We hope that everyone will be able to enjoy walking with others of the same ability. So often if we walk on our own there are times that we ‘get out of the habit’ of going out regularly!!!
Walking with members of Cardiac Friends, everyone chats and benefits from the exercise at the same time as having a pleasant, enjoyable few hours. The social side of these groups is as beneficial to many as well as the physical exertion giving us a feeling of satisfaction.
LONDON GUIDED WALKS
The ‘Walkers Group’ is for those who are able to walk a distance and keep up with our Blue Badge London Guide, though the speed is governed by the slowest walkers. We have coffee near the start of the walk and keep going for 2 hours with a comfort stop.
The group returns to the Sir John Oldcastle for lunch around 2pm (not included in the cost).
The coach will pick up in Letchworth, Hitchin and Stevenage.
Approx 6 walks per year.
Always on a Sunday.
Cost – to be advised.
To make a booking please send your enquiry to cardiacfriendswalks@outlook.com
LONDON WALKS 2019
Walk One: Sunday 14th April 2019 – The Great Exhibition
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Fri 15th March
In 1851, London hosted the first international trade exhibition anywhere in the world. The amazing construction built for the occasion became famed as “The Crystal Palace” and it made an enormous profit in the 6 months is was open. The money was invested to create a cultural and educational area that today we know as South Kensington.
The walk gives us an opportunity to come face to face with the brainchild of the exhibition, see the only remaining bit of the exhibition in Hyde Park and enjoy the beautiful buildings created afterwards. Find out why Kensington Gardens is so green, see an isolated bell tower and puzzle over where the pavement is!
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Walk Two: Sunday 12th May 2019 – Don’t forget to look up! – Modern architecture in the City
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 14th April
Impress the younger generation with your knowledge of what is happening in the City today because it’s not all history here. Sort out the Gherkin from the Cheesegrater, find out what’s on top of the Walkie Talkie and discover why the Scalpel leans. There’ll be snippets on the way the buildings are constructed, how they meet the best environmental standards and why they get these ridiculous names. And if there’s not enough already we’ll find the site for the Tulip – is this the next big adventure for view lovers?
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Walk Three: Sunday 23rd June 2019 – Maritime, Munitions and Midfielders – we’re off to the Arsenal
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 12th May
Today’s offering is a breezy (hopefully not too much) walk along the river in South London to the home of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. It’s where the football team began and was associated with the Royal Artillery for many years. Today it’s a great mix of the old and the new as the area is redeveloped for housing and community purposes. If you loved Kings Cross and the transformation of the old buildings then this is one for you but it’s even older as Henry VIII founded his dockyards here. And if it does prove breezy then a tot of rum will be just the answer in true naval style.
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Walk Four: Sunday 14th July 2019 – Columbia Road & Shoreditch
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 23rd Jun
This one promises to be a real mixed bag – or should that be a bouquet?
We start with a prolonged break for coffee and shopping – yes, you heard me right. Columbia Road on Sunday mornings is transformed into the most fabulous flower and plant market in London and you should have time to make your purchases and leave them on the coach before we set off on our walk.
Spot the famous pub from the TV series “Goodnight Sweetheart” and the Krays film, take in some East End social history and hear how one philanthropist led a failed campaign to improve the conditions, and see some of the vibrant street art that the area is now famous for.
We promise this is going to be the most colourful walk we’ve ever done and if the coach is full of flowers the journey home could be the most fragrant. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Walk Five: Sunday 1st September 2019 – Lousy Limehouse
This was the walk planned for April last year but cancelled due to Kim’s unavailability
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 2nd August
In the 19th century this was definitely not the place to visit but today? Well you’ll see the beautiful marina, the cleaned up and driverless railway line and the modern apartments that surround the area. But we’ll dig just below the surface and find a Dickensian pub, reminders of the old shipbuilding and dock trades and the glory of an 18th century Hawksmoor church. And maybe we’ll even find a trace of the original London Chinatown before it moved to today’s Soho.
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Walk Six: Sunday 6th October 2019 – “Remember, Remember” – a Guy Fawkes Walk
CHEQUES AND FOOD CHOICES TO ARRIVE BY Sun 1st September
We are a month early so you’ll have to remember this walk to tell the family on the 5th November but what do we know about Guy Fawkes? This is the walk to answer all your questions about the events leading up to the fateful day. The story will unfold as we walk around the familiar area of Whitehall and Parliament and we’ll discover the history of the bonfire and firework displays which we use today. There is an additional opportunity to also ask about the buildings used by our Government today as we see the back door to Downing Street.
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MONDAY WALKS
These walks are shorter and taken at an amble with frequent stops if needed. It is a time to meet friends and chat as well as walk. Perhaps if you are not accustomed to going out and walking then this group might just help you to change. Come and ‘walk’ with a group of supportive friendly people.
The start venue is usually a garden centre with a café so that refreshments and a chat can be enjoyed after. Also, members who are unable or do not wish to walk can wait in the comfort of the café for the others to return.
(30 – 45 minutes).
Fortnightly.
Start time 10.30.
Start venue: Various.
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WEDNESDAY WALKS
These walks tend to be out in the countryside rather than in built up areas (unless the weather and ground conditions make the country paths unsafe).
Some are further afield – out towards Royston, Pirton etc., Always meeting at a pub where everyone is able to pre – book lunch if they choose for when they return.
The walkers set off around 10.30am and return at approx. 12.30pm. Many walk in all weathers, enjoying the company of all the regulars.
Some members of Cardiac Friends are unable to walk the distance or cope with the terrain, but do join the walkers at the pub afterwards for a meal, chat and laughter.
(90 – 120 minutes)
Fortnightly on Wednesday.
Assembly time 10.15 am.
Start venue: Various.
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