U3A Long Walks
Our walks start and finish at various locations every Friday throughout the year. Most walks are within Worcestershire but we do occasionally cross the border into Gloucestershire and Herefordshire locations.
The walks are a minimum of 5 miles and up to 7 miles. The aim is to alternate the "challenge" of the walks between flatter, less challenging walks and those with inclines which require a bit more effort. The start/leaving time for the walks is 10.00am. However in the summer months during hot weather, we may decide to start at 9.30am. This will always be indicated on the details of the walk which is sent out in advance.
Leader and Contact: Shan South shansouth@btinternet.com Mobile: 07736656004
The deputy is Bev Webber
Please see Dates for your Diary below for the current Walking Programme.
Our meeting place for the walk often (but not always) starts from a pub. By arriving early we are usually able to use their facilities and pre order/book our lunch/snack as required with the publican. Because we have asked permission to use the car park and facilities of the public house; it is hoped that walkers will have the courtesy to stay for refreshments after the walk whenever possible to do so; even if this is just for a drink/tea/coffee.
Around the halfway point on a walk we stop for a short "banana break"- usually about 15 minutes. Its a good idea to have something to sit on especially in the winter months when the ground is likely to be wet and cold.
Walks are planned and led by the group members ensuring a wide variety of locations. Help in planning walks is always available and new walk leaders are encouraged. Click below for the following useful guides:
The group combines with the other U3A Walking Groups once a year to hold an Annual General Meeting. This is usually in January each year. Occasionally, a nominal subscription of £1 per person is collected at the meeting to help pay for maps, paper, ink etc.
If you would like to join the Long Walks 2 Group, first join the U3A, then email your U3A number and details to Shan South. U3A policy is that dogs are not allowed on U3A walks.
We also organise an annual walking holiday, which is open to all group members and is based in one of the hotels operated by HF Holidays. There are a selection of walks organised by group members available each day providing a choice of terrain and distance. Hotel bookings are full board and walks are organised by group members. Worcester U3A Walking Group is affiliated to HF Holidays and enjoys exclusive benefits and discounts. Walkers make their own way there and numbers are usually such that we have exclusive use of the hotel. Holidays are popular and usually fill up quite quickly and a non-refundable deposit is required to secure a place. The next Walking holiday planned for April/May 2023 will hopefully be St Ives, Cornwall, but this has yet to be confirmed with definite dates etc.
Dates for your Diary | |
---|---|
Fri Aug 12th | Leader: Mike Milner Area: Tardebigge Distance: 6.5 miles Stiles: 1 and 8 gates Meeting Point:The Queens head, Sugarbrook Lane, Stoke pound. B60 3AU Distance to drive from the centre of Worcester: 16 miles; Time to drive: 28 minutes Approx Fuel Cost based on 40mpg @ £8.50 per gallon: £7 shared between everyone in car Start Time: 9.30am Post Code/Grid Ref: SO ; OS Explorer ; Post Code: B60 3AU Description: We start off with a delightful walk, through fields and farm land to Tardebigge Norman Church, where we have a break in the churchyard. We then walk back along the canal, passing about 20 locks Difficulty: Easy Mike needs to know by 5.00pm on Tuesday 9th of August how many are staying for lunch. https://www.queensheadbromsgrove.co.uk/food-and-drink If anyone would like a lift from the St John's area, please text Mike on 07944 058097. |
Fri Aug 19th | Leader: Shan Area: Malvern Hills from North Quarry Car Park Distance: 5 miles Stiles:None Meeting Point: North Quarry Car Park WR14 4LT (Pay by card £4.80). There is roadside parking available further up the road. Distance to drive: 10 miles; Time to drive: 27 minutes (from centre of Worcester) Approx Fuel Cost based on 40mpg @ £8.50 per gallon: £4.20 shared between everyone in car plus car park charge @ £4.80 = £9 between all Start Time: 9.30am Post Code/Grid Ref: SO ; OS Explorer ; Post Code: WR14 4LT Description: A lovely walk around Malvern Hills Difficulty: As the area suggests this involves some hill walking but all is gradual and nothing too challenging. |
Fri Aug 26th | Leaders: Sue Collins & Hilary Nunney Area: Alfrick & Lulsley Distance: Approx 6 miles Stiles: 4 Meeting Point: Community Shop & Café, Clay Green, Alfrick. WR6 5HJ Distance to drive from centre of Worcester: 8.5 miles; Time to drive: 22 minutes Approx Fuel Cost based on 40mpg @ £8.50 per gallon: £4 shared between everyone in car Start Time: 9.30am Post Code: WR6 5HJ Description: This is quite a varied walk across fields, through woods and along lanes. One section has exceptional views after a relatively short climb, and the path continues along the Worcestershire Way. Overall, it’s a pleasing walk. Difficulty: Moderate.There is just one moderately steep climb. Some of the fields have ruts to beware of and there is one short section that could be muddy. |
Fri Sep 2nd | Leader:Jennie O'Regan Area: Kempsey and Clifton Distance: 6.5miles Stiles: 6 Meeting point: The Talbot, Main Road, Kempsey WR5 3JA Postcode: WR5 3JA Distance to drive from centre of Worcester: 4.5 miles; Time to drive: 10 minutes Start time: 10am Description: An easy walk along the river Severn to Clifton pools where we will have our banana break. There are lovely views of the Malvern hills. We then cross the A38 back across fields to Kempsey. The walk ends with a very short stretch of the main road back to the pub. Difficulty: Easy The pub will open at 9.30am for us to use the loo and pre order our food . They would like to know approximate numbers beforehand so can you please let let us know if you plan to do so by Wednesday. |
Fri Sep 9th | Leader: Louise Radford Area: TBA Distance: miles Stiles:None Meeting Point: Distance to drive: miles; Time to drive: minutes (from centre of Worcester) Start Time: 10am Post Code/Grid Ref: SO ; OS Explorer ; Post Code: Description: Difficulty: |
Fri Sep 16th | Leader: Jane Griffin-Ash Area: To be confirmed - possibly Guarlford, Malvern Distance: miles Stiles:None Meeting Point: Distance to drive: miles; Time to drive: minutes (from centre of Worcester) Start Time: 10am Post Code/Grid Ref: SO ; OS Explorer ; Post Code: Description: Difficulty: |
Fri Sep 23rd | Leader: Leader required Area: TBA Distance: miles Stiles:None Meeting Point: Distance to drive: miles; Time to drive: minutes (from centre of Worcester) Start Time: 10am Post Code/Grid Ref: SO ; OS Explorer ; Post Code: Description: Difficulty: |
Fri Sep 30th | Leader: Leader required Area: TBA Distance: miles Stiles:None Meeting Point: Distance to drive: miles; Time to drive: minutes (from centre of Worcester) Start Time: 10am Post Code/Grid Ref: SO ; OS Explorer ; Post Code: Description: Difficulty: |
Fri Oct 7th | Leader: Shan Area: Lickey Hills Distance: 5.5 miles ; Height Gain: 1065 feet Stiles: None Meeting Point: Lickey Hills Visitor Centre; B45 8ER Start Time: 10am Post Code/Grid Ref: Landranger 139 (Birmingham & Wolverhampton) Explorer 219 (Wolverhampton & Dudley) Post Code: B45 8ER Distance: 21 miles(from centre of Worcester) Travel time: 29 minutes Description: The Lickey Hills are a compact range of well wooded slopes that provide fine walking and grand views on the southern edge of the city. For most of this walk the proximity of the city is surprisingly unnoticeable but from the 987 foot summit of Beacon Hill, the highest point on the Lickeys, a splendid panorama offers great contrasts; looking directly over Birmingham in one direction, but also extending in a sweeping arc across the rural heart of England to the distant Cotswold, Malvern and Shropshire hills. Difficulty: This is not a particularly challenging walk and the variety of terrain and scenery makes it both interesting and enjoyable. Obviously there are ascents and descents but with the exception of one short, steep descent which requires a bit of care to negotiate, it is not difficult. After the walk, for those who would like to join us for refreshments, we will be going to the "Boat Shack" Aztec Adventure, Worcester Road, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove B61 7ER I enclose the link for you to view yourself and see the menu options available www.boatshackcafe.co.uk The Boat Shack is 7.3 miles from where we park and start the walk and will take 15 minutes to drive there. |
Click on a picture below to see it full-size with more details.