What we're about
Welcome to the Bedfordshire Walking Club, we walk most weekends throughout the year, whatever the weather, mostly around the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. We also organise some great walking weekends away to some of the best hiking areas around the UK.
Be aware that BWC walks are NOT gentle rambles, we keep to a good pace with few breaks, and our walks are at least ten miles long. So, if you are looking for a gentle stroll in the countryside with lots of breaks and time to take photos, we are probably not the club for you. However, if you are after some great exercise with friendly, like-minded people, have a reasonable standard of fitness, and like a walk that is a bit of a challenge then you have come to the right place.
We are a relaxed and friendly group of all different ages, and we make everyone very welcome. Our hikes are a great chance to meet new people, make new friends and get to know the countryside. Many people come on their own, but you are welcome to bring along a guest if you want.
Come and join us, make some good friends, get some great exercise and experience some of the fantastic UK countryside.
Before signing up please read the guidelines below:
• Our walks are between 10 – 20 miles long and at a pace of over 3mph with only a short break halfway. Please make sure you are fit enough to complete the distance before you sign up for a walk.
The details page of each event will give a full description of the walk, what to expect and a recommended fitness level. If you are not sure that you will be up to the walk, please contact the walk leader for more information.
• ALL members will require a name (not just initials) and profile photo that clearly shows your head, shoulders and face at a reasonably close distance, so you are recognisable. Group photos, photos of children or pets are not acceptable. This is for the safety and peace of mind of the other members, failure to comply may result in a delay in your application being accepted.
• Please make sure we are able to contact you. Your profile privacy settings should be set so at least a walk organiser is able to get in touch with you to inform you of any possible changes.
• We hold walks all year round, in all weathers. Please make sure you come suitably dressed for the terrain and weather conditions with suitable clothing, wet weather gear and sturdy footwear. We don’t always get chance to stop at a pub or café so you should also bring water, a snack and maybe a hot drink in the winter.
•There will be a small charge for the walks, this is to cover the admin costs of the walk leader and running the website. Payment is made in cash at the start of each walk.
• Hiking and hillwalking can be demanding. Each individual member is responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event. Anyone attending one of our events is subject to those terms and conditions.
If a member brings along a guest that is not a member of Meetup, they are subject to the above Terms of Service and attend at their own risk.
Although the leaders of the club walks are very experienced hikers, we do NOT hold any official qualifications and neither the walk leader or the club accepts responsibility for any accidents or injuries of any member while attending a walk.
• We limit the numbers for each of our walks to keep a small close-knit group. So, if you sign up for a walk and then cannot make it, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible to give other members chance to come along. Those members who make a habit of changing their RSVP the day before or being a no show will be removed from the club.
• Sorry but we do not allow dogs on any of our walks.
If you have any further questions about the club, please don't hesitate to contact the organiser for more information.
Upcoming events (4+)
For this walk we will be starting at Sharpenhoe Clappers and walking across to Pegsdon. The route takes us through chalk downs, ancient woods and farmland, with some high points and great views over the surrounding countryside.
What to Expect
A 12.5 mile walk mainly on good tracks and small lanes, some tracks may be muddy in places. There will be rolling hills and one long steep climb to tackle. The total ascent is 950ft and we will maintain a pace of around 3mph throughout the walk.
This walk will be quite challenging due to the distance and amount of ascent. It is suitable for anyone with a good standard of walking fitness.
If you are a first timer please read the 'About us...' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability.
If you can't make the walk please change your RSVP in plenty of time to allow others to attend. Anyone making a habit of changing their RSVP the night before or being a no show will be removed from the club.
The Finer Points
Start Point:
Sharpenhoe Clappers National Trust Car Park, Sharpenhoe Road MK45 4SH. Located on Sharpenhoe Road halfway between Sharpenhoe and Streatley
Start Time: 09:30
Parking: The National Trust car park is located at the top of the hill between Sharpenhoe and Streatley and is free.
Distance: 12.5 Miles
Total Ascent: 950ft
Walk Time: Approx 4.5 hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: There will be a break at about the halfway point so bring a drink and a snack.
Public Toilets: There are no public toilets available on this walk
Sorry no dogs allowed
Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
For further information Contact: Nick[masked]
- Nick
- Nicola
- Debbie S.
- 16 attendees
This 14.5 mile circular walk from Ampthill to the Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park at Marston Moretaine, takes us through woodland, farmland and around the lakes at the country park.
What to expect
A 14.5 mile walk through woodland and open fields mainly on good paths and tracks, some may be wet and muddy in places. There will be a few hills and a couple of steep climbs with a total ascent of around 1100ft. We will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk.
Due to the distance and amount of ascent this walk is quite challenging and is suitable for anyone with a good standard of walking fitness.
If you are a first timer please read the 'About us...' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability.
If you can't make the walk please change your RSVP in plenty of time to allow others to attend.
The Details:
Start: Ampthill Park West car park, Woburn Street, nearest post code MK45 2GQ. (This is not the football ground carpark).
The post code is not exact so please follow the directions using google maps from the Meetup app if you are not sure where it is.
Walk Starts at 9.30 am
Parking: This is a free car park
Distance: 14.5 miles
Total Ascent: 1100ft
Time: Approx 5 hrs (includes stoppages)
Charge: There is a £3:00 charge for the walk.
Refreshments: There will be a break at the Marston Forest Centre about the halfway point so bring a drink and a snack or you can use the café and shop at the centre.
Public Toilets: The are toilets available at the halfway point.
Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
For further information Contact: Nick[masked]
- Nick
- Jane R.
- Julia N.
- 21 attendees
The Woburn Estate is always a great place to walk and this route will take us beyond the main park and around the larger Estate.
Firstly passing through the deer park, close to the impressive house, then around the estate’s farmland, quiet villages and woodland and along the top of the safari park.
What to expect
An 11.5 mile walk mainly on good tracks, some may be overgrown or a little muddy in places after a period of rain. There will be few hills, but nothing too challenging. Total ascent 750ft and we will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk.
This is a very enjoyable and not too challenging walk it will be suitable for anyone with a moderate level of fitness.
If you are a first timer please read the 'About us...' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability.
If you can't make the walk please change your RSVP in plenty of time to allow others to attend. Anyone making a habit of changing their RSVP the night before or regularly being a no show will be removed from the club.
The Finer Points
Start Point: Park Street Car park, Woburn, MK17 9PG
Walk Starts - 9:30am
Parking: The car park in Woburn is free
Distance: 11.5 Miles
Total Ascent: 750ft
Price: £3
Walk Time: Approx 4 hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: There will be a break at about the halfway point so bring a drink and a snack.
Public Toilets: There are no public toilets available on this walk
Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of this, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
For further information contact: Nick[masked]
- Nick
- Jane R.
- mark l.
- 18 attendees
The Chilterns are a great place to walk at any time of year but they are at their best in the summer. Come and join me on this lovely walk from Wendover around the Chilterns in this area of Outstanding Natural Beauty characterized by rolling hills, beach woodland, lush green valleys, and stunning vistas.
What to Expect
This is a 12 mile walk in the Chilterns, so expect quite a few hills and some steep climbs. It is mainly on good tracks and small lanes, some tracks may be bit a muddy in places. The total ascent will be 1600ft. We will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk.
This is a spectacular walk with some lovely views but be aware it will be challenging with some steep climbs and is only suitable for those with a good standard of walking fitness.
If you are a first timer please read the 'About us...' section on the homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability, if you have any questions please contact the walk leader.
If you can't make the walk please change your RSVP in plenty of time so members on the waiting list can get a chance to come along.
The Details:
Start: Wendover Library car park, High Street Wendover Buckinghamshire HP22 6DU
Walk Starts at 09:30
Parking: This is a pay and display car park but it is FREE on Sundays and Bank Holidays
Distance: 12 Miles
Total Ascent: 1600ft
Walk Time: Approx 4 hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: There will be a break at about the halfway point so bring lunch and a drink. The pubs in Wendover will be open at the end of the walk.
Public Toilets: There are toilets available in the carpark at the start and end of the walk.
Hill walking and Hiking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
For further information Contact Nick[masked]
- Nick
- Nicola
- Nigel H
- 21 attendees
Past events (550)
- Andy F.
- Andy
- Geraldine K.
- 8 attendees
