Kennington Health Walks - South East

Kennington Health walks is a volunteer led and organised scheme that started in May 2003. We have over 70 walkers registered to walk and the Monday walk regularly attracts in excess of 40 people. We currently have 13 trained (but 10 active) walk leaders available to lead our Monday and Thursday walks. New leaders 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.

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

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 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.

Stop Press:

Staring on Monday 10th May 2010 until 26th July (except for Mon 31st May) there will be a half hour starter walk available in addition to our normal hour long walks.If you are managing a long term health problem or just want to get active again after surgery (hip/knees) then do join us for the walk. Please check first with your doctor if you haven't walked for exercise for some time.

Meet at the same place at 10am at the front of the Health Centre car park on the main Kennington Road. If you need to sit and rest before the walk there is a green metal bench under a shady tree in the play area!