Walks programme November 2016 – February 2017 Supporting you to get active and stay active If you would like to know more, call our Leisure and Libraries helpdesk on: 01454 868006 You can also find out more or download this programme at: www.southglos.gov.uk/walking-for-health Please help us to save paper and the planet by only taking this copy if you don’t have access to the internet. You can find Stepping Forward – our programme of progression walks, at the back of this programme. Welcome to the November 2016 – February 2017 walks programme This programme is packed with a variety of fantastic walks across South Gloucestershire. All our walks are free, led by a welcoming team of trained volunteers, and range between 30 and 90 minutes in length. There’s no need to book. Please have a good look at the grades on page 3 which tell you the approximate time the walks take and the degree of accessibility. You won’t have to lead, we are always looking for back and middle markers. The training is informal and friendly. Please ring me on 07766 780087. In early September our walks joined the Ramblers National Walking Festival. The happy bunch on the front cover are walkers from our Frampton Cotterell group, who walked along the Dramway and were treated to a fascinating tour of Ram Hill Colliery. Stepping Forward is our programme of walks, designed for people who would Two of our regular walkers have been so like something slightly longer and more inspired by the difference walking has challenging. They tend to be between made to their health, they’ve decided to three and four miles in length and might set up a new walk at Chipping Sodbury take a couple of hours. You will find Rugby Club. Tony Nelson and Chris Stepping Forward at the end of this Withers (photographed) walk every programme. other Tuesday with Bristol Bath Railway Path group, the new Sodbury walk will Part of our aim is to encourage everyday be on the alternate Tuesdays. It will be a walking and green travel. To help with Grade 1 walk, setting off at 11am on the this we always include details about hard, flat track around the ground. You bus routes in the programme. The bus can walk at a pace and distance that routes listed are correct at the time of suits you, and join the group at one of going to print but further changes are the local cafes after the walk. planned in November and January so we do recommend you check up-to- All our walks are led by volunteers, date timetables on traveline.com many of the walks are weekly and offer short and long options. We desperately Happy walking and hopefully I’ll see you need new leaders. If you could spare at one of the walks. a couple of hours per month please consider becoming part of the team. Christina 2 How to contact us Tel: 01454 868006 Email: [email protected] Web: www.southglos.gov.uk/walking Address: South Gloucestershire Council, PO Box 298, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 0DQ Facebook: www.southglos.gov.uk/facebook Twitter: @sgloscouncil Grading Key Toilets Grade 1 walk Suitable for people who have not walked much before, Refreshments are looking to be more active, or are returning from available injury or illness. They are on flat ground or gentle Uneven ground slopes with mainly firm surfaces and no steps or stiles. Walks last around 30 minutes but can be extended on Steps the day if the walkers wish. Stiles Grade 2 walk May be muddy if it Suitable for people who are looking to increase their has recently rained activity levels. They are between 30 - 60 minutes and Inclines may include some moderate slopes, steps, uneven surfaces and possibly stiles. Wheelchair friendly Rest opportunities Grade 3 walk For people looking for more challenging walks and Buggy friendly increasing their level of physical activity. They are generally 60 - 90 minutes and may include steeper No dogs please slopes, steps, uneven surfaces and stiles. Progression walks This symbol indicates that a walk is more Dogs are welcome strenuous and over 90 minutes in length. When it unless otherwise appears within a Walking For Health listing it indicates stated. Please keep that there is a progression walk available alongside the them on a lead. shorter walk. 3 Meet our groups Each of our groups offers something slightly different. This tells you a little more about them. Look out for their initials at the head of each listing. BBRP FC F Bristol and Bath Frampton Cotterell Filton – Nutfield House Railway Path This group of walkers See the regular walks See the regular walks sets out twice a month section for dates. for various scenic walks section for dates. Fortnightly walks, ideal around rural Frampton Every other Tuesday at for people who are new Cotterell and Coalpit 11am. The starting points or returning after a long Heath. The walks are on alternate between Bitton absence. The walk starts Tuesdays or Wednesdays Station and Warmley and finishes at Nutfield and start at 10.30am. Station. The beauty House, Nutfield Grove in Long and short walks are of this walk is that it is Filton. The walk is at 2pm usually offered. (Walks ‘there and back again’ every other Thursday over three miles are listed on the flat Railway Path and is up to one mile in in the Stepping Forward so walkers can go as far length. Section). as they feel able before returning to one of the FPS cafes. KM Filton/Patchway/ Kingsmeadow Stokes CSRFC – NEW WALK See the regular walks A weekly walk setting Chipping Sodbury section for dates and off at 11am lasting Rugby Club Walk directions. approximately 45 See the regular walks Ideal for people who minutes. Usually the section for dates. are new or returning starting places alternate to walking. Sets out between Stoke Gifford Alternate Tuesdays to the from Kingsmeadow and Filton. Railway Path walk. Set Community Flats on the off at 11am. Gentle, flat first Wednesday of the walk on the hard surface SYD month at 10.30am. Sodbury Yate and around the rugby ground. Dodington Walk once around the This group meets every track which is just over a KC Kingschase Friday at 10.30am. mile, or twice if you feel This group meets weekly Walks are often around like it! on either a Wednesday or three miles in length, but Thursday at 2pm. Walks sometimes slightly longer, usually last around an so you will find these hour around the Kings listed in the Stepping Chase area. Long and Forward section. short walks often offered. 4 Regular Walks The following walks always start at the same time and place. They don’t appear in the listings so if you would like to join in please take a note of the dates. Every other Tuesday Every other Tuesday Bristol Bath Railway Path Walk NEW WALK Set off at 11am Chipping Sodbury RFC Walk (Opposite weeks to the BBRP Walk Warmley Station Waiting Rooms, left) 1 London Road, South Gloucestershire, BS30 5JB Set off 11am Small car park by station or park in Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club, Wickwar nearby residential streets Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BH 19, 35, 43, 634 47, X47, 84, 85, 202 November 8 November 1, 15, 29 December 6 December 13 January 3 & 31 January 10, 24 February 28 February 7, 21 Avon Valley Railway. Bitton Station, This gentle grade 1 walk is ideal for Bath Road, Bitton, BS30 6HD people who are new or returning to exercise. Walk for as long as you like, 17, 19, 37, 42, (5 min walk), 684 at your own pace, along the flat, easy November 22 access hard track around the rugby December 20 (at least one field. The route is 1.5km and takes piece of tinsel must be worn!) around 30 minutes at an easy pace. Walk around the field once or twice January 17 and then to one of the cafes nearby to February 14 enjoy a cuppa and a chat. This walk is ideal for people who are new or returning to exercise. Walk for as long as you like, (anything between Please note: ten minutes and an hour) at your own Warmley Café is currently closed pace, along the flat, easy access – all walks will set off from Bitton Railway Path. After the walk enjoy a Station until end of February. cuppa and a chat at the café. 5 Every other Thursday Every 1st Wednesday Filton Nutfield House of the month Up to 1 mile approx. 20 – 30 minutes Kingsmeadow Community Flats 2pm Up to 2 miles / 1 hour November 3, 17 10.30am December 1, 15, 29 November 2 January 12, 19, 26 December 7 February 9, 23 January 11 Nutfield House, Nutfield Grove, Filton, February 1 BS34 7LJ Kingsmeadow Community Flats, Buses 70, 71, 72, 73 Barrington Close, Kingswood, Enjoying calm and quiet streets in BS15 4QD Filton. All on pavements. These are 7, 86 plus 5 min walk ideal walks for people who are new to A gentle monthly walk designed to walking or returning to exercise. accommodate any walker’s needs – allowing people to walk the distance they feel comfortable with. Walks Join us for a free buggy walk vary taking in Siston Common, the Get some fresh air, meet new Railway Path and quiet streets around friends and explore area. These Kingswood. walks are perfect for parents and Direction from New Cheltenham Road grandparents.