Type of Website: Walking Group

'We are a friendly, welcoming North West London based walking group that meets every Thursday for six to eight mile walks, starting at tube or main line stations around London and the South East ... On average ten to twelve people walk each week, and on most walks we usually find time for refreshments at a cafe or pub along the way to supplement our packed lunches.'

'Opportunities in Retirement (OiR Ayr) was founded in 1985 and is a charitable organisation for people over 50. The organisation exists to encourage and facilitate interesting activities for the membership which is drawn from Ayr and the surrounding district. Most groups depend on the initiative, skills and voluntary contributions of individual members.'

Opportunities in Retirement - Ayr

'An organisation for the over-50's. Membership is around 600, drawn mostly from Largs, Skelmorlie, Wemyss Bay, Fairlie and West Kilbride. It was founded in 1987. The organisation exists to encourage and facilitate interesting activities for those who have retired, or who may be thinking about it. Most activity groups depend on the initiative, skills and voluntary contributions of individual members ... '

Opportunities in Retirement - Largs

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Nottinghamshire Area Grouping

'The Friday Walking group (formally known as the Life Long Learning Walking Group or LLL), originated as a self help group in which people come together to share experience, knowledge, and interests on a variety of topics, one of which was walking. The Ormskirk Friday Walking Group is now just a walking group.'

Member of the U3A - London (South) Grouping

'We are a walking group based in and around Greater Manchester, mainly but not exclusively for members of the LGBT community. Walks are led by members of the group and take place on a fortnightly basis during the autumn and winter, and weekly during the spring and summer.'

'We walk between 5 and 14 miles most weekends, with a stop for either a pub lunch or a picnic on the majority of rambles. In the summer months there are shorter evening rambles. We also run two long weekend walking breaks each year and most years have a long distance walk. We hold several social activities during the year.'

'Perhaps the best known activity of the Oxford Fieldpaths Society is the organisation of a programme of walks ... Formed in 1926, the Oxford Fieldpaths Society (OFS) is one of the UK's oldest walking groups. The society was formed to protect the footpaths, bridlepaths and commons in the neighbourhood of Oxford, ensuring that they do not fall out of use and be forgotten.'

'Thank you for showing an interest in our area. We are mainly a walking group, with the additional attraction of a few invited suppers, BBQs, Christmas events, etc. Most of our regular members are males over forty, but we do attract and of course welcome younger males and ladies ... We are a fairly new and small group formed from the much larger BERKS & MID THAMES GROUP (hereafter referred to as "BERKS") to focus on the Oxford area. Many of our members contribute to BERKS events and vice versa.'

Member of the Ramblers - Oxfordshire Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Oxfordshire Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Renfrewshire, Cowal & Bute Area Grouping

Member of the U3A - London (North) Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Berkshire Area Grouping

'Has been active for well over 100 years, promoting the interests of public footpath users in the North Midlands and North West of England. We monitor, protect, and improve the footpath network for the benefit of all.'

Member of the Ramblers - Pembrokeshire Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Glamorgan Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Lake District Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Forth Valley, Fife & Tayside Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Area Grouping

'Welcome to the website of The Phoenix Walking Club. We are based in North Tyneside and are a very active club. We have around 420 members. Every six days, so it isn't the same day each week, we hire two 53 seater coaches to take us to our destination where a choice of walks between 8 to 16 miles will be available.'

Member of the Ramblers - Devon Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - East Yorkshire and Derwent Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Northumbria Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Gwent Area Grouping

'We organise walks every Sunday and Bank Holidays. Walks vary from 6 to 10 miles. We also have regular social events and an annual holiday.'

Member of the Ramblers - Hampshire Area Grouping

'Walking is at the core of what we do, and we are lucky to have some of England's most beautiful scenery within easy reach (not that we're biased, of course!) ...'

'Walking mainly in the Peak District, members are from the suburbs of Stockport in Cheshire including Macclesfield, Cheadle and Wilmslow.'

Member of the U3A - Lancashire Grouping

'We are based in Lancashire in the North West of England but our walks take us round the UK's National Parks, central England, the Lake District, North Wales and even Scotland.'

Member of the Ramblers - Mid Lancashire Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Merseyside and West Cheshire Area Grouping

'Ramblers Cymru is the Welsh section of the charity. We have over 40 groups in Wales which offer led walks every week of all lengths and difficulties.'

Ramblers Cymru is the Welsh section of the charity.  We have over 40 groups in Wales who offer led walks every week of all lengths and difficulties. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/en/wales/what-we-do.aspx#sthash.ORZXr5dA.dpuf

'We work to promote walking for pleasure, health, leisure and transport to everyone, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in towns and cities as well as in the countryside. We want England to be a place where people choose to go walking, contributing to their health and well being and supporting a more sustainable way of life.'

'Scotland has world-class access to most land and inland water, and yet our path density is one of the lowest in Europe ... Ramblers Scotland is working to improve the situation'

Scotland has world-class rights of access to most land and inland water, and yet our path density is one of the lowest in Europe.  We have the right to walk over most land in Scotland, as long as we do so responsibly, but compared to England and Wales we have very few paths to use, especially in lowland areas.  Ramblers Scotland is working to improve this situation.

- See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/what-we-do/protecting-and-expanding-where-we-walk/developing-path-networks.aspx#sthash.2k1HK4wX.dpuf

d and inland water, and yet our path density is one of the lowest in Europe.  We have the right to walk over most land in Scotland, as long as we do so responsibly, but compared to England and Wales we have very few paths to use, especially in lowland areas.  - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/what-we-do/protecting-and-expanding-where-we-walk/developing-path-networks.aspx#sthash.i3eyiy1d.dpuf

'All groups welcome new walkers. You don’t have to join the Ramblers when participating in the first two or three walks. Just turn up at the walk start or phone the walk leader beforehand. Some groups will hold "new members" walks occasionally, although you are welcome to come along on any published walk.'

Details of four Ramblers' Groups in the Bedfordshire Area: [1] Ivel Valley - - - : [2] Lea & Icknield - - - : [3] Leighton Buzzard - - - : [4] North Bedfordshire.

'We have nine Berkshire Area groups: seven traditional groups covering the county; a 20s & 30s group and a flexi group – something for everybody!'

'The Area supports the activities of ten Groups ... operating in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and the London Boroughs of Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent, Ealing and Hounslow. Each group offers a full programme of walks and other activities.'

Details of three Groups within the Carmarthenshire Ramblers' Area.

Details of three Groups within the Ceredigion Ramblers' Area.

Three Local Groups listed at the time of Review.

'Derbyshire groups organise hundreds of walks each year for its members. Visitors from other areas and anyone interested in walking and the Ramblers' Association are welcome to join us on these walks.'

'In Devon alone there are in excess of 2600 members. Without influence from this organisation we would not be enjoying the pleasures of walking that we all take for granted. National Parks, long distance footpaths, and many open access areas would not have happened.'

'Has about eighteen hundred members ... Geographically, our area is sub-divided into a number of local groups.'

'Essex Area Ramblers has nearly 5000 members divided into 19 Groups. These Groups also provide programmes of led walks which are open to all their members. Members can also join walks organised by Ramblers Groups across Britain all at no charge.'

'Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside Area, formerly Central, Fife & Tayside Area, has 14 Groups and, at the most recent count, around 1,400 members.'

Access to details of about a dozen Groups throughout the Area, plus to news of forthcoming walks and meetings as well as PDFs of the annual Newsletter Glamorgan Rambler.

'Everyone who joins Ramblers in Gloucestershire, becomes a member of the Area and up to one Group. Six local Groups organise walks and monitor footpaths within their Parishes, on behalf of the Area. Gloucestershire Walking Group helps bring in younger members to Groups within the Area.'

List five Groups within the Ramblers' Grampian Area: [1] Aberdeen - - - : [2] Aberdeen Young Walkers - - - : [3] Inverurie - - - : [4] Moray - - - : [5] Stonehaven

Brief descriptions of half a dozen Ramblers' Groups in this Area together with a combined diary of forthcoming rambles as well as access to a map summarising walks around and about taken from the Ramblers Routes online library.

'If you live in or around Manchester and enjoy walking, whether it be gentle or strenuous, the Greater Manchester and High Peak Area of the Ramblers and its associated groups organise hundreds of walks throughout the year, so there is sure to be something for you.'

'The Hampshire Area of the Ramblers has over 5,000 members in 15 groups. Each week the groups lead a variety of walks in Hampshire and our neighbouring counties. They will be delighted to welcome you ...'

'In Herefordshire we have four groups: Hereford, Leadon Vale, Mortimer and Ross.'

'Enjoy good companionship in the beautiful, calming countryside of Hertfordshire and North Middlesex.'

'The Area is served by three Groups: [1] Badenoch & Strathspey - - - : [2] Inverness - - - : [3] Lochaber & Lorn - each offering a full and varied programme of led walks throughout the year, as well as being a source of information to walkers.'

'The Inner London Area comprises nine groups located in London ... Although London may not seem like an obvious location for walkers, there are over 5,000 Ramblers members living here, making Inner London one of the most populous areas for walkers to live in the UK. The Thames Path, which runs through our Area, is the most walked path in the country!'

'Details of the Group's walking programme plus links to a wide range of websites concerned with walkers and walking on the Island.'

'Kent is the fourth largest of the Ramblers' sixty or so Areas.  Within Kent Area we have thirteen Groups that organise varied walking and social programmes and support our work to safeguard the interests of walkers in Kent.'

'The Ramblers Lake District Area covers the whole of Cumbria and the northern part of Lancashire, including the Lake District National Park and a small part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Area has about 1,600 members in six local groups; a seventh group, caters for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s all over the area ... The Cumbria Way is a 70-mile walk devised in the 1970s by local members of the Ramblers, and it is the Ramblers who are recognised as the organisation responsible for defining its route.'

'We are made up of the seven local Ramblers' groups in the Leicestershire & Rutland area.'

'Our area is comprised of 11 local groups ... In addition, we have a 20's to 30's Group specifically for younger folk of the Area.'

'There are eleven Groups in the Lothian and Borders Ramblers Area, each arranges a walks programme suitable for people with different levels of experience and fitness. We organise more than 55 walks every month and offer a variety of walks.'

At the time of Review, listed six Local Groups.

'Our Area comprises 8 groups/programmes: Preston, Garstang, South Ribble, Fylde, Chorley, West Lancs, Lancashire Weekend Walkers (40s+). and Lancs Young Person's Group (20s-30s).'

'The Norwich Ramblers Digital Walk Library is a free web resource intended primarily for group walk leaders but it's open to use by anyone interested in walking in the Norfolk area and beyond. The library is a collection of walks submitted by members of the Norfolk Area of the Ramblers Association. The walks have been completed by one or more of the local groups. In addition to the walk details, each walk  has the route in a digital format ...'

Norwich Ramblers Digital Walk Library

'Organised walks to suit all abilities, using car, coach and public transport.'

Covers Ribble Valley, Burnley and Pendle, Rossendale, Blackburn and Hyndburn ... The North East Lancashire Coach Rambles 'are open to both members and non-members'.

North East Lancashire Coach Rambles

At the time of Review comprised eight Local Ramblers Groups.

'This Area of the Ramblers’ Association covers the North Wales Counties of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham and Ynys Môn ... In North Wales there are 10 RA Groups. These Groups offer a varied programme of over 600 guided walks per year. These are led by RA volunteer members. We have walks to suit all tastes.'

'Ramblers’ groups in this area have some great walks and activities to choose from.'

'The Area consists of 5 Groups, each aiming to promote walking, arrange locally led walks and protect our rights of way. We also organise campaigning events, rallies and promotional events.'

'Here you will find useful general information, a gallery of members' pictures, links to other useful sites, a section addressing how you should report any problems you may have with access or footpaths, how to contact us, a news page, a Northumbria Area members' forum and details of the fourteen groups in our Northumbria area.'

'Our footpaths and bridleways are generally well maintained, with a careful watch being kept on their preservation. They span a varied countryside taking in farmland, canals, rivers, fine villages and woodland. Our Area Footpath Secretary is extremely diligent and continues to monitor the rights of Way network for any problems that might arise. We hope you enjoy walking in our county and discovering many new places that you will want to return to over the forthcoming years.'

'As an Area we organise many events throughout the year for the benefit of our members ... Oxfordshire Area has eight groups which cover different regions of the County ... These groups contribute walks to a 6-month programme which is published in booklet form and distributed to members ... A listing of the walks can be found following the ‘Walks Programme’ link under the ‘Walking’ item on the ‘home’ page ... We have two further groups who present their walks on Walks Finder ... both of whom cover all of Oxfordshire for their demographics.'

The Area currently has a single Local Group: Pembrokeshire.

'Powys Ramblers represent members of the Ramblers Association who reside within or close to the county of Powys in Mid Wales. There are now three active groups within the Powys Area: East Radnor, Four Wells and the Welshpool Group.' Site includes details of a score of 'Walks You Will Enjoy'.

'The Renfrewshire, Cowal and Bute Area committee is in the process of being reorganised and refreshed, and while this is happening Ramblers Scotland's staff team are helping with the essential work of supporting the four groups in this area.'

Details of Groups, Walks, Footpaths, and so on within the Shropshire area.

'Somerset Area Ramblers covers an area from Frome in the East of the County to Minehead in the West, from Clevedon in the North to Yeovil in the South. We have a large section of the coastal path stretching from Minehead to Clevedon, The Quantocks, parts of Exmoor, The Black Down Hills and The Mendips. Somerset Area Ramblers is the co-ordinating body for 8 of the Ramblers local groups.'

Access to details of about a dozen Groups operating within the SYNED Area.

'Our territory covers the County of Staffordshire,  City of Stoke on Trent, City of Wolverhampton and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.'

'We have about 2000 members at present and we work mostly through our Local Groups. The local RA groups provide a very varied programme of walks and any member of the public is welcome to join us on our walks, although we hope they will not do so on a regular basis without becoming members of the RA.'

'There are 16 Ramblers' groups in Surrey Area, which covers part of South and South West London as well as the county. Each group organises two or more walks every week. A Group Walk is a great way to get some exercise in a sociable atmosphere ... We have walks from 3 to 20 miles so there should be something to suit everyone. Don't worry if you are unsure of your ability or haven't walked with a group before; everyone is very helpful and welcoming.'

'The Sussex Area of the Ramblers was formed in 1976. Membership stands at around 3500, with 9 local groups throughout Sussex, and one county-wide Young Walkers Group.' The Sussex Border Path is 'in the care of Sussex Area Ramblers'.

'Our boundaries mirror those of the old Warwickshire county and include Solihull, Coventry and Birmingham, (now West Midlands), where many of our members live. The Area contains some great walking country - amazingly there are over 1740 miles of public rights-of-way in Warwickshire alone.'

'The region that we look after on behalf of our members and the walking community is centred on Leeds and Bradford, and extends from Ingleton to Pontefract, and from Holmfirth to Wensleydale.'

Comprises some 1,300 members within 5 groups.

'This section of the Worcestershire Ramblers is the executive comittee that liaises with head office, our local groups and other agencies to enhance the walking experience for everyone ... Currently there are over one thousand members in the Area.'

Access to an eighteen page PDF listing 'friendly' URLs for some 550 Areas and Groups of the Ramblers. Each Entry gives the Ramblers 'Short Code' and the 'Area or Group Name' as well as the URL. The Groups are listed within their respective Areas which in turn are - for the most part - laid out alphabetically by Title (actually by Short Code: Area (and Group) Names change from time to time). I have not checked the overall accuracy of the List ... 

Ramblers

'We're pleased to be able to show you the walking guides our local groups have researched, written and published ...'

Member of the Ramblers - Nottinghamshire Area Grouping