WESSEX WANDERER RAIL WALKS 2008

Please Note

1   Train times given were correct at the time of going to press, but can be subject to change. Please

     check the train times before travelling.  National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950

2   Most trains used now stop at Filton Abbey Wood (but please check if interested)

3   On linear walks return tickets are required from the furthest railway station (marked *)

4   Some walks will entail a wait for the arrival of the Up train

5   Generally Bristol to Weymouth (Heart of Wessex) trains are used

6   Group Tickets:  up to four people travelling together go for the price of two

7   Sorry but no dogs

 

 

Saturday 7 June                                             Picnic or Pub Lunch     Leisurely

Circular 7 mile walk. Bristol: Byzantine, classical, poster modern, with opinionated commentary and sedative cider.  From Bristol Temple Meads station at 11.29.  Meet leader outside station

Leader:            Peter Gould, Bristol Group – 0117 9733059

 

Wednesday 11 June                                       Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth arriving 10.55

Circular 8 mile walk.  Bus from Weymouth to Portland.  Walk to include Portland Castle, coastal paths and bus back to Weymouth from Portland Bill.  (Bring bus pass if you have one)

Return train from Weymouth 17.30   Leader: Austin Knock, South Dorset Group – 01305 788467

 

Saturday 14 June                                           Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Yeovil Pen Mill arriving 10.06

Circular 8 mile walk from Sherborne.  Bus to Sherborne then visiting Gainsborough Hill, North Wootton, Sherborne Estate. Return by bus to Yeovil (Bring bus pass if you have one)

Return train from Yeovil Pen Mill 16.57. Leaders:  Ken and Audrey Worden, South Dorset Group – 01935 389840

 

Wednesday 18 June                                       Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Bradford-on-Avon* arriving 10.22

Linear 10 mile walk from Bradford on Avon to Bath via Limpley Stoke and Frome Valleys – hills and views. Can be shortened to 5 miles by returning from Freshford by arrangement with leader

Return train from Bath 17.07.  Leader: Margaret, Bristol Group – 0117 9441761

 

Saturday 21 June                                           Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Maiden Newton arriving 10.31

Circular 10 mile hilly walk to Staggs Folly, Cattistock and Higher Chalmington. This is Maiden Newton¹s ³War² weekend with lots going on the village  (www.maidennewtonatwar.co.uk)

Return train from Maiden Newton 17.56.  Leaders: Kevin Aplin and Susan Blake, South Dorset Group - 01305 263759

 

Wednesday 25 June                                       Picnic lunch      Drinks Stop      Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Upwey* arriving 10.49

Linear 9 mile undulating walk from Upwey to Dorchester via the pretty village of Martinstown and on to Poundbury for tea stop

Return train from Dorchester 17.44.  Leaders: Dave Ace - 01305 787790 and Derek Munts - 01305 784668, South Dorset Group

 

Saturday 28 June                                           Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:  09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Avoncliffe arriving 10.19

Circular 10 mile figure of eight walk via Farleigh Hungerford in morning and Kennet & Avon Canal to Conkwell and Winsley.  By arrangement with leader, walkers can join or leave at Avoncliff

Return train from Avoncliffe 17.49.  Leader:  Erin Bland, Bristol Group

 

Wednesday 2 July                                          Picnic lunch   Drinks Stop         Moderate        

Linear 9 walk from Keynsham Railway Station* at 11.18.  Bus to High Littleton and return through pleasant wooded North Somerset countryside.(Bring bus pass if you have one)

Leader:  Bryan Butlin, Bristol Group – 01761 490599

 

Saturday 5 July                                              Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:  08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Bruton arriving 09.49

Linear 12 mile walk from Bruton to Castle Cary via Lamyatt, Ditcheat and Alford

Return train from Castle Cary* 17.11. Leader:  Carl Earl, South Somerset Group – 01460 30163

 

Wednesday 9 July                                          Picnic lunch                  Strenuous

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Maiden Newton arriving 10.31

Circular 11 mile walk to Sydling St Nicholas and Cerne Abbas

Return train from Maiden Newton 17.55.  Leader:  Jack Cade, Devon Area – 01626 854170

           

Saturday 12 July                                            Picnic lunch                  Leisurely

Train:  10.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath arriving 11.07

Circular 8 mile walk along the Bath Skyline. Hilly at first, then flat and then downhill. Meet leader outside station

Return train from Bath 17.08.  Leader:  Marietta Starbuck, Bath Group – 01225 333295

 

Wednesday 16 July                                        Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:  08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Frome arriving 09.38

Circular 10 mile undulating walk of fields, woods and roads taking in Rodden, Corsley, Chapmanslade and Berkley

Return train from Frome 16.29.  Leaders:  Sandra Hopkins and Dave Wilcox, Mendip and West Wiltshire Groups – 01373 301797.

 

Saturday 19 July                                            Picnic lunch      Drinks Stop      Leisurely

Train: 10.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Keynsham arriving 10.56

Linear 7 mile attractive route of railways and rivers, via Avon Valley to Saltford and Avon Walkway to Newbridge. Bus from Newbridge to Bath or Keynsham for return train. (Bring bus pass if you have one). Return train from Bath* 17.07, Keynsham 1717.  Leader:  Norman Browne, South Somerset Group – 01935 479129

 

Wednesday 23 July                            Picnic or Pub Lunch    Possible Drinks Stop       Moderate

Train: 09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Bradford-on-Avon* arriving 10.22

Linear 9 mile walk by the canal to Avoncliff, up to Winsley, Conkwell descending to Avon Valley at Warleigh, then via Dundas Aqueduct to Freshford

Return train from Freshford 16.55.  Leader:  Ted Walker, Bath Group - 01225 866457

 

Saturday 26 July

Details from the leader

Leader:  Norman Till, Bristol Group -01225 872306

 

Wednesday 30 July                                        Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:  09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Chetnole arriving 11.29

Linear 10/11 mile walk from Chetnole to Maiden Newton via Gore Hill and Sydling St Nicholas. Some hilly sections

Return train Maiden Newton* 17.55.  Leader:  Sylvia Popham, Avon Area – 0117 9793828

 

Saturday 2 August                                          Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Circular 8 mile walk from Bristol Temple Meads station at 11.29 using the Bristol South Circular Walk through open spaces, woods, Arnos Vale Cemetery and the River Avon.  Meet leader outside station. Leader:  Julie Boston, Bristol Group – 0117 9428637

 

Wednesday 6 August                          Picnic lunch      Drinks Stop      Moderate        

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Chetnole arriving 10.20

Linear 11 mile walk from Chetnole to Maiden Newton through park and farmland, visiting Melbury Bubb, Evershot, Rampisham and Chilfrome

Return train from Maiden Newton* 17.55. Leader:  Kate Gocher, South Dorset Group – 01305 772126

 

Saturday 9 August                              Picnic lunch                              Strenuous

Train:   08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Frome* arriving 09.38

Linear 12 mile walk to from Frome to Bradford on Avon via Orchardleigh Park, Lullington, Rode and Westwood

Return train from Bradford on Avon 17.49.  Leader:  Jim Grant, Bristol Group – 0117 9573450

 

Wednesday 13 August                                                Picnic lunch                  Strenuous

Train:  08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Maiden Newton arriving 10.31

Linear 11 mile walk from Maiden Newton to Dorchester via Hoggs Clyffe, Bushes Bottom, Jackmans Cross and Charminster

Return train from Dorchester* 17.55.  Leader:  Jack Cade, Devon Area – 01626 854170

 

 

Saturday 16 August                                        Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Castle Cary arriving 09.54

Circular 7 mile walk in and around Castle Cary

Return Train from Castle Cary 17.11.  Leader:  Marge Thomas, Norton Radstock Group – 01761 436398

 

Wednesday 20 August                                                Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:   08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Upwey* arriving 10.49

Linear 10 mile walk from Upwey to Dorchester along the Jubilee Trail to Corton and Martinstown

Return train from Dorchester 17.44.  Leaders: Val Ingram, East Dorset Group - 01202 731363 and Sue Blake, South Dorset Group - 01305 263759

 

Saturday, 23 August

Details to be confirmed

 

Wednesday 27 August                                                Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:  09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Bradford-on-Avon arriving 10.22

Circular 9 mile walk via River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal to Staverton Marina, Staverton village, outskirts of Holt and Bradforde Leigh and Woolley Green

Return train from Bradford on Avon 17.29  Leaders: Barrie & Angela Womersley, West Wilts Group – 01225 866671

 

Saturday 30 August                                        Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:   08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Upwey arriving 10.48

Linear 10 miles walk from Upwey to Weymouth via Buckland Ripers and Fleet to Wyke Regis alongside the Fleet Lagoon

Return train from Weymouth* 17.30.  Leader:  Sylvia Popham, Avon Area – 0117 9793828

 

Wednesday 3 September                               Picnic lunch    Drinks Stop        Moderate        

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Frome arriving 09.38

Circular 9 mile walk via Cley Hill, Longleat Park, Corsley Heath, Lane End and Rodden

Return train from Frome 16.29.  Leader:  Neil Burlton, Bristol Group – 0117 9096062

 

Saturday 6 September                                                Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Castle Cary arriving 09.54

Circular 12 mile walk following Macmillan Way, West to East Lydford and returning along the River Brue

Return train from Castle Cary 17.11. Leader:  Carl Earl, South Somerset Group – 01460 30163

 

Wednesday 10 September                             Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Bradford-on-Avon* arriving 10.22

Linear 10 mile walk from Bradford-on-Avon to Bath through the Avon and Midford valleys,  Westwood, Freshford, Midford, Stoke, Monkton Combe and Widcombe

Return train 17.07.  Leaders:  Barrie & Angela Womersley, West Wilts Group – 01225 866671

 

Saturday 13 September                                  Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 08.40 from Bristol Temple Mead to Upwey arriving 10.49

Linear 9 mile walk from Upwey to Weymouth via Nottington and Buckland Ripers to East Fleet, Chickerell and Radipole RSPB Reserve

Return train from Weymouth* 17.30.  Leaders:  Dave Ace -  01305 787790 and Derek Munts -  01305 784668, South Dorset Group

 

Wednesday 17 September                             Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train: 10.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Oldfield Park arriving 11.03

Linear 9 mile walk from Oldfield Park to Bath. Somerset and Dorset railway, idyllic Bath fringe.  

Return train from Bath* 17.07.  Leader:  Peter Gould, Bristol Group – 0117 9733059

 

Saturday 20 September                                  Picnic lunch                  Moderate

Train:  08.40 from Bristol Temple Meads to Maiden Newton arriving 10.31

Linear 11 mile walk from Maiden Newton to Dorchester via Sydling St Nicholas, Godmanstone and River Cerne

Return train from Dorchester* 17.44.  Leader:  Jim Grant, Bristol Group -0117 9573450

 

 

 

 

Wednesday  24 September                            Picnic lunch      Drinks Stop      Moderate        

Train:  09.49 from Bristol Temple Meads to Yetminster arriving 11.25

Circular 9 mile easy walk to Bradford Abbas followed by some gentle hills to Thornford and Lillington

Return train from Yetminster 18.06 Leader:  Sylvia Popham, Avon Area – 0117 9793828

 

Saturday 27 September                                  Picnic lunch                              Strenuous

Linear 17 mile epic walk to end the season from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath following the River Avon Trail.  Keynsham is the midway point (8.5 miles) and by arrangement with the leader walkers can start or finish there

Return train from Bath 18.06.  Leader:           Ann Light, Bristol and Severnside Groups -0117 9798628