FFW: Cotswolds / Broadway Tower Loop (VERY hilly 7-mile hike)

This event is the rescheduled, much-loved, Broadway Tower hike in the Cotswolds which was cancelled in December due to stormy weather.
Please read this event description in full, as there are some important details to know.

Be warned that there is good news and bad news about this event.
The bad news first : This route is in the top three most challenging hikes that the Friendly Faces have ever undertaken.
As usual this route has been tested beforehand, and throughout the route there are three tough ascents - the first of which endures for around a mile and is sure to beat anyone who is not a fit and able regular hill-walker. Please consider this before clicking the attend button. Running out of energy and giving up half way is not an option, and having to keep stopping for long breaks will not make you popular with the other attendees.
As a point of reference - if you have conquered other very challenging / undulating 7/8-mile hikes with the Friendly Faces (such as the Malvern Hills or Burton Dassett routes) without any problems - then you should be ok with this one as well, but please be warned that this hike is not for the Sunday strollers.
If anyone would like more detail on the specifics of the difficulty level of this hike, please drop me a message and I'll be happy to discuss.

The good news : This route is the most scenic hike that the Friendly Faces has ever undertaken.
Make no mistake, the reward for battling up those tough hills is an abundance of quite incredible scenery. Anyone who has walked in the Cotswolds countryside before will tell you that its a special place, this superb route is a perfect introduction and has to be seen to be believed.
If you are a regular walker, you can be sure of a stunning day out exploring some of the finest countryside that this country has to offer.. Amazing scenery, picturesque views, fresh air in your lungs, the sound of birds singing and cattle in the distance... nature at its finest.
An incredible outdoorsy place that will leave you in need of a good sit down and rest at the end, and you'll feel a warm satisfied glow at having seen it and conquered it.

The town of Broadway directly south from Birmingham (not to be confused with Broadgate Park in Leicester which is another popular similarly named Friendly Faces hiking route) is beautiful, and there are several carparks scattered around the town, however each one is small and therefore often busy. It is recommended that you visit them in the order listed below.
The meet point is a 20-minute walk away from all of the car parks, so you are strongly advised to plan to arrive in town at least half an hour early so that you've got 30 minutes to find a parking space and then to walk over to the meet point. Its not nice to make the group wait because you didn't plan your journey. If you don't make it to the starting point for midday we'll start without you.

Need a lift?...
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift to and from the starting point, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Do that now, because leaving that question until the last few days before the event is too late.
Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.

Other things to note...
- Unfortunately dogs are not allowed 🐶❌ to attend this event due to there being lots of wild animals and livestock all along the route.
- At this event you'll have a fantastic outdoorsy afternoon out, you'll meet a like-minded group of super-social Friendly Faces (including first-timers as always) and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to make new acquaintances / connections along the way.
- Trainers will not suffice for this route. I do my best to advise people in the event descriptions to invest in good, purpose-made, ankle-protecting footwear, and there are always a few who either ignore it or don't read it and arrive in trainers. Don't let that be you.
- This is one of several hiking events that you are welcomed and encouraged to join as we all keep fit and active, and soak up the amazing English countryside.

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions.
If not - click the big red "Attend" button now to be kept in the loop, and so you don't forget.
If you're a fan of good quality challenging hikes, then trust me when I say that this will be a truly amazing day out that you will not forget.

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS

1. To find out how to become a full Friendly Faces group member, read here... https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/
2. This event starts at 12:00. Do not be late. Make sure you arrive early enough to get parked, and be ready at the start point for this time or we may leave without you.
3. To attend this hiking event you must be physically active, in good health, and free from injury. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.
4. Dogs are NOT allowed 🐶❌ to attend this event.
5. Trainers (or walking shoes that do not cover your ankles) will not suffice for this route, so please bring (or invest in) some good quality ankle-protecting waterproof footwear. This is an essential requirement for attending this hike.