Walks

April 2nd – HFG Walk

Our next “First Tuesday” organised public walk will be the Tern Valley – Hodnet Walk 9.

It’s a “there and back” walk from Peplow to Stoke on Tern and return, via a stretch of pretty countryside you’d never otherwise see. At about 5 miles (total there and back) it’s a fairly flat route with a few stiles.

Starting at The Church of the Epiphany at Peplow* we follow the Tern Valley up to Petsey and on to St Peter’s Church at Stoke on Tern – where we’ll stop for refreshments in the millennium garden.

*There is fairly limited parking by the chapel, so car sharing is advised. With that in mind you could also, if you wish, leave a car at Stoke on Tern beforehand and then just walk one way.

Everyone is welcome, including dogs on leads. You can find the Walk 9 guide on our web page https://hodnet.org.uk/maim/index.php/tourism/local-walk-leaflets/

Any queries please contact Steve Alden 07774 969 339. We hope to see you there. 

March 5th Walk – HFG

This month we invite you to join us for something a little different – a walk around Lee Brockhurst.

This is a repeat of an outing planned for last November, but which had to be cancelled because of the weather!

We’ve learned from the problems that flowed from that (late) cancellation; so this time we will all meet at the Lyon Hall car park at 09:30, then travel/car share to Lee Brockhurst together for a 10:00 start there.

The walk itself will take around 2 hrs, and is over varied terrain including an (unavoidable) short walk along the verge of the busy A49.

As ever, all are welcome inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Rob Kinsey [07880 317934]

Feb 6th 2024 Walk – HFG

This month we resume our ‘First Tuesday’ walks, with a wander around Fauls – essentially following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet the ‘Fauls Circular’ walk.

We’ll meet outside the Holy Emmanuel church in Fauls [free parking] and aim to set off at 10.00.

The walk takes around 2 hrs, and is over varied terrain with some stiles.

As ever, all are welcome inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

HFG – Xmas Walk: Dec 5th

Our next walk is on Tuesday Dec 5th, starting at 10.30 from the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet.

This month we are walking to Hawkstone Hall, where we have arranged for tea/coffee to be available – at an expected nominal charge.

Our route will be out via the Hearne to Long Lane, then up to Marchamley and down to the hall. After refreshments, participants can walk around the gardens before returning to Hodnet – but, of course, you are free to return earlier if time is pressing. The return route will be via the Marchamley to Hodnet permissive path.

As ever, all are welcome, inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

Hodnet Footpath Group. March 7th Walk

Whilst spring may be upon us? March certainly is, so here are details of our next public/group walk.

This month’s walk is a varied one, and is centred around the nearby village of Fauls – largely following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet.

We will meet at Fauls Church for a 10AM start. There is car parking alongside.

This is a moderately long and undulating route of about 5 miles in length, with a fair few stiles, and is dog friendly. It could be muddy at this time of year, so good footwear is essential.

Duration of the walk is expected to be around 2 – 2.5 hours, so as desired bring a drink/snack.

Everyone is welcome.

DATE CHANGE – December’s Walk – HFG

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of our December walk has had to be changed from the Tues 6th to Tues 13th December. All other details unchanged, as below.

This months public walk, led by Hodnet Footpath Group, will follow the route of our walk 3 leaflet, the ‘Permissive Path’ walk from Hodnet to Marchamley – but then go onwards to Hawkestone Hall where we will stop for the purchase of a coffee/tea or seasonal drink, plus take a walk around their gardens. Afterwards you can return to Hodnet directly, or continue the walk via the second part of the published route down Long Lane and over The Hearne to Hodnet.

This is an easy walk over largely dry terrain – so, hopefully its nearly weather proof !

Meet at the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet ready for a 10.00 departure.

If you intend to come, please let David Wilson know (07970304169 email: david.wilson65@icloud.com)- so we can alert you to late changes &/or advise Hawkeston Hall of likely numbers to expect.

Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] also welcome. Sensible footwear advised.

Expected duration of this walk – around 2.5 – 3 hrs.

Note. To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, usually the first Tuesday of the month. Future walks – January 2023 – none; February 7th (Hodnet to Wollerton and back via Espley) March 7th (Around Fauls); April 4th (TBA); May 2nd (TBA).

All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 – 3 hours.

Keep up to date with all our activities via the Hodnet website or, better still, our group’s own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

Clip CLOP Appeal: Ollerton – Peplow

Everyone who uses our network of Public Rights of Way (PROW), e.g. footpaths and bridleways, will occasionally encounter seemingly incomprehensible dead ends or missing sections (‘gaps’). Indeed, we have some examples in and around Hodnet parish

All who value access to the countryside are encouraged to have a look at this website’s new “Clip CLOP” Appeal page for more information on a local campaign to legally (re)establish, as a bridleway, a long used but now blocked route between Ollerton and Peplow. If succesful, this will complete a ‘gap’ in our local network.

After you have visited it, we hope you will feel able to support it in some way – whether financial or practical.

Visit the Clip CLOP page HERE.

GAPS – More Information.
Often, ‘gaps’ in the current network are the result of inadequate recording of historically used routes when the first official PROW maps were drawn up, by Parish and County Councils, in the 1950’s. Sometimes these ‘gaps’ may reflect a past reluctance of Parish Councils to act against the expressed/supposed wishes of influential local landowners – who might not wish to have certain past routes formally recognised/recorded as passing over their land. Either way, The Ramblers organisation have recorded thousands of past used routes that are ‘missing’ from the current official (Definitive) rights of way maps – as part of their “Don’t Lose Your Way” campaign.

Hodnet Footpath Group. October 2022.

Ever walked to Peplow?

The first of our planned public walks is taking place on Tuesday 6th Sept, starting at 10.00.

We will be walking the route of walk leaflet 9, the Tern Valley walk, but doing it in reverse, i.e. starting at St Peter’s Chruch, Stoke on Tern – plenty of roadside parking.

This is a varied walk over easy terrain, and passes through largely unknown countryside.

Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] welcome. Sensible footwear advised, plus a drink/snack. Most walks are between 2 – 3 hrs duration.

The walk is being led by Steve Alden, tel 07774 969339. If you intend coming, please do let him know – so he can inform you of any last minute changes/cancellation, or possibly wait your delayed arrival before departing.

Note. To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, namely the first Tuesday of the month during September (Stoke on Tern to Peplow), October (Around High Hatton) and November (Hodnet to Fauls). All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 hours.

Keep up to date with our activities via the Hodnet website or better still our groups’ own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

Autumn Public Walks- 2022

Although the response to our earlier season walks was a bit patchy, and rain forced cancellation of one, we’ve decided to persevere and try some more in the Autumn – all in the hope that local residents and friends will join us to explore some of the interesting (possibly ‘hidden’ to many) countryside that exists right on our doorsteps!

Past walks have attracted a diverse bunch of local folk, so why not come along for a pleasant stroll in good company?

To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, namely the first Tuesday of the month during September (Stoke on Tern to Peplow), October (Around High Hatton) and November (Hodnet to Fauls). All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 hours.

Full details will be put on the village website and our Facebook page later in the summer, please look out for them. In the meantime, if you’re interested, please note the dates in your diary.

Free parking is available at all start points. Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] welcome on all walks. Sensible footwear advised, plus a drink/snack. Most walks are between 2 – 3 hrs duration.

Keep up to date with our activities via the Hodnet website or better still our groups own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

8/7/22 – New Date for Glow Worm Spotting

AMENDMENT: Due to changeable/unsuitable weather this event, planned for 1/7/22, has now been moved to the reserve date of 8/7/22. All other details unchanged. If you registered you will have been sent an advice email, if not and especially if you miss this website notice, please accept our apologies. Hopefully see you next week.

Hodnet Footpath Group are once again running our annual nightime walk to try and spot some of Hodnet’s rare glow worms.

These nationally scarce, and locally rare, insects live in certain parts of the vegetation alongside the old railway line from Hodnet to Wollerton. During their brief breeding season they may be spotted glowing to attract a mate.

Glow Worm taken at Hodnet 2016

A warm dark and moonless dry night is the best time to spot them from mid June to mid July, and our walk this year is being held on Friday 1st July. Although you can turn up on the night, it helps us plan/manage the event better if you register your interest. Please contact David Wilson email david.wilson65@icloud.com or call 07970 304169

Meeting Point: By the old Railway Line bridge on Station Road, Hodnet, for a 10.30PM departure. Alternatively, meet in the reception area of The Bear Inn, Hodnet, at 9.30pm for a pre-walk drink – departing for Station road at 10.15pm.

Children and dogs (on leads) welcome. A torch may be helpful for the walk [but isn’t necessary for spotting Glow Worms!]. Sensible shoes and clothing advised.

Note. If wet, the event will be cancelled and then take place on the following friday. If you let David Wilson know you are coming he can keep an email/phone contact for you and let you know if this becomes necessary.