Health Walks
Walking for Health is a national initiative - a partnership between the Ramblers Association and Macmillan Cancer Care - working towards encouraging physical activity for everyone.
We want to encourage people from all walks of life to come and enjoy our programme, especially those people who are doing very little or no exercise at present.
The walk programme is a gentle way to begin to exercise. All walks are led by a trained walk leader and have a back marker, so no matter what your pace you can join in our friendly walks.
You can find out more information on the scheme by visiting the Walking for health website.
On this page
- Health benefits of walking
-
Walking has a number of health benefits. These include:
- providing a sense of wellbeing and lifting the spirits
- boosting the body’s immune system
- increasing the strength of your heart and lungs
- weight loss
- lowering blood pressure
- reducing the risk of strokes
- promoting mental well being through socialising with others.
- Getting the most from Health Walks
-
Before taking part in one of the walks, please inform the walk leader of any health problems, check with your doctor that it is alright for you to take part. You will be asked to fill in a simple health form before your first walk so that the walk leader is aware of any health issues you may have. Please try to arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to complete this form.
Here are a few things to remember before coming along to one of our walks:- the walks leave on time so arrive in plenty of time to park and register before the start of the walk
- the walk leader will advise of any hazards on the route, but you are responsible for your own health and safety
- wear suitable clothing for the weather
- in hot weather bring a drink of water
- walk at a pace which makes you feel a little out of breath but still able to talk easily
- if you are likely to need assistance on the walk, please bring a friend or carer with you
- the walk leader will set the pace for the group. The back marker will walk at the pace of the slowest walker
- please tell one of the leaders if you wish to leave the walk or feel unwell
- dogs are welcome on all of the walks, but they must be kept on the lead at all times and to stay near the back of the walking group to avoid any trips
- please sign out at the end of the walks.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the council by emailing healthwalks@basingstoke.gov.uk or by phoning 01256 845284.
- Walkers' own risk assessment
-
Risk assessments are carried out on the routes and every possible care is taken by the walk leaders to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable walk. Please listen to the walk leaders briefing at the start of the walk which will alert you to any hazards along the route.
When crossing roads please observe the Highway Code at all times, crossing at the safest point and keeping to the footpaths where possible. The walks are undertaken at your own risk.
Weekly walks programme
Monday walks
| Walk | Time | Walk information |
|---|---|---|
| Eastrop
RG21 4QE |
10.45am | A choice of two walks, fast and medium of between 60 and 90 minutes.
Bank holidays is a joint walk. |
| Overton Recreation
RG25 3HD |
10am | A choice of two walks:
Brisk at 60-90 minutes Medium walk at 60 minutes |
| Overton Recreation Centre | 10.30am | This walk runs on the 2nd Monday of every month.
It is a very slow walk of 10-30 minutes and not for the very abled walker. This walk is seasonal from April to September. |
Tuesday walks
| Walk | Time | Walk information |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgeway Community Centre
RG22 5BN |
10.30am | 1st Tuesday of the month
A medium paced walk for 60 minutes |
| Basing Wood
RG24 9AE |
11.30am | A moderate paced walk of 60-90 minutes |
| Special walk ran by Sanctuary Peer Supported Living
(please contact peer supported living to go on this walk - 01256 465334) |
1.30pm | A moderate paced walk of 60-90 minutes |
Wednesday walks (daytime and evening)
| Walk | Time | Walk information |
|---|---|---|
| Gill Nethercott
RG28 7HP |
10am | A choice of two walks, brisk of 60-90 minutes and medium of 60 minutes |
| Beggarwood Community Centre | 10.30am | First Wednesday of the month, starting Wednesday 3 April 2019 |
| Aquadrome - Leisure Park
RG22 6PG |
11am | A choice of two walks:
Brisk walk of 60-90 minutes Slow walk of 60 minutes Meet in the café of the Aquadrome |
| Evening walk - various locations | 7pm | This walk runs from September to December only and starts from various locations.
Walk schedule for September to December 2019 |
Thursday walks
| Walk | Time | Walk information |
|---|---|---|
| Walled Gardens
RG22 4ET |
11am | A moderate paced walk for 60-90 minutes |
| Baughurst Scout hut
RG26 5PW |
10.30am | This walk runs on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
A moderate walk of 60-90 minutes. |
Friday walks
| Walk | Time | Walk information |
|---|---|---|
| St Thomas Church
RG20 9XF |
10.30am | This walk runs on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Friday of the month.
A moderate paced walk of 60-90 minutes. |
| The Rampant Cat Pub
RG20 9TP |
10.30am | This walk runs on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month.
A moderate paced walk of 60-90 minutes. |
| Shakespeare medical
RG24 9DT |
11am | A choice of two walks:
Brisk walk of 60-90 minutes Slow paced walk of 60 minutes |
| Tadley Library
RG26 3JE |
1.30pm | This walk runs on the 1st Friday of the month.
This is a moderate paced walk of 60-90 minutes. |
| Tadley Pool
RG26 3LA |
1.30pm | This walk runs on 3rd Friday of the month.
This is a moderate walk of 60-90 minutes |
Sunday walks
| Walk | Time | Walk information |
|---|---|---|
| Oakley Sunday walk
60 to 90 minute walk |
2.30pm | 29 September 2019 - Beach Park recycling area, Station Road, left off B3400
27 October 2019 - Alongside the church in Wootton St Lawrence RG23 8PE 24 November 2019 - School layby, RG23 7JZ |
Accreditation Certificate (PDF)