Gay Outdoor Club: Wilts, Glos & Somerset (North) Walks 2008

Contact details for Wilts, Glos & Somerset (North) Group

Sunday 6 January. A 6 mile walk from Beckington, via Rode, Woolverton, Laverton and Lullington. Meet in Beckington village main street. Pub lunch option at Red Lion in Woolverton.

Sunday 13 January. Annual lunch at Cameley Lodge in the Mendip Hills. Advance booking required. Contact co-ordinator.

Sunday 20 January. A gently undulating walk from Rodmarton to Tarlton and the Tunnel House Inn at Coates for a pub lunch (optional) and back through Oakley Wood about 6 miles. Meet at Rodmarton Church. Please park carefully on the village streets.

Sunday 3 February. Meet at Nockatt Coppice car park for a 9 mile walk. We start with a walk down through the woods to Shearwater for an early lunch by the lake (there is no pub so please bring a packed lunch - however there is a café which may be open). After lunch we will make our way to Horningsham and on to Longleat House, followed by a gentle ascent to Heaven's Gate and back to the cars.

Saturday 16 February. Bishops Cleeve to Prescott via Nottingham Hill. 5 miles. Steep short climb at first, then level, with fine views on descent. Park in large free car park near Tescos in Bishops Cleeve, at top end, by Royal Oak Pub and Library, start from Royal Oak pub. Option of lunch at restaurant en route, and tea after the walk. Stagecoach bus D from Cheltenham every 10 minutes, journey time 23 minutes, to Mill Street, Bishops Cleeve.

Sunday 2 March. A walk from Wroughton to Uffcott and the foothills of the Marlborough Downs, about 7 miles with picnic lunch. Meet at the Ellendune car park in Wroughton, towards the south-eastern end of Wharf Road, which is also the B4005. Stagecoach bus 49 or 71 to Wroughton, Wharf Road Infants School, runs hourly.

Sunday 16 March. Blaise Estate and Kingsweston near Bristol. Start from outside the café at Blaise House, a 4½ mile walk with a tea shop stop mid-way to admire the views. Parking at Blaise House, 3 miles from M5 Jct. 17. First Bus 1 from central Bristol to Station Rd, Henbury every 30 mins, then a 4 min. walk to starting point.

Saturday 5 April. Cotswold Way part IV. The next stage of our Cotswold Way LDP walk, continued from last year, from Old Sodbury to Hawkesbury Upton, distance about 6½ miles. Meet in large lay-by on the south side of A433 just past junction with A46, for bus from nearby Dunkirk to Old Sodbury (please have change ready). Picnic lunch.

Sunday 20 April. Another chance to walk through English Bronze Age History, as pictured inside front cover of February Outdoors. Meet at Silbury Hill car park on the A4 heading towards Marlborough. The walk takes in Silbury Hill, West Kennet Barrow, The Sanctuary, The Ridge Way, Wessex Ridgeway and then on to Avebury Village and the Stone Circle. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the ancients' sites with an extended break in Avebury to enjoy the stones, have some food and drink. Distance 6 miles, about 4 hours including stops.

Sunday 4 May. Meet at Castle Court car park, Thornbury, off the High Street and opposite the Swan, for a mainly level 8½ mile walk towards Oldbury and the River Severn. Pub lunch option.

Sunday 18 May. A 10 mile walk starting from the lay-by on the A420 at the western end of Marshfield. Taking in Charmy Down, Little Solsbury Hill, Batheaston and Ashwicke. Two steep hills, otherwise the walk undulates. Picnic lunch option, with a pub for a drink only.

Sunday 1 June. Joint walk and social with South Midlands. Meet between Bourton-on-the-Hill (2m) and Snowshill (3m) for a walk in the remote North Cotswolds. Please remember picnic provisions. 'Garden Party' to follow (from about 4pm), usual BBQ element not certain. All friends welcome.

Sunday 15 June. Starting in Maiden Bradley, with on road parking in Back Lane. A fairly steady climb to the top of Brimsdown Hill continuing to Cold Kitchen Hill (trig point and long barrow) and on to Brims Down with some wonderful views across the west Wiltshire countryside. We then drop down and continue along lanes following the edge of Bidcombe Wood. There is a short stretch of road walking, please be alert to passing traffic. There is no planned pub stop, so bring packed lunch and drinks.

Sunday 6 July. A level walk in the Severn Vale, north of Gloucester, which was originally planned for July 2007. Starting at the large lay-by off the A38, at junction of side road to Leigh. Distance 8 miles with a pub stop and lunch option at the Red Lion Inn by the River Severn.

Sunday 20 July. Taking in the foothills of the eastern part of the Forest of Dean, walking approx 7.5 miles. Starting at Station Road car park in Newnham on Severn, signposted behind the clock tower on left heading north, with additional parking in High Street. Lunch stop at Heritage centre where refreshments can be purchased. This is a re-run of 2nd December walk with hopefully better weather!

Sunday 3 August. AOG at Worcester

Sunday 17 August. A 9 mile walk from Symond's Yat following the River Wye towards Lydbrook and English Bicknor, with views over the river into Wales. Starting from the main car park at northern end of B4432. Some steep hills. Please bring a picnic lunch.

Sunday 7 September. Meet at the Upton Wood car park on the A46 between Brockworth and Painswick, near Prinknash Abbey. The walk takes in ancient beech woodland, Cotswold villages, limestone flora and fauna, and a ruined Roman Villa. A moderately energetic 7½mile trek, traversing the scarp, with views over the Severn valley, following the Cotswold Way in places. Lunch in Birdlip with pub option or bring your own.

Sunday 21 September. A 6-8 mile walk over Wiltshire downland, with fine views, and through woodland and green lanes. Meet at Kingston Deverill church - Parking available opposite the church. Bring packed lunch.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.