Come and join our friendly health walks around the beautiful surroundings of Shaftesbury and nearby areas. All walks are free, and you can just turn up on the day and enjoy a led walk and meet new people. Well behaved dogs are welcome on a short lead.
| Meeting place | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
Barton Hill Car park, SP7 8QA |
Tuesdays |
Please arrive at 7:15am (7:30am start) for the Sunrise Strider walk, which is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. (walking at a healthy pace, could take in hills, stiles, mud and fields) |
| King Alfred's Kitchen, High Street, Shaftesbury SP7 8JS | Wednesdays | Please arrive at 10:15am (10:30am start) for the 30 to 45 minute Starter walk (walking at a gentle pace, remaining at the top of town on paths and roads, avoiding hills, stiles) |
| Tesco (under the brick gazebo), Shaftesbury SP7 8PF | Wednesdays | Please arrive at 10:15am (10:30am start) for 60 minute Stroller walk. (walking at a steady pace, could take in hills, an occasional stile, mud and fields) |
| Barton Hill Car Park, SP7 8QA | Wednesdays | Please meet at 10:15am (10:30am start) for the Strider walk, which is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. (walking at a healthy pace, could take in hills, stiles, mud and fields) |
| Shaftesbury Town Hall, High Street, SP7 8JE | Thursday | Please meet at 6.45pm (7pm start) for the 60 minute Strider walk (walking at a healthy pace, could take in hills, stiles, mud and fields) High visibility clothing and torches recommended for safety reasons |
For more information about the walks listed above, contact Alyson on 07519 755 566.
Rural walks
Rural walks of 90 to 120 minutes (sometimes more) also take place throughout the year. These are within an approximate 10 to 15 mile radius of Shaftesbury.
During British Summer Time they are usually on weekday evenings to allow people who work to attend.
In winter (GMT), they are on either Saturday or Sunday, usually in the morning. The day of each walk is chosen to take advantage of the best predicted weather conditions.
To find out more about these, contact Andrew by email on [email protected].
All walkers join a closed WhatsApp Group so that walkers receive details of the next walk. Walkers are requested to only private message Andrew if they intend to walk. 5 days’ notice is usually provided, but sometimes it is less when the forecast keeps changing.
The walks often start and finish at a village hall or pub. Car sharing is encouraged and managed by Andrew. Walking builds an appetite and thirst, so we often have a social drink and sometimes food after, but there is no pressure to do so. Walkers are expected to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and to carry water and other items (waterproofs, hats, gloves, sunscreen, etc) to cope with weather changes. Dogs are fine.
Complete a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ)
If you are new to the health walk scheme, we ask that you complete an annual PARQ before attending your first walk. This should be updated once a year or if your health condition changes. If you are unable to complete the PARQ online, contact the Health and Activity team for assistance.