Kennington Health Walks

Kennington Health walks is a volunteer led and organised scheme started in May 2003. Our Monday walk at 10am often attracts in excess of  30 people. We currently have 10 trained walk leaders available to lead walks on Mondays and Thursdays. New leaders and walkers are always welcome!

All walks start at 10am from the front of the health centre car park (post code OX1 5PY) on the main Kennington Road, Kennington, opposite the Tandem pub. We walk every week except for Monday bank holidays and some dates close to Christmas/New year. The 35 bus route between Oxford and Abingdon passes the starting point.

• See timetable for 35 bus route »

The Monday walk includes a shorter route for less active people (1-2 miles) and an extended route for those wanting to go a bit further (3-4 miles). There are usually three walk leaders present.

There is also a starter "gentle" walk available on Mondays (also at 10am) which is taken at a very gentle pace. This is specially for people who have not exercised for awhile or who are managing a long term health problem. It is best to consult your doctor before you come on the walk especially if you have a health condition which could be affected by increased activity.

If you want to join a starter walk and need further information about pace and how far we go please call Rosemary on 01865 735419.

The Thursday 10am walk is flexible to suit ability. The walk leader will decide on the day in consultation with the walkers how far they want to go and which route to take. All our routes have been risk assessed by trained walk leaders. If the walkers attending are able to go a bit further and faster then the leader will provide a suitable route (up to a maximum of  4 miles).

We make good use of our local countryside. If the weather is dry we use the Thames path between Sandford and Iffley Locks. If the path is too muddy we use the Sustrans cycle track. We also occasionally walk through local woods, Bagley Wood and Radley Big Wood. Twice a year (Christmas and summer) we have lunch at a local pub and hold an AGM in the village hall in February or March when the voluntary committee presents an annual report and accounts. Everyone is welcome to attend.

We encourage people who are less fit or are managing a long term health condition to start off gently at their own pace if they are unable to do a "brisk" walk. There is always a back leader available who is willing to provide support and encouragement to new walkers.