 to Banbury, left onto the A4260 at the first roundabout, right at the next roundabout, straight across the next roundabout, and then immediately right at the ‘Long Stay car park’ sign). Parking costs £1.20
Leader: James D’Alessandro
Sunday 1st November - Coaley Peak, Cotswolds
Grade: M1(explained here)
Info: 9 mile medium grade walk through ancient beech forest and pastureland. This route provide panoramic views as we cross through Selsley common and on to Woodchester Park.
Start Point: 10.30am at Coaley Peak viewpoint car park off the B4066 (S0794013)
Leader: Steve Bick
Sunday 15th November - Wroxton, Shutford, Tadmarton and Broughton
Grade: M1(explained here)
Info: 9 mile circular walk taking in the villages of Shutford, Tadmarton and Broughton with good views of Broughton's mediaeval castle. Drinks afterwards in the North Arms.
Start Point: 10:30am Wroxton village duck pond in the centre of the village just a few steps form the North Arms Pub
Leader: Don Smyth
Sunday 22nd November - Hatton, Shrewley, Rowingtom
Grade: E1(explained here)
Info: Starting from the British Waterways car park at Hatton Locks. The walk alternates between towpaths and footpaths and includes the Shrewley horse path canal tunnel.
Start Point: 11:30am Take the A4177 from Warwick towards Birmingham, then turn left on road signed BW Heritage Centre. Car park is on edge of Grand Union Canal PLEASE NOTE LATTER START TIME
Leader: Paul Thornton
Sunday 29th November - Fenny Crompton and Oxford Canal (walk changed)
Grade: M1(explained here)
Info: 8.5 miles Leave Fenny Crompton heading SE along the side of the Dassett Hills to Farnbourgh, and onto the village of Clayton. Returning via the Oxford Canal towpath.
Start Point: 10.30am Meet outside the Church of St Peter and St Clare in Fenny Crompton Click here for start point map
Leader: Mark Flinders
Sunday 6th December - Anyone for ice cream in Henley in Arden
Grade: M1(explained here)
Info: An 11 mile walk with a purpose. Starting from the public car park to the east of the main high street (just behind) in Henley accessed from the A4189 (Next to Ford dealership) this route follows sections of the Heart of England, Arden, and Monarch Ways taking in beautiful countryside and Wootton Wawen on route finishing back for ice cream in Henley
Start Point: 10:30am Starting from the public car park to the east of the main high street (just behind) in Henley accessed from the A4189 (Next to Ford dealership)
Leader: Dave Searle
Sunday 13th December - Priors Marston and Priors Hardwick
Grade: E1(explained here)
Info: 6 mile easy walk, an enjoyable circuit visiting two picturesque churches, woods and a canal.
Start Point: 10:30am Start at the centre of Priors Hardwick opposite the pub (SP472562)
Leader: Tania Young (leader change)
Sunday 20th December - Bishops's Itchington, Chesterton, Kingston and Lighthorne
Grade: E1(explained here)
Info: A gentle walk around the beautiful local countryside of . The route incorporates Christmas Hill, and passes Christmas Farm so it will be suitably themed for the time of year!
Start Point: 10:30am Parking tbc.
Leader: Susie Murray
This quarters programme is currently being finalised and will be posted here soon
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