Healthwalks Autumn/Winter 10/11 Free, Accessible, Fun! Scheme Co-ordinator Corinna Edwards-Colledge corinna.edwards-colledge@brighton-hove.gov.uk Volunteer Co-ordinator Darren Currell healthwalks@brighton-hove.gov.uk Healthwalks, Sports Development, Kings House, Grand Avenue, Hove BN3 2LS. 01273 292564. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthwalks For a large print version or for information in other languages please contact the Healthwalks office on 01273 292564.
Healthwalks are short, social walks that are led by Volunteer Walk Leaders. They are designed to help people get the most out of walking for their physical and mental health; and also provide a great opportunity to meet new people. They are friendly and supportive, so are particularly beneficial to those who are getting little or no exercise, recovering from illness, or lacking in confidence. All the walks are clearly graded so you can see how long they are, and if they include any hills. All walks are free and led by trained Volunteer Walk Leaders. We aim to ensure that cafés and toilets are available on all walks, but sometimes this is not possible. Walks do not run on public & bank holidays and may be cancelled in severe weather. If you have any questions about this, or any other aspects of Healthwalks please get in touch. Dogs on leads are welcome. Monday 1 Preston Park A very friendly and popular 1.5 mile walk around the city s biggest public park. Includes a chance to explore Preston Manor gardens and churchyard and walkers can choose between a shorter and longer route. The walk finishes at the Rotunda café. 10am Meet at Rotunda café, Stanford Avenue end of the park. Map ref. 1 Bus 5, 5a, 5b, 56, 17, 40, 40x, 273 (some free parking around perimeter of park, at time of going to print) Walk grading: easy/beginners easy/moderate moderate Wheelchair friendly Buggy friendly Walk includes some hills Cycle racks near start SDNP (South Downs National Park) LNR (Local Nature Reserve) Refreshments Toilets 2 Wild Park Healthwalk A choice of walks in Brighton s biggest Local Nature Reserve. The lovely chalk grassland in the park is being restored, with a flock of rarebreed sheep helping to keep weeds and grass under control. There is a short buggy and wheelchair accessible walk of one mile, or a longer walk of two miles taking in the woodland and panoramic views the park has to offer. Second Monday of the month, 10am. Meet at Wild Park Café, Lewes Road. Map ref. 2 Bus 25, 23, 24, 28, 29a/b
Tuesday Wednesday 3 Castle Hill / Woodingdean A 2 mile circular walk exploring the stunning National Nature Reserve at Castle Hill in Woodingdean. A wonderful example of rare chalk grassland, packed full of wildlife. Please note, the route is over uneven ground and the nearest toilets and cafés are in Woodingdean. 10.30 Meet at the small car park on the right after Bexhill Road. Map ref. 3 Bus 2/2a (Down s Hotel), 22 (get off at Bexhill Road) 4 Seafront There is nothing like a walk by the sea to start the day! Join our welcoming and friendly Tuesday group. This is a great walk for beginners as you can do a very gentle walk of under a mile to the West Pier Playground or round it off to just over a mile by finishing at the Lawns café. Depending on Walk Leader availability, a walk eastwards to the Marina may also be offered. 10am Meet at the entrance to Brighton Pier. Map ref. 4 Bus Any bus that stops at the Old Steine (pay on-street parking) 5 Emmeus/Easthill Park A 1.5 mile circular walk taking in pretty Portslade Old Village and Easthill Park, ending at the Emmaus café. 12.30pm Meet at the Emmaus car park Portslade. Map ref. 5 Bus 1,1a (no parking) café off Manor Road, 6 Sheepcote Valley The countryside around Sheepcote Valley is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance and boasts panoramic views and a wealth of wildlife. Join the valley s friendly group of Healthwalkers and discover one of the gems of the city. The 3 mile walk ends at the park café. 10am Meet at East Brighton Park café, off Wilson Avenue. Map ref. 6 Bus 1a/b/c, 7, 21 (free parking by the café)
Wednesday cont. Thursday 7 Hollingbury Hill Fort This 2.5 mile walk takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside that borders the city. Explore Hollingbury Woods, the Hill Fort and Wild Park. There are some spectacular views. The walk ends at the Children s Centre café. 11am Meet at the Hollingdean Sure Start Children s Centre, Brentwood Road. Map ref. 7 Bus 50, (free on-street parking) 8 Preston Park Buggy Walk Come and enjoy a one-mile buggy-friendly Healthwalk around lovely Preston Park. A great opportunity to meet other parents/ carers and get some exercise. Just half an hour s moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) a day is enough to make a big difference to your health and wellbeing. And you will burn the same amount of calories walking a mile as you would jogging it, so it s a great way to tone up too. 10.30am Meet at the Pavilion cafe, in the middle of the park. Map ref. 8. Bus 5a, 56 (pay on-street parking) 9 Hove Park Enjoy a one mile walk in this lovely and historic park where there is a great children s playground. The walk finishes at the park café. 10.15 Meet at the Park café. Map ref. 9 Bus 5b, 27a (on-street parking, some restrictions apply)
Thursday cont. Friday 10 Stanmer Park A lovely 2 mile countryside walk through the Open Access land in the east of the park including Millbank Wood. There are some beautiful views and the walk includes a stop-off at the Village Tea Rooms. There are no toilets at the start of this walk. 11am Meet at park gates off Lewes Road. Map ref. 10 Bus 25a/b/c (some free parking in the park, at time of going to print) 11 Multicultural Women s Group Walk, Hangleton Join this friendly women only walk group for a 1.5 2 mile healthwalk exploring the green spaces around Hangleton. 10am Meet at St Richard s Community Centre, Egmont Rd. 23rd Sep, 30th Sep, 14th Oct, 28th Oct, 11th Nov, 25th Nov, 9th Dec (Please call the Healthwalks Office for dates in 2011). Map ref. 11 Bus 12, 12a, 14, 14c, 27, 27a, 47 (free on-street parking) 12 Patcham A 1.5 mile circular walk from the corner of Old London Road and Ladies Mile Road along to Horsdean Recreation ground and back to the start, walking down Church Street. The walk ends at the Black Lion Pub. There are no toilets at the start of this walk. A longer version of this walk is also offered. 10.30am Meet at the corner of Old London Road and Ladies Mile Road opposite the Co-operative store. Map ref. 12 Bus 5a, 56 (pay on-street parking) 13 Saltdean / Undercliff A 3 mile walk along the stunning and historic Undercliff, pausing at Rottingdean, with a choice of continuing to Ovingdean or to the Downs via the village. Walk finishes at the Whitecliffs café. 11am Meet at the entrance of Saltdean Library. Map ref. 13 Bus 12, 12a, 14, 14c, 27, 27a, 47 (free on-street parking)
Saturday Sunday 14 Sheepcote Valley A longer 3.5 mile version of our popular weekly Wednesday Sheepcote walk. 1st Saturday of every month 11am. Meet at East Brighton Park café, off Wilson Avenue. Map ref. 14 Bus 1, 1a (free parking by the café) 15 Portslade / Benfield Valley A 3 3.5 miles long Health Walk, for those who are feeling a bit more adventurous. The route follows the edge of the South Downs with some fantastic views. The walk ends at the Sainsbury s café. 11am Meet adjacent to the Sainsbury s superstore entrance by the cash machines. On the Hangleton Link Road off Old Shoreham Road. Map ref. 15 Bus 6, 6a, 46, 46a, 66 (free parking at the superstore) 16 Stanmer Park A variety of different walks through the park exploring the Great Wood and surrounding countryside of between 3-3.5miles. The walk starts and finishes at Stanmer tea room, and the group aims to get back in time for the 12.30 bus. 10.45am Meet outside the Village Tea Rooms. Map ref. 16 Bus 78 direct to Stanmer Church (some free parking in the park, at time of going to print)
Volunteering If you are interested in volunteering with Healthwalks please get in touch. There is a dedicated Volunteer Co-ordinator and a diverse and friendly group of volunteers who have regular meetings and social events. If you d like to go on the list for the next free Volunteer Walk Leader (VWL) Training Day please contact the Healthwalks Office. We ask that VWL s make a minimum commitment of leading one walk per month. Get the most out of your Healthwalk: Start slowly, allow yourself time to warm up. Walk briskly so that you feel warmer, feel your heart beat a little faster, and breathe a little faster, but are still able to talk comfortably. Slow down for the last five minutes of your walk, to allow your heart rate to return to normal. We also have volunteering opportunities in admin, publicity and within the management of the separately constituted Volunteer team. Please contact us if you have any ideas for new walks, or would like to set one up in your community. Walk for 30 minutes five or more times a week. Talks and Advice We have given talks to scores of community groups, health professionals and clinics. If you are involved in or work with a group of people who would like to find out more about the physical and mental health benefits of walking, and how to become more active, please contact the Scheme Co-ordinator. We also support Health Professionals and Community/Voluntary groups who work with people who would benefit from taking up regular moderate exercise to set up their own Healthwalk groups. Walking is a gentle form of exercise and good for all ages and abilities; but do talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about starting exercise. Led walks are a great way to meet new people, and you can do these walks independently or with friends and family. We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and bring a drink and weather proof coat when attending a walk. Why walking is so good for you It s a great way to start being active It can help keep you flexible It can help you feel less stressed It burns the same amount of calories as jogging It can reduce your risk of certain cancers Led walks are a great way to meet new people It can reduce your risk of diabetes It can improve your blood pressure It can halve your risk Seafront Signage Look out for our 4 mile signed seafront healthwalk route between the Marina and Hove Lagoon..
Active for life For a range of other physical activity opportunities in your area visit www.activeforlife.org.uk, or contact Sports Development on 01273 292724, sports.info@brighton-hove.gov.uk Stanmer Park Village Tea rooms 16 University of Sussex A27 Bus stop Ladies Mile Road 12 Patcham Coldean Park Gates 10 Meet Opp. Co-op Park Café Old London Road 2 Withdean Moulsecoomb Wild Park Hollingbury Golf Club Hollingbury Moulsecoomb 7 Ditchling Road Preston Road Dyke Road Falmer Road Surestart Centre (off lynchet Close) entwood Rd Nevill Road Goldstone Cresecent Br Preston Drove Hove Park Nevill Avenue Pavilion Café Preston Park Buggy walk 8 Park Café 9 1 A27 West Blatchington Egmont Road Supermarket Emmaus cash machines 5 15 11 3 Bevendean Lewes Road Kemp Town East Brighton Park Café Golf Club 6 14 Rotunda Café Preston Park Old Shoreham Road Castle Hill Woodingdean Queen s Park Locks Hill Portslade Bear Road Elm Grove Ditchling Road Queen s Park Road Hove Wilson Avenue Brighton King s Road Edward Street Brighton Pier 4 Ovingdean Rottingdean Brighton Marina Saltdean Arundel Road West Library (behind lido) 13 Marine Drive Hangleton Link Road A293 Hangleton Road Church Rd