Walking Groups Gallery
Stoodleigh groups have enjoyed walking together for a number of years and the photos here are a collection started since 2005 - Walkie Talkies, RRRs, Exmoor Society Walks and the Rambling Roses. We hope you enjoy them.
October 2024 - Coastal walking this month
Time for the group photograph - with great view behind us to Budleigh Salterton and the coast
The view from high up on the cliffs back towards Budleigh Salterton
The view to the horizon from the cliff top
August 2024 - The Walkie Talkies were back on Exmoor again this month walking from Brendon Common to Hoar Oak Cottage
This was the first 'down the valley' climb .... the first group were further down the valley and missed the photo opportunity!
This stream crossing required team effort - all safely across!
March 2024 - A circular walk from Bampton to Morebath and return
The group took a break after a climb up over fields to see Morebath in the distance
A couple of spring lambs under cosy cover
January 2024 - our annual visit to the North Coast with a Breeze on the Beach at Crow Point and Braunton Burrows.
The walking group stopped for a photo before the adventurous folk climbed up to walk back via the dunes and others enjoyed a sociable and chatty walk back along the beach to Crow Point car park. Some of the group then met up at Braunton for a 'Squires' fish and chip lunch'.
October 2023 - Autumnal storms kept the WTs off the moor until now but Exmoor showed us some of its best for this walk - this hardcore group took the mud in their stride!
Walkie Talkies take a rest to admire the vintage hay turner
Just one of the many wonderful funghi we spotted - lots more recorded by our funghi expert
Colourful hawthorn with amazing hanging lichen
August 2023 - WTs get back to Exmoor adventures again after keeping the dogs away from the nesting birds
"Let's stop to catch our breath after the climb and enjoy the views"
One of the morning's challenges - climb the bale! With a little help from friends, Liz won this challenge. Other photos showing the efforts made are available!
July 2023 - Walkie Talkies go local at Uffculme
After a climb from lanes around Coldharbour Mill to Gaddon Down we enjoyed some woodland walking
After climbing up to Gaddon Down the views over Uffculme were wonderful and then the group were caught for the obligatory WT group photo!
Some delightful gardens on our return to Coldharbour Mill with a flowerpot gardener taking a rest on the bench - and you thought you were having a bad hair day!
May 2023 - Walkie Talkies at Luxborough
Taking a break on one of the climbs for one of the views of the valley and Churchtown below
We reached the Trig Point on Withycombe Common - what a climb but we enjoyed the fantastic Somerset coastal views and the calls of the cuckoos further along the Common
February 2023 - Walkie Talkies at Fingle Bridge
Time for a group photo
A little climb at Fingle Bridge
Fingle Bridge views
January 2023 - Walkie Talkies at Crow Point & Braunton Burrows
Walkie Talkies on top of the world as they set out on the New Year Walk at Crow Point to blow the cobwebs away
Time for a group photo while we caught our breath - what a great view the photographer, Chris, had out over the beach
The group visited an area at Crow Point/Braunton Burrows where US troops had trained with their amphibious equipment in preparation for the D Day Landings
In commemoration of those members of the Allied Forces who trained here for the liberation of Europe at the D Day Landings on 6 June 1944
A photo taken from normandywarguide.com showing the training landing craft area
July 2022 - a brief break on the walk from Simonsbath
July 2022 - circular route from Simonsbath across this wide open space
June 2022 - the route from Haddon Hill, Bury, Wimbleball Dam and return to Haddon Hill
June 2022 - looking down from the river bridge at Bury
June 2022 - the group stop along the track from Haddon Hill down to Bury - after they have admired the view behind them
March 2022 - A Stoodleigh Walk - The group gather at Ford Cross, opposite the Parish Hall, after breakfast and ready to set off.
March 2022 - and they're off on the public footpath across the fields from West End and down into the wooded valley
March 2022 - Walkers climb up to the top of Rifton Woods and take the bridlepath through the woods
March 2022 - Walking along the bridleway from Coleford Bottom to Aldridge Mill
February 2022 - Photograph time after the climb up from the centre of Bampton towards Bampton Down.
January 2022 - Stopping for a break for a photo in the sunshine on the walk at Crow Point, North Devon
December 2021 - Dunkery Beacon - the group make it to the top at last!
October 2021 - Molland: Taking a break as the group head up hill once more
October 2021 - Molland - Deep in conversation as the group cross the moor with distant views behind them
2019 - The Walkie Talkies walked locally in November, stopped at the Kissing Gate Triangle for a photo and lunched at the Stoodleigh Inn
The local walk in Stoodleigh at the end of November took us past the Beacon View Egg Shack - eggs anyone?
Lovely autumnal October walking in Horner Woods
An August walk from Brendon Moor to Hoar Oak Cottage for a picnic
On a warm, sunny June day a walk over to Oakford's Red Lion for lunch was a great idea. We think the dogs did not want to be in the photograph but they enjoyed a few miles exploring woodland paths and country tracks
The Walkie Talkies took a break along their Haddon Hill circular walk at Bury in May
The Walkie Talkies met at Luxborough on 26 April and walked up to Withycombe Common Trig Point - a little breezy but fun!
And as we walked further across the moor we spotted this new mum with her little one
Below is the route of the Luxborough walk - you may want to try it!
The route for the Walkie Talkies on 29 March took them over Molland Common. The group stopped along the way for the obligatory group photo
A herd of deer was spotted in the distance
The walk finished at the London Inn where the group enjoyed a sociable lunch together
Walkie Talkies headed for Braunton Burrows on 4 January 2019 after some brisk walking with the dogs along the beach from Saunton
Walkie Talkies around Bampton in November 2018
The group stopped to catch their breath after a good climb up from the start in Bampton.
Resurrected Rambling Roses at the Grand Western Canal in October 2018
Convivial walking
Lunch at the Globe
Walkie Talkies around Stoodleigh: Eighteen walkers joined in on 26 October 2018
The walkers stopped for the views from the lane towards Cove and then turned for the camera
Views back towards Stoodleigh from high ground at Dryhill
A short break in the woods to enjoy the autumn sunshine
Walkie Talkies on the moor at Brendon - 24 August 2018
A short break as we walked up from Hoar Oak Water after lunch at Hoar Oak Cottage
A blaze of purple heather glory
Just one of the fungi varieties we came across
This moorland dwelling Adder slithered away from us very quickly as we approached - some quick photographers managed to get a shot before it disappeared into the undergrowth
Walkie Talkies around the Blackdown Hills and Broadhembury - 1 June 2018
A refreshing stop around the edge of the Blackdowns to celebrate some birthdays
A view as the group took the lane down to Broadhembury after walking along the Blackdown Hills
Lunching in the garden at the Drewe Arms, Broadhembury
Walkie Talkies join an Exmoor Society Walk from Winsford - 26 April 2018
Walkie Talkies - 23 March 2018 - Otterton and the Otter Nature Reserve
Walkie Talkies - 23 February 2018
An enjoyable walk through the woods and along paths from Marsh Bridge towards Tarr Steps
Beautiful frost flowers in the woods on a bright and chilly day - great for walking
Arrival at Tarr Steps before a super lunch at Tarr Farm Inn and the return walk along bridleways back to Marsh Bridge
Walkie Talkies - 26 January 2018
Nine members of the Walkie Talkies took a leisurely walk at Knightshayes. Here was a great photo opportunity - not just of the group but also the view behind them back to Stoodleigh Beacon and Ash Woods, Stoodleigh.
Some wonderful snowdrops in the banks and hedgerows.
The walk took us beside many interesting farmbuildings.
Walkie Talkies - 5 January 2018
The Walkie Talkies went to North Devon for a bracing beach walk at Saunton to blow the cobwebs away. What an invigorating start to the New Year - followed by fabulous fish and chips in Braunton!
Walkie Talkies on the beach at Saunton Sands
Amazing light and colour of ocean and skies at Saunton
Some of the group high above Braunton Dunes
Four of the group on top of the dunes with the dogs!
Walkie Talkies - December 2017
The group popped across to Rackenford for the December walk - bright sunshine, near freezing temperatures and wide ranging views were enjoyed.
There's always time for a group photo
Follow the leader - across Rackenford Moor
Happy to be walking!
A different herd of deer than we are used to seeing
A great lunch was served at the Stoodleigh Inn afterwards
Walkie Talkies - November 2017
Thirteen Walkie Talkies ventured to pastures new this month to the Quantocks - From Lydyeard Hill via Wills Neck, the Blue Ball Inn at Triscombe, West Bagborough and back up to the top and the car park at Lydyeard Hill.
There was an opportunity to stop for a group photograph along the way
Wills Neck Trig Point - highest point on the Quantocks - surrounded by the local horses and ponies
The Blue Ball Inn, Triscombe - an amazing thatched Inn where the bar and seating areas are in the roof space - the lunch stop, where great food and drinks were enjoyed by all
Walkie Talkies - October 2017
October saw the group walking from Withypool to Landacre - with a stop for some photos - and returning along the path beside the river.
Walking along the lanes between Withypool and Landacre
Walkie Talkies - June 2017
This month's walk took the group around Winsford Hill taking in the Caratucus Stone with a descent down the Punchbowl, across fields to Withycombe Lane back to Winsford.
Walkie Talkies - May 2017
A walk from Simonsbath of 6+ miles - a short break on a picturesque bridge on a walk of wonderful views
This contented local watched from a shady spot as we trooped by in the sunshine
Walkie Talkies - March 2017
A local walk this month from Stoodleigh to Oakford - the group stop here between Bellbrook and Aldridge Mill for a short break
Walkie Talkies - February 2017
Perfect spot for the walkers to take a break for a photo before the climb back up for lunch at the Rest and Be Thankful
Walkie Talkies - February 2017
Snowdrops and fungi
Walkie Talkies - February 2017
A view of the snowdrops in the valley
Walkie Talkies - January 2017
A break for the camera above Dulverton
Walkie Talkies - December 2016
Refreshments along the way before lunch at the Stags Head at Dunster
Walkie Talkies - December 2016
........ the bear at Gallax Hill, Dunster
Walkie Talkies - November 2016
Relaxing at Tarr Farm Inn after the walk
Walkie Talkies - November 2016
On the route from Tarr Steps via Knaplock and Mounsey Gate to Tarr Farm Inn for lunch
Walkie Talkies - November 2016
from Tarr Steps beside the Barle
Walkie Talkies - November 2016
at the start of Tarr Steps walk in glorious autumn morning sunshine
Rambling Roses