Hike For Charity

Cotswold capers ~ one or two days

Sat, Aug 1 · 10:00 AM BST

Location not specified yet

Do this walk because - it's the Cotswolds! What more do you need 😊

This will be a busy weekend with lots of hills, so please be prepared.

The two walks combined will cover what is generally known as 'The Five Valleys Walk'

Saturday hike
Type ~ Part 1 of a two day circular route around Stroud.
Start walk ~ 10am from Stroud railway station.
Hiking time approx. 6hrs
Hike distance ~ 20km
Total ascent ~ 473m
Note: We plan to take a short (4km) bus ride at the start & finish of this walk. You could avoid the bus at the end by walking instead.

Sunday hike
Type ~ Part 2 of a two day circular route around Stroud.
Start walk ~ 10am from Stroud railway station.
Hiking time approx. 6 hrs
Hike distance ~ 20km
Total ascent ~ 511m

Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk Description
You have to see for yourself. Words don't do justice.

Meeting at
Outside Stroud railway station.
We'll start walking at 10am.
Note: If the train from Paddington is late & you message us we'll delay the start of the walk(s) until 10.20am. There may be bus or taxi options to catch up with us if you arrive after we have set off.

Travel
If you’re travelling to Stroud from London, get the train from London Paddington.

Another option is to travel with Carl R in his 7 seater vehicle. He'll be picking up from Reading Central railway station on Friday.
Contact Carl for details.

Getting back to London
Over the weekend, there's approximately one train an hour going back to Paddington from Stroud.

Another option is with Carl R in his 7 seater vehicle with pick up from Stroud railway station on Sunday & drop off at Reading Central Railway station.
Contact Carl for details.

If you are driving
Parking in Stroud is the best option.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊

The Thames Path, Part 3. (16 Miles/26KM)

Sat, Aug 22 · 11:30 AM BST

Location not specified yet

Do this walk because - its a great way to see the River Thames and follow its flow from the beautiful Cotswolds towards London.

We plan to complete the 292 km distance in about 20 single-day walks over a 24 month period. Estimated completion is May 2028.

We're doing this hike with Variety is the Spice Meetup group. Carl R will lead the walk.

Walk facts (Stage 3)
Form: Linear walk from Lechlade to Newbridge.
Distance: Approximately 16 miles / 26km
Duration: Walking time circa 6.5 hours.
Grade: Moderate. This is the longest of the Thames Path walks in our schedule & we have some time constraints for public transport. During wet weather the paths can become muddy.
Donation to GOSH: £5 cash on the day.
What to take: A packed lunch and plenty of water.
Also, we're not insured, so please have your own insurance for this type of activity.

Walk Description
Our route will generally follow the Thames Path. We will be walking in the direction of flow of the River Thames.
Places of interest include:
The Trout Inn Lechlade
St Johns Lock - Visit the highest lock on the River Thames
Radcot Bridge
Tadpole Bridge
Tenfoot Bridge
New Bridge

Meeting at
Outside Lechlade Post Office.
We'll be outside the Post Office at 11.30am.
We'll start walking at 11.35am.

Travel
If you’re travelling from London, you’ve two options:
Option 1 — Join Carl at Reading (car + bus)

• Carl departs Reading Central railway station at 9am in a 7‑seater.
• He’ll drive to Witney, then take the bus to Lechlade.
• Reserve a seat with Carl if you’d like a lift.
• A £5 donation is requested for the return journey to help cover costs (this is separate to your walk donation to GOSH).
  Note: It may be possible to pick up at Didcot Parkway railway station at approximately 9. 35am.

Option 2 — Travel directly to Lechlade

• If you prefer, go straight to Lechlade Post Office, GL7 3AD to meet us at 11.30am.

Getting back to London
If you’re travelling to London, you’ve two options:
Option 1 — Bus+Car+Train

• Bus from Newbridge to Witney.
• Join Carl in the 7 seat vehicle to Reading Central railway station.
• Reserve a seat with Carl if you’d like a lift. A £5 donation is requested to help cover costs (this is separate to your walk donation to GOSH).
  Note: It may be possible to drop at Didcot Parkway railway station.

Option 2 — Bus+Train
Bus from Newbridge to Oxford.
Train from Oxford to Paddington or Marylebone.

If you are driving
Parking at Witney is probably a good option.

KEY INFORMATION
YOU MUST READ THE THREE SECTIONS BELOW - if you join this trip, you're confirming that you have.

1. The perilous bit
2. Our FAQs, including an explanation of Group save tickets which will save you money.
3. See here for what to wear and take. Specifically make sure you bring good hiking boots and that you are ready for muddy conditions . Please - no trainers, they are not suitable for walking in the wintry muddy conditions.

AND FINALLY

• We're raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

We’ll deduct Meetup fees but all the profits will go to GOSH. After each hike, we’ll let you know exactly how much we’ve all raised. And if you’d like to join us and raise money by leading some hikes, please get in touch – the more the merrier 😊