About us
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 wish.
Come and join us, meet some like minded people, 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 so we can put a name to a face when you attend a walk and 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 Meetup organiser fees. Payment is made at the start of each walk. Payment details can be found for each individual walk.
• Hiking and hillwalking can be demanding. Each individual member is responsible for their own actions and involvement.
You are welcome to bring along a guest to a walk but they will be your responsibility and must be over 16 years of age.
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.
This is mainly to ensure the walks are safe, inclusive, and easy to manage for everyone. Some members may feel uncomfortable around dogs, or may feel unsafe, especially if we encounter livestock during our walks.
If you have any further questions about the club, please don't hesitate to contact the organiser for more information.
We look forward to welcoming you on a walk soon.
Upcoming events
9
- £3.00
Stowe to Silverstone 12 mile Circular walk
Stowe Trust Gardens, MK18 5EQ, Buckingham, GBDetails
A new walk for BWC. Starting from the National Trust Stowe Gardens car park walking along the Ouse Valley Way to Biddlesden then on to the southwest corner of the Silverstone race track, but don't expect to see any race cars although you will probably hear them if they are going round the circuit! returning along the tree lined avenue through Stowe Woods. We only walk around the perimeter of Stowe Gardens, but you will get glimpses of some of the temples, obelisks, and follies within the garden.What to Expect
A 12 mile walk predominantly on footpaths, bridleways (mostly around field boundaries), and farm tracks with a few short sections on quiet roads, we will be crossing a few fields which may have been ploughed and might be muddy if we have had any recent rain and some of the paths may be overgrown, a few of the fields may contain cattle or sheep. There will be some gentle hills but there are no steep climbs, the total walk ascent is around 450ft (140m), and we will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk, i.e. walking each mile in under 20 minutes.This is an enjoyable walk with not many ascents but due to the distance will be quite challenging and requires 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.
The Finer Points
Start point: Stowe Gardens National Trust Car Park, Stowe Avenue, Chackmore, Bucks MK18 5EQ.
Walk Starts: 09:30 am
Parking: National Trust car park currently free, but please car share if possible. Head towards the arch (shown in the photo) turning right just before it and follow the signs to the car park. The first few parking bays are for disabled drivers and electric cars only.
What3Words: https://what3words.com/tilts.polite.albatross
Distance: 12 Miles
Total Ascent: 450 ft (140m)
Walk Time: Approx. 5 hrs (including breaks)
Refreshments: We will be having a break around the halfway point in Buttockspire Wood! so bring a drink and a snack.
Public Toilets: There should be public toilets available at the NT café at the end of the walk, Note; the café doesn’t open until 10am.
Cost: There is a £3.00 charge payable in CASH ONLY please at the start of the walk to cover the walk leader expenses.
Sorry no dogs allowed.
Hiking and hill walking 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.
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.For further information contact Andrew, the walk leader Mob. 07778 041 848
12 attendees - £3.00
Barton-Le-Clay Circular - 13 Miles
Old Road, Bedford, GBThis is a lovely and varied walk, with a few challenging hills to tackle, around the countryside surrounding Barton Le Clay. The route passes through nature reserves, villages, farmland and has some great views.
What to expect
A 13 mile walk through woodland and open fields mainly on good paths and small lanes, some may be a bit muddy and overgrown in places. There will be a few hills and some steep climbs with a total ascent of around 1200ft. 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.
The finer Details
Start Point: Old Road, Barton-le-Clay, MK45 4LB
If you are not sure where it is, please follow the directions using google maps from the Meetup app.Walk Starts: 9.30am. Please arrive early enough to give yourself time to gear up and book in.
If you are going to be late please let the walk leader know or we may leave without you.
Parking: There is roadside parking alongside the recreation ground.
Distance: 13 miles
Total Ascent: 1200ft
Time: Approx 5 hrs (includes stoppages)
Charge: There is a £3:00 charge for the walk to cover the admin costs of the walk leader, payable when we meet.
Payment is by cash or card/contactless.
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.
Due to the possibility of encountering livestock we have a no dogs policy on all of our walks.
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.
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.For further information Contact: Nick 07739801881
11 attendees - £3.00
Aspley heath and the Greensand Ridge 12.5 Mile Walk
Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, GBA lovely, mainly woodland walk, though the heathland, woodland and countryside between Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzard. We will be walking through the ancient woodland, rare heathland and areas of SSSI around Aspley Woods the Greensand Ridge, Kings wood and Rammamere heath.
What to Expect
A 12.5 mile circular walk mainly on good tracks and small lanes. At this time of year some tracks will be muddy in places. There will be a few hills to tackle with a total ascent of around 1300ft. We will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk.This walk is quite challenging due the amount of ascent and distance and a few steep climbs. 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.
The Finer Points
Start point: The village of Little Brickhill. We will meet on Watling Street by the small roundabout at the Southern end of the village just off the A5. Nearest postcode MK17 9NZ. Please follow the directions on the Meetup App if you are unsure of where it is.
Walk Starts: 09:30, Please arrive early enough to give yourself time to gear up and book in.
If you are going to be late please let the walk leader know or we may leave without you.
Parking: Park on the road
Distance: 12.5 Miles
Total Ascent: 1300ft
Walk Time: Approx 4.5hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: We will be having a break around the halfway point so bring a warm drink and a snack.
There is a £3:00 charge for the walk to cover the admin costs of the walk leader, payable when we meet.
Payment is by cash or card/contactless.
Toilets: There are no public toilets available on this walk.
Due to the possibility of encountering livestock we have a no dogs policy on all of our walks.
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. 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.
For further information Contact Nick 07739801881
15 attendees
Past events
751
