Welcome to Guidance for Out on Sunday Walkers.

• AYOR principle  
• Grading of  walks 
• In case of emergency (ICE)
• Guidance for dog owners 
• Bringing guests on walks
• The Out on Sunday WhatsApp Group

AYOR principle

Out on Sunday (OOS) is, and has always been, a group of friends who enjoy walking and socialising in the countryside and attractive urban spaces. OOS takes the safety and wellbeing of members and others very seriously, for this reason walk leaders are asked to carry out a risk assessment for each walk they lead. This information is made available to walkers before each walk.  You should however bear in mind that walk leaders are in most cases just walkers like yourself, and have no formal training or qualifications.  Consequently, neither OOS nor the walk leaders can accept any liability for any loss incurred or injury suffered while taking part in any OOS activities.  By taking part you acknowledge that you do so entirely at your own risk (AYOR).

Grading of  walks 

Walk leaders will grade the walks in accordance with the following criteria :

Easy: Typically fairly short walks of 4 to 5 miles in length, be along well made paths, pavements, country lanes or canal towpaths and be largely on flat or gently sloping terrain. Examples: Dunham Massey; Tatton Park.

Moderate: Typically slightly longer walks of 5 to 7 miles in length. They may include steeper gradients or flights of steps. They may include obstacles such as stiles as well as uneven terrain. Examples: Styal Woods; Lyme Park

Challenging: Typical these would be longer walks of 6 to 8 miles in length. They may include extended climbs and descents along steep paths or flights of steps.; uneven or rocky paths with trip hazards such as exposed tree roots; Obstacles such as vertical stiles or stiles in poor condition. Examples: Miller’s Dale; Stoodley Pike.

Please note that the above grades are for general guidance only. Walkers should contact walk leaders if they have any concerns or require further details.

In case of emergency (ICE)

Out on Sunday holds only limited information about members. All members are asked, in case something unforeseen happens, to keep Next of Kin contact details on them or to entrust that information with one or more walking companions.

Guidance for dog owners

Out on Sunday is not a dog walking group but has always welcomed dogs, especially Service Dogs, on walks and it is recognised that dogs are valued companions to their owners. At the same time, dog owners need to be aware that some people do not like dogs and others may be scared of them – these views need to be respected. Unruly and uncontrolled dogs could also bring the group into disrepute and this would not be acceptable.

Dogs are permitted on walks except in rare circumstances when this will be noted in the walk detais posted on the website.

No member or guest will be permitted to bring more than two dogs on any walk.

Any dogs brought on group walks (or to other group activities) must be kept under reasonable control at all times, so as not to cause a nuisance or hazard to:

• other members of the group
• members of the public (eg walkers, cyclists, horse riders) 
• wildlife and livestock

Dogs may only be “off lead” in open spaces where they will not cause a nuisance.  All members are also reminded of the legal requirement to keep your dog on a lead no more than 2 metres long on open access land:

• between 1 March and 31 July – to protect ground-nesting birds
• at all times around livestock

Dog owners (as all members) are expected to heed instructions of walk leader/s and in particular any specifically mentioned in the walk description.

Dog owners are responsible at all times for their dog/s.  Please also note that Out on Sunday’s insurance policy does not indemnify dog walkers for any act or omission on their part nor for any injury or damage caused by their dog or dogs. 

Out on Sunday | January 2026

Bringing guests on walks

All members are very welcome to bring occasional guests along on walks (for example friends or family visiting you for the weekend who would like to come along) but please be aware that it’s the responsibility of members to ensure that their guest understands the nature of the walk and is capable of doing the walk safely. If bringing a guest please book them on the walk separately and add “guest” to their name.

Anyone else attending walks needs to be registered on the website and book the walk themselves having (i) read the walk description and (ii) agreed to the booking conditions as all full members do for each walk.

This includes anyone coming along to see whether or not the group is going to suit them. Registration is easy and free and there is no obligation to join.

The Out on Sunday WhatsApp Group