Health walks

Health walks are great way to exercise and to meet people in your local area whilst enjoying the beautiful South Somerset countryside.

Health Walks

What is a Health Walk?

 

South Somerset's Health Walks Scheme is run by the SSDC Healthy Lifestyles Team and is accredited by Natural England's Walking for Health Initiative.

Health Walks run across the district and are led by qualified Health Walk Leaders and are a great way of getting exercise. All walks are free and are a good way of meeting people. Walks are normally between 1-5 miles, lasting between 30 minutes to an hour and follow the format of a purposeful, brisk walk undertaken on a regular basis.

The Health Walk Scheme at South Somerset incorporates a range of walks, from walks aimed at beginners, to walks for those who would prefer something a little more challenging.

Why not take a health walk and enjoy the beautiful South Somerset countryside? You could make new friends, relieve stress and benefit your health. All Health Walks can be found on the routes page, (this will be updated in the near future). 

Find out more about Health Walks by checking the Updated Health Walks Directory

For more general information about Health Walks read the Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Training

Enjoy walking and would like to volunteer in your community? Then why not sign up to become a qualified Health Walk Leader? The Healthy Lifestyles Team at SSDC run free Health Walk Leader training courses. Training is ideal for anyone willing and able to lead a health walk in his or her local area, on a voluntary basis. It is a day of practical advice and includes practice in leading a health walk and information on keeping people motivated. Find out more on the Health Walk Leader Training Page.

 

Buggy Walks
Buggy walks are designed to give everyone in South Somerset with young children a chance to exercise and meet new people and are suitable for both pushchairs and wheelchairs. Buggy Walks are led by qualified Health Walk Leaders and through the scheme the children remain the responsibility of the adult they are with. Visit the Buggy Walks page  to find out more.
 
Soul Walks
Soul Walks are a form of health walk aimed at beginners or those with walking difficulties. These walks are accessible to all including those with wheelchairs and walking aids. The walks are based on flat, even terrain, and distances range between 1-3 miles and last between 20-40 minutes. Dogs are not permitted on Soul Walks. Organised Soul Walks can be found on the routes page, (details to follow)
 
Join a Walk
You can view all organised Health Walks that fall under the South Somerset Health Walk Scheme on the routes page, or to contact the Health Walk Leader direct please see the details below;
 

Broadway Walking Group

Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          
Tuesdays/weekly 9.15am
  • 1st, 2nd 3rd & 5th Tuesday - Standerwick Orchard Green, Broadway (TA19 9SL)       
  • 4th Tuesday - Wharf Lane Car Park Ilminster (TA19 0EU) 

60-75 minutes

Monthly Shorter Walk 10.30am
  •  2nd Tuesday - Starts at the Bell Inn, Broadway

45-60 minutes 

Walk description: Village walks are a mixture of roadway and countryside routes and some are more level than others. Ilminster walks are also a mixture of roadway, pathways and countryside and some can be quite steep.
Anyone for coffee: Some routes include an optional coffee stop either during (usually Monks Yard, Horton Cross or at the Bell Inn, Broadway) or at the end of the walk (Meeting House, Ilminster)

 

Chard Health Walks

Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          
Wednesdays/weekly 10.00am
  • 1st Wednesday of month - Boden Centre (the Old Library), Boden Street (TA20 2AR)
  • 2nd Wednesday - Chard Reservoir Car Park (TA18 1RX)
  • 3rd Wednesday - Boden Centre
  • 4th Wednesday - group travel by car from the Boden Centre to walk in places such as Lyme Regis, Ham Hill, Bridgwater & Taunton Canal
  • 5th Wednesday - longer walk from the Boden Centre
60 - 75 minutes

Walk description: The walks are around the local neighbourhoods, given the terrain the walks cannot be guaranteed as being flat.

Anyone for coffee: There is no organised coffee after the walks, although members of the group often do go for a coffee informally

 

Crewkerne Health Walks

Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          
Tuesdays/weekly 9.45am Crewkerne Aqua Centre Up to 75 minutes

Walk description: Countryside and town routes, once a month Community bus takes you further afield

Anyone for coffee: Members of the group often have a coffee together in a café after the walks, especially on the away walks.

 

Yeovil Health Walks 

Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          
Tuesdays/weekly 2pm Goldenstones Leisure Centre Car Park (ticket machine) Up to 75 minutes

Walk description: Town and country walks 

Anyone for coffee: The group go to the Gateway Café between the railway walk footpath and Addlewell Lane for a drink and a chat till about 4.00pm.

  • Leader: Jean Philips
  • Tel: 07812 049678

 

Yeovil Health Walks - Longer Monthly Walks 

Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          
Monthly - next walk Friday 10 February 2012 10.30am for coffee, approx 11am start Meet at The Gateway Cafe, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil, BA20 1QN Stop for lunch at East Coker Tearooms and return to Gateway Cafe at about 3.30pm
Walk description:
Walking from the Gateway Cafe to the East Coker Tearooms via Aldon Park, Tarratt Road Patchlake and East Coker church, returning via Pavyott's Lane, Tarratt Lane and Hendford Hill.

Anyone for coffee: See above

  • Leader: Jean Philips
  • Tel: 07812 049678 
 
Somerton Health Walks
Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          
Various days/monthly (check posters in Costcutters, Cobbs Health Food Shop and the Surgery) 9.30am Costcutters, Somerton 60 to 75 minutes
Walk description: Around Somerton and sometimes in the car to local areas.

Anyone for coffee:  Occasional coffee stops in Somerton, or wherever the group are walking.

For further information contact Anita at the surgery or email a.redman60@googlemail.com. Strong footwear and waterproof clothing recommended. Walks will be cancelled in the event of bad weather. 

Somerton Update: there will be a walk on Wednesday 22nd February starting from Somerton Library at 9.30am. The walk will be approximately 1-2 hours long.

Stoke Sub Hamdon Health Walks

Day/Frequency                 Time                 Start from                         Length                          

Mondays/Fortnightly - 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month (April dates have been moved to not clash with Easter)

  • Monday 13 February
  • Monday 27 February
  • Monday 12 March
  • Monday 26 March
  • Monday 16 April
  • Monday 30 April
10.30am Lighthouse Coffee Shop, All Saints Hall, Stoke Sub Hamdon, TA14 60 to 90 minutes

Walk description: Walks around the village on pavements and using footpaths in the surrounding countryside including Ham Hill. Footpaths may be uneven under foot and some hills may be involved.

Anyone for coffee: Teas and coffees, light refreshments and lunch available at the Lighthouse Coffee Shop

 

Mudford Health Walks 

Day/Frequency                                  Time                 Start from                         Length                          

Alternating Wednesday/Thursday fortnightly

  • Thursday 9 February
  • Wednesday 22 February
  • Thursday 8 March
  • Wednesday 21 March
9.15am Mudford Village Hall Car Park

60 to 75 minutes on Thursdays and slightly longer on Wednesdays

Walk Description: Walks around the village on pavements and using footpaths and tracks in the surrounding countryside. Footpaths may be uneven under foot and some hills maybe involved. There will also be away walks with starting points away from Mudford travelling out with the possibility of car shares, please contact Geoff regarding these away walks

Anyone for Coffee: Teas and Coffees, light refreshments available on a Thursday in Mudford Village Hall at the Coffee Morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Walks outside the South Somerset Scheme

Somerset Walking and Activity Group (SWAG)

The Somerset Walking and Activity Group (SWAG) is specifically for people in their 20s and 30s who enjoy walking, like exploring the varied countryside of Somerset and want to make new friends.

Active Stoke Walking Group

This is a friendly group and all walks are free. Come and join us. We walk 3 to 4 miles at a gentle pace and many people come on their own. We walk at a gentle pace. Please wear supportive boots or shoes and waterproof clothing if necessary. Dogs are welcome. Walk Leader: Janet Wharton (01935) 825928

Health Walks led by the Balsam Centre, Wincanton

Call (01963) 31842 for more details.

 

Useful Links

Public Rights of Way

Natural England Walkfinder

Lymes Disease