Ramblers Association
The North Hampshire Downs Ramblers group, is part of the Ramblers Association, we walk mostly in Hampshire and the surrounding countryside. In the last few months our walks have included a number of both day and weekend activities.
Over the last two years our programme of walks has included walking the Capital Ring, which is a signed walk around London. Anyone who has been up the London Eye when there’s good visibility will know that there’s a ring of hills around London. The Capital Ring follows these hills. While this has the disadvantage that the walk is therefore very hilly for an urban walk, it also has the advantage of some wonderful views – including some from angles never normally seen. The walk started in Woolwich on 13th October 2012 and finished at the same location on 7th June 2014 the group walked all around London in roughly seven, 12 mile sections – including over the Thames at Richmond and under it at Woolwich.
There have also been many local walks , we walk approximately 6 miles on a Tuesday and have walked around Wokingham, Mattingley, Home Farm estate and Bradley to name but a few. On a Saturday this is usually a longer walk and although often in the Basingstoke vicinity, they can be further afield. We have enjoyed trips to Christchurch, the New Forest, London and many more.
The group has also had weekends away, one to Swanage , where members of the group had a three day break around the Purbeck peninsula taking in Swanage and Corfe Castle and of course Old Harry Rock , and another trip to Buxton taking in Buxton Country Park, Solomon’s temple and other landmarks in the area.
As well as the walks, the group also enjoys some social activities:- a picnic was held in July at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, a walk up Butser Hill to enjoy the views and breeze was followed by a shared picnic. There is a regular ‘boys’ lunch at various local hostelries and usually a Christmas Lunch.
The group have an active path patrol group, who report problems to the local council and also do some work on the paths, which can be as varied as checking waymarking and replacing waymarking discs, minor clearing or even repairing stiles and gates. To date this group has replaced 20 gates in conjunction with the local council.
If you are interested in finding out more about the North Hampshire Downs group, there is more information on our Website.
http://www.ramblersnhd.hampshire.org.uk.
If you are new to walking and want to give us a try, or already walk, you would be given a very warm welcome by the Group. We hope to see you soon!
If you are interested in joining the Ramblers we suggest you come along for a couple of walks with the group first to get a taster. Membership details are available from the Ramblers’ national website:
Related Links: www.ramblersnhd.hampshire.org.uk
