Round and About Walk Saturday April 25th 2026
NEW for 2026! The Round and About Walks will be a 1-day community walking event! Starting and ending at the Community College in Bishop’s Castle, you can choose to walk either our full, glorious, challenging 23-miles of beautiful South Shropshire countryside or an equally scenic but more accessible 6-mile loop.
It’s all about enjoying the walk, whichever you choose, so dig your boots out and join us, taking in the scenery and raising funds for our charities. You can leave the planning to us as we’ll devise a route following parts of the Shropshire Way, Offa’s Dyke, local footpaths, permissive paths and occasionally no path at all! We’ll guide you to visit Bury Ditches, the Walcot Estate and parts of Clun that are easily missed.
The Challenge Route – 23 miles
You will register for the start of the Challenge Route between 7.00am and 10.00am on April 25 then set off up the Woodbatch valley, following streams across open farmland and hilly woodland to Mainstone Village Hall for your first refreshment stop. From there it’s a bit of a climb onto Offa’s Dyke but worth it for the view as you ramble along the Dyke and down the Cefns to Clun. You see the castle a very long time before you get there! More refreshments are on offer at Clun Memorial Hall before you tackle the last nine miles back to Bishops Castle, over Bury Ditches and through the Walcot Estate up onto Oakeley Mynd, before celebrating (or collapsing) in the Community College.
The Short Loop – 6 miles
You can register for the start of the Short Loop anytime between 7.00am and 12.00pm on April 25. We have worked very hard to make sure that the Six-Mile route follows paths which are every bit as beautiful as the Challenge one. You register between 10.00 and 12.00 and follow the main route for as far as Horseshoe Coppice, where the bluebells should be stunning. You then veer northwards, over hills and fields with spectacular open views, eventually descending for well-earned refreshments at the Community College.
What are we Providing?
For your registration donation we’ll be providing you with a detailed route map, route-marking arrows, full written instructions and a GPX file. You’ll receive these on April 25th when you Sign-In at the Community College Bishop’s Castle, and a certificate when you finish.
Refreshments
Not only that but we’ll have one catering stop on the shorter loop offering teas and cakes, and THREE catering stops on the 22-mile route. All included in the entry donation!
Our Charities
Your donation will be split between two charities:
Friends of Community College Bishop’s Castle helps support our local secondary school students by funding a whole range of items. We’ve purchased things such as table tennis tables, new sports equipment, a new camera for the Art department, new outdoor shelters for students, electronic scan reader pens for students who need them, Duke of Edinburgh Award registration and so much more.
Blood Cancer UK: In the battle to beat blood cancer, research and patient knowledge is vital: £10 buys crucial information booklets for 10 people newly diagnosed with blood cancer; £100 pays a researcher to analyse 120 blood cell samples – any of which could hold the key to possible new treatments; £1,000 funds a research nurse for three days supporting patients in testing new treatments.
Visit the Blood Cancer UK site for more details.
What Happens Next?
Sign up to be part of this one-day event and you will receive a downloadable confirmation of your donation. If you don’t get your download, don’t worry, we will email you to update you on next steps and plans for the day.
How to Take Part
- The donation for an individual entry is £25 per person.
- Early Bird price! Book before February 28th and the individual donation is just £20.
- Under 16s are free with an accompanying adult
Choose a donation type below. You will be taken to a donation and registration page. Following registration you will receive an email confirmation. Please note that donations cannot be refunded.
For each of the donation options there will be a drop-down menu to opt in or out of Gift Aid. Gift Aid makes a huge difference to our fundraising so if you can Gift Aid we are very grateful.
Additionally, if you would rather help our fundraising without actually walking, that would be hugely appreciated. You can simply make your donation via the Voluntary Donation button.
“a stunning walk; directions were absolutely incredible; such a well marked course”.
Enter by clicking on the entry type of your choice from this page.
Our Aims:
Our first aim is for you to enjoy the walking and the scenery. Our second aim is to support our chosen national and local charities, our target for 2026 is £5,000.
Blood Cancer UK
In the battle to beat blood cancer, research and patient knowledge is vital:
- £10 buys vital information booklet for 10 people newly diagnosed with blood cancer.
- £100 pays a researcher to analyse 120 blood cell sample – any of which could hold the key to possible new treatments.
- £1,000 funds a research nurse for three days supporting patients testing new treatments.
Visit the Blood Cancer UK site for more details.
CCBC Friends
CCBC Friends have established a charity to support The Community College and its students by funding items that are beyond the budget of the College but of significant benefit to student experience. You can read more on the CCBC Friends page.
Items recently funded by CCBC Friends include:
- Electronic scan reader pens for students with special needs
- Duke of Edinburgh’s Award registration and subscriptions to support all eligible students to participate
- Table Tennis tables and Outdoor shelters for students during break and lunchtimes
- New outdoor seating and tables
If you feel able to get sponsorship or make a larger donation, you will sustain vital life-saving work, give CCBC students the support they deserve, and make us very happy. Please give your friends the link.
CCBC Friends registered charity 1201222
The Community College Bishop’s Castle, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5AY