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

A super-last-minute hike for this coming Sunday...
One of the all-time favourite routes of the Friendly Faces, however, 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 hiking routes undertaken by the Friendly Faces.
As usual this route has been tested beforehand, and we have completed it many times. However, throughout the route there are three VERY tough ascents - the first of which climbs gradually for about half a mile and just when you think its over a few flights of steps need to be conquered too to reach the top. This first incline alone is sure to beat anyone who is not a fit and able regular hill-walker, and as mentioned - another two challenging 'lung-buster' hills await you further on in the route.
Please consider this before clicking the attend button. Running out of energy and giving up half way through this route is not an option, and having to keep stopping for long breaks because your stamina is low will not make you popular with the other attendees.
As a point of reference - if you have conquered our 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 definitely not for casual strollers.
If anyone would like to know more on the difficulty level of this hike, please drop me a message and I'll be happy to describe.

The good news : This route is in the top 3 most scenic hiking routes undertaken by the Friendly Faces..
Make no mistake, the reward for battling up those tough hills is an abundance of quite incredible scenery. Anyone who has visited the Cotswolds before will tell you that it is a special place, this superb route is a perfect introduction to this area of natural beauty, and it 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 of Birmingham is beautiful, and there are several car-parks scattered around the town, however each one is small and therefore often busy. It is recommended that you look for street parking where possible (making sure to check the signs).
Failing that, look for a space in the car-parks in the order of priority listed below.
Also worthy of note - 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 time to find a parking space and walk 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 will start without you.

When we are done we will have our traditional well-earned sit down and refreshing drink, this time in the awesome outdoor garden of the wetherspoons-style bar on the high street in the town before heading home.

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.

Drivers...
If you are a driver, the town of Broadway is x minutes drive away...
Stratford 30; Warwick 42; Leamington 49; Coventry 51; Central Birmingham 60; Rugby 65.
Don't forget to factor in any pickups on the way, and also add half an hour extra upon arrival.
ALWAYS plan your journey and check for traffic on the day!

Other things to note...
- 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 insist in all hiking event descriptions that you 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. If you do not wish to be permanently removed from the group for defying this rule then be sure to invest in some boots before attending.
- 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.

Meet-point (Broadway Memorial) :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ehon62iLAc2aAeQ98

1st-choice Parking (Milestone Carpark) :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/b4kwBC2NMUr9b8Qf9

2nd-choice Parking (Leamington Road Carpark) :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WycLM9GM65uBfYX9

Parking Note: Due to the limited parking in Broadway, if you are aware of other parking options that you consider reliable enough, then you are encouraged to research and plan for those as you prefer.

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS
1. 'First-timer' attendees are always welcome to come along and check out who we are and how we do things. After that if you wish to return for another one, becoming an official subscribing group-member is necessary, so provided you're (strictly) within the permitted group age range of 25 to 55 qualifying you to join, read the details here...
https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/
2. Be respectfully on time, not disrespectfully late. Make sure you arrive early enough to get parked, and be ready at the start point for this time or we will leave without you. In the past, several people have discovered how unpleasant it is to arrive at a meet-point and find it deserted, only to have to turn around and drive home again. Plan your journey beforehand and check for traffic/roadworks.
3. To attend this hiking event you must be physically active, hike-fit, free from injury, and have experience of covering this distance in one go. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.
4. Dogs are NOT allowed 🐶❌ to attend this event. This is due to close proximity with farm animals and public pathways taking us through farmers land.
5. This is a hiking event, and all attendees are expected to wear proper hiking footwear. No matter how confident/familiar you feel about walking in the countryside - due to the uneven terrain on this route, ankle-protecting waterproof footwear is compulsory.
If you do not currently own any - please invest in a pair in advance. The many Mountain Warehouse stores offer an excellent competitively-priced selection for men and women, so there is no excuse to not be equipped for this event.
Trainers may not protect you from a nasty injury - which could bring an unpopular end to the event for everyone.
(* 2026 UPDATE *) To ensure that all attendees sensibly follow this request respectfully of everyone else : Anyone who injures themselves and is not wearing ankle-protecting hiking footwear will be immediately and permanently removed from the group.