Last updated 18 January 2022

Northumbria Group - Stobb Cross

There are currently over 40 local LDWA groups in England, Wales and Scotland and being a member of one of these is great fun! Indeed, without them the LDWA would not exist.  As well as being a Primary member of your local group you can also sign up to be an Associate member of any one of the other groups and receive news about them and their events.

Local groups host regular Group Walks, led by one of their experienced members, often encompassing a pub or cafe stop for socialising. They vary in length between 15 - 25 miles, depending on the season and offer both a challenge and a chance to explore new areas, whilst making new friends.

Some local groups also organise social evenings such as pub suppers, quiz nights and local planning evenings - something to keep you out of mischief on those dark winter nights when you can't go walking. Some groups enjoy weekends or short holiday breaks together, sharing their common interest in walking and travel. Some venture far outside their local patch, incorporating trains and boats and planes!

Very importantly, groups organise Challenge Events, where members design the route and help marshal at checkpoints on the day, serving food and drinks and making sure all entrants get round safely, and are accounted for at the end of the day. These are hard work but fun and rewarding.

As a member, you are welcome to try any walk in the Group Walks Programme, whether or not you live local to that area, but it helps if you 'phone the walk leader to let them know to expect you.

LDWA members can join any local group, whether you live within that postcode area or not. Many Groups publish a Newsletter, often emailed, and some charge a small subscription designed to cover administrative costs.

Local Groups are run by their own committees and host an Annual General Meeting for all their members to attend. The National Committee has a Local Groups Secretary to keep in touch with all the local groups and who makes sure their walks programmes get into the Strider magazine.