Harrow and Wembley Outdoor Group

We offer a range of opportunities for getting into the countryside with a core events programme of walking, weekends away and weeks away. Our events range from easy to more challenging so something for all. Fresh air, wildlife, hills, quaint pubs, history, quiet, beautiful views, sunsets, rivers, valleys, new friends. We do stuff locally in the Chiltern Hills just north-west of London, the Thames Valley and the Surrey Hills. And beyond that, all over the UK in the National Parks (Peak District, Lake District, Cairngorms etc.) and many other fantastic locations. And occasionally abroad.

We are a highly successful local group - 80% of our 100+ paid members live in north-west London - with virtually equal numbers of girls and guys. Membership is open to anyone aged 16 years or over and we offer reduced price for anyone who is under 30 years old at the start of each group year (1 Oct) or on low_incomes etc.

Everyone new can try our group for free for 2 months - no obligation - any time during each year and then only pay pro rata membership price for the remaining months to the end of our group year (30 Sep) if joining.

Below is some key information about how our group operates and what you should expect:

Our group year runs from 1 Oct to 30 Sep. Anyone joining in year pays a pro rata price. Everyone new gets two months free.
You must want to do our outdoor activities, attend some, and after 12 months as a member, help organise a few each year.

We have one Hall Evening meet each month in central Harrow, usually the third Thursday. A good opportunity to get information.
We usually have one Social Evening meet each month. Normally a Friday or Saturday evening, could be for a drink, food, film etc.
Most of our remaining events involve outdoor activities, often countryside walking, but could be cycling, rock climbing etc.
Many of our events are in beautiful locations: local and more distant. Have you explored our Chiltern Hills north-west of London?
Our weekends/weeks away are more distant and involve stays at youth hostels, cottages and campsites.

Our core aim is to offer a walk each weekend, and a weekend away each month. We usually easily exceed this.
Our events are colour coded. Green indicates easy. Amber indicates moderate. Red indicates challenging.
Everyone who is reasonably fit should be able to complete our Amber events. Just ask the event organiser if not sure.

Walking is our main outdoor activity. If you plan to do this then you will soon need to get some proper walking footwear.
You should be prepared for any outdoor activities you choose to do: some terrain is demanding, weather can change quickly.
Key clothing is footwear, warm hat/clothes (winter), sun cream (summer), waterproofs, back pack (water, snacks, first aid kit).

We have two events programmes each year: for winter and summer. Most planning for these is in September and March.
All previous year members of more than 12 months contribute to our events programmes: that's one or two events a year.
All our events have to be submitted on one of our event forms: these are available here.
We encourage and support members to gain skills in basic navigation (map and compass in countryside locations).
All events are published here.

We have a main email group for all key communications, this includes a weekly Monday summary email. Free: join here.
Members often write and email a short report on events they've organised which are then published here.
Members often submit photographs of events they've attended which are published here.
We have an email forum for all other communications: car sharing, social, sales/wants etc. Free: join here.

Most of our events can be attended without advance booking.
A few of our events, mainly our weekends/weeks away, need to be booked and paid for in advance.
Most of these events can be booked and paid for online by responding to the organiser's email or using our Book Now button.
You'll be informed if a place is allocated for you and sent a link to pay any deposit.
If you book a place and it is allocated to you then you are expected to pay for it. Don't book if you don't accept this.

Everyone new can attend our events for free for two months without obligation - so note anything of interest and try us out.
Everyone attending after two months is required to either join as a member or pay our Casual surcharge.
Joining as a member and Casual surcharges can be paid on our website. For membership see here. To pay a Casual surcharge see here and here.

Finally, for more information please visit our frequently asked questions and Conduct and Constitution pages. Alternatively contact us with any specific questions at .

We look forward to meeting you, do come along soon!