TEWKESBURY U3A WALKING GROUP

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Due to the unpredictability of numbers attending each walk it will be appreciated if members advise the leaders by the dates shown. The leaders may wish to limit the numbers, which they feel, are manageable, taking into consideration car parking, lunch arrangements and the number of obstacles en route which could slow the walk. Additionally by leaving your telephone number you can be contacted in the event of cancellations etc.

NB   1.   Walkers are requested to carry both their U3A membership cards and their ICE (in case of emergency) cards with them on all walks and strolls.
NB   2.   Members should consider carrying hand sanitizer and a face covering. Members are urged to continue with appropriate measures to minimise covid transmission.
NB   3.    Numbers on walks are as always at the walk leader’s discretion. This may well be limited. This may depend upon a number of factors including any government diktats as well as the nature of the walk, e.g. number of stiles.
NB     4.    Where two walks are offered in a week, if you wish to go on both walks please do not book onto your second choice walk until the end of the week before. This is so that members are not denied a place on any walk by early second walk bookers.

Programme 218, 219 & 220 May, June & July 2026

May 2026

Wednesday 6 May 2026     Mod/Ener     5.5 miles          Picnic
Meet:            Brockhampton Village Hall HR1 4SG   GR 592319 Wye Valley
            Please share cars for moderate sized FREE CP!
Time              10.00am START

Eleven walkers, led by Noel, set off in the sunshine from Brockhampton Village Hall on a 5.5 mile walk down to the River Wye (rather longer for those members who were to leave behind walking sticks and a mobile phone at various stops and had to back-track to recover them !). The first stop was the lovely All Saints Church in Brockhampton, built only 120 years ago, with its thatched roof and Arts and Crafts Movement design. We then walked down a beautiful green valley, past its lovely Red Ruby cattle occupants, and dropped down to the river where a coffee break was taken in tranquil surroundings. The walk continued along the riverbank, where swans, ducks and a kingfisher were spied, and then we climbed up away from the river to the iron age hill fort of Capler camp. Here lunch was taken in the sunshine and with clear views back across towards May Hill. From here the path was followed back down, across fields, to Brockhampton Village Hall.
Thanks to Noel for planning and leading what was a lovely walk. (Report by Andrew, photos by Margaret and Sylvia)

Tewkesbury Alleys 1 mile-ish 1.5 to 2 hours Time 10.30am start
Meet Spring Gardens car park, Tewkesbury

We had a very informative stroll on Tuesday 12 May. Geoff was our guide to The Alleys of Tewkesbury. He explained there were 3 alley walks he did and he was going to do Barton Street and would add on a report on the unorthodox churches, which it seems were very prominent in the nineteenth century.
There were eight of us on the walk and the weather was fine but cold. We went down the alleys along the High Street and were told about the social conditions and how Tewkesbury had gone from an affluent market town before the Industrial Revolution but then it suffered a loss of jobs and the population of the town fell dramatically. This meant the market town did not change much from 1800’s to 1900’s which has left Tewkesbury with a lot of history that other towns do not have.
We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and we saw parts of Tewkesbury that normally we rush past. Geoff is doing another talk for the History Week in June and we all want to (Thanks to Pam for the report)

4 miles Moderate Picnic lunch en route
Meet By St Mary’s Church, Great Witcombe GL3 4TS. Limited parking, so please share cars where possible and park according to signage. 9.45 for a 10.00 start.

Report

Wednesday 20 May     3.5 miles   Easy/Moderate pub lunch
Meet          Hanley Castle Church/ Pub area       WR.8 0BL.. GR 839 420
                    FULL CARS IF POSS!
Time           9.45 for 10.00 start

Eight walkers, led by Noel, set off from the lovely St Mary’s Church, Hanley Castle on a 3.5 mile circular walk in search of orchids. The weather was cloudy and rain was forecast but did not materialise, indeed we even saw a little sunshine. From the churchyard we walked, mainly along field margins, towards Boynes Coppice Nature Reserve, to the accompaniment of the sound of shooting from the local clay-pigeon shooting club; indeed, we ‘suffered’ this accompaniment throughout the whole of the walk, at one point seemingly coming uncomfortably near to the shooting itself ! A rather more pleasing sound was that of a cuckoo, the first time this year some of the walkers had heard the sound of this increasingly rare early summer visitor.
Om reaching Boynes Coppice, we were not disappointed and were able to view a number of Green Winged Orchids amongst what later in the year would no doubt be a lovely wild flower meadow.
A coffee break was taken overlooking the meadow before proceeding down towards the now disused Upton/Malvern railway line, which we came across and indeed walked a stretch of, again a little later. The return journey, also primarily along field margins and some short stretches of lane, took us past the site of St John’s Castle and Lodge Farm before arriving back at St Mary’s church.
The walkers then re-assembled at Ye Olde Anchor Inn, Upton on Severn, for a very enjoyable lunch.
Thanks to Noel for planning and leading what was a lovely walk. ( Report by Andrew, Photos by Phil and Andrew)

Thursday 21 May 2026     4.5 miles     Energetic       Picnic en route
Meet              National Trust Car Park on B4521. Skirrid Fawr. NP7 8AP,   SO 328 164
Time             10.30am start         about an hours drive from Tewkesbury

We ventured into Wales today to climb Ysgyryd Fawr (The Skirrid). After a steep ascent up steps and a rocky pathway 15 walkers, including at least 8 octogenarians, reached the summit ridge at 1594ft to wonderful views of – mist.
The way down was through the landslip, a jungle like area full of birdsong , hawthorn bushes and carpets of bluebells. As the mists cleared we were at last rewarded with views of Sugarloaf and the distant Black Mountains.
To complete an excellent day we enjoyed a cream tea at a local farmhouse.
Thank you Jenny and Mike for organising our adventure and leading us so well. (Report by Richard H, photos from Richard P, Mike, and Margaret.)

Wednesday 27 May   4.75 miles        Moderate NT cafe lunch
Meet              Chedworth Roman Villa NT car park GL54 3LJJ Grid 055136 on the road car park (free) leading up to the villa (or park in the overflow car park if no space on the road) ; no NT membership required
Time                 9.45 for a 10.00a.m. start

June 2026

Thursday 4th June 2026 4.9m ENERGETIC Lunch Pub
Meet Royal Oak Gretton Car Park Post Code GL54 5EP
Time: 9.15 for 9.30 start

Report

Tuesday 9 June 2026 Beckford Nature Reserve
Meet Beckford Church, GL207LT - limited parking near entrance, or on road
Time 10. 30am start

Wednesday 10 June. 4.5 miles. Energetic. Picnic on route
Meet. Lay-by on. Rt B4232. The Dingle, West Malvern, opposite Brewers Arms Pub
on Lt. down path. P.C. WR14 43Q. GR: 445765
Time. 10 a.m. start

Wednesday 17 June    4.5 miles - easy / moderate    Café or picnic
Meet              Market Lane in Greet or GL54 5BJ. Grid OS. 025 301
                        Quiet road parking here or nearby, share cars when possible, please
Time               9.45 for 10.00.

Report

Wednesday 24 June 3.5 miles Easy pub lunch
Meet Gloucester Old Spot. GL51 9SY
Time 10.15 to order lunch. Start 10.30

Report

Thursday 25th June       5.5 miles       Energetic        Picnic en route
Meet            Tank Quarry WR14 4NA    grid SO 769 470
                    (If car park closed, park in road and meet at Clock Tower)
Time            9.45 to start 10am

July 2026

Wednesday 1st July Moderate. 7 miles.. Picnic en route.
Meet British Legion car park in Bourton. GL54 2BH
/// Imperious Town Logic. (Honesty box on the wall. £3.00 all day).
Time 10 am to start walking.

Report

Thursday 9 July    5 miles      Moderate                Lunch Cafe
Meet               Hayles Fruit Farm
Leader           Sonia
Full details in next months programme

Report

Wednesday 15 July     3 1/5 miles      Easy        Pub Lunch
Meet             Round of Gras,   Bretforton Rd,    Badsey   WR11 7XQ     SP 079 436
Time            10.15 am start walking

Report

Friday 17 July Avebury
The Garden Visits Group are planning a coach trip to Avebury on Friday 17th July. There will be space on the coach for some walkers. Margaret is hoping to lead a walk in that area.
Full details will be given with the next programme out on the first of July.

Thursday 23rd July    3 or 6 miles        Easy          Own arrangements for lunch
Meet            Café Viaduct, Worcester WR1 3EJ Grid 845550
Time            10.00 start

Walks are graded to give some idea of what to expect:

Stroll: A short walk at an easy pace with frequent stops. Warning is given about inclines or difficulties

Easy: Undemanding and mainly level with occasional gentle ascents or descents. There may be a few stiles.

Moderate: Some uphill/downhill stretches “ uneven walking“ several stiles.

Energetic: Some longer steep hills and rough ground - may be many stiles.

Please book with the leader of the walk by the date given and arrive in good time before the start to boot-up and order lunch etc. Be sure to cancel with the leader if you are subsequently unable to take part; one of the group phones will be turned on on the morning of the walk so that you can make contact in the event of a last minute delay or you become lost.
Wear suitable shoes/boots and clothing for the walk and do not over-estimate your abilities.
An attendance fee of 50p is charged for each walk attended.
Dogs are not allowed on walks.
Members may bring a guest but the guest must not displace a member if spaces on the walk are limited.
We usually stop for a 15-20 minute coffee-break after about an hour; so, as well as refreshments, something to sit on can be useful on wet ground.

SAFETY POLICY

Walkers

Carefully read the walk description to ensure that you are capable of walking the route at a moderate pace (about 2 miles per hour) without risk to health. Remember that a short moderate walk may be more demanding than a longer easy one.

Dress sensibly. Make sure that you have suitable clothing and footwear for the weather expected. A walking pole or stick can be of great help.

Remember to carry any medications that you might need. There will normally be a coffee stop so carry food, and water, especially on hot days. It is sensible to carry a small first aid kit. A whistle is a good way of attracting attention if you need help.

Follow instructions given by the leader. Keep those in front and those behind you, in sight all the time.

Keep to the route indicated by the leader: do not devise shorts cuts, etc. If you wish to leave the walk, you must let the leader know.

Walk in single file on roads and heed any advice about crossing roads given by the leader.

Be aware of the danger from ticks and hence tick-borne diseases, particularly in the summer months and near animals. Dress appropriately, e.g. long trousers rather than shorts; trousers tucked into boots, socks or gaiters.

Each walker is ultimately responsible for carrying out a personal risk assessment for every walk they undertake.

Carry identification in case of accident: name, date of birth, emergency contact number, doctor's number, essential medications. (ICE Card)

Carry your U3A membership card which may be checked.

Nearly all the photos on this page have been reduced in size and resolution to save both space and bandwidth. Should you want a copy of any of the photos, Stan would be happy to supply a copy of the original file - just quote the walk number and the photo title.

Programme 218, 219 & 220 May, June & July 2026

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

Updated 9th June 2026