Walking Groups

There are several different groups, dedicated to those who like to walk in company, that operate in Thornbury and District from time to time.

Walking Well

I, for example, lead Walking Well walks on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 10 am from the St Mary Centre. We usually go out for about an hour and a quarter – more or less. These walks are organised through South Glos Council. To join this group, you should fill in a registration form https://forms.office.com/r/PG1jRZPVWU or telephone 01454863440. Alternatively email: walking@southglos.gov.uk .

Age UK

Age UK organise a less strenuous walking group, which includes coffee at the Swan, every Monday afternoon. The walk starts from the Age UK office in the High Street and picks up people on the way to Alexandra Lodge and on to The Swan.

Thornbury Running Club

If you are looking for a more vigorous walk, you might try the walking group for those recovering from injury put on every Thursday by Thornbury Running Club. The first time I went out with them I had difficulty keeping up.

Park Run

Similarly, if you want to try a brisk 5K walk every Saturday at 9 am, walkers are also welcome at Thornbury Park Run on the Mundy Playing Fields. Again, I had to make quite an effort to hang on at the back.

Nordic Walking

I have come across Nordic Walkers, both on the Mundy Playing Fields and on the riverbank at Oldbury on Severn. If anyone is interested, I’ll try to organise a demonstration.

Thornbury Rambling Club

If you want to join a group of Ramblers on a Sunday to explore the countryside a short drive away from Thornbury, share lifts with Thornbury Rambling Club. They do occasional walks from Thornbury, but they prefer getting away after being forced to walk from Thornbury during Lockdown!

Avon Ramblers, Southwold Ramblers and Severnside Ramblers

If you want to join a group on a Ramble from Thornbury, you are more likely to find it being led by a visiting Rambling Group. Avon Ramblers is an umbrella group, where you might begin a search for a Ramble from Thornbury. There are eight groups under the Avon umbrella of which Southwold and Severnside are known to organise walks from Thornbury. A group even comes across the bridge from Chepstow occasionally.

U3A Walking Group and Short Slow Rambles Group

If you are of a certain age, you may find that the U3A (The University of the Third Age) is the place for you. Thornbury is host to one of the biggest U3As in the country and has two walking groups. The first is the U3A Walking Group, which meets on the first and third Thursday of the month. The second is the U3A Short Slow Rambles Group, which meets once a month on a day chosen by the leader.

Geocaching

Geocaching is also a useful way to get you out into the countryside. The idea is to follow instructions online that get you to a secret Geocache for you to log. This is very helpful as it creates something for the kids to do when you drag them out for a walk!