Walks Programme

The basic format is that we organise walks once a fortnight, usually on a Sunday but with a few Saturdays thrown in for good measure. Walks range from 5 up to 12 miles in length and from an Easy grade through to Hard. In terms of location events are usually within 20 miles of Stoke i.e. Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and the near Peak District, as this seems a reasonable distance to travel. Longer distance trips are not ruled out especially during summer when the days are longer.

Read REVIEWS of some of our recent walks

Safety

Great care is taken in planning and leading walks but no responsibility can be accepted by the group, its organisers or individual walk leaders for any form of accident or liability however caused. Participation in any event is entirely at your own discretion and risk. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY.

Sunday 25 October - Autumn Bluebell walk

9 miles / 5 hours / easy

Meet at Kidsgrove, Railway Station for a 1030 start, map ref 837544.  The walk takes us along canals, through gently rolling countryside and onto rolling barrels at The Bluebell (CAMRA Good Beer Guide pub).  Pub at the end of the walk, please bring lunch with you.  OS Explorer map 258.

Directions – park at Kidsgrove railway station or nearby.

Walk Leader – 07724 105361

Sunday 8 November - Ashbourne stroll

8 miles / 4 hours / moderate

Meet at Ashbourne Market Place for a 1030 start, map ref 179468.  Parking can be found in surrounding streets or pay & display car parks.  Pub (CAMRA Good Beer Guide) at the end of the walk, please bring a packed lunch.  OS Explorer map 259.

Walk Leader – 07857 637844

Sunday 22 November - Abbotts Bromley walk

6 miles / 3 hours / moderate

Meet at Abbotts Bromley Market Place for a 1030 start, map ref 080246.  Pub (CAMRA Good Beer Guide) at the end of the walk, please bring lunch with you.  OS Explorer map 244.

Directions – Park at Village Hall or in Schoolhouse Lane (turn left at Market place).

Walk Leader – 07508 221623.

Saturday 5 December - Dragon with all the trimmings

3 courses / 12 hats / 0 jokes

Whilst the Chav and Shellsuit Carvery remains one of the options, the organiser is scouring the county for a suitable alternative and hopefully details will be available soon. Contact the organiser if you wish to book a seat at the festive table. Red beards, white hats and twinkle toes optional. Bring your worst jokes with you. OS Explorer Map 258.

Organiser – 07518 086112

Sunday 20 December - Christmas wind-down walk

4.5 miles / 2 hours / easy

Meet at Tittesworth Visitor Centre for a 1030 start, map ref 994604.  A gentle stroll around the lake with a chance to watch the wintering birdies.  Nice café at the end of the walk or bring lunch with you.  OS Explorer Map OL24.

Walk Leader – 07999 880331

Sunday 3 January 2010 - Get ready for work walk

8 miles / 4 hours / moderate

Meet at the council highways depot at the bottom of Ladderedge (near Leek) for a 1030 start, map ref 974552.  The walk takes us towards Rudyard then through Horton and Gratton.  No pub stop, please bring lunch with you.  OS Explorer map 258.

Directions – park at the side of the highways depot.  Heading from Stoke to Leek on the A53 the depot is on the left hand site at the bottom of the big hill – just past the newsagents. 

Walk Leader – 07724 105361

Sunday 17 January 2010 - Wedgwood Wander

6.5 miles / 3 hours / easy

Meet at Wedgwood Visitor Centre, Barlaston for a 1030 start, map ref 889395.  A wander around Wedgwood Country taking in Barlaston Downs.  Possible pub stop at the end of the walk, please bring lunch with you.  OS Explorer map 258.

Walk Leader – 07866 012035

Sunday 31 January 2010 - Blithfield Reservoir

8 miles / 4 hours / moderate

Meet at the car park for a 1030 start, map ref 062239.  Possible pub stop (CAMRA Good Beer Guide) after the walk, please bring lunch with you.  OS Explorer map 244.

Directions – take the B5013 from Uttoxeter towards Rugeley.  The car park is on the Abbots Bromley side of Blithfield Reservoir.  If you go into Abbotts Bromley you missed the turn, if you reach Admaston you’ve gone too far!

Walk Leader – 07857 637844

Regarding all walks - If you are a new member, or walk with us infrequently, and intend to join one of the walks, please telephone the walk leader to let them know. You can then be advised of any changes to the arrangements.

What can you hold without using your hands? Your breath

Little Miss Muffet, sat on a tuffet, eating her Irish Stew.

Along came a spider and sat down beside her.

So Miss Muffet ate him too.