| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 07:01, 9th May 2025 |     |
I plan to rise early again tomorrow and give it another go. Somewhat prophetically, I had decided to only buy my ticket once I knew the train had passed onto the single line on tine; same again in the morning. It's a more expensive train / ticket than I like as it's not "Off Peak". A rather strange definition of "Off Peak" because both of the trains load very thinly and so in colloquial terms the are NOT peak services. Weather forecast looks OK for the walk too.
I rose early, worried at the 9 minutes late at Stonehouse ... which was made up along the way ... 1 minute late at Melksham, and into Westbury in time for the connection. I noted last time I made the connection, and again today, that others were making the dash through the subway at Westbury too ... had a chat with them and it turns out they are regulars and it "usually" works.
There are no peak crowds on this train
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by bradshaw at 20:34, 8th May 2025 | |
Thirty years ago Marion and I researched these walks for the partnership, who then finished off the design and printed them.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 19:02, 8th May 2025 | |
I plan to rise early again tomorrow and give it another go. Somewhat prophetically, I had decided to only buy my ticket once I knew the train had passed onto the single line on tine; same again in the morning. It's a more expensive train / ticket than I like as it's not "Off Peak". A rather strange definition of "Off Peak" because both of the trains load very thinly and so in colloquial terms the are NOT peak services. Weather forecast looks OK for th walk too.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 17:48, 8th May 2025 | |
That aborts my day out then ... 07:45 walk start from Chetnole is out ... GWR booking engine now suggests 11:45 which is about the time I would be completing my 8 hour walk!
8 miles, not 8 hours, surely?
Yes - I should have said 8 half-hour walk to the pub in Maiden Newton ready perhaps for the 1 p.m. train home.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:29, 8th May 2025 | |
That aborts my day out then ... 07:45 walk start from Chetnole is out ... GWR booking engine now suggests 11:45 which is about the time I would be completing my 8 hour walk!
8 miles, not 8 hours, surely?
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 05:55, 8th May 2025 | |
Having researched further, there is an easier route from Chetnole to Maiden Newton which I may tackle tomorrow (8th May) ... and which I can do at my own pace. And if I can't keep up with myself I know there will be should be another train 2 hours later.
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
AGAIN ;-)??
That aborts my day out then ... 07:45 walk start from Chetnole is out ... GWR booking engine now suggests 11:45 which is about the time I would be completing my 8 hour walk!
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by Mark A at 18:20, 7th May 2025 | |
Yonks ago, and not helpful for your walk, with a friend who was on an educational placement in the area, we were exploring on bikes rather than by train. About a couple of miles east of Chetnole and just south of the village of Leigh, we visited Miz Maze, of which there was not much trace even then and possibly rather less now - perhaps ground resistance measurements would reveal it - but the day was lovely and later on we saw a purple emperor butterly.
Mark
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 16:27, 7th May 2025 | |
Lots of interesting walks - https://www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk ...
Chetnole to Maiden Newton via Charing Cross
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross. We continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land. We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross. We continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land. We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.
I have been in touch with the organiser who advises
The walk on the 16th is long and strenuous. I set quite a brisk pace and we walk as a group so there is an expectation that everyone is able to keep the pace. This walk is quite remote in the sense that it is in deep countryside with no places at which you could turn back or give up. The terrain is rough in parts, very different from town walking. So regrettably I think it might be a step too far for you at this stage
... well, I did ask 
... I'll find something else for my daily mile ...Having researched further, there is an easier route from Chetnole to Maiden Newton which I may tackle tomorrow (8th May) ... and which I can do at my own pace. And if I can't keep up with myself I know there
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 07:35, 5th April 2025 | |
Lots of interesting walks - https://www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk ...
Chetnole to Maiden Newton via Charing Cross
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross. We continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land. We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross. We continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land. We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.
I have been in touch with the organiser who advises
The walk on the 16th is long and strenuous. I set quite a brisk pace and we walk as a group so there is an expectation that everyone is able to keep the pace. This walk is quite remote in the sense that it is in deep countryside with no places at which you could turn back or give up. The terrain is rough in parts, very different from town walking. So regrettably I think it might be a step too far for you at this stage
... well, I did ask ... I'll find something else for my daily mile ...| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 07:25, 21st March 2025 | |
Graham wouldn't like it anyway - only assistance dogs are allowed on that one and not your average pooch.
We do not have average pooches these days - we have greyhounds
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:55, 20th March 2025 | |
No: I was being mischievous. 
Rather more seriously, though, I will probably join that particular walk: I'll be in Wiltshire, so it would be rude not to.
I may even take a few pictures, for use in a possible future quiz here on the Coffee Shop forum.
CfN.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by bobm at 20:47, 20th March 2025 | |
Graham wouldn't like it anyway - only assistance dogs are allowed on that one and not your average pooch.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:45, 20th March 2025 | |
No: I was being mischievous.
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 20:33, 20th March 2025 | |
A Wiltshire Ramble
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.
That looks like one I would like to do - I love canals. See you there, grahame?
CfN.
Err - no - Lisa and I will be in Italy / France. Do we need to check diaries?
| Re: Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:07, 20th March 2025 | |
A Wiltshire Ramble
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.
That looks like one I would like to do - I love canals. See you there, grahame?
CfN.
| Celebrating 30 years of Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks Posted by grahame at 15:20, 20th March 2025 | |
Lots of interesting walks - https://www.wessexrailwaywalks.org.uk ... and
Wessex Wanderers Thirtieth Anniversary Summer Get Together - Saturday 5 July 2025
Hi
As some of you already know, to mark the thirtieth year since Peter Gould organised the first of what was to become the Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks, we are planning to hold a Summer Get Together for Current & Past Leaders, Co-Leaders and Supporters, which will be on Saturday 5 July 2025.
Provisionally it’s going to be held at the Railway Inn, Westbury, which is sort of half way between Weymouth and Bristol and very close to the railway station.
It would be very helpful in planning it to get an idea of how many would like to join us, or indeed, will be unable to join us.
Once the plans have been finalised, full details will forwarded to those who have shown as interest.
Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Sylvia
As some of you already know, to mark the thirtieth year since Peter Gould organised the first of what was to become the Wessex Wanderers Railway Walks, we are planning to hold a Summer Get Together for Current & Past Leaders, Co-Leaders and Supporters, which will be on Saturday 5 July 2025.
Provisionally it’s going to be held at the Railway Inn, Westbury, which is sort of half way between Weymouth and Bristol and very close to the railway station.
It would be very helpful in planning it to get an idea of how many would like to join us, or indeed, will be unable to join us.
Once the plans have been finalised, full details will forwarded to those who have shown as interest.
Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Sylvia
I will add diary notes for just a couple of especial personal interest
Chetnole to Maiden Newton via Charing Cross
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross. We continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land. We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.
Wednesday, 16th April
A linear walk across varied terrain, starting with fields and farms, some of which are likely to be wet and muddy, with some woodland paths and streams to cross. We continue on a steady climb on a quiet lane to Gore Hill, to walk along the hilltop paths with stunning views across Dorset down land. We then drop down into Sydling St Nicholas before the final ascent to cross the A37 and down into Maiden Newton.
A Wiltshire Ramble
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.
Saturday, 31st May
A walk from Trowbridge to Bradford on Avon, via river and canal paths, followed by fields and moderate hills.
