Sunday 13th September schedule:
Walk and Draw
09:00 – 11:00
Meeting at the Swallows Cafe, Radstock
Walk Leaders – Sam Pierpoint
A gentle walk from Radstock up Waterside Valley (up to 3 miles) and Haydon Batch. A chance to come together with a group who value creativity and the magic found in nature’s nooks and crannies. We follow a gentle route, pausing often for sketch-booking and moments of observation along the way. Basic paper and pencils provided or bring your own sketchbook and drawing tools. Get curious about flora, fungi, with no pressure to “make good art” – just to notice, explore, and respond. This event is about slowing down, unwinding, exploration and creativity, with fresh air, a pencil in hand, and some good chatter.
Forest Bathing
11:30 – 13:30
Meeting at the Swallows Cafe, Radstock
Walk Leaders – Maxine
Join us for a rejuvenating Forest Bathing experience at the beautiful Waterside Valley in Westfield. Over the course of 2-hours, you’ll learn mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, and gentle movement to help you unwind and recharge. No prior experience necessary, just bring an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Sunday Walks led by Somer Valley Ramblers start at 10 a.m. from Radstock Town Library and end back at the Radstock Men’s Working Club for Coffee and Cake. All walks will have spaces for walk-ins on the day! Note: The afternoon Stroller Walk starts at 13:45 from Radstock Working Men's Club. See details below.
Morning Stroller walk, Nature OnYour Doorstep – 3.4 miles
10:00 – 12:30
Walk Leaders – Carol and Marilyn
A short walk at a leisurely pace from Radstock. You will visit hills and valleys close to Radstock with a link to The Romans! The area is blessed with routes into the country as well as local green spaces to exercise and relax in. This years festival celebrates the restoration of former coal mining areas to spaces which attract insects, animals and humans all in equal measures. Finish your walk with a cuppa and cake at The Working Men's Club.
You will need to wear strong shoes or boots. The terrain will be a mixture of green fields and prepared pathways. Please bring a drink with you and dress according to the weather. Some parts of the walk are in open countryside. If it's hot remember your sunhat and sun cream. If it's a bit rainy you will need a waterproof coat. Note: If you can't walk in the morning, this walk is repeated at 13:45 hrs.
Please register for this walk at Radstock Library, The Street, Radstock from 9:30a.m. onwards. Buses stop at Radstock Co-Op a few yards east of The Library. Look for the signs to guide you to The Library. Free Car Parking is available at Church Street Car Park to the rear of The Library. Print yourself a free ticket from the machine!
Short Walk – 6 miles
10:00 – 14:00
Walk Leaders – Richard and Julie
A Ramblers 'short' walk to celebrate our Walking Festival. Richard will lead you along paths, tracks and fields to Foxcote and Shoscombe. After leaving Radstock you climb up to the site of old temporary houses built to house the Durham miners who travelled south for employment. A drop downhill finds you at manmade ponds, for fishing and for the pleasure of the owners of Woodborough House. Tracks will lead you to Shoscombe, a small sheltered village where the locals would like to purchase their village pub. Through small hamlets and down to the river, it will be time to head back to Radstock via Foxcote. You will pass the old spoil heaps created by coal mining, now natural wildlife sanctuaries. Don't forget to stop for a chat over tea/coffee and cakes, served at Radstock Working Men's Club on the edge of the car park.
You will need sturdy walking shoes/boots. Please keep an eye on the weather, recent rains will create mud in places so please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Bring a drink and a light picnic as there will be stops along the route to refresh yourselves. If the weather is hot, a sun hat and suncream will protect you from the harmful rays still present at this time of year.
Please register for this walk at Radstock Library, The Street, Radstock from 9:30a.m. onwards. Buses stop at Radstock Co-Op a few yards east of The Library. Look for the signs to guide you to The Library. Free Car Parking is available at Church Street Car Park to the rear of The Library. Print yourself a free ticket from the machine!
Medium walk – 7.5 miles
10:00 – 15:30
Walk Leaders – Graham and Sue
This interesting rural walk introduces you to local industrial history, transport systems and famous estates. Your leader will take you to the pretty village of Kilmersdon and across fields to Babington House, a country club for people employed in the 'arts'. Quite a level section will then follow before dropping down to an ancient 'coffin way'. The autumn fields will lead you back to the small hamlet of Charlton where you head back to Radstock along the Waterside Valley. Much effort has been expended by volunteers to restore the valley to a relaxing welcoming environment for humans and wildlife. After the walk have a refreshing cuppa and cake with your walking colleagues in The Working Men's Club adjacent to the car park.
Please bring a drink and a light picnic. There will be two breaks for refreshments. There are stiles on this walk.
If the weather is hot please follow the 'slip, slop, slap' guidelines of hat, sunshades and sunscreen. In rainy conditions the terrain may be muddy so gaiters would be useful. You will need sturdy walking boots/shoes for this walk. Walking poles will be useful if you use them.
Please register for this walk at Radstock Library, The Street, Radstock from 9:30a.m. onwards. Buses stop at Radstock Co-Op a few yards east of The Library. Look for the signs to guide you to The Library. Free Car Parking is available at Church Street Car Park to the rear of The Library. Print yourself a free ticket from the machine!
Sorry NO Dogs on this walk.
In Celebration of the Restoration of our Wildlife Parks – 7.5 miles
10:00 – 15:30
Walk Leaders – Sheila and Steph
A walk to celebrate the work undertaken by volunteers and Somer Valley Rediscovered to restore wild life areas and parks for the benefit of flora, fauna, wildlife and humans. Sheila, your leader, has personal experience of the impressive work undertaken. She will be supported by Steph, a member of Somer Valley Rediscovered who has inspired and guided the volunteers. From the start you will quickly enter a large valley with good walking surfaces and interesting stops along the way. A short uphill walk to the level area of a once desolate coal batch, now a 'managed' scrubland. Cross back over the valley and stream and make your way to the Silver Street Nature Reserve, then downhill to an established housing estate where Staddlestone Park has had a major face lift including the planting of trees. Via Withies Park you will walk to the west side of Midsomer Norton and to our local area of Thicket Mead. Walk along the popular valley of Wellow Brook which has had an upgrade of relaxing areas and information boards. You will be walking back to Radstock via Midsomer Norton Town Park, a clever adaption of another old coal slag area, now a popular area for participating in outdoor exercise and educational classes. A useful Amphitheatre is blended into the hillside. Finally use The Greenway to return to Radstock for a refreshing cuppa and delicious cake to mull over the inspiring areas you have visited. The walk is a mixture of urban and rural areas. Although you will be walking between locations at a moderate pace, time will be spent at each area for explanation of the work undertaken, hence a longer walk duration than usual.
Please bring a drink and a light picnic. Wear clothing suitable for the weather, and strong footwear.
Please register for this walk at Radstock Library, The Street, Radstock from 9:30a.m. onwards. Buses stop at Radstock Co-Op a few yards east of The Library. Look for the signs to guide you to The Library. Free Car Parking is available at Church Street Car Park to the rear of The Library. Print yourself a free ticket from the machine!
Dogs on a short lead please.
Long Walk - 13 miles
10:00 – 16:30
Walk Leaders – Julia and Ray
This walk is designed for those who like to walk further and faster. Starting from Radstock you will climb out of the valley to Woodborough in countryside south of Peasedown St John and along tracks heading towards Combe Hay via White Ox Mead. A visit to Wellow and the Long Barrow at Stoney Littleton sees you heading back to Radstock through the tiny hamlet of Foxcote. It's a varied walk with hills up and down but also some long stretches of level ground. Due to the length and terrain of the walk the leader reserves the right to amend the route depending on circumstances on the day. Don't forget to pop in to The Working Men's Club on the edge of the car park for a welcome tea/coffee and cuppa after the walk!
This is a medium to strenuous walk. You will need to have a good level of fitness and be used to walking a little faster than a standard medium walk. There are hills, but none with an excessive gradient. Please bring a drink and a picnic. As the walk is in open countryside you will need waterproofs if rain is forecast. If the weather is warm please wear sunhat, sunshades and apply suncream. If we have had recent rain the ground will be muddy in places. Walking boots/shoes recommended.
Please register for this walk at Radstock Library, The Street, Radstock from 9:30a.m. onwards. Buses stop at Radstock Co-Op a few yards east of The Library. Look for the signs to guide you to The Library. Free Car Parking is available at Church Street Car Park to the rear of The Library. Print yourself a free ticket from the machine!
Dogs on a short lead.
Afternoon Stroller walk - Nature On Your Doorstep 3.4 miles
13:45 – 15:00
Walk Leaders – Carol and Marilyn
A short walk at a leisurely pace from Radstock. You will visit hills and valleys close to Radstock with a link to The Romans! The area is blessed with routes into the country as well as local green spaces to exercise and relax in. This years festival celebrates the restoration of former coal mining areas to spaces which attract insects, animals and humans all in equal measures. Finish your walk with a cuppa and cake at The Working Men's Club.
Please register for this walk at Radstock Working Men's Club, The Street, Radstock from 13:30 p.m. onwards. Buses stop at Radstock Co-Op a few yards east of The Working Men's Club. Look for the signs to guide you. Free Car Parking is available at Church Street Car Park to the rear of Radstock Library. Print yourself a free ticket from the machine!
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