Friendly Faces of Warwickshire

FFW: Kenilworth : The Castle, Parks, Greenway, Woodlands (7-mile hike)

Sun, Mar 15 · 12:00 PM GMT

CV8 1QJ, Abbey End, Kenilworth, GB

Lets get outdoors for this fantastic looping route around Kenilworth and experience its highly-acclaimed reputation on the walkers grapevine.
Starting and ending at Abbey End Car Park (CV8 1QJ) we'll cover a looping route that strings together the best parts of a few other tried and tested routes, soaking up all the outstanding beauty in the area.
Add in an outdoorsy group of super-social Friendly Faces (both first-timers and regulars) to make some new connections with along the way, and it'll be a cracking day out for all.

When we reach the end, we'll top it off with a well earned sit down the new Whetherspoons for a refreshing drink (and if anyone is hungry - a bite to eat) and chill out over a bit more chatter with our new-found connections.

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

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, Kenilworth is x minutes drive away...
Warwick 11; Leamington 15; Coventry 15; Stratford 25; Rugby 30; Central Birmingham 35.

Other things to note...
- Dogs are allowed, kids must be 18 or over.
- Anyone bringing dogs, remember that some people can be fearful of dogs and be hiding it well, so no matter how well-behaved you feel your dog is, keep him or her on a lead at all times and be respectful of your fellow-attendees.
- Bring a homemade sandwich and a drink / snacks and we'll pick a suitable spot along the route to post up for a quick break and a munch.
- Compared to other walks of late, the terrain is very easy-going, however there is the odd spot that will be muddy at this time of year where rain has lingered, so ditch the trainers and don your waterproof walking boots anyway.

Oh and parking...
I strongly suggest that all drivers install the RingGo app on your phone before the day, and use it to pay £4 for four hours in the car park when you get there. This should be comfortably enough time to complete the walk, but just in case (or if you want to hang out in the pub for a bit) you can always add an hour or more remotely from your phone if needed. Or you could just pay £7 for 24 hours and not worry about it.

Please check traffic in the morning, and don't be late.
Everyone is looking forward to meeting you!

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS

1. To find out how to become a full Friendly Faces group member, read here... https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/

2. This event starts at 12:00. Do not be late! Make sure you arrive early enough to be parked, paid for parking, and ready at the start point for this time or we may leave without you.

3. To attend this hiking event you must be active, in good health, and free from injury. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.

4. Dogs ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend this event, but must (yes, must) be kept on a lead.

5. Due to recent seasonal weather this route may be a little bit muddy in places, so bring (or invest in) some good quality ankle-protecting (and water-proof) footwear.

FFW: Warwick Monthly Social

Fri, Mar 20 · 7:30 PM GMT

Ronnie's Bar, Jury St ,, Warwick, GB

This is the perfect solution to get out of the house and meet more people, and if you didn't know, downtown Warwick is a goldmine of easy-going, laid-back bars to hang out in.
So whether you're a first-timer or a regular, get your name down to join this mixed casual group-tour around the town centre on a relaxed Friday evening, and we'll descend together upon its most popular bars one at a time, staying long enough for a drink or two before we all move on to the next one.

What is a Friendly Faces Monthly Social?...
Either read on for a written explanation of the format of this event, or watch this YouTube video that I put together in 2023 when we first started doing them...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st6irM814UM

To the untrained eye this event looks like a pub-crawl, but rather than being about getting drunk (as pub-crawls are) this monthly meetup event instead focuses on the social aspects : getting out there and meeting new people, mingling, and expanding your social circle.
Don't waste your energy trying to find someone you know to come with you - coming alone is perfectly normal and is what 99.9% of attendees do.
The changing of venues helps encourage the mingling upon us, and typically by the end of the evening - each attendee will...
(1) have met most (if not all) of the other attendees present,
(2) feel pretty chuffed about having chatted with a group of nice friendly people and made some cool new connections,
(3) feel like they fit right in,
(4) be checking the diary to see if they can make another event!

If you're driving, or (like me) alcohol isn't your thing, then do as I and any other non-drinkers do, and instead sip on a glass of cordial, coke, or zero beer. There is no pressure to buy drinks. If you decide to skip the bar and just enjoy the social occasion, you certainly wont be judged.

Big Win #1...
Unlike the usual sit-down or stand-still-all-night meetups, this style of event will keep mixing us up as a group every time we change venue, and the mingling will happen automatically as we go with the flow.

Big Win #2...
As a big group of people it will be great fun and a guaranteed laugh watching the bewildered faces of the non-meetup people in the bars as we all walk in the door together and fill the place, and then after an hour or so of meetup chatter - all leave together and empty it again!

Venues...
As you may know there are several cool bars in central Warwick so we wont have to walk far between venues. We'll visit around 3 or 4 venues throughout the evening, and stay close to the Market Square in the town centre.

I'll keep our location-changes communicated as the evening progresses so you can join at any point along the route, but lateness is not recommended. Obviously if you're on time at the start you'll be present for introductions, and you'll get much more out of the evening.
So to start we'll meet in Ronnie's Bar at 7:30pm and let the socialising commence.
Meet-point here... https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gi4kerViG8FsFJkH8

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

Take advantage of the free parking in the Cape Road car park which is free from 6pm on Friday, and near to where we will finish the tour.
Car park here... https://maps.app.goo.gl/4JSpR2ZoavrPPNP8A

Very Important Note...
A polite reminder that Friendly Faces events are for meeting new people, networking and expanding social circles. This means positive energy only.
The following 5 rules apply, as a way of safeguarding members from a few things. By attending this and any subsequent events, you agree to abide by them.

1. Friendly Faces events are not dating / singles events. Anyone engaging in persistent or unwelcomed attention towards others (either at an event or afterwards) may be removed from the group.
2. Having respect for others is non-negotiable. Anyone who is disrespectful to others (whether this is directed at members of the group or outsiders) may be removed from the group.
3. Drinking alcohol is normal (and optional) at these events, however our primary focus is on socialising, not on drinking to excess. Anyone being or becoming excessively drunk (or exhibiting drunken behaviour) may be removed from the group.
4. We are all Friendly Faces group ambassadors at the places we visit. Anyone misusing/abusing a venue/location (or the staff or property within it) may be removed from the group.
5. Our encouragement of others to attend more Friendly Faces events benefits us all. However anyone harvesting/sharing phone numbers to promote products, events, or other social groups may be removed from the group.

I feel very proud that members of the Friendly Faces group are known for being so warm and welcoming to each other (and the expectations of first-timers are often exceeded) so good times and happy vibes naturally flow at our events.
With these rules in place and acknowledged we shouldn't need to refer back to them, but we have them and can use them if needed.
With that out of the way - lets do what we do so well, and enjoy these super-sociable group experiences and meeting new people.
If we haven't met you before we are all looking forward to meeting you, and if we have met you before - we're looking forward to seeing you again!

Finally...
Attendees new to the group are always welcome to check out their first event for free as a 'first-timer' to see how we do things, but to find out how to become a paid-subscription Friendly Faces group member, so that you can attend as many as you like, read here...
https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/

FFW: Stratford to Wootton Wawen via Edstone Aqueduct (7.5-mile hike)

Sun, Mar 29 · 12:00 PM BST

Stratford-Upon-Avon train station, Station Road, CV37 6PL, Stratford Upon Avon, GB

Whether you're new to Friendly Faces or you're a seasoned regular, click the Attend button now and take full advantage of this tried and tested hike which will get you (1) out of the house, (2) meeting new people, (3) exercising, and (4) starting 2026 determined to be successful.

At this event you'll have a fantastic afternoon out, you'll meet an outdoorsy group of super-social Friendly Faces (including first-timers as always) and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to make new acquaintances / connections along the way.

What are the details for this hike?
Anyone disappointed at having to miss out on some of our walks this year due to the many challenging hills we take on - you'll be pleased to know that this one is flat from start to finish. However, unlike all of our previous walks, this one has a twist.. it finishes 7.5 miles away from the starting point!
Starting and ending at the Stratford Train Station Car Park we'll trek out of town and along the canal, and along the outstanding feat of engineering the Edstone Aqueduct.
If you didnt know - its the longest cast-iron aqueduct in England, allowing the canal to continue flowing (and boats to travel along it) high above a road, and two railway lines.
We'll then veer away from the canal for a spell before eventually reaching the quiet village of Wootton Wawen.

As is customary when we reach the end of a hike, we'll then call in at a pub there for a well-earned drink and a sit down / final chin-wag, before jumping on the train to take us back to our cars at the start-point.
See the map on the event page if you need sat-nav assistance to help you find the train station.
When you arrive grab yourself a parking spot and we'll meet by the paying machines.

Getting there...
If you are a driver, the meet-point (Stratford Upon Avon train station) is x miles away from...
Warwick 10; Leamington 13; Kenilworth 15; Coventry 20; Rugby 29; Central Birmingham 34.

Need a lift?...
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift to and from the starting point, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Do that now, because leaving that question until the last few days before the event is too late.
Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.

Other things to note...
- Well-behaved dogs ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend this walk, but must be kept on a short lead. Remember also that some people can be fearful of dogs and hide it well, so please be respectful of that and keep your dog under control at all times. Remember also (very important!) that your dog must be comfortable with travelling on the train to get back to the carpark.
- Bring a homemade sandwich and a drink / snacks and we'll pick a suitable spot along the route to post up for a quick break and a munch.
- Compared to other hiking routes in the huge Friendly Faces library of routes, the terrain for this one is flat and very easy-going, however there might be the odd spot that will be muddy at this time of year where rain has lingered, so ditch the trainers and don your waterproof walking boots. Ankle-protecting boots are always recommended for hiking anyway. If you intend to join more Friendly Faces hikes and dont own proper walking boots then it will be a great investment for the months ahead.

Oh and parking...
Parking is super convenient for this hike. The Stratford upon Avon train station carpark is cheap and big, and always has plenty of spaces on a Sunday afternoon.

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions.
If not - click the big red "Attend" button now to be kept in the loop, and so you dont forget.

EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS

1. To find out how to become a full Friendly Faces group member, read here... https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/

2. This event starts at 12:00. Do not be late! Make sure you arrive early enough to be parked, paid for parking, and ready at the start point for this time or we may leave without you.

3. To attend this hiking event you must be active, in good health, and free from injury. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.

4. Dogs ARE allowed 🐶✔️ to attend this event.

5. Due to recent seasonal weather this route may be a little bit muddy in places, so bring (or invest in) some good quality ankle-protecting (and water-proof) footwear.

FFW: Easter Thursday Special! : Leamington Night Out

Thu, Apr 2 · 7:30 PM BST

The White Horse, Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa, GB

With the Easter Weekend ready to start, what better way to get out of the house and meet more people... whether you're a first-timer or a regular, get your name down to join this mixed casual group-tour around downtown Leamington on a relaxed Thursday evening - right before the 4-day holiday starts, and we'll descend together upon its most popular bars one at a time, staying long enough for a drink or two before we all move on to the next one.

What is a Friendly Faces Monthly Social?...
Either read on for a written explanation of the format of this event, or watch this YouTube video that I put together in 2023 when we first started doing them...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st6irM814UM

To the untrained eye this event looks like a pub-crawl, but rather than being about getting drunk (as pub-crawls are) this monthly meetup event instead focuses on the social aspects : getting out and meeting new people, mingling, and expanding your social circle.
Don't waste your energy trying to find someone you know to come with you - coming alone is perfectly normal and is what 99.9% of attendees do, and by sticking with a friend - you wont meet anyone new.
The changing of venues helps encourage the mingling upon us, and typically by the end of the evening - each attendee will...
(1) have met most (if not all) of the other attendees present,
(2) feel pretty chuffed about having chatted with a group of nice friendly people and made some cool new connections,
(3) feel like they fit right in,
(4) be checking the diary to see if they can make another event!

If you're driving, or (like me) alcohol isn't your thing, then do as I and other non-drinkers do, and instead sip on a glass of cordial, coke, or zero beer. There is no pressure to buy drinks. If you decide to skip the bar and just enjoy the social occasion, you certainly wont be judged.

Big Win #1
Unlike the usual sit-down or stand-still-all-night meetups, this style of event will keep mixing us up as a group every time we change venue, and the mingling will happen automatically as we go with the flow.

Big Win #2
As a big group of people it will be great fun and a guaranteed laugh watching the bewildered faces of the non-meetup people in the bars as we all walk in the door together and fill the place, and then after an hour or so of meetup chatter - all leave together and empty it again!

Venues...
As you may know there are several cool bars in central Leamington so we wont have to walk far between venues. We'll visit around 3 or 4 venues throughout the evening, and stay close to the Parade in the town centre.

I'll keep our location-changes communicated as the evening progresses so you can join at any point along the route, but lateness is not recommended. Obviously if you're on time at the start you'll be present for introductions, and you'll get much more out of the evening.
So to start we'll gather at the very laid back "White Horse" pub at 7:30pm and let the socialising commence.
The White Horse : https://maps.app.goo.gl/yL1THf5cbDr6pk3M7

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

There are plenty of parking options around the town including roadside parking along Beauchamp Avenue near the top of the Parade, and St Peter's Multi-Storey carpark at the bottom.
Beauchamp Avenue : https://maps.app.goo.gl/6jEPLhwP5DPtqkXy8
St Peters Multistorey : https://maps.app.goo.gl/7XuxdrbcwRodCGya8

Very Important Note...
A polite reminder that Friendly Faces events are for meeting new people, networking and expanding social circles. This means positive energy only.
The following 5 rules apply, as a way of safeguarding members from a few things. By attending this and any subsequent events, you agree to abide by them.

1. Friendly Faces events are not dating / singles events. Anyone engaging in persistent or unwelcomed attention towards others (either at an event or afterwards) may be removed from the group.

2. Having respect for others is non-negotiable. Anyone who is disrespectful to others (whether this is directed at members of the group or outsiders) may be removed from the group.

3. Drinking alcohol is normal (and optional) at these events, however our primary focus is on socialising, not on drinking to excess. Anyone being or becoming excessively drunk (or exhibiting drunken behaviour) may be removed from the group.

4. We are all Friendly Faces group ambassadors at the places we visit. Anyone misusing/abusing a venue/location (or the staff or property within it) may be removed from the group.

5. Our encouragement of others to attend more Friendly Faces events benefits us all. However anyone harvesting/sharing phone numbers to promote products, events, or other social groups may be removed from the group.

I feel very privileged that members of the Friendly Faces group are known for being so warm and welcoming to each other (and the expectations of first-timers are often exceeded) so good times and happy vibes naturally flow at our events.
With these rules in place and acknowledged we shouldn't need to refer back to them, but we have them and can use them if needed.
With that out of the way - lets do what we do so well, and enjoy these super-sociable group experiences and meeting new people.
If we haven't met you before we are all looking forward to meeting you, and if we have met you before - we're looking forward to seeing you again!

Finally...
Attendees new to the group are always welcome to check out their first event for free as a 'first-timer' to see how we do things, but to find out how to become a paid-subscription Friendly Faces group member so that you can attend as many as you like, read here...
https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/