Walks Programme

• Day Walks: meet at 09:45am for a 10:00am start
• Evening Walks: start at 18:45pm
• Car share wherever possible and ask around if you need a lift
• Assume a picnic lunch is required unless other type is specified
• Contact the walk leader if you would like to know more about their walk
• Map reference key: GR = Grid reference, L = Landranger,
  E = Explorer, OL = Outdoor Leisure
• Walks are graded Easy, Moderate or Strenuous by the walk leader

If you are thinking of leading a walk for the next programme, please have a read of our walk leader top tips which will help to make the walk a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone !

*Thursday 11th March 2010 - Dinnerladies at the Everyman - GWG Social*
Please see social programme for more details.
Organiser: Lucy (07811-773768)

Sunday 14th March 2010 - Day walk - The Biblins from a different direction
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Park by the side of the road near Eastbach Lodge, turn right off the A4136 in the Forest of Dean, just after Upper Lydbrook, towards English Bicknor. Grid Ref. SO597145.
Distance: 12 miles. Grading: M. A pleasant walk on the edge of the Forest of Dean to the suspension bridge at Biblins and back through Christchurch and Ninewells
Leader: Kevin (01684-573347)

Sunday 21st March 2010 - Day walk - Stanton, Stanway and Snowshill
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Village car park next to the cricket pitch in Stanton which is on the left on the road out of the village towards Broadway. Grid Ref. SP067343
Distance: 8 miles. Grading: M. A lovely walk through some beautiful North Cotswold villages and countryside. Only one stiffish climb. Bring a packed lunch. There's a pub half way round in Snowshill if we're feeling like some liquid refreshment to keep us going!
Leader: Lucy (07811-773768)

*Friday 26th March 2010 - The Huckleberries - GWG Social*
Please see social programme for more details.
Organiser: Andy (07949-729032)

Sunday 28th March 2010 - Day walk - Wyck Rissington to Bledington
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. By the village hall/pond in Wyck Rissington. Park on the road in the village. Wyck Rissington is off the A429 Fosse Way, just north of Bourton and Stow. Grid Ref. SP189216
Distance: 8 miles. Grading: M. A bit of a hill climb up from the Wyck Rissington, through the pretty village of Icomb, and in to Oxfordshire for a drink stop at the Kings Head in Bledington. Returning back along the Oxfordshire Way, for a scenic climb to Gawcombe and back down the hill.
Leader: Rosey (07743-847686)

Thursday 1st April 2010 - Evening Walk - Sheepscombe
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM Park either at the Butchers Arms pub or slightly further on in the village hall car park. Grid Ref. SO892104
Distance: 3 miles. Grading: M. A lovely walk down into the valley, along a brook and then back up Saltridge Hill and back down to the Butchers Arms in Sheepscombe for food and drink.
Leader: Lesley (07771-863015)

Sunday 11th April 2010 - Day walk - Rodborough Common
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM Meet at the most southern of the three car parks on Rodborough Common. Grid Ref. SO 851 035
Distance: 7 miles. Grading: M. A walk to the west and south of Stroud.
Leader: Gavin (07779-233848)

Thursday 15th April 2010 - Evening Walk - Brockhampton
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM. Craven Arms car park. For Brockhampton, take the Whittington turn off the A40 between Cheltenham and Andoversford and then follow the signs. Grid Ref. SP036222
Distance: 4 miles. Grading: M. A simple walk taking in the village of Sevenhampton, includes a long gentle ascent at one point but nothing too strenuous. There may be possible sightings of emu and ostrich but alas no wildebeest! Optional meal at the Craven Arms after the walk.
Leader: Steve (07749-051781)

Saturday 24th April 2010 - Day walk - Cheddar Gorge
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Cheddar Youth Hostel. Grid Ref. ST455534
Distance: 12 miles. Grading: M. Starting from the Youth Hostel, over the hills to Rowberrow Warren, Black Down, then Uley Nature Reserve(Nr Charterhouse), Velvet Bottom to Black Rock along the top of the Gorge and then down Jacobs Ladder into Cheddar hopefully arriving in time for afternoon tea. Most of the uphill will be in the morning and on a good day it is well worth it!
Leader: Nicky W (07905-287685)

Sunday 25th April 2010 - Day walk - Axbridge (Cheddar)
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Viewpoint car park on the A371 shortly after the turn from the A38 (before coming from cheddar). Grid Ref. ST425547
Distance: 6 miles. Grading: M. A shorter walk (about 6 miles) around Kings Wood near Axbridge and the possibility of a pub lunch afterwards.
Leader: Nicky W (07905-287685)

Thursday 29th April 2010 - Evening Walk Woodmancote and Vicinity Part 1
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM. Meet at car park of the Apple Tree PH, in Stockwell Lane, Woodmancote. Grid Ref. SO976274
Distance: 3.5 miles. Grading: M. Enjoy spectacular views as we climb up from Woodmancote, onto Cleeve Hill / Common for a short way and then descend via Nottingham Hill back down to Woodmancote Village. Followed by pub meal in the Apple Tree. Note: Expect gradients, both up and down.
Leader: Sue (07743-251021)

Sunday 2nd May 2010 - Day walk - Winchcombe
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Car park on Winchcombe High Street, outside the Plaisterers Arms. Grid Ref. SP024282
Distance: 6 miles. Grading: M. Round behind Sudely Hill along the Gloucestershire Way and returning along the Warden's way past Sudeley Castle. Pub lunch afterwards, and the walk planning for July to October.
Leader: Gordon (07817-972096)

Thursday 6th May 2010 - Evening Walk - Leckhampton
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM Daisybank Road, Cheltenham (off Leckhampton Hill Road). Grid Ref. SO951189
Distance: 2.5 miles. Grading: L. Up and around Leckhampton Hill. Grade easy/moderate. Pub meal afterwards at The Royal on Horsefair Street.
Leader: Jo Sill (07821-415161)

Sunday 9th May 2010 - Day walk - Hay Bluff & Lord Hereford's Knob
Meeting point & Parking: 10:45 AM. Car park below Hay Bluff, 4 miles south of Hay on Wye. Grid Ref. SO239373
Distance: 6 miles. Grading: S. A shortish but steep walk taking in the two most northern hills of the Black Mountains with stunning views in all directions. Late start for those worn out by Saturday's gorge walking or traveling from Glos. Easier options available.
Leader: Gordon (07817-972096)

Thursday 13th May 2010 - Evening Walk - May Hill
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM. The Glasshouse Inn. Please share transport where possible - there is limited parking for anyone staying for food or a drink afterwards in a grassy layby belonging to the pub on the green next to it. Grid Ref. SO709213
Distance: 4 miles. Grading: M. We will circuit around May Hill through the woods, then return over it (it's not very steep!). Hopefully there will be lots of bluebells around. We'll return back to the Glasshouse Inn for something to eat afterwards.
Leader: Lucy & Colin (07811-773768) / (07807-682048)

Sunday 16th May 2010 - Day walk - The Malvern Hills
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Lower Wyche Car Park. Grid Ref. SO770440
Distance: 9 miles. Grading: M. A walk along lower west slopes, ascend to British Camp, return along ridge for magnificent views, bring packed lunch
Leader: Paul (07762-330949)

Thursday 20th May 2010 - Evening Walk - Tidenham
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM. Live and Let Live Inn car park, Tutshill, Chepstow, then drive to Tidenham Chase car park (about 2.5 miles north). Grid Ref. ST 539949
Distance: 3 miles. Grading: L. Circular walk goes across the chase to the Wye valley and back. May get the chance to hear nightjars which are most active at dusk and dawn. Possibility of returning to the chase after the meal. Bring a torch.
Leader: Andy (07949-729032)

Sunday 23rd May 2010 - Day walk - Cotswold Way: Chipping Campden to Stanton
Meeting point & Parking: 09:15 AM*. Meet at Stanton Car park. Grid Ref. SP067343
Distance: 10 miles. Grading: M. This is a really beautiful days walking and a fairly steady start to the Cotswold Way, nothing too strenuous. As this is a linear walk it requires a bit of car co-ordination. Meet at 9.15am, *NOTE EARLIER START*, at the car park in Stanton (on the left beside the cricket pitch), to leave half the cars and share lifts to Chipping Campden to start the walk at our usual time.
Leader: Lesley & Heather (07771-863015) / (07941-758891)

Friday 28th - Monday 31st May 2010 - Dartmoor Weekend trip
Are you interested in going walking on Dartmoor at the end of May?
Sparrowhawk Hostel (bunk barn) in Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor Grid Ref. SX752861, sleeps up to 14 at £16 pppn. 10 and over and you have exclusive use. They are not booked up in May and June yet (except June 25th-27th), but recommend booking fairly soon. The accommodation is a single hayloft with a full length curtain divide. They also have double/family room at a higher price (see website). The May holiday gives us extra day on Monday. Friday-Sunday nights will be £48 each. An option would be to book exclusive use with fewer than 10 - eg. 8 people will cost £60 each. Moretonhampstead (about 2.5 hours from here) is a bit away from the high moors but with probably more variety and interest if the weather is wet and pubs within walking distance for food if people don't fancy cooking.
Please let me know by February 22nd (at the latest).
Leader: Andy (07949-729032) / andy@amudd.plus.com

Thursday 3rd June 2010 - Evening Walk - Ford
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM. The Plough car park (Ford). Ford is located on the B4077 between Toddington and Upper Swell. Grid Ref. SP088294
Distance: 4.5 miles. Grading: M. A gentle walk taking in the village of Temple Guiting and some interesting stone carvings at one point. The walk includes ascents in two places but nothing too strenuous. Optional meal at the Plough after the walk.
Leader: Steve (07749-051781)

Thursday 10th June 2010 - Evening Walk - Chedworth
Meeting point & Parking: 06:45 PM. Start by the Seven Tuns in Chedworth. Grid Ref. SP 053120
Distance: 3.5 miles. Grading: L. A 3.5 mile walk through and round Chedworth Woods. Supper at the Seven Tuns.
Leader: Catherine (07960-800613)

Sunday 13th June 2010 - Day walk - Capler Camp
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Fownhope church - but please do not park directly at the church as there will be a service on. There is plenty of parking nearby. Fownhope is on the B4224 near Hereford (Explorer 189). Grid Ref. SO581343
Distance: 8.5 miles. Grading: M. This is a varied walk from Fownhope that takes in part of the Wye Valley Walk long distance path and has terrific views looking down on the Wye before walking along the riverside. Along the way we will climb up to a hill fort and pass by a picturesque church and cricket ground at Brockhampton. This is not a difficult walk but has hills and would be pitched between 'moderate' and 'strenuous' on the RA grading scale. Picnic lunch.
Leader: Rodney (07816-766875)

Thursday 17th June 2010 - Evening walk - Woodmancote and Vicinity Part 2
Meeting point & Parking: 06:30 PM. Meet at car park / view point on Cleeve Hill Rd. Grid Ref.987271 (E179)
Distance: 4 miles. Grading: M. Further exploration of the myriad of footpaths between Cleeve Hill, Woodmancote, Nottingham Hill and Gotherington. Note: expect gradients, both up and down. There will be opportunity for refreshments / meal after the walk, but venue TBC.
Leader: Sue (07743-251021)

Sunday 27th June 2010 - Day walk - Great Witcombe to Barrow Wake
Meeting point & Parking: 09:45 AM. Great Witcombe Roman Villa car park Grid Ref. SO899146
Distance: 8 miles. Grading: M. A pleasant woodland walk providing views of the valley and Barrow Wake viewpoint. Most gradients are gradual and any climbs steep but short.
Leader: Zoe (07974-963588)