Whitwick & District U3A - Ramblers
This group meets for a walk of approximately 7 to 8 miles once a month. It has been agreed by the membership of this group that no dogs are allowed on the walks.
All those members who feel able will participate in leading walks.
Venue
Various
Timing
1st Friday of the month.
Next walk Fri Nov 6th
2026
No walk in January
Fri Feb 6th Led by Terri and Brian provisionally in the Mount St. Bernard area. CANCELLED.
Fri Mar 6th Led by Margaret in the Ratby Burroughs, Botchesdon and Thornton area. CANCELLED - poor conditions underfoot.
Fri Apr 3rd The walk starts from the cemetery car park in Ashby, post code LE65 2GB. To get there people need to drive through Market Street and continue up Kilwardby Street towards Moira. The entrance is just past the water tower on the left hand side of the road on the brow of the hill. Follow the road into its end to get to the car park. We walk through the allotments and do some road walking until we reach fields going towards Packington. From there we go towards Willesley golf course which we cross to enter Willesley Wood. We pass the lake and continue onto Hicks Lodge for lunch. From there the footpath takes us over fields again to reach Ashby. Its then a short walk back to the cemetery. I made it approx 7.5 miles and there are approx 4 stiles. I practised the walk on Sunday, there are muddy stretches but I think some mud is unavoidable at the moment!
Fri May 1st The walk will be led by Ann in the Ashby, Smisby, Severals Wood and Pistern Hills area. Setting off from Ashby LE65 2AZ on-street parking. For those familiar with Ashby it is the old dairy site. So from the Smisby Road, opposite the KP factory you will turn into Dairy Lane, then straight onto Jersey Drive. It is a quiet residential road and there should be plenty of space to find somewhere to park. We will meet at the end where there is a low fence bordering the estate and a public footpath.
We set off crossing the Ashby bypass and over fields and a quiet lane to Smisby and then up through the churchyard and more fields into Severals Wood where we hope to see bluebells if they are not already over by then. It is usually a fantastic display if you get there at the right time! Then a banana break and head back towards Smisby, through Harry's Wood and over fields to Pistern Hill farm and back to Smisby churchyard for lunch. We then retrace our steps back to Ashby. Half a dozen stiles or so and about 7.5 miles of very pleasant walking. There will be some mud if there has been rain.
Fri Jun 5th The walk will be led by Tony.The starting point will be the Bradgate main car park at Newtown Linford LE6 0HB. Meet at the gate at the far end of the car park leading into the park itself on the main road through the park. We walk through the west side of the park and across the road into Swithland woods eventually reaching Woodhouse Eves. then south across two golf courses (well signposted) and back into Bradgate park entrance near to the Old Tom folly and the war memorial, with an option to visit if we feel keen enough. Then down the west side of the park back to the car park. There is some road walking and in parts the ground was very hard. The walk should be something less than 8 miles. It is an easy walk so if it is a little long it should not be a problem. Sections of the walk will be well known to regular walkers but I hope there is enough to make it interesting to all. There is plenty to see and even the golfers were very polite and pleasant
Fri Jul 3rd This walk will be led by Margaret starting at 09:30 at the Thornton Reservoir car park, Reservoir Road, Thornton, Leicestershire LE67 1AR. We will make our way towards Botcheston across fields, through wooded areas and on footpaths. At Botcheston there is a walk along the road before heading off over fields of grass and crops back to the car park where there is a table to have lunch. There is one short overgrown stretch and the distance is 7.2 miles.
Fri Aug 7th This walk will be led by Ray and Antje. The walk starts at the car park at Thornton Reservoir, Reservoir Road, Thornton LE67 1AR. Parking is free and there are approximately 20 car parking spaces and on street parking if necessary. The walk takes us across the dam and around the reservoir before heading uphill into Brown's wood. We follow the Leicestershire Round covering undulating terrain, fields and woods until we reach the M1. After this we head to South Charnwood High School, where we cross through the playing fields. There are more open fields and woods with a couple of more uphill sections before we get to the North End of Thornton. We then pick up part of the Ivanhoe Trail and head towards Bagworth Village. We continue through Bagworth Heath Woods until we get to Thornton primary school and the pathway down to the reservoir and back to the car park. The distance is 8 miles. There are several uphill sections, a couple of road sections, no stiles for the first 4 miles and then there are 12 + stiles after that.
Fri Sep 4th CANCELLED This walk will be led by Ann starting from Ticknall Village Hall car park, Ingleby Lane, DE73 7JX. Starting north along field edges, passing Seven Spouts Farm, Ingleby Toft, St Brides and Staunton Harold Reservoir before heading back through the Calke limeyards. An early banana break stop with good views of the surrounding countryside and lunch at Staunton Harold reservoir where there are seats, toilets, a water refill point and a café (although no guarantee it will be open!) Approx 7.7 miles with only 2 stiles, and a few gentle inclines. Easy terrain mainly on tracks, along field edges and woodland
Fri Nov 6th The November walk will be led by Alison on Friday 6th starting at 09:30 from the village car park located on Main Street, Woodhouse Eaves, LE12 8RZ. The walk starts by going along Main Street, crossing Beacon Road and heading along a track to the Outwoods. Then to Beacon Hill Country Park, passing a toilet, and on towards and around the Beacon. Next to Broombriggs and back to Woodhouse Eaves along tracks finishing with a walk through the village back to the car park. The distance is approx 7.5 miles over varied terrain with no stiles and some good views. There may be some mud if it rains beforehand although the forecast for next week looks promising at the moment. Please let me know if you will be walking.
Fri Dec 4th The December walk is yet to be advised, but the Staff of Life in Ticknall is booked for the lunch. There is no need to order until the morning of the walk.
Pictures
Shown below are scenes from a recent walk. Pictures from other walks are available in the Gallery
Contact
Owen Bailey at 
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August 2026's RamblersThe August Ramblers took place on Friday 7th and was led by Ray and Antje starting from the car park at Thornton Reservoir. The walk went well and everyone enjoyed it, despite the more challenging inclines and stiles. It also included a couple of areas no one had been through before, which was good. There was a good mix of sun and shade during the walk, which was at times a welcome relief for some. The banana break near 'South Charnwood High School', was a welcome stop and allowed everyone a chance to revitalise themselves before the next hills. There was also time for some impromptu blackberry picking/eating on the way. Apparently the berries were 'nice and sweet and juicy'. Lunch was at a picnic bench in Bagworth Heath Woods. By which time we were all ready for a bit of sustenance. It was then back to the start of the walk at Thornton Reservoir. |
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May 2026's RamblersOn a beautiful late spring day 6 of us set off from Ashby with the aim of viewing the bluebells in Severals Wood. It was quite a hot and humid day, but the effort was worth it. We were not disappointed! As we stepped into the wood the wonderful sweet fragrance of the bluebells made quite an impact. There were carpets and carpets of them, and with the sun streaming through the trees, it was just magical! Aside from the bluebell wood the rest of the route was over fields, through more woodlands and the delightful Smisby village. Everywhere was decked with fresh spring colours and wildflowers. The walk was approx 7.3 miles, quite a few stiles, (which produced a few grumbles) but overall everyone was thoroughly delighted with the route that none had taken before. |
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April 2026's RamblersThe April Ramblers was led by Pearl. On a dry but blustery day the walk started from Ashby cemetery car park and headed towards Packington. From there the route crossed Willesley golf course and went into Willesley Wood, skirting the lake before reaching Hicks Lodge for lunch. From there the path was over fields back to Ashby and the cemetery. The distance ws around 7.5 miles and everyone enjoyed the walk |
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September 2025's RamblersThe Ramblers September walk was led by Alison and started from Mount St. Bernard Abbey. The 6.8 mile route started by walking down to the Blackbrook Reservoir, crossing the narrow end and continuing to Fenny Spring Windmill, now a private residence. Turning into Sandhole Lane the way went over Black Brook, which drains out of the other end of the reservoir, and crossed fields to Swannymote Wood, Whitwick Quarry and back to the starting point. Although there had been rain during the week before there was no mud and the weather was fine on the day making for a good walk through varied terrain which was enjoyed by all. |
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August 2025's RamblersThe August Ramblers was led by Pearl from Coton Wood near Coton in the Elms. The eight mile walk was mostly on footpaths through fields and on ancient and more recently planted woodland tracks. The route went first to Lullington, the most southerly village in Derbyshire, then on to Netherseal and back to Coton. Generally a good walking day with just a little rain whilst having lunch. |
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July 2025's RamblersOur July walk on Friday 4th was led by Terri and Brian starting from the Nailstone Platinum Jubilee Country Park at Battram. Following the recent hot weather it was a relief to be starting on a fine morning just right for walking. The route took us through the Country Park and onto Bagworth New Wood, Bagworth Village, Bagworth Heath Woods and the Royal Leicestershire Regiment (1688 - 1970) memorial wood. After looking at the memorial plaque and descriptions of various trees we returned to Bagworth Village and had lunch in the tranquil churchyard before making our way back to the car park by a different route through the country park. A most enjoyable walk which illustrated just how much derelict old mining land has been turned back into pleasant countryside. |
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June 2025's RamblersOur June walk was led by Joyce and started from Stoke Golding. We started off by walking through the village before taking to fields, first to Wykin and then by crossing the Ashby Canal to Higham on the Hill where we had lunch in the church porch. From there we made our way back to the Ashby Canal and a tranquil walk along the towpath back to Stoke Golding. Although clouds threatened throughout there was only one short shower and the temerature was ideal for walking. A nice walk through scenic countryside. |
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May 2025's RamblersOur May walk was led by Tony and started at Ticknall village hall. We first walked to Seven Spouts and then on to Heath Wood with a close encounter with cattle on the way. We continued along the footpath which passes through the grounds of Foremarke Hall (now a school) to Anchor Church caves. Fortunately the recent dry weather enabled us to walk along the bank of the River Trent which is impassable when the river rises after rain.That took us to Ingleby, Knowle Hill House and back through Stantons and Windmill Woods to the car park. An interesting walk in excellent walking weather. |
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April 2025's RamblersFor our April walk, led by Ann, we ventured across to the other side of the National Forest. Starting from Barton Under Needwood we made our way through the Dunstall Estate, with views across to Dunstall church and passing Dunstall Old Hall, then continuing through lovely countryside to our lunch stop by the village hall at Tatenhill. Our return route took us through woodland, and more country with great views passing by the other side of Dunstall church and Dunstall New Hall before joining our outward route for the last stretch back to the car park. A great walk on a fine day followed by delicious coffee and cake at the village tea shop. |
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March 2025's RamblersThe March Ramblers was led by Margaret on a lovely Spring day, the sun shone and it was pleasantly warm by the end, a previous dry spell meant nearly all the mud had gone and the spring flowers and blossom were out. Leaving Woodhouse Eaves car park we set off across the fields to the bridge over the Great Central Railway. Where we stopped for coffee although we didn't see any trains. Then on through Swithland to the Hallgates car park and a climb up through Bradgate Park to the Hunts Hill Car park. We ate our lunch in the sunshine with Old John in the background. Then on across Lingdale golf course back to Woodhouse. |
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