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.

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

The walking group as they take a break after an uphill climb across the fields to view 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'.

Walkie Talkie group on the beach at Crow Point, near Braunton

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

Walkie Talkies admire the vintage hay turner

Just one of the many wonderful funghi we spotted - lots more recorded by our funghi expert

A funghi festival on this walk

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"

he group stop for a well earned rest after a good climb and enjoyed 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!

One of the challenges - climb the bale! With a little help from her friends, Liz won this challenge.

July 2023 - Walkie Talkies go local at Uffculme

After a climb from lanes around Coldharbour Mill to Gaddon Down we enjoyed some woodland walking

Walking through the woodlands above Uffculme

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

Taking a break on one of the climbs for the view of 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

WT group on top of the world

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

The commemoration of training ready for D Day Landings in 1944

A photo taken from normandywarguide.com showing the training landing craft area

July 2022 - a brief break on the walk from Simonsbath

A break in the walk around Simonsbath

July 2022 - circular route from Simonsbath across this wide open space

Great open space for walking near Simonsbath

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

Walking group stop on the track down from Haddon Hill to Bury

March 2022 - A Stoodleigh Walk - The group gather at Ford Cross, opposite the Parish Hall, after breakfast and ready to set off.

Walkers gather at Ford Cross to set off on the walk

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.

After a hard climb up from the village of Bampton, almost out on the top at 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!

Walking group at Dunkery Beacon

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

Deep in conversation as the group walk across 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 group find a bench at Kissing Gate Triangle for a photo

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

The Walkie Talkies group stop in the woods for a photo

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

Blue Ball Inn Triscombe

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.