Friday Walking Group
Time - 10:30 to 14:30
Week - Fortnightly
Day - Friday
Venue - Various venues chosen by leaders
Vacancies - 33
Events
NameDateTime
Friday Walking - a free group please see programme for walks planned01 Sep 202600:00

We have 2 groups 'A' and 'B' who walk on alternate weeks. Walks of 3 to 5 hours (normally 6 - 8 miles).

You need to bring a packed lunch and a drink and wear suitable walking shoes and clothing.

Fresh air, healthy exercise and good company, usually within 30 miles of Swindon.

Walks are planned and led by members of the group, individually or in pairs, with help from more experienced

walkers available if needed.

We run the occasional coach trip to pastures new. There is no extra payment required to join this group.

 

Swindon u3a Friday Walking Group

Winter 2025 Programme No. 76 Last updated 01 • November • 2025

It is becoming more difficult to find suitable parking places, please car share when you can

A Dates

Walk Description  Meeting Point/ Map Reference

Walk Miles

A Group walk leader

 

B Dates

EXP/OL What3Words

Dist. from Swindon

B Group walk leader

Direction

 

31 Oct

76.1 Westonbirt ST 823913

6

Steve Hodgkins

 

7 Nov

EXP 168 w3w = couch.observers.talked

27

Neil Cowie

W 7

Meet / Park - outside Royal Oak, Leighterton

Walk Slait Barn, Bowldown Wood, Ellicks Wood, Westonbirt Arboretum, Hawkesbarn Spinney, Monarchs Way.

14 Nov

76.2 Woodmancote SP 004088

7

David Hewitt

 

21 Nov

OL45 w3w = stamp.craftsman.educates

20

Brian Foster

NW 8

Meet / Park – Woodmancote

Walk - Woodmancote, Cerney House, North Cerney church, Monarchs Way, Perrotts Brook, Welsh Way, Bagendon

28 Nov

76.3 Ashbury - Leader’s choice SU 273844

tbc

John Coppin & Viv Gibbs

 

5 Dec

EXP 170 w3w = remission.pink.simmer

10

John Coppin & Viv Gibbs

E 3

Meet / Park Ashbury Folly.

Walk Leader’s choice (suggestions available)

12 Dec

76.4 Wroughton SU 145806

6

Richard Hailstone

 

19 Dec

EXP 169 w3w = force.rinse.rent

4

David Sinclair

S 5

Meet/ Park Ellundune Hall centre.

Walk – Elcombe, Markham Bottom, Clouts Wood, Thorney Park, Parsloe’s Farm, Overtown

26 Dec

76.5 Blunsdon SU 154908

6.5

No 'A' Group Walk or a Leader's choice walk if a member comes forward to lead a wak on Boxing Day



2 Jan

EXP 169 w3w = onlookers.ruled.musical

1

Sheila Pregnall

N 1

Meet / Park Blunsdon Community Village Shop

Walk - Castle Hill Fort, Jubilee Copse, Hannington, Pope’s Copse, Oxleaze Farm

9 Jan

76.6 Purton 2 Churches walk & environs SU 080875

7

Sandra Horsnall

 

16 Jan

EXP 169 w3w = before.fatigued.dripping

8

Sandra Horsnall

NW 8

Meet / ParkRestrop View, Purton

Walk Ringsbury Camp, Restrop, Bagbury Lane Farm, Manor Farm, LM All Saint’s Church, Stone Lane FP, Cricket ground, St Mary’s Church

23 Jan

76.7 Quenington SP 144042

7

Kevin Martin

 

30 Jan

OL 145 w3w = family.nibbled.perfumes

18

John Saunders

N 1

Meet / ParkQuenington Green

Walk Coneygar, Arlington Row, Bibury Church, Ash Copse, River Coln, Coln St Aldwyns

6 Feb

76.8 Littlecote Roman Villa SU 275715

6

Hilary Smith

 

13 Feb

EXP 157 w3w = brimmed.silently.drive

13

Ainslie Cove & Helen Evens

SE 4

Meet / ParkRamsbury High Street. Assemble at Bell Hotel

Walk WW2 airfield site, Darrell’s Farm, Bottom Coppice, Littlecote House, Roman Villa, Ambrose farm

20 Feb

76.9 Hackpen Hill SU 128747

7

Alan Milloy

 

27 Feb

EXP 157 w3w = pinch.hears.shadow

8

David Sinclair

S 5

Meet / Park Hackpen Hill car park

Walk Hackpen Hill, White Horse Way, Wessex Ridgeway, Rockley, Rockley Down, Wick Down

6 Mar

76.10 Cotswold Lakes SU 028940

7

Mike Bradbury

 

13 Mar

EXP 169 w3w = year.chugging.shared

17

Mike Bradbury

NW 8

Meet/ Park Near end of Mill Lane

Walk Thames Path, Neigh Bridge, Somerford Keynes, Lakes, North End Farm, Ashton Keynes, Freeth’s Wood

20 Mar

76.11 Eastleach, Martin + Turville SP 195083

7.5

Joy Turvill

 

27 Mar

EXP 163 OL 45 w3w = stunt.excuse.fried

14

Robin Clegg

N 1

Meet/ Park Meet on grass verge just before Eastleach Downs Farm

Walk Macaroni Downs Farm, Eastleach, River Leach

3 Apr

76.12 Upper Upham /Snap SU 225772

6

Richard and Penny

 

10 Apr

EXP 157 w3w = villas.blemishes.knitted

10

Andrew Snowden

SE 4

.Meet / Park Upper Upham FarmSN8 2FT

Walk Ridgeway, Snap, The Giants Grave

17 Apr

76.13 Barbary Castle SU 157760

7

Alan Milloy

 

24 Apr

EXP 157 w3w = later.cove.salsa

8

Jean, Veronica & Almuth

S 5

Meet / ParkBarbary Castle parking

Walk Gypsy Lane, Old Railway, Ogbourne St George, Church, Ridgeway

KEY - 1 = N, 2 = NE, 3 = E, 4 = SE, 5 = S, 6 = SW, 7 = W, 8 = NW