Walks
Our group is a great way to get out and about, meet folks with a common interest and get to know the beauty and history of our capital city and surrounding countryside.
The group had its inaugural walk in September 2014. Every month since then, with few exceptions other than during the pandemic, we have enjoyed a long walk and a short walk.
Procedures
Our procedures are set out in the linked document setting out what is expected of group leaders and walkers. It is helpful to have your emergency contact details available on your mobile phone - see guidance at emergency contact details.
Programme
Long Walks ‘10 milers’ – 4th Thursday of the month
Our long walks are designed for stronger walkers. The walks are typically 8 to 10 miles in length. During the longer days in summer we venture out of London for walks in the country. We have walked extensively in Kent and in 2018 explored the Chilterns which was new territory for most of us. There is still much to explore and now the Surrey Hills beckon.
We have already completed the 75 miles of the Capital Ring and have completed three quarters of the 150 miles of the London LOOP (London Outer Orbital Path).
To be added to the mailing list for details of these walks please contact the Convenor, Stephen Frost, at famfrost@aol.com or click on the blue bird logo.
Intermediate Walks ‘5 milers’ – 2nd Friday of the month
These walks are for those who enjoy a shorter walk and want to visit green and open spaces in and around London.
We expect members of the Walks Group to suggest these walks and lead them.
To be added to the mailing list for details of these walks please contact the Convenors, Michael and Margaret Ham, at meandma@ham.dropbear.id.au or click on the blue bird logo.
Short London Exploratory Walks ‘2 milers’ - 1st Friday of the month and another day the following week
Our short walks, about 2 miles long, last around 2.5 hours in London and are led by group members who decide a theme or topic of interest. Our topics have included Literary Bloomsbury, Westminster in WW1, The Fire of London and The Geology of the Monuments of Hyde Park Corner. It is a fundamental principle of U3A that we ‘do it ourselves’ so we must be prepared to research and explore a themed walk before leading it.
Having been unable to meet since March 2000, we re-started in August 2021.
To be added to the mailing list for details of these walks please contact the Convenor, David Beamish, at u3a@davidbeamish.uk or click on the blue bird logo.
Arrangements
Notification of each and every walk is sent out monthly. You are required to register online. Places on the short walks, especially in London, are limited for safety and easy enjoyment. Since our short walks have proved so popular these are now run twice in the month.
We usually start and end walks at a train station. This keeps logistics straightforward and personal costs to a minimum especially with the Freedom Pass and National Rail Card. In London we usually meet to start around 11.00 am. There are no charges for any walk and we do not hire professional guides in line with U3A principles. On long walks we stop to have a packed lunch and, although tempting, do not stop at pubs during the walk. But that does change when the day’s walk is done.
Joining
It’s very easy. Just make contact with the relevant convenors (as shown above) giving full name, U3A membership number and email address. You will then receive each month a notification of the arrangements for each walk.
If you want to come on a walk you have to sign up by following a link to an online registration form. It’s as simple as that.
Finally …
We rarely cancel or abandon any walk because of bad weather. Heavy rain rarely happens and does not usually deter us. Perhaps we are charmed but the English weather is really quite benign.
Slow Ways
For information on the Slow Ways initiative to create a national network of accessible walking routes, and how u3a members can get involved, click on the "Slow Ways" link at top right on this page.