Gay Outdoor Club: West Midlands Walks 2008

Contact details for West Midlands Group

Sunday 20 January. Meet at the Lickey Hills Visitors Centre on Warren Lane off Rose Hill (B4096) where there is more than sufficient parking. The walk will be 6 to 7 miles in length and is expected to be muddy and undulating. Walkers are strongly advised to dress appropriately for the time of year. Lunch stop will be at the cafe on the Waseley Hills although walkers are advised to bring sandwiches, with a cafe at the end of the walk if so desired.

Sunday 17 February. Meet in Earlswood railway station car park, nine miles south of Birmingham on the line to Stratford, for the "usual" woodland and lakeside five-mile walk. There is the option of calling in to Manor Farm tearoom for those not bringing a packed lunch.

Sunday 16 March. A linear walk along the Malvern hills. Meeting at Great Malvern Railway Station Car Park to then take the minimum number of cars to the start point at Chase End at the southern end. Although only 11 miles, this is a strenuous walk with steep inclines and descents and requires a greater level of fitness than the usual West Midlands walk.

Encompassing all of the peaks of the Malvern Hills range we will start from the Gloucestershire border, criss crossing in and out of Herefordshire as we climb and descend the various peaks ending at North hill in Malvern. You will have some extraordinary views along the way extending out towards the Black mountains of Wales, the Cotswolds near Cheltenham, and the distant suburbs of the West Midlands to the north.

There will be a lunch stop for those who bring a packed lunch on or around the British
camp, but there are the options for refreshments at the British camp hotel, and the Wyche Inn pub should time/the need permit. Although it won't be the height of summer, you will still need plenty of fluids and maybe one or five high energy bars to keep you going!

Sunday 6 April. Meet for a joint walk (with Shrophire & Mid Wales) starting from the Secret Hills Centre at Craven Arms (situated alongside the A49 at the south end of the town). A 9-mile undulating walk offering great views of the S. Shropshire hills and into Wales. Some parts of the route could still be muddy. Bring a packed lunch, although food and drink should be available at the refurbished visitor centre due to reopen at Easter.

Sunday 20 April. A pleasant 10-mile walk over fairly flat terrain in Shakespeare country. Starting from the Riverside Car Park (behind the leisure centre in Bridgeway)
Stratford-Upon-Avon and passing the intersection of Bridge Foot and Waterside, we will proceed along the Avon to Welford-on-Avon. Those with a packed lunch can settle down on the village green whilst the Bell Inn is situated nearby for liquid refreshment. We will return over fields to Stratford and pass Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's Birthplace. We will not have time to stop at these but may take a break at the tea rooms opposite Anne Hathaway's Cottage if the weather is ok and it is not beseiged by American tourists. The tarrif in the Car Park is £4.70 for 6 hours.

Sunday 4 May. A picturesque walk along the banks of the River Severn to Hallow Village and back. Start point and parking is in the lane to Grimley off the A443 (North of Worcester on the west bank of the Severn). Bring a packed lunch.

Sunday 18 May. Bredon Hill and the River Avon. Meet at Eckington Wharf. The car park is immediately south of the ancient narrow Eckington Bridge on the B4080 about 3 miles south of Pershore. This walk will be nearly 12 miles long and take us up over Bredon Hill and previews a walk being offered at the AOG in August. You will need a packed lunch.

Sunday 1 June. The starting point for this 8½ mile walk is the Village Hall Club car park in Stanton, (post code for the club is WR11 7NE). If you pay the £1 parking fee you can park and use the club facilities. The walk includes sections of the Cotswold Way and visits the picturesque and unspoilt villages of Stanway, Snowshill and Laverton. No steep gradients just one longish ascent through woodland. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water as, if it's hot, there are no shops en route.

Sunday 15 June. Meet in the Car Park on Piper's Hill which lies just off the B4091 south of Bromsgrove, for a walk of 16km in the Hanbury area of Worcestershire. The walk includes a visit to St Mary's church, Hanbury better known as St Stephen's, Ambridge, plus part of the Wychavon Way giving delightful views of south Worcestershire and the Cotswolds in the distance. The walk then takes in the banks of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the grounds of Hanbury Hall. Please
bring a packed lunch.

Sunday 6 July. Pastoral East Worcestershire. A nine-mile walk through gentle countryside with a village green lunch stop and pub option and including part of the Monarch's Way. AOG walk leaders' bash afterwards. Park free in Morton Stanley Park car park, Windmill Drive, Redditch. Boots recommended if not dry.

Friday 1 - Monday 4 August. The West Midlands group are hosting the National AOG based at Worcester University.

Sunday 24 August. This 10 mile walk starts from All Saints church in Trysull (which is to the west of Wombourn in South Staffordshire), and incorporates a possible lunch stop at Vineyard on the B4176. Bring a packed lunch.

Friday 29 - Sunday 31 August. The tradition of the last 2 years of having a weekend away" is being continued this year by Paul. As last year, the idea is that participants organise their own accomodation. Two walks have been planned so far:

1. Starts in the Weston area of Bath takes in some of the Cotswolds Way. Has some great views of Bath, Bristol, the Severn Estuary and in the distance the Severn Bridge and Wales! The lunch site is Hanging Hill the site of the Battle of Lansdowne in 1643 with more good views. After visiting the battle monument there is the chance of an afternoon pub stop over looking the race course. We return across the racecourse (literally there is a path honest!) Return to start with views of Bath. About 12 miles.

2. Starts on junction of A4 and A3039 between Bath and Batheaston. Some lovely quiet paths through meadows to start. Then a very hidden path up someone's drive that is not marked! Cross a disused airfield and then some good views of bath. Another lovely valley provides the return route using a recent right of way. Then back via the lovely village of Northend. About 10 miles.

Generally: Bath is very expensive for accommodation. Attached is a link to the vistbath website www.visitbath.co.uk They list some good but expensive accommodation; the tourist board offer a booking service 0844 847 5256 at more reasonably priced accommodation. Bristol would be an alternative but it is not that much cheaper according to expedia.

There are two organised tours of Bath. The mayor provides free guides for a two hour tour at 10.30 and 2.00 p.m. If we can get a group together they will provide a tour for us. I went on a Bizarre Bath tour run by a couple of actors it takes an irreverent look at Bath. It costs £8 but again they will do a deal for a group at a set time.

It would be good to get an idea of how many people are planning to attend. This would also help Keith and Simon with planning meals. Please contact the co-ordinator.

Sunday 7 September. A 10 mile walk in the southern Peak District, taking in Ludd's Church and part of the Roaches. The walk begins at the Tittersworth Reservoir Nature Trail car park. Please bring a packed lunch.

Sunday 21 September. An easy 10 mile walk starting in the South Derbyshire village of Ingleby and walking through beautiful rural countryside, past a number of historic villages and country houses and along the banks of the River Trent. Expect Saxon Kings (and Queens), hermits and sailors! Start from the car park of the John Thompson Inn, just east of Ingleby. We will be stopping for lunch in Repton, which has plenty of eateries, so packed lunch is optional. Boots advised.

Sunday 5 October. Meet at Lapworth railway station, south of Solihull on the line to Warwick for an easy five-mile circular walk led by Ross, passing historic Packwood House and Lapworth church. Bring packed lunch.

Sunday 12 October. (Joint with Shropshire). Glyndwr's Way and Offa's Dyke from Knighton (with a fragment of the Jack Mytton Way too). Come to the Welsh borders for a fairly strenuous walk amid beautiful scenery. We'll go through woodland, along easy quiet lanes, across pastures and over high tracks with extensive views. Bring plenty of refreshments. Commanding viewpoint for a picnic lunch. Pub option (drinks and crisps, or carvery bookable in advance - contact co-ordinator). 11¾ miles, 2550ft of ascent, 14 stiles. Park free at the Offa's Dyke Information Centre, West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN. Toilets and hot drinks available in the centre. Walk starts there.

Sunday 2 November. Walk starts from Kenilworth Castle and is 8 miles.

Sunday 16 November. Stourbridge Red House Glass Cone. An 8 mile walk following
canal and river to the Glass Cone Museum in Stourbridge. Meet at near Stewponey Locks, Stourton. OS ref SO863837. Parking alongside the Bridgnorth Road A458 just west of its junction with the A499 between Wolverhampton and Kidderminster. Extended lunch break planned to allow visiting the Glass Cone Museum. The is a tea room/cafe at the Cone serving lunches or a new Mad O'Rouke's Pie Pub opposite.

Sunday 30 November. Planning meeting and short walk in the Telford area.

Sunday 14 December. A treasure trail around Birmingham.

Gay Outdoor Club: West Midlands Walks 2009

Thursday 1 January. A short post-Christmas walk in the Clent Hills.

Please note that exact details will appear in the GOC Outdoors. PLEASE CHECK before coming as details are subject to change.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.