We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
Join us for a walking weekend in the West Country at Easter!
We will be based in the “capital” of North Devon, Barnstaple.
The weekend is flexible so please feel free to join for whichever walks and meals you would like.
Organiser: Gemma C
Booking
The weekend is exclusive to current (paid-up) members of the Ramblers. Space is limited to 20 people. Book your place by clicking the ‘Attend’ button on the Meetup event page (if the event is full, click ‘join waitlist’ and you will be added if a place becomes available) and complete our spreadsheet linked to from Meetup.
The usual Stag Walkers booking policy applies.
Please book only if confident you can attend and remember to update your RSVP if you have to cancel.
Accommodation
Please make your own arrangements for accommodation.
Accommodation around Barnstaple is already getting booked up for Easter so if you’d like to attend then I advise you book sooner rather than later as there are not a huge number of options. Airbnb would likely be your best bet though there are a few hotels and B&Bs.
Barnstaple is small but best to be in walking distance of the bus station. There’s a Premier Inn which is about 15 mins walk from the bus station. The most logical campsite is Tarka Trail Camping in Yelland, about 10 mins by bus. There’s another campsite in Bishop’s Tawton but this is only accessible by car. An alternative option for accommodation would be in Bideford (and I’ll be travelling to the walks from there also). As above, it’s about half an hour by bus.
Transport
If leaving home at Thursday lunchtime, Barnstaple should be around 3.5 to 5 hours' drive from North Herts via M4 and M5 or around 5 hours by train, changing at Paddington and Exeter. We encourage drivers to offer car-share and split fuel costs.
Returning on Easter Monday may take slightly longer - it looks like the last sensible train from Barnstaple would be 14.01 (though that’s presently based on Sunday times as times for 21st not yet available).
Schedule:
Thursday 17th: Dinner TBC
Friday 18th: Baggy Point, 10 miles, Moderate but featuring hills.
Our first walk of the weekend will start at Barnstaple bus station where we will take the 21C bus to Georgeham (time tbc). Footpaths and lanes to reach the coast at Woolacombe (with an optional detour for lunch, ice cream, and my favourite beach). From Woolacombe we will follow the South West Coast Path over Putsborough and Baggy Point before reaching Croyde with the potential to enjoy some drinks at the Beach Cafe (bus timetable permitting).
Dinner TBC
Saturday 19th - two options - please indicate your preference on the booking spreadsheet
Option 1: Trip to Lundy Island
Ferry departs Bideford at 9.30am (bus to Bideford departs 8am) and returns to Bideford at 9pm.
Return fare per person £44.20 provided we have a group of 10 or more, otherwise £54
8 mile walk around the perimeter of the island with potential to spot puffins (though it may be early in the season for them and there are no guarantees).
Packed lunch required (I will look into some options to provide this)
Dinner at either the Marisco Tavern on Lundy or at Belluno Bideford on return.
Option 2: Parracombe and Challacombe approx. 10 miles, Moderate
We would take the 309 bus from Barnstaple (time tbc) alighting at Parracombe. We would then explore some classic Exmoor landscapes of burrows, combes and mounds. Pub stop at the Black Venus Inn (and potentially lunch here) before circling back round to pick up the bus to Barnstaple.
Dinner in this case would be a BBQ hosted by me.
Sunday 20th: Joint walk with North Devon Ramblers starting at Morchard Road station, 10 miles, Moderate
Another completely different landscape in the mid-Devon countryside on the northern edge of Dartmoor with small villages dotted along the route. Pub stop at Zeal Monachrum. Train from Barnstaple station at 9.36am. Walk likely to finish around 3pm.
Dinner TBC
Monday 21st: I’m presently investigating the possibility of a cider tasting tour/talk at Green Man Cider – Landkey for those that are interested.
Any questions?
If you've not been to a Stag Walkers weekend away before, they are a great chance to explore somewhere new and to spend some time socialising with other members of the group.
If you have any questions about the weekend, please post on the Meetup event page.
About the organisers
This event is hosted by Stag Walkers - we are a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s and 30s but all are welcome and we have members of all ages. We run weekly walks, on Saturdays or Sundays, varying in length from around 5 to 15 miles, and we host regular social nights. Walks and socials generally take place across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and south Cambridgeshire.
For details of how to join the Ramblers and how much it costs please see the website.
We will be based in the “capital” of North Devon, Barnstaple. Details of walk start points TBC.
