July 24-26 Dartmoor NP: Ancient clapper bridges, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'

Join us for all-inclusive 2 nights hiking trip in Dartmoor NP.
This unforgettable trip will include delicious homemade food and great time for you to remember!

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Situated in the south-west of England, right in the very heart of Devon, Dartmoor is a landscape of stunning views, awe-inspiring granite tors, deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers, and rugged, wide-open spaces. Dartmoor is a gift for lovers of ancient history. There’s plenty of evidence of prehistoric settlement around Dartmoor, with the Bronze Age period seeing a larger population moving into the area. Challenging treks across windswept moors or relaxing strolls through secluded woods, you’ve come to the right place... Dartmoor has it all!

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The setting for the Sherlock Holmes' novel 'The Hound of the Baskervilles,' based upon a local legend (http://www.devon-online.com/towns/buckfastleigh/Welcome.html), this isolated landscape with weather conditions (mist, rain and snow) that can change in minutes, creates a truly natural spectacle - 'nature' at its best.

Dartmoor was designated as one of the National Parks of England and Wales in 1951. The National Park is named after the River Dart, whose source rises on the moor, with the West and East Dart rivers merging to form the River Dart.

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Prehistoric remains are found all over the moor, though exact dates of many of them are often in dispute. Any walk across the moor is likely to lead you to the remains of old stone buildings from Dartmoor's industrial past. Ancient clapper bridges - crossing streams and rivers, stone crosses; barrows, standing stones, circles, tumulus and cairns all contribute to the wealth features to be enjoyed on Dartmoor.

It's a landscape quite unlike any other, populated by lofty granite tors, mysterious hut circles and standing stones, ancient woodlands, sturdy clapper bridges, rushing streams, bustling stannary towns, and secluded villages.

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On the open moors wildlife and farm livestock live together and the iconic Dartmoor ponies are often to be seen grazing or running free in family groups.

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ITINERARY

Details for the programme of events for a typical AAA weekend can be found via the link below.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1X1viyFsRDgq96RCeu8X2UwW9tbKhhehF

>>Click here to join our Facebook hiking and activity community and keep up to date with even (https://www.facebook.com/pages/AAA-London-Group/278934735640158?fref=nf&pnref=story)ts and ph (https://www.facebook.com/pages/AAA-London-Group/278934735640158?fref=nf&pnref=story)otos<<

ACCOMMODATION

We booked a spacious youth hostel just for our group.
This converted Arts and Crafts style detached house was originally built in 1910. It sits in three acres of gardens overlooking the town and has direct access to the Dartmoor National Park and open moorland from the grounds.

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All bed linen is provided. Accommodation is in male and female rooms for 4, 6 and 8 people. 4 rooms have en-suite toilets and showers. Four rooms have en-suite toilet and shower rooms. The remaining three rooms have private WC and shower rooms. One room is suitable for people with disabilities and has an accessible shower room.
Please bring your own towels.

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HIKES

There will be a minimum of 2-3 very capable hike leaders on this weekend, both with extensive navigational and leading experience and trained in wilderness first aid.

The choice of hikes will differ in distance and toughness and we usually aim to have no more than 15 people per hike. This ensures that the groups are not left waiting for long periods whilst the 30th person catches up.

Usually, you can expect the shorter of the hikes to be around 10 miles / 16km and the longer hike to be 16 miles / 25 km plus. This will vary according to the terrain and ascents.

AAA choose not to repeat the same hikes from previous trips, we also choose not to publish our hikes in advance, although we usually plan them ahead of the weekend. We will take into account our own local knowledge and that of the locals, along with the weather conditions, prior to announcing the hike options available.

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FOOD

AAA food quality has become well known within the Hiking Meetup community. We typically greet you with a warm soup supper with cold meats/cheese and bread on your arrival on Friday night topped off with a large homemade cake.

You can enjoy Misha’s famous hearty porridge with fruits, nuts and honey both mornings topped off by a cooked breakfast, freshly brewed coffee and juice. The perfect start for a days hiking, other cereals.

We believe your packed lunch is a personal affair and we provide you with all the ingredients for you to make up your own sandwiches, so if you want to make your own peanut butter and banana sandwiches here’s your chance. Fruit, crisps and biscuit snacks are also available.

After returning from your hike scones, jam and clotted cream are available with your afternoon tea. Sometimes there is also an opportunity to pop into a local country pub before heading back.

Saturday dinner is a group event; members will help with some of the preparation whilst reflecting on the day’s scenery. Dinner is usually served at 8 pm and includes a wide selection of salads with meat and a vegetarian dish.

If you have any special diet requirements please let us know in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

You will need to bring your own alcoholic drinks in advance, as AAA is not licensed to sell alcohol.

(AAA aims for home-made healthy food, catering for vegetarians, vegans and anybody else.)

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PRICE OF £140 INCLUDES:

• 2 nights in dormitory accommodation for male/females

• Friday night light supper,

• 2 Cooked breakfasts,

• 2 Packed lunches,

• Choice of 2-3 Guided Hikes by experienced hike leaders

• 1 Cream Tea

• 1 Dinner on Saturday.

• Compliance with the 1992 Package Travel Regulations including Financial protection.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Transport to the destination

• Alcoholic drinks and other incidentals

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GETTING THERE

AAA events start and end at the accommodation venue so you will need to arrange your own transport to and from the accommodation.
Members have been organising lift shares within the Meetup group for a long time and AAA have also assisted members to organise getting to the destination.
If you want to lift share we recommend that you post a message on the Meetup “Discussion” page that is specific to this event.

AAA takes no responsibility for the lift shares and does not get involved with these private arrangements between members.

Please do not contact people regarding lifts on the “Conversation” thread as this generates spam for all participants of the event.

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ONLY PAYMENT CONFIRMS YOUR RSVP!!!

Once you have RSVP yes you are required to secure your place by making £140 bank transfer to:

Account Name AAA LG

Sort Code 60-09-02

Account 69543038

Please, make ensure you add your Meetup profile name as part of the bank reference as well as "Dartmoor" to guarantee we can match your payment to the correct Meetup profile RSVP.

Let us know when you have paid and how much by emailing to aaalondongroup@yahoo.co.uk

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Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.

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SAFETY & CLOTHING

Your safety is always paramount for AAA London Group!

All participants (members and their guests) on any AAA London Group walk or activity are personally responsible for their own fitness, safety and welfare and must be equipped accordingly. Failure to be equipped adequately can result in accidents and you might be declined from joining some of the more adventurous hikes.

If you are unsure of what is required to equipped properly please refer to our information pages. We have listed the items and clothing that we and other professionals believe make up the ideal kit list for summer and winter hikes. We have even included some tips and guidance on buying the kit to help you.

By signing up to this event you acknowledge and agree to the

AAA London Group Terms and Conditions. (https://www.meetup.com/AAA-London-Group/pages/AAA_London_Group_Terms_and_Conditions/)

Everyone in the group has to obtain appropriate insurance.

The BMC: http://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Policies.aspx
offer excellent policies for all outdoor enthusiasts at competitive rates.

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© AAA LG Ltd 2019.
Errors and Omissions Excepted.