What We Do

DAG organises regular weekends away and local days out for walking, climbing, cycling, pubs and tea rooms.

Local Walks

Why not join us for one of our local walks to chat to members and get an idea of whether the club is for you. Check our Calendar for details of forthcoming local walks (usually around 10-12 miles). Contact us for details if you would like to come along.

Weekends Away

 

We arrange weekends away every month in some of the most beautiful areas of the country. We visit centres in the Lake District, Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire, Brecon Beacons, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Exmoor.

Weekends cost £50 for two nights’ bunkhouse style accommodation with full board.

Our walking is informal and usually agreed on the day to suit the local conditions. There are usually several groups walking varying routes of differing difficulty, so there are usually plenty of options to suit everyone. We do not organize guided or led walks. Members should aim to be self-reliant and come suitably equipped for the likely weather and mountain conditions they might encounter. We have many very experienced members who will be happy to advise newer members.

Safety on the Hills

DAG welcomes people of all ages and ability, but potential members should be aware that the mountains can be dangerous and that the weather conditions can change rapidly. It is therefore important that you are suitably equipped for the walk you are undertaking.  More experienced DAG members can give advice if you wish.

As we generally walk in groups, experience of map reading is encouraged but is not essential. If you are not familiar with map and compass, please ensure that someone in your group has a map and compass, and knows how to use them.

Each individual is responsible for their own safety and DAG cannot accept any responsibility.

Transport

We try to share transport wherever possible to keep the costs down and to provide company en-route. We will try to put people in contact with other people attending a weekend but Members need to make their own arrangements based on where they live.  Also parking at some centres is restricted and so car sharing is important.

Accommodation

Many of the centres we use are in great locations allowing us to walk straight from the door. However, they are often basic with mixed dormitories and bunks so don’t expect 5 Star luxury!  That said, there are hot showers and heating.

As we hire centers from other similar clubs, we are responsible for leaving the accommodation as we find it. Everyone is expected to muck in to help with preparation at meal times, washing up and cleaning before we leave.

Catering

We provide food for the weekends which includes:

  • 2 breakfasts (Sat, Sun)
  • 2 packed lunches (Sat, Sun)
  • Dinner at the center on Saturday evening

Members volunteer to cater for weekends and we always provide a vegetarian option – just make sure you let the Booking Secretary know well in advance of any special dietary requirements or food allergies.

Costs

The standard two nights away on the Friday and Saturday includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday, also dinner on Saturday night.

On occasion, it may be possible to spend more than the usual two nights away. What follows details the increased costs, depending on what nights and food are booked.

Costs for Thursday night will be £20 and will include a breakfast (cereal/bacon sandwich) and packed lunch on Friday but not an evening meal Thursday night. 

Sunday night will be £25 and will include dinner Sunday evening and breakfast (cereal/bacon sandwich) and packed lunch on Monday.

There may be a volunteer to cook on Thursday night and also perhaps a volunteer to cook on Friday night. If you would like to have these meals please say when booking. Costs for these meals are determined by the cook and collected that evening in cash.

In summary, the costs for the weekend will be as follows:

Option 1 - Standard 2 night weekend Friday/Saturday night (you cannot choose a different two nights) = £50

Option 2 - 3 night weekend Thurs/Fri/Sat night = £70

Option 3 - 3 night weekend Fri/Sat/Sun night = £75

Option 4 - 4 night weekend Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun night = £95

Children (under 18 years) will be charged 50% of the above fees.

Payment should be made the Wednesday before the weekend in question.  By BACS preferably, with an option to pay by cash on the weekend.

Christmas weekend fee (Dec) £55 Annual Dinner weekend fee (Feb) £65 Costs for the annual dinner or Christmas weekends may vary if extra days are included, but costs will be advertised in advance. Finally, if you have any dietary needs, then please discuss them in advance to see if they can be accommodated.

Booking

Bookings for each weekend can be made by contacting the Bookings Secretary,  by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or perhaps in person at The Post Office Arms on the first Tuesday of the month, but unfortunately this is temporarily suspended. Bookings are made on a first come first served basis. If a weekend is fully booked, a reserve list is held and you may be offered a place should anyone drop out.

Cancellation

If you have booked for a weekend and cancel after 5pm, on the Friday a week before, we will have to charge you all of the costs for the weekend that you have booked. We aim to keep costs to a minimum and at this stage accommodation costs (and often food) are already paid for. However, anyone cancelling after that Friday due to illness (including colds, flu and covid) will be charged a cancellation fee of only 50% of the costs of the weekend that you have booked.