Basingstoke: Walking for Health
About Us
If you would like to a gentle way to improve your fitness, make new friends and enjoy your local parks and open spaces, do come along to a free health walk. We now have over 200 people a week "Walking for Health" in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas - join us!
Our Walks
| Walk name | Route options available | Length (hours) |
We have daytime walks every week day and a very popular Wednesday evening walk for those who like a cooler walk.
We also have a lovely Sunday afternoon walk once a month in lovely rural area in Oakley, suitable for the whole family to enjoy.
If walkers would like to bring their dogs along they can, as long as the dogs are kept on a short lead at all times during the walk and towards the back. Mums and buggies are welcome, but make sure the buggy is suitable for any of the rural walks.
Please note:- All of our walks are described as Long walks and Short walks. Our trained walk leaders will set the pace of the walk at the start, during and towards the end by regularly assessing their walk group. Also as part of walk for health Walk leaders may want to put in 10 minutes of a fast pace to increase blood flow and cardiovascular and then reduce the pace to rest, this may happen on a couple of occasions during the walk, so please check with the Walk leader if you are okay to do this. Walk for health is free to join and everyone is welcome.
Please have a look at our website for the most up to date info www.basingstoke.gov.uk/healthwalks
Monday Eastrop Park 10.45 am. A choice of two walks running from the Eastrop Boat House in Basingstoke, Long walk of 60-90 mins is usually set at a much faster pace and for the very abled walker and the short walk of 60 minutes is set as a much medium pace. Both walks cater for all needs, and it is important that new walkers check with the walk leader before the walk starts which walk would benefit them the most. We want to make sure that you enjoy the health walks.
Monday Eastrop Park Nepalese Walk 10.30am. A 60-90 minute Long walk led by the Nepalese Community. This walk is set at a faster paced walk.
Monday Overton walk - 10am. Overton has now a choice of two walks one a short walk of 60 minutes of medium pace and the other walk a more Longer walk of 60-90 minutes which is set at a much faster paced walk. Both walks are enjoyable and run in the beautiful countryside of Overton. They start and finish from the Overton Recreation Pavilion and after the walks both groups get together for tea, coffee and a biscuit.
Special Catered Walks Overton, Seasonal Only very short walk between 10-30 minutes:- This walk is seasonal from April- September, it is a very slow paced walk to help walkers recovering from longer term illness, injuries or would generally like to start walking again and gradually get fitter.
Monday Rucstall Community Centre - 11am. Term Time Only. This walk is for all families to come and join a lovely rural short walk for 60 minutes. This walk will start and finish from Rucstall Community Centre and led by Home-start walk for health leaders. There will be poo sticks, and seasonal activities for the children to do on the walk. So if you fancy a lovely family walk please just turn up at the community centre and enjoy the outdoors. All families welcome.
Tuesday 1st/month from Ridgeway Community Centre, Buckskin at 10.30am This is a new exciting walk that will be starting from the Ridgeway Centre in Buckskin. The walk will be a short walk for 60 minutes of a medium paced walk with bursts of 10 minutes of fast paced to increase the cardiovascular. 60 mins
Tuesday Basing Wood at 11.30am we have a long walk in Basing Wood, that is set at a medium/fast pace to increase the cardiovascular.This is a lovely rural walk in the woods. The walk will start and finish from the Community Centre at Carpenters down, Popley. 60-90 mins
Wednesday 1st/month, Beggarwood Community Centre at 10.30am this is a new walk starting, which will go on the 1st Wednesday of every month from the community centre. The walk will take you around Beggarwood and Hatchwarren and will be between 60-90 minutes at a medium paced, lots of very small inclines to increase cardiovascular. There is a cafe in the community centre where after the walk you can purchase hot drink or cake or join in on the community lunch, you will need to bring some pennies.
Wednesday Whitchurch, Gill Nethercott Centre, Whitchurch at 10am.
Many people are now feeling the benefit of regular exercise and enjoying walking around Whitchurch and the beautiful surrounding countryside. The walks are a weekly opportunity to improve your health by raising your heartbeat for a period in a controlled way. In addition to the health benefits, you’ll find that our group of regular walkers are a very friendly and sociable bunch – and there’s the chance to chat over a cup of tea or a coffee after the walk!
The free “Walking for Health” walks take place every Wednesday morning throughout the year, whatever the weather, departing from the Gill Nethercott Centre at 10am, with registration from 9.45. We have 12 volunteer Walk Leaders who take turns to plan and lead the walks, so every week there’s something different. The walk leaders always give a full briefing before the walks, on the route, distance and likely duration, so you can choose the walk which suits you best on that day.
Every week there’s a choice of two circular Health Walks. One is at a medium pace for around an hour, and no longer than 3 miles. The other walk is longer and brisker – so ideal for those trying to maintain or further improve their level of fitness and stamina. We also try to include more adventurous, or themed, walk options from time to time.
New walkers of all ages are always very welcome - please be sure to arrive by 9.45 if it’s your first time. Come on your own or bring a friend. Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear.Wednesday Aquadrome Leisure Park at 11am. Choice of two walks short walk of 60 minutes at a medium pace and a long walk of 60-90 minutes set at a much faster walk, this walk is for the very abled walker. There will be bursts of ten minute very brisk pace to increase the cardiovascular. Refreshments afterwards in the Aquadrome cafe.
Wednesday evening at 7pm from various locations in Basingstoke. This walk is between 60-90 minutes and pace set at medium/fast with some inclines to increase cardiovascular. As this is an evening walk please take care as in the winter months the street lighting is low. Please see website for location of walk at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/healthwalks
Thursday Walled Gardens 11am - A choice of two walks from the Walled Garden car park at Down Grange starting at 11am for a long walk between 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast pace and a short walk 30-60 minutes at a medium paced walk. There will be small inclines to increase the cardiovascular.
Thursday 2nd and 4th/month Baughurst 10.30am - A long walk going from Baughurst Scout Hut in Baughurst between 60-90 minutes set at a medium pace in beautiful rural countryside. There maybe some inclines on this walk to increase cardiovascular.
Friday 1st, 3rd and 5th fri/month St Thomas Church - A regular group meet at St Thomas Church Community Hall, Woolton Hill for 10.30am start. This long walk is between 60-90 minutes at a medium paced walk. This is a rural walk in the countryside there will be several inclines on this walk that will increase cardiovascular and blood flow.
Friday 2nd and 4th fri/month Rampant Cat Pub - A regular group meet at The Rampant Cat Pub carpark, Woolton Hill for 10.30am start for a long walk between 60-90 minutes at a medium/fast paced walk. This is a rural walk in the countryside, there will be several inclines on this walk that will increase cardiovascular and blood flow.
Friday mornings Popley at 11am A choice of two walks takes place from the Shakespeare House Medical Centre, a short walk of 60 minutes at a slow/medium pace and a long walk of 60-90 minutes at a medium to brisk walk. There are lots of inclines on this walk where the pace needs to be increased, this is great for the cardiovascular and blood flow
Friday 1st/ month Tadley library 1.30pm - A long walk going from Tadley Library opposite Sainsbury's. Lovely walk into the countryside between 60-90 minutes. This walk is at a medium/fast paced walk, with lots of inclines that will increase the pace to increase cardiovascular and blood flow
Friday 3rd/month Tadley Pool 1.30pm - A long walk going from Tadley Pool. Lovely walk into the countryside between 60-90 minutes. This walk is a medium/fast paced walk in the rural countryside of Tadley. There will be increased pace on some of the inclines which will aid cardiovascular and blood flow.
Sunday last/month Oakley 2.30pm - various locations in Oakley please check our website www.basingstoke.gov.uk/healthwalks . Lovely long walk in the countryside of Oakley between 60-90 minutes. This walk is a medium/fast pace walk in the lovely rural countryside of Oakley. There will be lots of inclines on route where the pace will have to be increased, this is great to increasing blood flow and cardiovascular.
Please contact Basingstoke Walking for Health on 01256 845284 for further details about any of the walks or if you are interested in becoming a walk leader. We also provide a buddy system for walkers that need reassurance.
Our Events
A New Walk Starting Spring Time 2020 in Winklebury:-
An exciting new walk will be starting in the new year, spring time 2020, going from the Sycamore Centre. Fantastic Long walk in the rural areas of Winklebury between 60-90 minutes. Keep a look out for our flyer!!!
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E. Overton - medium pace 10:00 D. Overton walk - slow paced 10:00 C. Eastrop Park leisure walk - faster pace 10:45 B. Eastrop Park leisure walk- medium pace 10:45 |
Ridgeway Community Centre, Buckskin 10:30 F. Basing Wood 11:30 Sanctuary Peer Group 13:30 |
I. Whitchurch Walk - slow walk 10:00 J. Whitchurch - long walk 10:00 Beggarwood Community Centre 10:30 L. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - brisk walk 11:00 K. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - slow walk 11:00 Wednesday Evening Brisk Walk 19:00 |
O. Baughurst 10:30 N. Walled Garden 11:00 |
P. St Thomas Church, Woolton Hill 10:30 R. Popley - slow walk 11:00 S. Popley- fast pace 11:00 T. Tadley Library 13:30 |
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E. Overton - medium pace 10:00 D. Overton walk - slow paced 10:00 C. Eastrop Park leisure walk - faster pace 10:45 B. Eastrop Park leisure walk- medium pace 10:45 |
F. Basing Wood 11:30 Sanctuary Peer Group 13:30 |
I. Whitchurch Walk - slow walk 10:00 J. Whitchurch - long walk 10:00 K. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - slow walk 11:00 L. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - brisk walk 11:00 Wednesday Evening Brisk Walk 19:00 |
N. Walled Garden 11:00 |
Q. Rampant Cat Pub, Woolton Hill 10:30 R. Popley - slow walk 11:00 S. Popley- fast pace 11:00 |
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D. Overton walk - slow paced 10:00 E. Overton - medium pace 10:00 B. Eastrop Park leisure walk- medium pace 10:45 C. Eastrop Park leisure walk - faster pace 10:45 |
F. Basing Wood 11:30 Sanctuary Peer Group 13:30 |
I. Whitchurch Walk - slow walk 10:00 J. Whitchurch - long walk 10:00 K. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - slow walk 11:00 L. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - brisk walk 11:00 Wednesday Evening Brisk Walk 19:00 |
O. Baughurst 10:30 N. Walled Garden 11:00 |
P. St Thomas Church, Woolton Hill 10:30 R. Popley - slow walk 11:00 S. Popley- fast pace 11:00 U. Tadley Pool 13:30 |
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D. Overton walk - slow paced 10:00 E. Overton - medium pace 10:00 B. Eastrop Park leisure walk- medium pace 10:45 C. Eastrop Park leisure walk - faster pace 10:45 |
F. Basing Wood 11:30 Sanctuary Peer Group 13:30 |
I. Whitchurch Walk - slow walk 10:00 J. Whitchurch - long walk 10:00 K. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - slow walk 11:00 L. Aquadrome, Leisure Park - brisk walk 11:00 |
N. Walled Garden 11:00 |
Q. Rampant Cat Pub, Woolton Hill 10:30 R. Popley - slow walk 11:00 S. Popley- fast pace 11:00 |
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V. Oakley 14:30 |
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D. Overton walk - slow paced 10:00 E. Overton - medium pace 10:00 B. Eastrop Park leisure walk- medium pace 10:45 C. Eastrop Park leisure walk - faster pace 10:45 |
F. Basing Wood 11:30 Sanctuary Peer Group 13:30 |
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