Recent National Events
Listed below are details of National events organised in the last 12 months.
BORROWDALE, LAKE DISTRICT 25 - 27 September 2009
Our regular visit to Borrowdale in the Lake District. We have places booked at the Glaramara Outdoor Centre, a purpose-built walking centre, for a 2-day walking weekend.
Accomodation: Glaramara was purpose-built in the 1920s as a walking centre and was used for this purpose by the CHA until 1999. The current owners have made tasteful improvements to the property without losing its feel as an outdoor centre. The centre offers excellent food and comfortable accommodation in a mixture of standard (ie not ensuite) twin and single rooms. (Single rooms will be allocated on a first come first served basis). We have booked a full board package which includes 2 evening meals, breakfasts and packed lunches. The centre has a lounge, a bar, a drying room and a TV room. The weekend will start with dinner on Friday evening.
Meals: All meals are included in the price which also covers the cost of arranging the break.
Walks: There are plenty of great walks available from the doorstep of the centre, although local buses may be used. It is intended to offer a choice of 2 led walks on the Saturday and Sunday. Given that this is the Lake District, expect some climbing, especially on the strenuous walks which may be strenuous and involve more than one ascent. the shorter walks will be more moderate but may still involve some ascent, but will be suitable for anyone who walks on a regular basis. Details of the walks will be given on the Friday evening. It may be necessary to amend the planned walks in the event of poor weather conditions. Volunteers to lead the shorter moderate party walks welcome - ideas for routes can be provided.
Organisers: Julian and Sonia
MATLOCK BATH 16 - 18 October 2009
We have booked the New Bath Hotel in Matlock Bath, which is a luxury hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and (at a small extra charge) a solarium. Matlock Bath is situated in a gorge of the river Derwent in the south-eastern Peak District. The cliffs of the gorge have cable cars to the "Heights of Abraham". According to the council's provisional timetable, there will be Illuminations on land and on the river (the "Venetian Lights" illuminated boats) on the evenings of Friday 16th and Saturday 17th, and fireworks on the evening of Saturday 17th: the total cost of seeing these would be about £4 per night, payable at a ticket kiosk next to the Grand Pavilion (Museum of Mining).
Accommodation: We have allocated to early bookers all 8 single rooms in the New Bath hotel. We have not used up all our reservations for twin and double rooms, but these may have to be surrendered back to the hotel unless we have more deposits from members soon. Unless you indicate otherwise on the booking form, a married couple will be assumed to prefer a double or twin, and everyone else will be assumed to be willing to share a twin on a same sex basis. All rooms are en suite, and the same price applies per person irrespective of the type of room allocated.
Travel Information: The hotel address is New Bath Hotel, New Bath Road, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3PX. New Bath Road is a small road immediately off the west side of the A6, about ½ mile south of Matlock Bath village centre or about ¾ mile south of Matlock Bath Railway Station. Matlock Bath village is about 1½ miles south of Matlock town. There is free parking at New Bath Hotel for those staying there. The free parking in Matlock village is limited to about an hour. There is long stay pay and display at Masson Mill on the A6 a few hundred yards south of the New Bath Hotel.
Meals Only breakfasts are included in the basic price of £74. If you wish for the hotel's (smallish) packed lunches please write "packed lunches" on the booking form, and you will be charged an additional £13.90. Matlock Bath has no supermarket, and nowhere to buy sandwiches early in the day. Evening meals are left to each member to arrange. The hotel does a three course restaurant meal for £15, or bar meals at about £10 for a main course. There are a lot of places to eat in Matlock Bath village, most of them charging about £5 for a main course, but there are some restaurants.
Walks On Saturday there will be a choice of two led walks, of different lengths; and on Sunday there will be probably two, but possibly one, led walk.
Non-Residential Day Walkers Non-Residential Day Walkers should obtain confirmation from the organiser a few days in advance, but the arrangements are likely to be: arrive at the New Bath Hotel car park (having already parked any car somewhere else) at 9.20 am.
Organiser: Chris
IRONBRIDGE GORGE, SHROPSHIRE 4 - 6 December 2009
Our November trip has just slipped into December, but it's well worth coming to the World Heritage site of Ironbridge, with its many historic, early industrial museums. In fact national collections of Coalport china are in the china factory museum next door, there's the Shropshire Canal and the 200-year old Tar Tunnel, a Victorian life museum at Blists Hill and many others. Of course, we will be spending most of the time exploring the attractive Shropshire countryside in our usual manner, which is right on the edge of Ironbridge.
Accommodation. Rated a 3 star Hostel, we have booked Coalport Hostel, which offers a 'good level' of comfortable accommodation and excellent home-cooked food on a full board basis, including packed lunches. The Hostel was refurbished during early 2009.
How to Get There Telford Railway Station is 5 miles away and bus services are available from Telford and stop outside the hostel. National Express coach services go to Telford also. By car, take the M54 to Telford via the M6 at junction 10A.
Walks The cost is for the Youth Hostel facilities only. Walks (both A and B grade) will be led by Club members, as on all previous trips, for which there is no charge.
Facilities The hostel is well equipped with central heating, common room, games room, lounge, TV lounge, dining room with table licence, shop, parking, cycle store, drying room and laundry.
Organiser: Debbie
HARTINGTON HALL, NEAR BUXTON - POST CHRISTMAS BREAK 29 Dec - 2 Jan 2009
For the next Footprints New Year break, we have booked 20 places at this 4-star Youth Hostel - Hartington Hall. It's a magnificent manor house dating back to 1611, it boasts oak paneling, stove fires, sofas and stands in its own extensive grounds. It has also been refurbished to a very high standard, so it's a cosy place to relax after a bracing walk with your Footprints friends.
You can choose from the following :- 3 nights, beginning with afternoon tea on Wednesday 30th December 2009 - £220 Add 1 night beginning with a 3 course evening dinner on Tuesday 29th for £47, making a total of £267.
Very full board! There could be major implications for your waistline, since these prices include breakfast, packed lunch, afternoon tea (mulled wine, cakes, mince pies, tea and coffee) evening dinner and a late supper (cheese and biscuits, tea, coffee and warming hot chocolate). The Hostel is also licensed with a choice of draught beers, reasonably priced organic wines, bottled beers, ciders and soft drinks.
Walks The cost includes waist reduction walks (both A and B grade).
Facilities The hostel is well equipped with central heating, common room, games room, library, lounge, TV lounge, shop, parking, cycle store, conference facilities, drying room and laundry. There is also a pub in the village for 'evening rambles'.
Organisers:
Walks: Ian
Bookings: Colin
PATTERDALE, CUMBRIA 24 - 26 February
Crisp, winter days on the fells, valleys and coast of the Lake District, will hopefully be the scene for our February Club break. On the last weekend of the month, we will be staying at the Cumbria Grand Hotel at Grange-over-Sands, on the southern edge of the Lake District (see below). But why not make the journey worthwhile, by also booking for the 2 nights before at Patterdale Youth Hostel in the eastern part of the National Park, making it a full 4 nights. Helvellyn, an English 'Munro' is nearby, as is Ullswater, for 2 days of classic Lake District scenery.
Accommodation Full board, including packed lunches. Patterdale YH is close to both Ullswater and Helvellyn for both valley and mountain grade walking. The Hostel is a comfortable Scandinavian style, 1970s building set in a quiet location at the edge of the village. It has a sports massage clinic on site, original artwork and proximity to suitable 'watering holes' in the village ! No YHA membership is required. www.yha.org.uk
Travel Patterdale YH is Hostel is 400m south of Patterdale village on A592 Penrith-Ullswater-Windermere road. Nearest railway stations are at Penrith (15 miles) and Windermere (13 miles), with a connecting public bus service daily, except winter Sundays.
Walks A and B grade walks will be provided by Club members on a voluntary basis, as decided on the days concerned.
NB. The cost of the break will increase by up to £3 if VAT reverts to 17.5%.
Organiser: Peter
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS, CUMBRIA 26 - 28 February
Crisp, winter days on the fells, valleys and coast of the Lake District, will hopefully be the scene for our February Club break. On the last weekend of the month, we will be staying at the Cumbria Grand Hotel at Grange-over-Sands, on the southern edge of the Lake District.
Accommodation Full board, including packed lunches. The Cumbria Grand is a 3 star hotel. The hotel is set in 20 acres of private gardens and overlooks Morecambe Bay. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and TV and there is snooker, table tennis and darts available in the hotel. We still have space available in twin rooms at £80 per person. See here for details.
Travel The Cumbria Grand is situated 30 minutes from the M6 and there is a railway station in the village. For travel between Patterdale and Grange-over-Sands, members with cars will be asked to convey non-car travellers (for suitable reimbursement).
Walks The Grange-over-Sands area gives a slightly easier grade of walking; A and B grade walks will be provided by Club members on a voluntary basis, as decided on the days concerned.
NB. The cost of the break will increase by up to £3 if VAT reverts to 17.5%.
Organiser: Peter
EASTER 2010 - WELSH BICKNOR - HEREFORDSHIRE 1 - 5 April
For our 4 day Easter break, we are staying in the only 'Welsh' Hostel in England! It's an excellent location for this former Victorian rectory, set in 25 acres of relaxing riverside grounds on the bank of the river Wye. Footpaths run past the door and along the River Wye to the Royal Forest of Dean, the superb viewpoint of Symonds Yat rock and Monmouth. The Wye Valley is deservedly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so this promises to be an excellent area for walking and an Easter break to look forward to.
£166 for 4 nights full board accommodation with packed lunches. To help with Club finances, it would be greatly appreciated if you would book before Christmas, but bookings will be accepted thereafter.
Getting there The hostel is I½ hours drive from Birmingham and 2¼ hours from Reading. Nearest railway stations are at Lydney (12 miles) or Gloucester (19 miles). National Express coaches run to Hereford (14 miles) or Ross on Wye (7 miles). The local bus stops at Goodrich - 1½ miles.
A and B grade walks will be provided by Club members on a voluntary basis, as decided on the days concerned. No charge is made.
Organisers: Martyn & Ian
OSMOTHERLEY - LATE MAY BANK HOLIDAY 28 - 31 May
Picturesque villages of honey sandstone, heather clad moors and beautiful valleys make this an ideal location for a late May Bank Holiday's walking with your Footprints friends. Other local attractions include Mount Grace Priory, Rievaulx Abbey and the World of James Herriot. But if you think Osmotherley is a little too far away, why not make the journey worthwhile by adding the 2 days beforehand, to make it a substantial spring break ?
Osmotherley Youth Hostel was last visited by this Club 8 years ago and is well worth a return visit. It’s an old mill on the edge of the village and is rated as a 3 star hostel - "a good level of comfort" - according to the YHA. We will have 3 day's led walking by Club members, but not forgetting the important parts of the trip - the village also has 3 pubs for 'evening entertainment' and tea shops on the walks will be sought out enthusiastically!
Want a longer break? Accommodation will be arranged for those who want a longer break by adding the 2 nights beforehand (Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th May). This can either be at the Hostel or elsewhere, as members want. Contact Ian for details.
Accommodation/Meals Friday to Sunday night will be on a full board basis at the Hostel - all meals, including a packed lunch, will be provided. Individual Youth Hostel Association membership is not needed. For the Wednesday and Thursday nights, we can either stay at the hostel or use bed and breakfast accommodation, either in Osmotherley or elsewhere.
Cost The cost of £125 includes three nights full board Friday - Monday. Additional nights are available Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th; contact the organiser for details.
Walks As usual, Club members will provide three days led walking, starting on the Saturday. Walks/visits will also take place, as agreed amongst Club members, on the two, optional, extra days, Thursday and Friday.
Getting there Car driving time; from Stockport - 2 hours. London - 4½ hours. Birmingham - 3 hours. Nearest railway station - Northallerton on London to Edinburgh route - 8 miles; bus service from there. National Express - Thirsk; 20 miles. Post code DL6 3AH.
Organiser Ian.
HIRAETHOG REGION - NORTH WALES 9 - 11 July
This event has been cancelled.
CHILTERNS WEEKEND 30 July - 1 August
The Wycliffe Centre is a Christian Centre near High Wycombe. We have booked twin and single rooms with ensuite or private bathrooms. Full board with packed lunches, commencing with dinner on Friday night.
There will be A & B walks on Saturday walking along the river Thames, Sunday will be a B walk taking in West Wycombe 'Hellfire' caves, made 'infamous' by Sir Francis Dashwood, one time squire and founder of the Hellfire club, and Hughenden Manor, Disraeli’s former home now a National Trust property.
Cost: Single room £120, Twin room £93 pp.
Getting There: public transport - from High Wycombe Bus Station take service 275,340, 342, 400 or 400A to Studley Green
Organiser: Colin
SWANAGE, ISLE OF PURBECK, DORSET 27 - 30 August
Fully Booked.
For this year's August Bank Holiday Weekend we will be returning to the coastal town of Swanage for the first time since September 2005. Swanage is the eastern gateway to the Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site.
Accommodation: The group has reserved spaces at the Youth Hostel for this 3-day walking break. The weekend will start with dinner on Friday evening (access to the hostel is from 3pm). All meals are included in the price which also covers the cost of arranging the break. Individual YHA membership is not required because the Club has Group Membership.
Public Transport: From Bournemouth Railway Station (7 miles from Swanage) catch the Wilts & Dorset Bus no. 50 via the Sandbanks Chain Ferry, which crosses the entrance to Poole Harbour.
Walks: Walks will be offered on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, as follows.
Saturday - there will be 2 walks (13 and 9 miles). Both walks follow the South West Coast Path south and west of Swanage via Durlston Head. The shorter walk will turn inland to Worth Matravers and follow the Priests Way back to Swanage. The longer walk will continue to Swyre Head (203m, the highest point in the Isle of Purbeck) via St Alban's Head and Hounstout Cliff. It will then continue to Corfe Castle before returning to Swanage by bus or steam train.
Sunday - there will be 2 walks (13 and 9 miles). Both walks follow the South West Coast Path north via Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks to Studland Bay. Morning coffee stop at Knoll Beach Cafe. The shorter walk returns via Godlingston Heath (National Nature Reserve) and Godlingston Hill. The longer walk continues along Studland Bay to South Haven Point, returning via Studland Heath.
Monday - there will be 1 walk of 9 miles from Tyneham village (GR SY882802) in the Lulworth Ranges. This is half way between Corfe Castle and Lulworth Cove. We will head south to Gad Cliff before following the South West Coast Path via Worbarrow Bay to Rings Hill. Then head east along the inland ridge (including Povington Hill) before turning south to Kimmeridge Bay. We rejoin the South West Coast Path via Tyneham Cap back to Tyneham.
Organiser: Greg
