FFW: Leamington parks, along the canal to Warwick and back (7-mile hike)

To start this special Friendly Faces double-hike Bank Holiday weekend, get your name down for this first one - a very easy-going local hike through much-loved parks and scenic beauty-spots.
Either read on for the event description, or save time and watch this 2-minute briefing video that explains all you need to know about this event, which I recorded just before we did this route for the first time in early 2024...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlHc9LNwRhc

Check out this tried and tested, flat, local route - guaranteed to help you tick your boxes to (a) get out more, and (b) meet more people.
This hike will take in the amazing parks and countryside scenery right on our doorstep, starting in central Leamington, trekking along the footpaths out of town, all the way out to St Nicholas' park in Warwick, before returning to the start point in Leamington again.

This is a superb route which will get you outdoors, breathing the fresh air and rubbing shoulders with like-minded Friendly Faces group members - both new and regular.

Despite the fantastic views and peaceful natural beauty throughout the route, please be warned that at 7 miles this is not a short stroll and you should not sign up if you have any recurring injuries that could flare up, or you do not have a good level of stamina for physical and enduring exercise for this distance.

We will take a half-way stop outside the cafe in St Nicholas park to consume one or more of...
- a home-made sandwich,
- an icecream (from the shop), or
- a coffee (from the shop)
...and then when we finish we'll take a well-earned sit down and drink back at the Newbold Comyn Arms pub.

We'll meet in the free-to-park Newbold Comyn overflow carpark to commence. (not the one outside the pub)
You are strongly advised to plan to arrive in town at least 15 minutes early so that you've got time to find a parking space and get yourself ready to start. (boots on, etc)
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 on-time 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 Newbold Comyn Arms 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 start-point is x minutes drive away...
Leamington 0; Warwick 3; Coventry 11; Stratford 12; Rugby 16; Central Birmingham 30.
Don't forget to factor in any pickups on the way.
ALWAYS plan your journey and check for traffic (first thing in the morning) on the day!

I really hope you can make this relatively easy Friendly Faces walk.
Notwithstanding the warm and sociable Friendly Faces group members (first-timers and regulars) that you will share this experience with - this is a very pleasant walking route out in the local countryside, providing scenery and company well worth coming along for.

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

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions in the meantime.

Important Note : Attending both hiking events this weekend is only for the hardcore among you, the second is one of our most challenging routes. So if you haven't hiked this distance for a while, it's really not a good idea to attend both.
Getting half way through a route and then announcing you are unable to go further would mean the event cannot continue for anyone, and you will not be popular.

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. Well-behaved dogs ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend, however emphasis on the words "Well-behaved". Keep your dog close-to-heel and do not allow him or her to run amok.
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.