Friendly Faces of Warwickshire

When pre-Christmas work finishes on Friday the 19th of December, ignore the sofa.
Instead, don the most amusing/cheesy themed Christmas jumper you can find, and get yourself out in Leamington for the feel-good experience (and inevitable laughs) of an evening out in good company, meeting some new people.

We'll have an informal chin-wag over a drink or two in the White Horse to start (alcohol or alternatives are completely fine) and then for those who want to stick around for a bit longer - we'll move to a few more bars in central Leamington, which we'll take over with our happy and chatty group energy.

As with all Friendly Faces events, you can expect a good mix of first-timers and regulars. It's free to attend, so seize this excellent opportunity to expand your social circle right before we go into the Christmas bank holiday lockdown and the town goes to sleep...
Hit that big red 'Attend' button now.

With Christmas day done, and a big pot-belly of turkey and Christmas pud to work off, why not sign up for this leisurely group stroll through the stunning Leamington Parks, as we stretch our legs and take full advantage of the natural beauty of Leamington right on our doorstep.
Unlike many of our lengthy walks over the last few years, this one is very easy and short in comparison. We'll cover around 2-and-a-bit miles and be done in about an hour.

The route (starting at 1pm so dont be late!) begins in the free-to-park Newbold Comyn car park (see map below) and we'll kick off along the side of the river Leam, through Jephson Gardens, through the Pump Room Gardens, then looping all the way round Victoria Park passing the bowling green, the skate park and the tennis courts, maybe grabbing a passing coffee at the Victoria Park Cafe or the Aviary Cafe, before making our way back the way we came.

Upon arrival back at the carpark, we'll cross the road to the Newbold Comyn Arms and have a sit down for a rewarding drink or two before calling it a day when the mood takes us.

Coming alone is perfectly fine - it's what most people do, but the more the merrier so feel free to bring friends too.
Dogs are welcome, and also note that the Comyn Arms is VERY dog-friendly, offering water and tasty treats to any discerning pooch-patrons that might pop in.

Hope to see you there!

Take full advantage of this opportunity to get out and meet new people (during the otherwise sleepy Christmas week) with this amazing countryside hike, which is one of my favourites.

Starting and ending outside the Castle pub (OX15 6DJ) we'll trek round a tried and tested 7-mile looping route that strings together amazing scenery and stunning long-distance views over the surrounding landscape.

When we reach the end (which is right where we started) we'll top it off with a well earned sit down at the pub for a refreshing drink / relax over a bit more chatter with our new-found connections.

Hit the 'Attend' button now so you don't forget.

What you can expect...
Having led the group around this route several times over the last three years, I can confirm it is one of the best. The sound of silence is broken only by the wind in the trees, the tweeting of distant birds, or by a startled deer scampering the full width of an open field and into the safety of the vast woodland.
As its name suggests - we will encounter a few hilly bits scattered throughout the route which can generate a bit of puffing, but that shouldn't be an issue if you are walk-fit.

Getting there...
If you aren't 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 towards petrol money.
If you are a driver, Edgehill is x minutes drive away...
Stratford 14; Warwick 15; Leamington 15; Rugby 24; Coventry 27; Central Birmingham 39.

Other things to note...
- Dogs are not allowed on this route.
- Young'uns must not be younger than 18.
- Bring a homemade sandwich (leftover turkey sarnies?) and a drink / snacks and we'll pick a suitable spot along the route to post up for a quick break and a munch.
- There is the odd spot that will be muddy at this time of year if rain has lingered, so ditch the trainers and don your waterproof walking boots anyway.

Oh and parking...
Completely free on the roadside outside the pub, and there's plenty of it in this remote location. Even if its busy outside the pub, just park further down the road (or round the corner if necessary) and walk back up.