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BADFA Walks Programme for 2010

Go directly to find the next walk
Go to note about extra walks

Link to a review of some of our recent walks

 

All walks are free, bring your own picnic when listed. Membership is not necessary to take part in walks, but is expected of regulars.
Where pre-booking a coach is involved we will refund the money if it is cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

For lifts to the start point or other information ring/email:
David Bearfield (davidbearfield@badfa.org.uk) on 020 8950 4950 or 07771 843557 or
Chris Beney (chrisbeney@badfa.org.uk) on 01923 211113.
We recommend that you check the details prior to any walk, especially in periods of bad weather

We do take care to check out the walks for accuracy of length and obstructions etc. but events on the day can disrupt any walk.  We also take reasonable care to avoid any problem areas but walkers do take part at their own risk. We do carry a mobile phone with us which can also be useful if you can’t find the start of the walk. The number is usually 07771 843557.


In addition to the normal walks there are some “walks” just to look at various flowers.  Please contact David Bearfield (details above) for details of these walks nearer the date.  He will then tell you if the event is taking place and where to meet.

During 2010 we plan to have a few extra walks arranged at short notice, mostly midweek. Watch this page. We plan also to notify people of these walks by email. We would like to send to all members but keeping up with changing email addresses causes problems. So please email us if you would like to be notified of these extra walks.

Go directly to find the next walk


                                   
Walks that have already taken place in 2010:

Friday 1st January 2010  12.00 noon.  4 miles
New Years’ Day walk
From Hatch End to Bushey via some childhood routes
Meeting point :   Bushey Station WD1 4PN (where parking is free on Bank Holidays) where we took the train to Hatch End Heath.
Picnic.
Leader:  David Bearfield
A walk using some little known urban alleyways and undeveloped ground
Mince pies and mulled wine were served.

Sunday 24th January  – 11.00.  4 miles.
Harrow Weald walk.
Meeting point : Car park of the Kiln Nursery/Garden Centre, Common Road, Harrow Weald.  The post code for Sat. Navs. is HA7 3JF
Have a coffee in the Kiln cafeteria before or after the walk.
P
icnic.
Leader : David Bearfield.
Walk down into Harrow Weald passing World War 2 graves until we reach the WW1 grave of Leif Robertson VC, return via Bentley Priory

Sunday 14th February - 11.00am for prompt start.  5 miles.
Jenny Nixon’s Snowdrop Walk, Gustard Wood, Wheathamstead.
Meeting point : From St Albans go through Sandridge then down the hill into Wheatamstead past the shops. TAL4 8BS.  Picnic.
Leader : David Bearfield as Jenny Nixon was unwell.
"I went on this walk last year and the snowdrops were stunning."

Sunday 21st March – 11.00am.  6 miles.
Roman Gorhambury.
Meeting point : Verulameum Museum car park, St Michaels Street, St Albans. AL3 4SW
Parking charge is £3 for all day.  If you need to save money or this is full then there is the Sports Centre or Westminster Lodge car park on the south side of Verulamium Park.  The entrance is off St Stephens Hill/Holywell Hill almost opposite St Albans Abbey station.  The charge here is £1 for up to 5 hours which should be long enough.
Leader : David Bearfield. Bring a picnic.
A walk through Roman Britain along some permissive paths passing the ruins of Gorhambury and going down some country lanes.  When I did the walk it took me over 2 hours, plan for over 3 hours but I did see snowdrops, daffodils in bud and a pair of Red Kites (Kite?).

Sunday 28th March.
Daffodils at Wall Hall     The day that clocks have moved forward one hour.

Wednesday 7th April  - 11.00am. 7 miles
Week-Day Walk to Bricket Wood.
Meeting point: Aldenham Church.  For Sat Navs WD2 8BE is nearby.
Pub lunch or bring a picnic.  Leader: Keith Latham 
A walk through the Colne Valley, Bricket Wood Common and along the railway for a Pub lunch at the The Gate or Fox and Hounds or a picnic lunch nearby, returning via Munden House and Wall Hall. 

[Sunday 25th April, Cowslips at Berkhampsted Castle]

Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd May
The Thames Footpath – Part 20, The final stretch,
Cricklade to the source (Thames Head).
We’ve lost track of when we started this walk, it was probably in the last century.  Only a few hardy individuals remain and we thought that we would take it easy for the last 12 miles and do it over a weekend.  We have a minibus and have booked all of the rooms in the local pub.  If you really do want to join us all is not lost but please contact us as soon as is possible so that we can arrange accommodation and transport.
For the 9 intrepid souls the meeting place is the same leaving at 10.00am.
Led (to a dramatic conclusion) by David Bearfield
What should the next challenge be?  The Amazon, The Nile, The Colne? 

Friday 7th May (moved from 23rd April due to late blooming) – 6.30pm.  2 miles. 
An Evening Bluebell walk in Berrygrove Woods.
Meeting point : Opposite St Johns Church, Aldenham village.  For Sat Navs WD2 8BE is nearby
No picnic.
Leader : David Bearfield.
Enjoy the sight and fragrance of the bluebells.  A short, easy walk suitable for the less active. 

Sunday 9th May  - 11.00am. 6 miles
Exploring the Rickmansworth Lakes.
Meeting point: the Aquadrome car park.  Postcode for Sat Navs is WD3 1NF
Bring a picnic.
Leader: Keith Latham 
A circuit of the Rickmansworth lakes – Stockers, Bury and Batchworth Lakes; this area is rich in waterfowl with a view, if lucky, of a heron’s nest. 
Sunday 16th May
Pasque flowers on Therfield Heath  cancelled

Sunday 23rd May    10.30  4 miles
An outing to Kenwood and Hampstead.
Meeting point : 10.30am in the ticket hall of Burnt Oak Station
Leader : Sue Gil who is a qualified and registered tour guide and lives in Bushey.  She has kindly agreed to give us the benefit of her knowledge and experience.
Bring a picnic.
Firstly we will do a 2 mile guided walk of Hampstead (taking around an hour and a half.  After lunch we will walk another couple of miles over to Kenwood, visiting Kenwood House ( free admission) and back to Hampstead in the afternoon. 

Wednesday 26th May 11.00am. 6.5 miles
Circumnavigation of Shenley
Meeting point: the Tearoom in Shenley Park, Radlett Lane, Shenley.  Postcode for Sat Navs is WD7 9DW
Bring a picnic.
Leader: Keith Latham.
The walk will leave Shenley in a northerly direction, looping round to the south, stopping for a picnic lunch at Ridge village.  

Thursday 27th May – 7.00pm. 2 miles
An evening stroll around Batlers Green and Letchmore Heath
Meeting point  : Letchmore Heath village green.  The post code for Sat Navs is WD25 8ER
Leader  : David Bearfield
No picnic.
An easy, short stroll possibly including a visit to the pub. 

Sunday June 13th  12 noon - 5 miles
Merryhill and Grimsdyke
Meeting point: next to the pond at St James Church, Bushey High Street (for Sat Navs WD2 1BG is nearby)
Leader: David Bearfield
Bring a picnic
Walk from the centre of Bushey into the countryside and along ancient Grimsdyke.

Sunday June 20th – 11.00am.  5 miles (No stiles, but some steps and kissing gates).
A Circular Walk starting from Park Street
Meeting point : Start at Park Street Lane, between A5183 and railway bridge, alongside the recreation ground. Post code for Sat Nav users: AL2 2 NE. Parking usually possible in the road alongside the recreation ground. Public toilets by the recreation ground at the A5183 end.
Leader: Richard de Boise
Bring a picnic.
Stroll from Park Street to Bricket Wood and see the confluence of the rivers Colne and Ver. 

Monday 21 June 2010. 7.30 pm. 2 miles.  SOLSTICE 2010  Extra very short walk Finch Lane and Path 12. Meet junction of Finch Lane and Homefield Road, celebrate the longest day. Leader Chris Beney

Sunday June 27th – 12 noon. 2.5 miles
Stanmore Country Park
The park is signposted off Dennis Lane, Stanmore after the 3rd width restriction as you go down Dennis Lane from Stanmore Ponds.  If you reach Laburnum Court on the right you’ve gone too far.   For details of the park go to http://www.harrowncf.org/SCP_home.html   
Bring a picnic
Meeting point : The park car park.
Leader : David Bearfield
There really is no other reason for going to this park other than it is a lovely piece of woodland!  We may find a way through to Wood Lane, or not!

Sunday 18th July - 11.45 am for a prompt 12.00 noon start.  5 miles.
Please note corrected start time
Bushey Festival walk to Patchetts Green, Letchmore Heath and Elstree Aerodrome
Meeting point: Outside Bushey Meads School, Coldharbour Lane, Bushey.  You can park in local roads.  The postcode for Sat. Navs. is WD23 4PA.
Leader : David Bearfield.
Bring a picnic.
Join us for a walk from Bushey through Happy Valley to Patchetts Green and up to Letchmore Heath.  Return across the runway at Elstree aerodrome and continue on to the Greenway to Bushey.  We can’t guarantee to be back before 4pm

Thursday 22nd July – evening  -7.00pm.  2 miles
Heriot’s Wood, and Grove Wood, and Summerhouse Lake.
Meeting point : Warren Lane car park, see map below.  The postcode for Sat. Navs. is  HA7 4LB.
Leader: David Bearfield.
No picnic.
A short stroll into Stanmore Common past the Deer Park and on to the lake.

Next Walk 

Note that walks start at various times.

Sunday 12th September  - 11.00am. 7 miles
*WAS 19th*
Following the Ver
Meeting point: the Moor Mill Pub car park (just beyond the Pub/Hotel). The postcode for Sat. Navs. is AL2 3PN.
Bring a picnic. Leader: Keith Latham 
A gentle walk alongside the river Ver through the Frogmore waterfowl reserve to Sopwell in St Albans 

Sunday 10th October - 12 noon.  2 miles
Rowley Green and Arkley
Meeting point : Layby in Rowley Lane walk.  The post code for Sat. Navs. is EN5 3HN
Leader : David Bearfield.
No picnic.
This area always looks inviting when I drive through.

Sunday 14th November
Reservoir to Borehamwood
Plans for this walk have not been finalised.

Sunday 12th December
Possible Inner London walk
Plans for this walk have not been finalised.

Saturday 1st January
Munden
Plans for this walk have not been finalised.


 

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