UPCOMING DAY WALKS
Here are a selection of the day walks we have planned - scroll down to see them
Saturday 29th May 2021
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Rachel Whitbread
Start: Shibden Hall, Halifax
Length: 3 - 4 miles
Grade: Leisurely
The BBC TV series Gentleman Jack, starring Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle, has sparked a huge amount of interest in the life of landowner, businesswoman, mountaineer and diarist Anne Lister and we are delighted to be offering this fascinating insight into her life, exploring her home, Shibden Hall, and a number of the locations she frequented in Halifax.
We are even more delighted to have secured the services of Rachel Whitbread as our Halifax guide. Rachel spent time in the 80s researching Anne Lister for her mother Helena whose books have been key in keeping Anne Lister’s legacy alive. Rachel has transcribed Anne Lister’s code for various projects and been involved in many events and conversations with Helena and other Anne Lister scholars over the past 30 years. We are so pleased to have her along to share her passion for this fascinating woman.
Our day begins at Shibden Hall where you will have time to see the various rooms that Anne inhabited alongside her family. There are many aspects of the building and surrounding parkland which were part of Anne’s series of improvements. Many of the rooms also appeared in the BBC drama series.
After our visit to the hall, we will head downhill into Halifax on foot, following in the footsteps of Anne who would have walked into Halifax to attend to business matters and visit her favourite haunts. We will view the house where she lived as a girl, locations where she courted women, the residence of her opponent Christopher Rawson – and much more! Our guided walk will end at Halifax Minster where Anne’s tombstone lies and many of her family are buried.
We will meet at Shibden Hall and the walk will end in the centre of Halifax. There is a frequent bus service from Halifax which takes under 5 minutes. Price includes entrance to Shibden Hall and guided walk.
Saturday 29th May 2021
THE LONDON PARKS (WALK II)
Who: Walking London, Walks for Women
Guide: Barbara Hamilton
Start: Highgate Underground
Finish: St James’s Underground
Length: 8 miles
Grade: Low Moderate
Starting in Highgate Village walking across Hampstead Heath to Primrose Hill, Regents Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and finishing in St James's Park. This walk gives us a view of London from the North and takes us through a number of quiet, peaceful areas in addition to briefly crossing London's busiest shopping street!
Tuesday 1st June 2021
PEAK DISTRICT: EYAM, THE PLAGUE VILLAGE AND THE QUIET DALES
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Clare Kelly
Start: Eyam
Length: 10.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
A lovely guided walk from Eyam through the quieter dales to the south of the village. Eyam is well known for the part it played in the plague of 1665 when the people of the village self isolated in order to prevent the plague from spreading throughout the region and beyond. Clearly there are parallels to be drawn with the current pandemic.
Your guide will lead you out of the village, through quiet Coombs Dale and the steep-sided Rough Side before skirting Middleton Moor towards Wardlow and the upper reaches of Cressbrook Dale. The walk continues to the pretty village of Foolow before crossing pastureland with its patchwork of stone walls and returning to Eyam where there will be time to discover more about the village and its history.
Tuesday 8th June 2021
PEAK DISTRICT: DERWENT EDGE AND LOST LAD
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Clare Kelly
Start:Fairholmes Visitor Centre
Length: 8 miles
Grade: Moderate
A walk from Derwent reservoir up onto Derwent Edge with its extensive views and fascinating range of gritsone tors. The walk descends via the viewpoint at Lost Lad.
The walk is varied, starting off along the edge of the reservoir famous for its connection to the Dam Busters, it then heads uphill to reach the gritstone edge above. There are many groups of evocatively named outcrops to marvel at – the Cakes of Bread, Salt Cellar, Wheel Stones… There are also 360 degree views across the surrounding landscape of hills and moors.
The walk then descends via the Lost Lad viewpoint and ends with an easy walk along the reservoir.
Grade: Moderate. The walk is 8 miles long with 600m of ascent. A reasonable level of fitness is required. There is a long, gradual ascent to reach the edge.
Thursday 10th June 2021
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Clare Kelly
Start: Castleton Visitor Centre
Length: 5.5 miles
Grade: Leisurely
Castleton and Hope are two classic villages located in the heart of the Peak District. Our circular walk begins in Castleton and takes in the Hope Valley with views of the dramatic Winnat’s Pass, Peveril Castle perched high above and the numerous show caves dotted around the hillside. From here we head across open fields to the village of Hope where we will have time for a refreshment break at one of the coffee shops. We then follow the river back through the valley to Castleton with time to pop into the visitor centre.
Grade: Leisurely The walk is 5.5 miles with 180 metres of ascent taken at a leisurely pace in order to enjoy the surroundings to the full. The walk is on footpaths and some quiet, minor roads
Monday 21st June 2021
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Clare Kelly
Start: Fox House, on Sheffield/Hathersage Road
Length: 6 miles
Grade: Low Moderate
We will head off over the moorland, crossing Burbage Brook on a lovely old packhorse bridge before heading up to Carl Wark, an ancient Iron Age hill fort. Once we have taken in the views from the top, we will head over the moors to the gritstone outcrop of Over Owler Tor where again we will get some amazing views this time across to Mam Tor and Kinder Scout and back towards the Fox House and Longshaw.
From here we will head towards Millstone Edge and Surprise View with its stunning view down the length of the Hope Valley. We will then head down to a quiet spot where we will find row upon row of abandoned, moss-covered pulp stones. We continue on this path through eerie silver birch woodland before reaching Padley Gorge and following an easy path back along the stream to the Fox House.
Saturday 26th June 2021
CAPITAL RING - WIMBLEDON PARK
TO RICHMOND
Who: Walking London, Walks for Women
Guide: Barbara Hamilton
Start: Wimbledon Park Underground
Finish: Richmond Over/Underground
Length: 8 miles
Grade: Low Moderate
A wonderful walk passing the All England Tennis Club, crossing Wimbledon Common into Richmond Park and down to Petersham to meet the River Thames and following the path into Richmond.
Tuesday 29th June 2021
PEAK DISTRICT: CURBAR, CALVER AND THE RIVER DERWENT
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Clare Kelly
Start: Baslow Nether End
Length: 6 miles
Grade: Leisurely
Sitting below the gritstone escarpments of Baslow and Curbar Edge are some delightful villages where traditional Peak District cottages and houses abound. Our walk begins in Baslow before heading across the fields below the edges to reach the village of Curbar. From here we head through woodland to nearby Calver where the converted mill dominates the riverside. Those who remember Colditz may recognise the facade from the TV programme. We leave Calver via the banks of the River Derwent and head back to Baslow itself by crossing a lovely old toll bridge.
Grade: Leisurely. The walk is 6 miles with few gradients and is taken at a leisurely pace in order to enjoy the surroundings to the full. The walk is on footpaths and some minor roads.
Saturday 31st July 2021
THE CENTENARY WOOD, EPSOM DOWNS
Who: Walking London, Walks for Women
Guide: Barbara Hamilton
Start and finish: Tattenham Corner BR Station
Length: 6 miles
Grade: Moderate
The Millennium Wood was planted to commemorate the First World War. The area is the site of a WW1 training camp and the walk explores the way in which the story has been remembered with planting, statues and stories to remind us of this part of history. An ultimately uplifting walk through a lovely part of the Downs.
Saturday 14th August 2021
TWO DAYS WALKING ON THE CALDERDALE WAY - DAY ONE - THE NORTH SIDE
Who: Hebden Hikes
Guide: Jo Bird
Where: The Square, Hebden Bridge
Length: 8.5 miles
A fantastic day's walking along the Calderdale Way from Hebden Bridge to Todmorden, via Heptonstall. Wonderful views over the South Pennines. Bus back to Hebden Bridge. 8.5 miles, 320m ascent. Bring packed lunch. Be prepared for any weather and wet/rough ground! £15pp
Sunday 15th August 2021
TWO DAYS WALKING ON THE CALDERDALE WAY - DAY TWO - THE SOUTH SIDE
Who: Hebden Hikes
Guide: Jo Bird
Where: The Square, Hebden Bridge
Length: 8 miles
Meet up in Hebden Bridge and take bus to Todmorden to pick up the Calderdale Way. Circling the west of Todmorden first, and then heading east for the viewpoint of Stoodley Pike and then onto Hebden Bridge. Fabulous views over the South Pennine hills and moors. 8 miles. Bring a packed lunch, be preared for any weather and wet/rough ground! £15pp
Saturday 21st August 2021
THE CITY
Who: Walking London, Walks for Women
Guide: Barbara Hamilton
Start and finish: St Paul's underground
Length: 5 miles
Grade: Low Moderate
A chance to look at some of the unusual and hidden places in the City of London as well as the iconic buildings and streets. Using the ‘snickleways’ and alleys that connect the streets of the City we will discover some hidden squares, courtyards, churches and peaceful places in the vibrant financial centre of London.
Saturday 18th September 2021
A WEEKEND OF WALKS - DAY ONE - UP TO OLD TOWN AND MIDGLEY MOOR
Who: Hebden Hikes
Guide: Jo Bird
Where: The Square, Hebden Bridge
Length: 8 miles
A lovely walk through woods and fields to Old Town and then onto the moors above. We will see the history of Old Town from its yeoman house to cotton mills, and then see the ancient standing stone of Churn Milk Joan on Midgley Moor. Returning through old lanes down to Hebden. 8 miles. Bring a packed lunch and be preared for any weather, and wet/rough ground! £15pp
Sunday 19th September 2021
A WEEKEND OF WALKS - DAY TWO - BELL HOUSE MOOR & THE INFAMOUS COINERS!
Who: Hebden Hikes
Guide: Jo Bird
Where: The Square, Hebden Bridge
Length: 7.5 miles
A walk up to lonely Bell House Moor, walking above the Broadhead Clough nature reserve, and seeing the base of the infamous c18th coiners gang. We will then circle above the Withens Clough reservoir and back to Hebden - 7.5 miles. Wonderful views all along the way! Bring packed lunch and be prepared for any weather, wet/rough ground! £15pp
Saturday 2nd October 2021
BLACKHEATH TO LONDON EYE
Who: Walking London, Walks for Women
Guide: Barbara Hamilton
Start: Blackheath BR Station
Finish: Waterloo BR/Underground
Length: 10 miles
Grade: Low Moderate
Walking across Blackheath into Greenwich Park we trace the path down to the River Thames where we cross under the river using the foot tunnel onto the Isle of Dogs. We follow the route of the River through Docklands to Tower Bridge where we cross again to the south side and trace the path to the London Eye.
Saturday 18th December
CHELSEA
Who: Walking London, Walks for Women
Guide: Barbara Hamilton
Start and finish: Sloane Square Underground Station
Length: 5 miles
Grade: Low Moderate
A walk through Chelsea tracing its history through the many Blue Plaques in the streets. The Plaques offer a glimpse into the past from 15th to 20th Centuries passing The Royal Hospital, Chelsea Physic Garden, Thomas More’s Beaufort House and Crosby Hall. This walk is more leisurely rather than a brisk yomp taking us through a beautiful and fascinating area.
Weekends throughout the year
WEST CORNWALL HISTORY AND MYSTERY (PRIVATE GUIDING)
Who: Wild Rambling
Guide: Helen Venus
Where: West Cornwall
West Cornwall may be a little out of the way to get to, but it's certainly worth the trip! From picturesque fishing villages to moors with 360 degree views, you will discover iron age forts, ancient settlements, holy wells, industrial heritage and more.
Explore parts of the South West Coast Path or the much quieter interior of the Peninsula, on a bespoke day walk tailored just for you.
Various Dates
Who: Her on a Hill
Guide: Clare Kelly and others
Length: Varies from 5 to 12 miles
Grade: Varies from leisurely to challenging
Her on a Hill offers regular day walks for women. The walks vary in length and grade from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes. The majority of walks are in the beautiful Peak District National Park allthough other locations are available.
If you enjoy walking in the company of other women in a relaxed and welcoming environment then do take a look at what is on offer. The walks page is regularly updated with new dates and destinations.