Friendly Faces of Warwickshire

Whether you're new to Friendly Faces or a seasoned regular, click the Attend button now and take full advantage of this tried and tested hike which will get you (1) out of the house, (2) meeting new people, (3) exercising, and (4) breathing deep lungfuls of fresh spring countryside air.

At this event you'll have a fantastic afternoon out, you'll meet an outdoorsy group of super-social Friendly Faces (including first-timers as always) and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to make new acquaintances / connections along the way.

What are the details for this hike?
A simple 'there and back' route with absolutely no hills, but an enduring 8 miles in distance all the same.
Starting in town we'll head along the River Avon and along the much-loved Stratford Greenway trail - a single-track railway line built in 1859 and closed in 1976.
Shortly after its closure it was converted into a public bridleway, still enjoyed today by walkers and cyclists. The pathway is firm, unsealed and flat from end to end.
When we reach the second of the two old railway carriages (converted into coffee shops) we'll have a snack and a quick sit down on the tables before setting back off the way we came.
Always a good idea to save your pennies and make your own sandwich and bring it with you.
When we get back into town we'll take a well-earned sit down and a drink in the riverside pub Cox's Yard to end the day out.

Getting there...
If you are a driver, you will certainly attain hero/heroine status if you write a message here on the event page offering your services - stating your location and specific locations that you can collect passengers from.
If you are not a driver and would like a lift, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Leaving that question until the day before the event is probably too late. Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver as petrol prices are high at the moment.
If you need a lift (or are a driver offering lifts) : consider how appealing your meetup profile photo is. It may seem harsh, but the reality is that if you do not have a warm friendly smile or part/all of your face is hidden, then it is less likely that someone is going to want to either give you a lift or accept a lift from you.
Travel planning info for drivers :
The meet-point (Stratford Recreation ground) is x miles away from...
Warwick 9; Leamington 12; Kenilworth 14; Coventry 19; Rugby 28; Central Birmingham 30.

Other things to note...
- Well-behaved dogs ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend this walk, but must be kept on a short lead, and require well-behaved owners. Remember that some people can be fearful of dogs and hide it well, so please be respectful of that and keep your dog under control at all times.
- Ditch the trainers and don your waterproof walking boots. Ankle-protecting boots are always recommended for our hiking routes - no matter the time of year. If you intend to join more Friendly Faces hikes and don't own proper boots then it will be a great investment for the months ahead.

Oh and parking...
We'll meet at the recreation-ground carpark. When you arrive grab yourself a parking spot (not forgetting to pay for it!) and we'll meet by the paying machines. See map for exact location.
This carpark is affiliated with the RingGo app so your stay duration can be topped up remotely if needed.

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions.
If not - click the big red "Attend" button now to be kept in the loop, and so you dont forget.

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS

If you enjoy a good hike with the kind of scenery that makes you stop and marvel in awe (and gets your camera snapping) then get this date in your diary. Whether you're new to Friendly Faces or you're a seasoned regular, click the Attend button now and take full advantage of this tried and tested hike which will get you (1) out of the house, (2) exercising, and (3) meeting friendly, like-minded people with ease.
Please note however that the parking available at the start point of this route is very limited, so this event is limited to 30 attendees with cars only. If you can add passengers to spare seats in your car then obviously we can get more people along. If you're reading this and the event is already full, write a note on the event comments to see if anyone already signed up can give you a lift.
Map-locations for the meet-point will be shared nearer the time.

What can I expect from this hike?...
This is a much-loved Friendly Faces classic - a super-scenic 7-8 mile hike consisting of the stunning Compton Verney grounds and lake (known as the Compton Pools) and the incredible surrounding countryside. The route also includes picture-postcard villages that you wouldn't believe existed in real life if you hadn't seen them.

This opportunity to get outdoors and meet new people will have you breathing in deep lungful's of fresh air as your eyes relax upon the scenery, and you'll be chatting away with like-minded people as you go. If you'd seen it and done it already, you would certainly encourage others to get involved too.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Despite the delightful views and peaceful natural beauty for the full length of the route, please be warned that this event is not for the faint-hearted, and there are a few steep hills along the way which some will consider challenging. So please consider your ability to cover this distance before signing up.
We'll take sit down for sandwiches/snacks at the half way point to break up the distance, but be warned that this is not a Sunday stroll.

I hope you qualify to attend. Notwithstanding the warm and sociable Friendly Faces group members (first-timers and regulars) that you will share this experience with - this is a truly magnificent walking route, and in a few months time you will look back on it and smile as you think back to it.

Getting there?...
Drivers offering lifts from their local town will undoubtedly gain hero/heroine status, so if you have an empty space or two in your car please write a comment below with your preferred pick-up point.
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift to and from the starting point, leave a message here on the event page asking if anyone is driving from your home town that could help.
In fact - do that now, because leaving that request until the last few days before the event is too late.
Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.
If you are a driver, the start point is X minutes drive away...
Warwick 8; Leamington 9; Stratford 9; Coventry 21; Rugby 20; Central Birmingham 39.

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS

For the last four years running, the Friendly Faces Halloween Fancy Dress night out has been one of the events of the year, and you simply cannot afford to miss it.
The perfect excuse to dress up in our best spooky costumes, scary makeup or freakish masks, and get out there and frighten the living daylights out of the Leamington revellers who will all be doing the same.
For those looking to expand their social circle and meet new people, there is no better conversation starter than a fancy-dress costume!
Just imagine a hoard of friendly people all dressed up, making a ridiculous amount of noise in conversation, and loving the effort that you have gone to to get involved.