“Outdoor activities for all” 2010 Club Experience - Cheap Weekend Walking Breaks Enjoy the High Pennines, Hadrian’s Wall & Durham on our annual Short Summer Break Thursday 1st to Monday 5th July 2010 John Hillaby’s Journey through Britain: “No botanical name-dropping, can give an adequate impression of the botanical jewels sprinkled on the ground above High Force. In this valley, a tundra has been marvellously preserved; the glint of colour, the reds, deep purples, and blues have the quality of Chartres glass.” High Force Booking Information & Form High England – Hadrian’s Wall and The North Pennines, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, for much of its history a wild and dangerous frontier zone until the union of the crowns in 1603 largely ended centuries of war with Scotland. Today, it is sadly an area often overlooked by walkers as we head further north to the mountains of Scotland or to the Lake District. On our Club Experience summer short breaks we seek remoteness, the lure of hills, trails and paths to suit all abilities, places of culture and history and a destination that can enable us to escape for a short while from the stress of work and enjoy the social fun and community we all crave. Blackton Grange www.blacktongrangefarmhouse.com I promise will surprise - surrounded by rolling uplands, quiet lanes, dry stone walls and scenic reservoirs it is the perfect destination to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a relaxing break, with the comforts of home in a spectacular setting. This great venue can sleep up to 45 persons, but for our club experience long weekend the maximum number accommodated will be 28 persons, giving us a minimum of 6 double/twin rooms available and no more than four persons will share the other spacious bedrooms (these shared rooms will be allocated on a single sex basis unless booked by couples or friends who may wish to share). We have space and freedom to roam, to enjoy a lovely summer setting and the facilities to relax and dine well and we even have a piano for the musicians amongst us to enjoy. http://www.teesdalediscovery.com/whattodo.htm Our Destination Blankton Grange & Hury Reservoir During the weekend we aim to introduce you to the joys of an area that has with some justification been described as “England’s last wilderness” and its excellent walking. It offers huge expanses of wild and open moorland including some of the highest peaks in the Pennine range, sparkling rivers that wind their way through lovely dales and across lush lowland pastures to the sea. We have remote and unspoilt villages such as Alston which is the highest in England and often cut off during a hard winter and fine market towns including Barnard Castle, http://www.touruk.co.uk/county- durham/Barnard%20Castle.htm with its magnificent Norman castle and home to the Bowes Museum www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk The museum brings to life John and Josephine Bowes romantic life story and is housed in a beautiful building that provides inspiration and enjoyment. We have plans for iconic walks on sections of the Pennine Way www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Pennine way/ that weaves its way across the North Pennines, making use of both the river valleys and high moorland routes in places. We promise the spectacular – for example the dark columnar-jointed crags of High Cup Nick – our very own grand canyon. The fabulous Teesdale Way that winds its way along the river Tees, hear the thundering 21m water fall at High Force, the largest waterfall in England, see the river plunging into the gorge as it has done for thousands of years. Wander around the historic castle town of Barnard Castle and the impressive ruins of Egglestone Abbey that provided inspiration for the artist J.M.W.Turner (the Meeting of the Waters). The Pennines We also have easy access to a network of former railway tracks that have been converted into footpaths and cycle ways and bicycle hire is available at Blankton Grange (to be booked in advance). On Monday we will visit Durham, a world Heritage site for a short taster of its magnificent cultural history – you can visit Durham cathedral www.durhamcathedral.co.uk place of pilgrimage and prayer for centuries and one of the greatest churches ever build or Durham Castle www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/history on its prominent hill top site, encircled by the delightful wooded slopes of the meandering River Wear, overlooking the medieval City of Durham with its fascinating narrow streets. Other options could include a walk along Hadrian’s Wall Path http://www.hadrians-wall.org/ See its ancient walls and roman forts, designed to keep the so-called northern “barbarians” from entering the civilised world. We can visit the most well preserved fort at Housesteads and the Sycamore Gap, a famed back drop in the Robin Hood Film. Alternatively closer to home we could enjoy a walk and visit to Raby Castle http://www.rabycastle.com/categoryRender.asp?categoryID=3886 . This is a dramatic mediaeval Castle set within a large deer park with walled gardens and home to Lord Barnard’s family since 1626. It was the site where hundreds of northern knights plotted the “Rising of the North” in 1569 – a rebellion to dethrone Queen Elizabeth 1. Durham Cathedral This will be a weekend to relish, with its rich diversity of walks, remoteness, scenery and wildlife, its wealth of culture and history, a short summer break offering something for almost everyone. In fact, with some confidence, I suggest this may well be your first of many a visit to a destination largely unexplored by the majority of walkers. With Walkfree Breakfree – we promise to change your views – to get you outdoors and on this short break we will achieve that and much more. At £245 for shared rooms, or £270 (doubles) per person ( LESS £20 discount per person and free minibus transport if you book by 3rd May) inclusive of accommodation, breakfasts, packed lunches, walks with voluntary walk leaders or independent walking, evening meals on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and a great celebration BBQ on Sunday. This club experience weekend offers us an exceptional destination, exciting and memorable experiences and simply great value for money. BOOK by the 3rd May for your £20 discount and free minibus transport – booking after that date the full rate and a small £20 surcharge to travel in the minibus will be applied. Booking confirmation by email will be acceptable. Deposit required on booking £100 – by cheque to Walkfree Breakfree Ltd or credit card payment can be accepted for the full sum due on this short break – this will be debited on 1st June 2010. Bookings are now being taken so time to take action and arrange a well deserved long weekend break which is just the boost you need to start enjoying what we hope will be the long summer of 2010 – we certainly deserve one! This is a weekend for walks, views, fun, socialising and enjoying the remarkable companionship of our Club Experience weekends. Our Aims & Itinerary Our Club Experience aim as always is to have a very enjoyable and social weekend break where we can enjoy walks, good food and great company in a pleasant location. It is really simple to enjoy walking in the High Pennines and Durham that suit individual needs and the weather on the day. On this trip we can walk in groups with voluntary walk leaders undertaking differing distances or simply stroll out individually. With the availability of our own minibus we will plan pick up points and options to visit places of interest and some walks can easily be extended by individuals should they wish to walk extra miles. Our base at Blackton Grange offers walks direct from our doorstep and you can easily explore the quaint local villages and old railway paths if you prefer independent walking or be dropped off at Barnard Castle to catch public transport to allow you to spend a whole day exploring Durham. As always our number one priority on all trips is to have fun and relax and if you want to do your own thing, be a tourist – and not even put on a pair of walking boots – just enjoy the food, the fun and companionship - that is fine. For those of you who have not yet been on one of our residential club weekends and perhaps are a little wary of walking in groups I can assure you we welcome new members and encourage you to achieve that little bit more in respect of walking (pace will be adjusted to suit). So please, take this opportunity to join us, and remember if you have any concerns or general questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available on 07889165278 or email me [email protected] Just let me know if you require information for example on group walking, walking equipment or clothing or wish to view our picture gallery. Thursday 1st July 9 .30 am If travelling by minibus we depart from High Wycombe (additional pick up points to be agreed and confirmed with participants) 4.00pm Approximate arrival at Blackton Grange with a tourist stop on the route for a short walk (subject to travel and weather conditions) 5pm Early evening walk around the Blackton and Hurry reservoirs to enjoy the lovely hay meadows, wild flowers and ground birds. 8pm Dinner Friday 2nd July 8.00am Breakfast 9.30am approx Depart for walks with packed lunch 4.00/5pm Return to Blackton Grange tea & cakes 8.00pm Dinner Saturday 3rd July 8.00am Breakfast & packed lunch 9.30 approx Depart for walks with packed lunch 4.00/5pm Return to Blackton Grange for tea & cakes 8.00pm Dinner Sunday 4th July 8.00am Breakfast & packed lunch 9.30 am approx Depart for walks with packed lunch 4.00/5pm Return to Blackton Grange for tea & cakes 8.00pm Celebration BBQ Monday 5th July 8.00am Breakfast & packed lunch 9.30am Leave Blankton Grange for Durham Cathedral & Castle 3.00pm Depart Durham 9.00pm Return to High Wycombe Please note all times are advisory only and as you are aware can be influenced by weather, traffic conditions and other eventualities! We will also attempt to fit in time for a number of optional visits to places of local interest.