CWOG: Colwall to Malvern Link 28 Feb 2026

This was my first time leading a CWOG walk.

We all met at Malvern link station (£1.25 parking on Saturdays) which had other hiking groups assembling. The train arrived on time at 0944and got us to Colwall on time at 1002.

We left the station over the footbridge and walked though the mud and surface water through Evendine up to British camp. There we paused for coffee, We then walked via Black Hill, Pinnacle hill and Peresevarance hill to the Wyche cutting where we had lunch in the sun.

We then went up the Worcestershire beacon which was crowded. 

We went over sugarloaf hill and around North Hill descending down the rocks to North Malvern and finishing at Malvern Link 

8.5 miles in 4.5 hours total

Worcester Ramblers: "Snowdrops at Hanbury" 26 Feb 2026

 The walk started at Pipers Hill car park, proceeding through the very muddy Hanbury woods to Hanbury church there was a mass of snowdrops. 

We passed Hanbury Hall then  over farmland, through three farmyards and crossing the railway We joined the canal for a short while before returning through the woods back to the carpark.

7.2 miles 3 hours

Worcester Ramblers: "Hollybush to British camp and return" 19 Feb 2026

This was to be my first attempt at leading a walk! It was planned as a  7 mile circular walk starting at Hollybush, visiting the Eastnor Obelisk, along the Three Choirs way past the side of the Hereford beacon to British Camp Car park then along the lower east side of the Malverns  via Bowling Green to Hollybush.

I did a reccie on 16 February. It was muddy in places but the worst part was across Berrow downs which had acquired 4 brooks and knee deep mud. The route was adjusted to avoid the area

On Feb 19 on the way to Hollybush snow could be seen along the peaks but it did not get much lower so the walk proceeded, Sixteen appeared at the start. The view was limited but at least it didnt rain

Highlight of the walk was near the end, when approaching Holybush when three Reeves Pheasants were seen

The walk was 7.2 miles and took 3 hours

Worcester Ramblers: "Blackstone Nature Reserve" 12 feb 2026

 We started off from the Blackstone Picnic site car park (not to be confused with the Blackstone car park) which was a bit muddy. We went under the SVR line and Past the West Midlands safari park where we saw wildlife that came out of their house to great us:-

Family Outing!

The Severn Railway passes by

We then followed the edge of the safari park along heathland and then woodland towards the scout camp, past the Devils Spittleful (which you cannot go onto) past the old Rifle Range (which was too wet to cross) passing the old WW2 camp at Burlish Top before returning to the car park. Generally muddy but passable. 7.2 miles total:-

Worcester Ramblers: "Cutnall Green, Rushock and a 'Whole lotta love' tomorrow" 5 Feb 2026

We started the walk at the Chequers pub at Cutnall Green

Th coffee stop was at the St Michael and All Angel's church at Rushock where the Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham, has his final resting place

The 6.7 mile walk in 2.5 hours included the villages of Elmley Lovett, Rushock and Bryan's Green

Although it was considered impossible for it to be muddier than the previous Thursday walk this walk managed it!

Worcester Ramblers long walk from Temple Guiting 31 Jan 2026

Having done short Worcester walks until now i decided to try a longer One. It was to be a 10 mile walk.

The forecast on Friday was for rain all Saturday. However Saturday arrived and the forecast changed to rain starting at 1230, so I decided to go. Heeding the warning from the leader,  I told Google maps to take me to Temple guiting school, which was just over the wall from the Village Hall
The walk started at Temple Guiting village hall.  Nine walkers arrived, then the car park filled up with those going on a turkey shoot, They were still setting up on site as we walked past the target area. It was here that we encountered three Reeves Pheasants who came across to have a conversation!

The walk progressed through Ward, then Taddington (NOT Toddington!) Then to Stanway, where the avenue of trees, planted over many years by the Stanway Hall estate was impressive

At the end of the trees was the monument, where we stopped for Lunch.  

Unfortunately so did a heavy rainstorm, which soaked us while we walked to Stumps Cross. The climb up Waterloo Larch was a muddy scramble but it dried out on the high ground enabling us to get back to the Village hall by which time the mud was drying!

10.5 miles in 4.25 hours:-

Worcester Ramblers Barn Owl Circular 29 January 2026

 

A  Worcester Ramblers circular walk that started at the Barn Owl pub on the North side of Worcester. Very muddy in places but at least it didnt rain seriously. 

The route visited the 12th century Grade 1 listed. St Nicholas church, the oldest in the Worcester Parish

total of 5.7 miles in around 2 hours

Worcester Ramblers Sinton Green 22 January 2026

 

Liz had bought me membership of Ramblers Uk as a christmas present. It took until January 15 for the membership pack to arrive! Looking on the web site the first local walk was with the Worcester group on January 22 so i decided to join them

This walk started at the bus shelter on Sinton Green. I was made very welcome. It was very muddy but at least it didnt rain

6.6 miles total in 2 hours 20 minutes

CWOG Reccie to Barby Northants

This was to be a CWOG reccie for a future walk. It was to start from the Barby Church at 1015. However when I arrived there was no sign of the other three expected participants, I did search all entrances to the church, churchyard and  hall without success. I hung around until 1025 (meeting the priest arriving for the 1030 service) then decided to go for a walk on my own. 

As I hadnt planned anything i decided to visit Ashby st ledger, then the locks at Braunston then back up the Oxford canal to HMP Onley then back to Barby. Navigation was challenging for the first half due to fog, resulting in compass navigation Practice. 

The Lower Braunston lock was inspected 

then the grand union canal was followed to its junction with the Oxford canal. 

The Junctiion Grand Union goes left, Oxford canal goes Right

The entertainment at the junction was provided by a long barge (from Bristol) taking the Oxford canal then realising the mistake and reversing back into the junction before continuing on the Grand Union canal. 

The Oxford canal has a very narrow towpath (12" in places) very muddy and inundated by the canal in places causing one to have to step over water connected to the canal. Onley had a large marina and a cafe . Unfortunately it was closing 10 minutes after I got there! I completed the walk by walking up the muddy Barby hill back to the Church

The view of HMP Onley and the Marina from Barby Hill. The Fog had not cleared

 

Roseberry Topping 7 November 2025

 Friday was the going home day. Rather than the road chaos seen on the way north around York, I decided to go west out of Whitby which would allow a side trip to the famous Roseberry Topping. I found a circular route starting at Great Ayton It took 40 mintes to drive from Whitby, arriving to park opposite the Royal Oak pub at 0935

The route was interesting but a bit muddy on the lower slopes.

The sidetrack to the summit


It was a bit hazey on top of Roseberry Topping but the coast and Middlesborough were visible

The view East to the Coast 

Panoramic View

On the return leg, after passing the remnants of the mine and tramway I discovered Fletchers coffee shop on the outskirts of town which provided the nourishment to sustain me on the 4 hour journey back to Coventry

The view back to the Captain Cook Monument from the Coffee shop

The route was 5.31 miles and took 2 hours