Health Walks

Following the latest government guidance issued on coronavirus (COVID-19) on Monday 16 March, a decision has been taken to cancel our Walking for Health programme until further notice. We will keep you updated and would like to thank you for your patience during this time.

Walking-for-Health-AC-Logo_RGB_lowres 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.

Adverse weather conditions

Due to adverse weather conditions that may occur on the day of the walk, the walk leaders have the overall decision to cancel the walk for health walk. If walkers are still wishing to go on the walk, they can at their own risk, but it will not be under walk for health.

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: Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a fast pace. Short walk of 60 minutes at a medium pace. Bank holidays is a joint walk.
Overton Recreation RG25 3HD	10am	A choice of two walks: Long walk at 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace. Short walk at 60 minutes at a slow/medium pace.
Overton Recreation Centre	10.30am	This walk is seasonal from April to September. 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.
Rucstall Community Centre - Oaks and Acorns generational walk for health	11am	Short walk of 60 minute at a slow/medium pace in rural area around the community centre, lots of activities to do for the children, including pooh sticks, teddy bears picnic in the summer months, autumn foliage find, winter wonderland. All families welcome.

Tuesday walks

Walk	Time	Walk information
Ridgeway Community Centre RG22 5BN	10.30am	1st Tuesday of the month Short walk for 60 minutes at a medium pace.
Basing Wood, Popley RG24 9AE	11.30am	Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace.
Special walk ran by Sanctuary Peer Supported Living (please contact peer supported living to go on this walk - 01256 465334)	1.30pm	Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium pace.

Wednesday walks (daytime and evening)

Walk	Time	Walk information
Gill Nethercott RG28 7HP	10am	A choice of two walks: Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace. Short walk of 60 minutes at medium pace.
Beggarwood Community Centre	11am	First and third Wednesday of the month; a long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium pace.
Aquadrome - Leisure Park RG22 6PG	11am	A choice of two walks: Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a fast pace. Short walk of 60 minutes at a medium pace. Meet in the café of the Aquadrome
Evening walk - various locations	7pm	This walk will resume in April 2020 and starts from various locations. All walks are circular start and finish at the meeting point. The walk is between 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace.

Thursday walks

Walk	Time	Walk information
Walled Gardens RG22 4ET	11am	Two walks: Long walk for 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace. Short walk of 60 minutes at a slow/medium pace.
Baughurst Scout hut RG26 5PW	10.30am	This walk runs on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium pace.

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. Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium pace.
The Rampant Cat Pub RG20 9TP	10.30am	This walk runs on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium pace.
Shakespeare medical RG24 9DT	11am	A choice of two walks: Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace. Short walk of 60 minutes at a slow/medium pace.
Tadley Library RG26 3JE	1.30pm	This walk runs on the 1st Friday of the month. Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace.
Tadley Pool RG26 3LA	1.30pm	Walk will resume on 17 January 2020 from Tadley Library. This walk runs on 3rd Friday of the month. Long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace.

Sunday walks

Walk	Time	Walk information
Oakley Sunday walk Long walk 60 to 90 minutes at a medium/fast pace.	2.30pm	26 January 2020 - from school layby 23 February 2020 - from school layby 29 March 2020 - from Beach Park, Station Road, just off Andover Road 26 April 2020 - from school layby 31 May 2020 - school layby - 10th Anniversary walk 28 June 2020 - Steventon, from beside the Church RG23 7JW 26 July 2020 - St John's layby RG23 7JW 30 August 2020 - Wootton St Lawrence, by the church RG23 8PE

Documents

Accreditation Certificate (PDF) [353 kb]

Contact details

Health Walks team

Email: healthwalks@basingstoke.gov.uk

Telephone: 01256 845284