Sunday 3rd June
Bredon Hill
Easy/Moderate under 9 miles
This is an exhilarating walk with 230m of ascent to near the top of Bredon Hill with wonderful views for much of the walk.
Sunday 10th June
Yarningale Common near Claverdon
Easy 10 miles
This walk will take us through farmland to Lowsonford Locks and a short walk along the Stratford-upon-Avon canal. Onward we skirt Bushwood while overlooking the beautiful scenery of Beaudesert Parish. We follow sections of the Millennium Way and the Heart of England Way before arriving at Preston Bagot church with its wooden bell tower. A final crossing of the Stratford canal and a gentle incline leads us back to the common.
Sunday 17th June
The Suck Stone, Monmouth
Moderate 12 miles
A walk exclusively for all members not on the weekend away. www.megalithic.co.uk reputes The Suck Stone as the largest detached block of rock in the UK. Named by the drovers who allowed their animals to suck water from beneath the stone, we will stop to suck coffee from our cups at 11.45am (slightly later than usual).
The spectacular view from The Kymin (National Trust) above Monmouth is of the hills and green, green grass of home, without an oppressive old slate heap anywhere in sight. We will take our lunch on the wall outside The Boat Inn in Redbrook (please drink sensibly) and return to Monmouth along the wild garlic-ridden banks of the River Wye. One or two narrow, steep and tricky short paths through an otherwise beautiful forest.
Sunday 24th June
Grindon, near Leek, Staffordshire
Moderate 11 miles
This walk has all the attributes of the Peak District, dry stone walls, river valleys, deep woodland, rocky outcrops and a quiet upland village. The route crosses over the rivers Hamps and Manifold and gives us views of Beeston Tor, as well as some steep climbs. There is no pub in Grindon, so the nearest food and refreshments can be found at the The Jervis Arms, located in the village of Onecote close by.