Programme of events

Please ensure that you've booked and submitted payment/food orders for the upcoming meal events - Go Houghton on 5th Nov (contact Peter Jackson 07732 418260) & Christmas Meal & Party Night on 15th Dec (contact Gill  gmorris09@hotmail).  Deadlines are approaching!

Reasonably easy walk round Tring reservoirs starting from Marsworth Village Hall HP23 4LR along some of the Grand Union and through Wilstone Village. Probable pub stop.
9.30  Priory. Please let Eila know if you intend to start from Marsworth.

A circular walk from Maulden, going around Maulden woods and eventually joining the Marston vale trail passing Houghton house  then stopping for lunch at Ampthill. We then follow the edge of Flitton moor before returning to Maulden.

Treat yourself to tea/coffee while discussing where to walk. May involve a bus or two...

A trip to spend a weekend in Norwich-Norfolk from 27th-29th Oct.  While John initiatiated this trip, you are expected to find and book your own accommodation and make travel arrangements.  Some members have already booked B&Bs in the city staying Friday to Saturday and returning Sunday. There will be a walk around historic Norwich with its cathedral, castle and river walk.  Advice on booking accommodation is to go to  https://www.airbnb.co.uk/ or  https://www.booking.com/ .   Alternatively, you could stay on the coastal area of Norfolk  at the following YHAs - YHA Sheringham/YHA Wells-Next-To Sea.  The coastal area offers lots of activities, beach and nature reserves/a seal colony.  Travel time between Norwich and Wells is around 50-60mins by car.

Right Royal Walk in London we meet up  at Blackfriars Station at 10.21 having boarded the train at either Leagrave (9.29) Luton (9.35) or Parkway (9.39). Start with refreshments and Royal Festival Hall.  The walk is approximately 6 miles, with plenty of royal connections along the way finishing at the V&A.  Then you have a choice – do your own thing or have brief visit to V&A and then take a more direct route back to Blackfriars about three miles.

The second of the Woburn walks takes us at an easy-pace accross the Woburn Abbey estate, returning to Woburn town via Battlesdon and Potsgrove.

09.02 A bus to Luton Interchange. 09.40 321 bus to Childwickbury. Walk via Heartswood Forest and Wheathampstead to Luton Interchage to catch busway bus back to Dunstable.

Join Don as he looks back on the bygone Bogtrotters

Autumn colour trail walk through Ashridge. Trails pass through areas of Ringshall, Berkhamstead and Ashridge Estate.  Start and finish at visitor's centre.  Brownlow cafe/packed lunch stop at the end of the walk.  A moderate level walk mainly level with some inclines. This is Gill's first at walk-leading.

This walk from the Three Locks car park includes Stoke Hammond, Drayton Parslow, Stewkley, Soulbury and stretches along the canal towpath.

Join us for a spectacular fireworks display at Houghton Regis -Tithe Farm Recreation Ground.  Meal at Go Houghton afterwards (do either or both events).  Fireworks display is free.  Click for more details - https://www.evensi.com/houghton-regis-fireworks-tithe-farm-recreation-ground/212816156 .   Please book the meal ASAP as the restaurant will be very busy.  The owner has offered us a special deal - £15.00 for 3 courses and £12.50 for 2 courses (£5 supplement for steak and salmon dishes).  Email Peter with your meal choices and a £5.00 deposit per person (cash preferred). Cheques to made payable to Dunstable & District Walking & YHA Group and sent to Peter at 40 Bidwell Hill, Houghton Regis, LU5 5EP.  Balance to pay on the evening - cash preferred.  Please order from the main menu - http://www.gohoughton.com/menu-1/ .  Parking advice - road closures in place around Tithe Farm Rec Ground between 6-9pm.  For the meal - car park at the venue.

Starting from Redbourn taking a variety of paths  we walk to Redbournberry Mill  then up to the golf course returning down to Markyate. Hoping to visit the Cafe on the Green for refreshments on route. Classed as a easy to medium walk with some hills.
Meet 10am West St bus stop to catch the 10.12am  no 34 to St Albans

Treat yourself to tea/coffee while discussing where to walk. May involve a bus or two...

No car sharing today. Walk from Dunstable Asda bus stop via Caddington and Pepperstock, with its potential for a tea/coffee stop at Harper's, to Harpenden. Catch bus from Harpenden to Luton; busway bus back to Dunstable.

09.02 A bus to Luton Interchange. 09.40 321 bus to Hatching Green/Harpenden Common. Walk via Rothamsted, Flamstead and Markyate back to Dunstable.

Join Don as he looks back on the bygone Bogtrotters

This easy-paced ramble takes you to the northern section of the Abbey estate (where the Safari Park is) returning to Woburn via Birchmoor.

Please ensure you've submitted payment and food orders for the Christmas Meal and Party Night. 25th November is the absolute deadline.

A circular walk from Park Street car park opposite the parish church. As always the route is fluid but should take in views of Woburn Abbey, the deer park and safari park.

A short/easy walk round College Lake Bird Sanctuary (Tring). Some slight inclines. Cafe open.  Afterwards walk extension along GU Canal to Tring reservoirs. Options of Bluebell cafe or drink after at Grand Junction pub on the canal. Return about 1.30/2.00pm (2.30/3.00 if having a drink/snack) Peter 07732 418260 or  peterdajackson@aol.com

A circular walk from Woburn, classed as a easy walk with no major hills.  We hope to have time at the end for refreshments in Woburn.  We will be using the new service no 47  on both journeys.  Meet 8.50am at the Square to pick up the 47 to Ridgmont.

Treat yourself to tea/coffee while discussing where to walk. May involve a bus or two...

Starting at Silsoe we will make our way round some of the villages of central Bedfordshire including Clophill and Upper Gravenhurst. Easy to medium walk

Potten End, Nettleden and Great Gaddesden

09.00 47 bus to Ridgmont. Walk to Leighton Buzzard via Woburn and Rushmere estates. Catch 70 or F70 bus back to Dunstable. Replaces original walk due to withdrawal of X31 service to MK.

Join Don as he looks back on the bygone Bogtrotters

A celebration of the music of the California Ballroom.   Featuring The American Four Tops - a tribute band.   Expect a party atmosphere and lots of  Soul, Motown, Reggea and Jazz Funk of the 60's and 70's.   An unmmissable event!   Tickets are £18.00 and can be bought from Bigstuff (clothing store), Queensway or online.  Click on this link for more info http://www.cali-r.com/. Venue is Dunstable Conference Centree (DCC), 51, High Street North.

Join some Boggies for a festive Christmas Carols & Tree Light Switch on in Houghton Regis 5pm-6pm.  Pub/meal afterwards.  More info here - http://www.houghtonregis.org.uk/event/73-carol-service-tree-light-switch-on  Please contact Alan Plumley if you'd like to attend and discuss plans for the evening.  (note that the CALI-R event starts at 8pm).

The Fourth Woburn easy-paced ramble goes across the Abbey estate, following the Greensand Ridge walk to Eversholt, and then loops round to Froxfield and Park Farm to Woburn town.

Walk from the car park in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead, to the canal towpath which leads to Berkhamsted with its opportunities for refreshments. Then pass the castle ruins and climb steadily to Potten End before dropping down into the Gade Valley for the return to the car park.

A short easy walk from Slapton to grand Union Canal: Slapton Lock, Church Lock, Grove Lock, along River Ousel back to Slapton. Some gates & styles. Visit Carpenters Arms in Slapton at the end for lunch (under new ownership!) We meet at 10.00 am at French's Avenue and Return about 1.30/2.00pm (2.30/3.00 if having lunch). Peter 07732 418260  or peterdajackson@aol.com.

Treat yourself to tea/coffee while discussing where to walk. May involve a bus or two...

Walk from Hicks Road car park to Flamstead going through scenic Hertfordshire countryside via Peperstock and Friars Wash. Possibilities for stops at tea shop and pub along the way.

An easy walk. Going up to Pepperstock, Slip End, touching Caddington and back to Stockwood Park. There are also nice gardens and a tea room there if people want to use them.   It is fairly flat, without stiles, but if we have rain it maybe a little muddy in places. The walk is five or six miles and we expect to return before 2.30 p.m., leaving time to change and go to the Carol service. Contact Eila if you want to begin the walk at Stockwood Park.

Scrapping the Wednesday walkers traditional lunch for a Fish & Chip Christmas Lunch at Godfreys Harpenden.

Catching  the no 34 to Redbourn , possible cafe stop at the Common Cafe on the green before walking the Nicky Line to Harpenden for lunch. Booking required with myself by the 1st December.
Meet 10am West St bus stop to catch the 10.12am No 34 to St Albans
Note :-- Return journey back via Luton Interchange & Busway.

09.42 E bus to Toddington. Walk back to Dunstable.

Join Don as he looks back on the bygone Bogtrotters

BOOKING NOW! - After last year's big success, the venue is the Market Cross, Dunstable. Please book with the FULL COST of your meal ASAP to guarantee a place as the venue will get fully booked. There will be a DJ same as last year so you can boogie or chat and mingle at your table. Place your meal order by emailing/texting Gill writing clearly what your choices are.  Send either £12.50 for 2 courses or £15.00 for 3 courses (cash preferred).  If you need to send a cheque please send it by post to Colin made payable to Dunstable & District Walking & YHA Group. Give cash to Gill. Please keep a note of what you've ordered and bring it on the night.  Here's the menu - just click!  https://marstons.azureedge.net/media/562556/festive-c.pdf?v=

A short walk from Redbourn down the River Ver into St Albans, past Verulamium and the Fighting Cocks and up to the Abbey. It looks as if this year the path through Gorhambury should be open, so hopefully we won't have to walk along the road. We will be stopping for a pub lunch in St Albans. The Abbey is having a Carol Service on the hour every hour up until 4pm, a Christmas market will be open in the Vintry Garden next to the Abbey. Buses run back to Redbourn or direct to Dunstable at 5 minutes past the hour until 6.05 pm. Distance approx 5 miles and then in and around St Albans as you wish, back on the 4, 5 or 6 o'clock bus.  Meet at 09.30 Priory School or at Redbourn (by the fire station) or in St Albans.

A circular walk from the Yum Yum taking in views from the Downs and of the zoo on paths between Dunstable, Studham and Kensworth.

Treat yourself to tea/coffee while discussing where to walk. May involve a bus or two...

Walk from and around the Dunstable area before returning to the Gary Coopers.

Drinks and a festive social time at the Gary Cooper pub, Dunstable - 3pm onwards...all welcome.  Alan and the walkers will arrive around 4pm.  Non-alcoholic/hot drinks are also available!  Merry Christmas!

This walking-hostelling trip will be from Dec 27th-Dec 31st.   We will stay 4 nights in the heart of Shropshire at Wilderhope YHA - an Elizabethan Grade I listed building, recently re-furbished.  Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements for accommodation. We'll be walking around the Wenlock Edge/National Trust area of Shropshire.  There'll be a variety of daily walks led by Don/other walk leaders.  We'll visit some pub/restaurants and you could take a rest day to explore Shrewsbury-the local area.  Cost per night is approx £20.00 and we'll be staying in rooms of about 4-5 for privacy and comfort (unless you specify otherwise).  Private rooms are limited.   Please contact Gill if you want to book a place - and send a £50.00 deposit to Colin (see email from Colin). We will have a planning meeting nearer the time to organise car-sharing and food/catering.

A variation on the Wetherspoon Wander: join me for a birthday walk from the Gary Cooper to the Swan in Leighton Buzzard. Pat should be with me to ensure any celebrations don't get out of hand. Catch 70 or F70 bus back to Dunstable.

Walk leader required

Walk leader required

New Year's Day walking around the houses.  Meet at Peter's at 10.30  for coffee, nibbles and mulled wine (hair of the cat?). From there (about 11.30) we'll walk through Houghton Regis chalk-pit or Houghton Hall Park, returning back to Peter's or elsewhere in HR (if someone offers) for food/drinks until about 4.00pm. Let Peter know if you'll want some food afterwards. Peter 07732 418260 or peterdajackson@aol.com

09.17 61 bus to Ivinghoe Beacon. Walk back to Dunstable via Beacon, Ashridge Monument, Dagnall, Zoo, Downs.

09.17 61 bus to Edlesborough. Walk to Leighton Buzzard station via Ivinghoe Aston, Mentmore, Ledburn, Wing. Get 70/F70 bus (about half-hourly) back to Dunstable.

A post-Easter hostel trip from Thursday 12th to Monday 16th April.  This will replace the usual Easter trip. We will be staying at Ilam Hall Ashbourne Derbyshire - This 17th Century gothic manor sits in 84 acres of National Trust parkland next to the river Manifold, with Dovedale just on its doorstep. The beautiful Youth Hostel is full of character and nestled near the church and quaint village of Ilam.

http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/ilam-hall. There is lots to do in Ashbourne and some good resturants and pubs - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g499571-zft10670-Ashbourne_Derbyshire_England.html

Derbyshire is a popular trip therefore, room bookings are completed. Please contact Alan if you want to join us and make a late Hostel booking/B&B.

A summer trip to the river Wye and Snowdonia. We will be based in the Blue Bell Inn Llangurig "http://www.bluebell-inn.co.uk/". There are two trails to walk: The North Wye Valley Way and Glyndwr’s Way. We will also spend a day at Aberystwyth walking the coastline and maybe taking a trip on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. For those who want to include the visit to the Snowdonia National Park, we then move on to YHA Llanberis hostel. Alternatively, you will be making your own B&B/YHA arrangements. If you want to go to the top of Snowdon you can decide whether you want to take a climbing route or go up by the railway. The dates for the trip are: Llangurig Sat 21 Jul departing Sat 28 Jul and Llanberis 28 Jul departing Weds 1 Aug 2018. The Bluebell Inn web site and the Boggie’s Facebook page will give more information and photographs. For example alternative bunkhouse or camping accommodation is available at Woodhouse Farm Pant-y-dwr "http://www.bunkhousemidwales.co.uk".  Visit the YHA website to book at Llanberis YHA for the Snowdon part of the trip.

I have booked the Cwm Ivy National Trust lodge from 23rd August to 29th August. It is 10 bedded accommodation but there is room  for  campers. ttps://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/whiteford-and-north-gower/features/cwm-ivy-lodge-bunkhouse   We may be able to squeeze in one or two more. If interested contact Eila.