Friendly Faces of Warwickshire

Lets take full advantage of the amazing summer weather lately and get outdoors for this fantastic looping route around Kenilworth and experience its highly-acclaimed reputation on the walkers grapevine.

Starting and ending at Abbey End Car Park (CV8 1QJ) we'll cover a looping route that strings together the best parts of a few other tried and tested routes, soaking up all the outstanding beauty in the area.
Add in an outdoorsy group of super-social Friendly Faces (both first-timers and regulars) to make some new connections with along the way, and it'll be a cracking day out for all.

When we reach the end, we'll top it off with a well earned sit down in Lil Greens (right next to the car park) for a refreshing drink (and if anyone is hungry - a bite to eat from the Wetherspoons-style menu) and chill out over a bit more chatter with our new-found connections.

Hit the 'Attend' button now so you don't forget.

Getting there...
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Leaving that question until the day before the event is probably too late. Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.
If you are a driver, Kenilworth is x minutes drive away...
Warwick 11; Leamington 15; Coventry 15; Stratford 25; Rugby 30; Central Birmingham 35.

Other things to note...
- Dogs are allowed, kids must be 18 or over.
- Anyone bringing dogs, keep them on a lead and remember that some people can be fearful of dogs and be hiding it well, so be respectful of that.
- Bring a homemade sandwich and a drink / snacks and we'll pick a suitable spot along the route to post up for a quick break and a munch.
- Compared to other walks of late, the terrain is very easy-going, however there is the odd spot that will be muddy at this time of year where rain has lingered, so ditch the trainers and don your waterproof walking boots anyway.

Oh and parking...
I strongly suggest that all drivers install the RingGo app on your phone before the day, and use it to pay £4 for four hours in the car park when you get there. This should be comfortably enough time to complete the walk, but just in case (or if you want to hang out in the pub for a bit) you can always add an hour or more remotely from your phone if needed. Or you could just pay £7 for 24 hours and not worry about it.

Looking forward to it!

This started as just a few people managing to grab the last few tickets with them running out at the start of the week - but I'm pleased to say that due to popular demand the venue has released another 50 tickets, meaning we can now elevate this to the status of a fully-fledged dance-music-lover's meetup!

So click the link below now and read up on the official details for this central Leamington night out of dancing (as organised by Joanna) - Soul house / funk / disco vibes across two rooms with a fine selection of local DJs to get your hips moving.
You'll also find a link on this page to buy your ticket - a bargain at just £13.50 each.
A growing bunch of Friendly Faces ticket-holders are hoping you'll get yours bought and join the occasion.

Make sure you're at the Old Library ready for a 7pm departure, whereupon the group will walk up the street and into the venue together.

As promised, here is the official event page which has all the details.
Don't wait!...
https://hypehousedj.uk/event/soul-house-summer-sessions/

The first-timers and regulars who have joined one of the many Friendly Faces trips to EdgeHill will tell you its a belter.
A few people suggested going round it in reverse to view all that stunning scenery the other way round, which we did last time and it had rave reviews, so lets do it again!
Whether you're a first-timer or a regular, and whether you've done this route before or not, you should definitely get yourself along.

Read on for the original event description for this route, which all still applies...

Starting and ending outside the Castle pub (OX15 6DJ) we'll trek round a tried and tested 7-mile looping route that strings together amazing scenery and stunning long-distance views over the surrounding landscape.

When we reach the end (which is right where we started) we'll top it off with a well earned sit down in the amazing pub garden for a refreshing drink / relax over a bit more chatter with our new-found connections.

Hit the 'Attend' button now so you don't forget.

What you can expect...
Having led the group around this route several times throughout 2023, 24 and 25, I can confirm it is one of the best. The sound of silence is broken only by the wind in the trees, the tweeting of distant birds, or by a startled deer scampering the full width of an open field and into the safety of the vast woodland.
As its name suggests - we will encounter a few hilly areas scattered throughout the route which can generate a bit of puffing, but that shouldn't be an issue if you are walk-fit.

Getting there...
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Leaving that question until the day before the event is probably too late. Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.
If you are a driver, the meet-point is x minutes drive away...
Stratford 14; Warwick 15; Leamington 15; Rugby 24; Coventry 27; Central Birmingham 39.

Other things to note...
- Dogs are not allowed on this route.
- Young'uns must not be younger than 18.
- Bring a homemade sandwich and a drink / snacks and we'll pick a suitable spot along the route to post up for a quick break and a munch.
- As I always say - ditch the trainers and don your ankle-protecting walking boots. If you dont have any - get yourself down to your nearest mountain warehouse or trespass and invest in a pair so that you're equipped for Friendly Faces hiking now and in the future.

Oh and parking...
Completely free on the roadside outside the pub, and there's plenty of it in this remote location. Even if its busy outside the pub, just park further down the road (or round the corner if necessary) and walk back up to the pub where we'll meet out front.

We're all looking forward to seeing you there!