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
19
- £3.00
Ashridge - Whipsnade (12 Mile Circular Walk)
Ashridge Visitor Centre, Berkhamsted, GBIf, like me, following the Christmas festivities, you are eager to stretch your legs, breathe in some fresh air and maybe start to work off a few extra pounds, this lovely walk from Ashridge across the valley to Whipsnade is just what you need. Fantastic woodland, picturesque countryside and pretty villages. This walk takes us away from the usual tracks, to seldom walked and quieter parts of the estate that many of you may not have walked before.
What to Expect
A 12 mile walk mainly on good tracks and small lanes, some tracks will be muddy and uneven in places. There will be a few hills to tackle with a couple of steep climbs and a total ascent of around 1000ft. We will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk.
This walk is reasonably challenging, there are a few hills and some steep sections. 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: Start point is the National Trust, Ashridge Visitor Centre HP4 1LX.
The postcode may not be accurate to please follow the google maps link from the walk page.
Meet at the visitor centre and Café by the green.
Walk Starts: 09:30
Parking: The car park is free
Distance: 12 Miles
Total Ascent: 1000ft
Walk Time: Approx 4.5hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: The Visitor Centre Café is open from 8am if you need anything before we start. We will have a break at the halfway point so bring a (warm) drink and a snack.
There is a £3.00 charge for the walk
Toilets: Toilets will be available at the start and end of the 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. 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 0773980188118 attendees - £3.00
Stockgrove and Rushmere (11 Mile Walk Circular Walk)
Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, GBSituated at the Western tip of the Greensand Ridge, Stockgrove and Rushmere Country Parks cover 400 acres of glorious woodland, heathland and lakes, and with areas of SSSI it is a great place to walk. This 11 Mile circular walk takes us along the Greensand Ridge, around both Country Parks before following the Grand Union Canal and an uphill climb back to our start point.
What to Expect
An 11 mile walk mainly on good tracks and small lanes, some tracks may be muddy and uneven in places. There will be a few steep bits with a total ascent of around 850ft. We will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk.
This walk will be moderately challenging with few short steep sections and a longer climb. It is suitable for anyone with a reasonable 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 not sure where it is.
Walk Starts at: 09:30
Parking: Park on the road
Distance: 11 Miles
Total Ascent: 850ft
Walk Time: Approx 4hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: We will be having a break around the halfway point at Rushmere Visitor Centre so bring a drink and a snack or some cash.
There is a £3.00 charge for the walk, pay cash on the day.
Toilets. There are no Toilets at the beginning of the walk but there are toilets about the half way point at the visitor centre.
No Dogs allowed on the walk.
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 0773980188123 attendees - £3.00
Olney 12 Mile circular walk
Long Stay Car Park, 19 East Stereet, Olney, GBThis circular walk, starting and finishing in the Pretty, historic market town of Olney, begins by passing the impressive Olney Church then alongside and over the River Ouse along the Ouse Valley before heading North following ancient footpaths, lanes and bridleways on the Ouse valley way and Milton Keynes boundary walk, through the beautiful countryside and woodland to the East and North of the town.
What to Expect
A 13 mile walk mainly on good tracks and small lanes, some tracks may be uneven and a little overgrown in places, expect a bit of mud after a period of rain. There will be rolling hills but no steep climbs, total ascent 700ft and we will maintain a pace of just over 3mph.
This is a pleasant, but reasonably challenging walk due to the distance and will be suitable for anyone with a moderate to 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 Details:
Start point - The long stay car park on East Street opposite Fairfield close. Nearest post code MK46 4DP.
All other car parks in the town are limited to 1, 2 or 3hrs.
Walk Starts - at 09:30
Parking - The Long Stay car park on East Street is free.
Distance: 13 Miles
Total Ascent: 700ft
Walk Time: Approx 4.5 hrs (includes stoppages)
There will be a break about the halfway point so bring a drink and a snack.
There are Public toilets available at the start of this walk in Olney Market Square a short walk from the car park.
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.
Contact: Nick 0773980188124 attendees - £3.00
Rowney Warren Circular 11.5 miles
Sandy Lane, Shefford, GBDetails
A lovely circular walk from Rowney Warren passing through Shefford and the pretty village of Campton, Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve, returning via the ruined Old St Mary Church at Clophill and through Chicksands Wood.
What to Expect
An 11.5 mile walk predominantly on footpaths and bridleways (mostly around field boundaries) and some quiet roads, there are a few fields to cross which may be muddy if we have had any recent rain. There are some hills with a few short steep climbs with the total walk ascent of around 500ft (152m), we will maintain a pace of just over 3mph throughout the walk, i.e. walking each mile in under 20 minutes.
This an enjoyable walk with not too many ascents 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 Points
Start point: Rowney Warren Carpark, Sandy Lane, Southill, Shefford SG17 5QB
Note, the postcode covers quiet a large area please use the Google Map Pin or the What3Words link to navigate to the start.
Walk Starts: 09:30am
Parking: Free, in the Rowney Warren Carpark. Note; this is NOT the Chicksands Bike Carpark.
What3Words: https://what3words.com/spearhead.removal.approach
Distance: 11.5 Miles
Total Ascent: 500 ft.
Walk Time: Approx. 4.5 hrs (includes stoppages)
Refreshments: We will be having a break around the halfway point so bring a (warm) drink and a snack.
Public Toilets: There may be public toilets at the Clophill Nature Reserve around the halfway point where we will have our break
Cost: There is a £3.00 charge payable by cash at the start of the 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.
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 84822 attendees
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