The Grotto & Folly Tower

Walk & Talk

Date:

Mon, 27th July, 2026

Meeting point: Pontypool Active Living Centre NP4 8AT

Meeting time:

12:45 am

Start time:

1:00 pm

End time:

3:30 pm

A 4-mile walk starting at Pontypool Leisure Centre. The route takes us on a steep hill to ‘The Shell Grotto’. An 18th century Grade II listed summerhouse stone built cylindrical slate building with shells and bones on the interior. The walk then leads us a mile to The ‘Folly Tower’. Standing at roughly 40 feet, this octagonal building was a roman watch-tower which was once demolished and rebuilt again in the late twentieth century. The views are far reaching, with Pontypool to the West and Monmouthshire to the East. The descent takes us through Trevethin back to our start point. Refreshments will be at the Leisure Centre.

This is a Grade 3 walk of 4 miles and 2.5 hours

Useful information

Meeting point
What3Words

Meeting point map

Leader information

Jeremy Sims

On the day

Arrival
We recommend arriving at least 15-20 minutes before the walk/event start time. It’s a great opportunity to meet the event leaders, register and catch up with your fellow Marauders before we start.

Parking
Parking is free on-site at the Leisure Centre

Registration
You will be asked for your name, your mobile telephone number along with an emergency contact name and number. If you have any relevant medical conditions or medication that may be relevant to declare, please pass this information to the event leader during registration.

If you already have your Marauders digital ID, great – we’ll just scan you in. If not, you can pre-register and get your very own QR code beforehand here –

Become a Marauder

Be Prepared – Health, Wellbeing & Weather
Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk, and it is your sole responsibility to ensure you are physically fit and well enough to take part. This includes being appropriately dressed for the event/weather and carrying any personal or emergency medication you may require during the activity.

Dogs
Well behaved dogs are welcome on this walk but must be carefully supervised at all times and kept on a lead when necessary. We may at times walk on/near to busy roads and/or in fields with livestock roaming free.

What to bring

Grade 3 Walk
Designed for 4–5 miles involving mixed terrain and some hills.

Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or boots to provide stability on hills and varied surfaces.
Clothing: A waterproof jacket and moisture-wicking layers, as you will be active for around 4 hours.
Refreshments: At least 1 litre of water and high-energy snacks (nuts, fruit, or bars).

Photo album

We have set up a Google Album to store our photographs and capture our memories of the day:

Volunteering support

This event requires some volunteering support to make it run smoothly and we’d love to hear from you if you are able to lend a hand on the day. Thank you!

Walk & Talk Support Team
Our walk leaders will need help on the day to welcome and organise the attendees and to keep an eye on the group throughout the day. This may involve taking the register, being a walkie-talkie holder for the day, nominating yourself as a first aider or being a front or back-marker. If you can help, just turn up a little earlier and make yourself known to the walk leader on the day.

Befrienders
It’s natural for some guys to be anxious when they first turn up at a Marauders event and so we’d love to have some of our more regular guys to keep an eye out for new attendees and to make them feel welcome. If this is something that you can help us with, please make yourself known to the event leader either before or on the day.

Bring a mate with you

Our events are free and open to all men aged 18+. If you know of anyone that may enjoy this event, click to copy the page link, to paste and share with a friend.

Disclaimer

By participating in this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

Assumption of Risk: You are voluntarily participating in this activity and assume all risks associated with it, including but not limited to: falls, slips, trips, injuries, illness, or other accidents.
Medical Conditions: You are in good physical health and have no medical conditions that would prevent you from participating in this activity. Please ensure any essential medication is kept in an easily accessible pocket and that its location is shared with a walking buddy or leader for your safety.
Personal Responsibility: You are solely responsible for your own safety, equipment, and actions during the activity.
Waiver of Claims: You hereby waive any and all claims against the organisers, leaders, or participants of this group for any injuries or damages that may occur.