Walking group
The Walking Group meet to walk on the first Monday each the month. A member of the group volunteers to lead a walk . Details are circulated by email a week before and members can decide whether they want to join the walk and must contact the convenor or leader of the walk to confirm their attendance. Most walks are about fives miles long and we usually meet at 10.30a.m. A coffee break or lunch break may be included. If you are interested, do come along for a taster walk.
To find out more about this walk or about the group, click on the dove icon (top right of this page)) to send an email direct to the Convenor for details.
Here is the latest report from our 2024 walks:
February Walk
On Monday 12 of us did a circular walk in Newcastle of approximately 7 miles. We met at Central Station and walked along to the Castle keep and dropped down to the Quayside. From there we walked east along to the quayside and then up the Ouseburn to Shieldfield Stadium. Crossing the road we walked through Ouseburn Park, Heaton Park and Armstrong Park to Jesmond Dene where we stopped for lunch. We then walked up Jesmond Dene to the waterfall and cut out into North Jesmond and across to Dukes Moor and braved the wind to head back into town across the Town Moor. Finally we went through Exhibition Park and Brandling Park and finished up at the Civic Centre.
2023 Walks
December Walk
Thirteen of us set off for a short walk along the riverside and along past Corstopidum in Corbridge last Monday. After a few days of freezing but sunny weather we had picked a day of continuous rain. Covered from top to toe in waterproofs and heads down we plodded along a muddy and sometimes icy path. At the same time we enjoyed the convivial conversation and managed to dry out a little when we reached St Andrew’s Parish Church. Here about 80 local businesses, groups, schools and other organisations had put on their very impressive annual Christmas Tree Festival accompanied by carol singing and hot drinks.
Two more members then joined us at The Black Bull for our group’s Christmas lunch after we had changed into more seasonal clothes and accessories!
It was a good way to end an enjoyable year of our u3a’s walking group walks.”
November Walk
11 of us walked in the outskirts of Newcastle, almost entirely on tarmac, to try to avoid the deep mud and puddles left after the recent storms. That might sound very dull but it's amazing how many attractive paths there are, and the weather was kind too. We parked at Throckley, got a bus to Denton, then walked down Denton Dene, which is winding, with rocky sides and plenty of trees. The next bit took us briefly along a couple of stretches of road until we took the Tyne River Trail beside the river to beyond Newburn, then followed footpaths up and through the delightful Walbottle Dene, which is a nature reserve with mature woods and a tumbling stream, lots of bridges, and mud in places - we didn't quite manage to avoid it for the whole day! Then it was just a few yards along from the top of the Dene to where we'd parked. Several people remarked on the helpfulness of using a bus to make a linear walk possible, which might be an idea to use again at times, particularly when the current industrial action is resolved.
Kathy
September Walk
A good walk on Monday on Hexham Common. Yes it was strenuous at first walking through heather to find the old carriers road which was probably last used 100 years ago !! Vast vistas from the top of the hill. We met a stone mason repairing a wall beside our lunch stop. He had lots to tell us about the wildlife in the area.We did see red kites ,a small Adder !!!! . Also two WW2 Hurricane fighters. Five of us completed the walk amazing as it was 26 deg.
Maggie
August Walk
The weather was kind to us on 7/8 as 13 walkers set off from Slaley Hall for a 5 mile, figure of eight, walk. Following the purple route we made our way up Wheatfield Plantation where we were rewarded with far reaching views and a coffee break. Continuing downhill again we picked up the blue route which took us through the woodland adjacent to Slaley Hall and onto ponds where we sat for a last lingering look.
Thank you Chris.
July Walk
A group of 13 walkers set out on this months’ walk from Wylam. We headed up through field and woodland path to Crawcrook and along a nice shaded path into the field behind the garage. Heading out towards Clara Vale where we crossed the fields down to the nature reserve. Some very high grasses and vegetation on the way, but luckily dry under foot. Our lunch stop was in the ruins of the Church of the Good Shepherd- a lovely tranquil space- before heading down towards the riverside track back into Wylam.”
May walk
“On this warm sunny morning we began our circular walk from Fenwick, between Stamfordham and Matfen walking North on the farm road to North Burn Farm.
Here we turned East and walked through the farmyard into fields taking us to Ingoe. This was our first encounter, of I think, six fields of cows that were very curious, however, throughout the walk Kathy acted as back-marker keeping them at bay.
At Ingoe we stopped for our coffee/snack break, lingered for quite some time as the weather was fine and we had wonderful views to the South.
Finally, down through fields to Fenwick. We were very lucky with the weather which turned to heavy rain after we finished.
Edith”
June Walk report
A group of nine of us enjoyed a circular walk in the Ovingham area. We started at Prudhoe Countryside Park car park and walked through Ovingham and up along lanes (some rather overgrown!) and through fields to reach the eastern entrance to Whittle Dene. We then walked up the Dene to the A69, pausing for lunch by the Dene. We walked back down the other side of the Dene and crossed the fields to St Andrew’s Lane and down into Ovingham. The weather was lovely, dappled sunlight in the woods and the hedgerows full of wild flowers. We are fortunate to have in such a lovely area to walk in.
Marian
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