Elmbridge Borough Council’s Healthy Walks and Cycle Rides have Re-started with a Limited Programme of Favourite Walks
Elmbridge Borough Council temporary walks and cycle rides programme during coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic – Updated 2 September 2020
Following the latest government guidelines, the Elmbridge Borough Council’s Healthy Walks Scheme is delighted to welcome participants back for a limited programme of favourite walks. However, the scheme can only accommodate from 8 to 16 people per walk, including the walk leader.
The September Walks and Cycle Rides programme
is shown below and is also available online. Please check the programme to find out how many participants can take part in your chosen walk or cycle ride.
Booking System – To Avoid Disappointment
To ensure that they are not over-subscribed, participants are asked you to book a place using the online booking system.
Further information
can be found here elmbridge.gov.uk/sports-and-health/healthy-walks-and-cycle-rides “
Healthy Walks and Cycle Rides
We love Elmbridge healthy walks and rides and we hope you will too. We’ve been organising them since 2003 and they are great for meeting new friends and discovering new places in your local area.
With Walking for Health, you can take part in a free short walk to help you get and stay active at a pace that works for you.
Cycle Rides
A great alternative to the walks. Participating in a group ride can be motivating and sociable, plus you might learn new routes, giving you the opportunity to see places you haven’t previously visited.
You may wish to view the video shown lower on this page, which gives an example of an Elmbridge Group Cycle Ride.
Walks: To start with, consider our Very Slow Walks: up to 45 minutes
Walking for 15 minutes to half an hour may be longer than you’ve walked for a while but we’ll be there to help you. Walk at a pace that’s right for you and take time to soak up the beauty of Elmbridge. Doesn’t that sound achievable?
If you are not sure you will be able to keep up please start with our Monday or Friday regular very slow walks, ask the leader if they think you would keep up on a slow walk.
Walks and rides leave promptly at the published time, please don’t hold the group up, it’s not fun for you or the other walkers. We pride ourselves on our punctuality, we know that you lead busy lives with appointments to keep.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand. All our walks are free and most are between 30 and 90 minutes long and less than three miles in length.
Above: 17th Anniversary of Elmbridge Healthy Walks (September 2020)
Volunteers: If you enjoy going on slow walks, 30-90 minutes long, and want to help improve other peoples lives, you sound like you would make a perfect volunteer leader. We’ll give you all the training and support you need to help you be top notch.
If you are a new walker or cyclist, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start to allow time to complete the outdoor health questionnaire (OHQ). Why not complete your OHQ at home and bring it along? You can find it at: Walkingforhealth.org.uk
Questions? We are here to help. Email health@elmbridge.gov.uk or telephone 01372 474574. Please mention the All About Weybridge website.
Walks/rides are classified by pace, gradient and length of time they take. Make sure you fully enjoy the walk by choosing carefully. We often stop for coffee afterwards, to gather strength for the journey home!
Water, Suitable Clothing & Shoes
We strongly recommend you bring some water for the walk or ride, wear strong shoes and have appropriate clothing with you.
Short – If you are not a confident walker or are returning to walking. Normally between 15 and 30 minutes, always on easy terrain, at a pace to suit you.
Slow – For those capable of walking continuously (2mph)
Moderate – For regular walkers who are reasonably fit and can maintain a steady pace (2.25-2.5 mph) for the duration of the walk.
Brisk – For those able to walk 3mph for the walk duration.
Nordic – Bring poles or walk without poles. Warm up prewalk and cool down post-walk included. All welcome.
Cycle Rides, at a pace to suit all riders.
8 – Figure of 8 walk: returns to start point part way round. Must register at start of walk.
Dogs on leads welcome (one dog per walker)
RA – Optional refreshments after walk that give you time to socialise
£ – Cost for parking or ferry ride
RE – Refreshments en-route usually 30 minutes, included in timings
Nordic walk – Poles useful but not essential
WC – Toilets at meeting point
Other Walking Opportunities
If you prefer longer, faster walks, or walks out of the Borough, you may enjoy walking with Ramblers, Go50 or Surrey Walks Club.
Healthy Walks Programme For September 2020
All walks, Nordic walks and cycle rides have 8 available spaces (per leader) which must be booked in advance.
“I led a wonderfully shady walk this morning on West End Common from Garsons Farm, Esher. We took the steps down to the River Mole and walked along under The Ledges (river cliffs) and then back up and over the top of them. A couple of my walkers had never been down there before and so we’re delighted to be shown somewhere new. And all topped off with a cuppa at Garsons Farm … happy days!”
” I’ve just got in from the Ferry walk. We caught the ferry at Sadlers Ride, Molesey to Hampton where we walk towards the open air pool. Then we cut through to Bushy Park and the Woodland Gardens…..lots of things to see…fish, baby coots, dragon flies, swan mussels and of course, lots of plants and flowers. We stopped for a very welcome drink at the Pheasantry cafe, then on to Hampton Court and a walk around the kitchen gardens before crossing the bridge and taking the towpath back to Sadlers Ride. A very warm walk today but luckily a lot of it was through nice shady woodland!”
Other Healthy Walks
If you do not live in Elmbridge or wish to have additional opportunities to participate in healthy walks, see the website Walking For Health.