JANUARY
Saturday 10 January (Updated 9th Jan)
Hemel Hempstead to Kings Langley
Euston 9.39 (Milton Keynes Central service), Harrow & Wealdstone 9.51 Watford Junction 10.00 arrive Hemel Hempstead 10.12 Buy return to Hemel Hempstead. An average-paced walk following the Hertfordshire Way. We start along the canal to Bovington with its topiary-filled churchyard (bring a snack & drink), then onto a late lunch at Chipperfield Common (pub, café or picnic). Drop out: there is a possible drop out at Chipperfield Common, after 6 miles, where we will have a late lunch. Bus 352 (Red Eagle Buses) goes from a stop in Chipperfield 10 mins walk away to Watford Junction (departs 13.47 or 15.47) or to Hemel Hempstead (departs 14.49). We have a timetable and map of where the bus stops.
A short after lunch section across the common and through woods and fields to Kings Langley. Gentle, undulating countryside. Drop out around 6 miles by bus at Chipperfield Common (to be checked)
Reminder to all: bring a snack for the stop at Bovington Church, as lunch at Chipperfield Common will be around 13.45. Cafe and pubs available. Short after lunch section’.
About 9½ miles E182 L166
Led by Maureen C & David B
Saturday 17 January
Windsor Circular
Liverpool Street 9.20 (Elizabeth Line Maidenhead service), Farringdon 9.23, Tottenham Court Road 9.26, Paddington 9.32, Ealing Broadway 9.41 arrive Slough 10.01 Change to 10.10 Windsor & Eton Central arrive 10.16. A fairly level easy-paced walk by Windsor Castle and up through Windsor Great Park to Old Windsor for lunch at the Fox & Castle or bring a picnic. Then returning to Windsor via the Thames Path.
About 10 miles London A-Z
Led by Ken P
Saturday 24 January
Woolwich Arsenal to Surrey Quays
Meet 10.00 Woolwich Station (Elizabeth Line Zone 4). A fairly level steady-paced stile free Thames path walk via the Barrier and North Greenwich Peninsular Dome, to Greenwich Park for Lunch at Pavilion Cafe near Observatory or bring picnic. Can break off afterwards at Cutty Sark DLR Station. Continue along Thames to Greenland Dock, returning from Surrey Quays Station (Windrush Line Zone 2).
About 10.5 miles. London A-Z
Led by Sam Fenn
Saturday 31 January – No Walk – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2.30pm at St Aloysius R C Church Hall, 20 Phoenix Road, London NW1 1TA The author Rosemary Brown will give a talk on her recently published book ‘Following Nellie Bly’ who in 1890 beat Philias Fogg at his own game by circumnavigating the globe for real in less than 80 days.
FEBRUARY
Wednesday 4 February
London by Gaslight – Green Park to Covent Garden
Meet 17.00 Green Park Station (Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria Lines, Zone 1) exit for Buckingham Palace. An easy-paced level paved walk. Gas street lighting began in London in 1807 and there are still around 1500 English Heritage protected gas-powered lamps left in London. This walk includes some of the most interesting locations. The walk finishes at Covent Garden Station (Piccadilly Line, Zone 1).
About 4 miles. London A-Z …
Led by Pauline L
Saturday 7 February
Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace
Meet at 10.30 Finsbury Park Station (Victoria and Piccadilly lines, National Rail, Zone 2) main bus station. A steady-paced green walk following undulating terrain via the parkland walk up to Highgate, a bit of road walking to Waterlow Park, and through Hampstead Heath. Lunch at the Kenwood House Café or bring a picnic. Then after lunch, we pass leave the Heath and walk via Highgate Wood, Queen’s Wood, Crouch End Open Space, Priory Park and finally Alexandra Palace Park to Alexandra Palace station.
About 10 miles London A-Z
Led by Azarel Scianguetta
Saturday 14 February
West Byfleet to Hampton Court
Waterloo 9.50 (Woking service) (single ticket), Vauxhall 9.54, Clapham Junction 9.59, Wimbledon 10.06 arrive West Byfleet 10.33. With Freedom Pass buy single to West Byfleet. This is a level stead-paced walk with good surfaces. We follow the Wey Navigation initially, then join the Thames Path at Walton, and pass through Moseley to Hampton Court Station (National Rail, Zone 6). There are several drop out points. Lunch at West Molesey; The Weir pub or picnic nearby.
About 10.7 miles E160/1
Led by Josie R
Saturday 21 February
Pangbourne Circular
Paddington 9.37 (Didcot Parkway service), Slough 9.55, Maidenhead 10.02, Reading 10.25 arrive Pangbourne 10.33. A steady-paced undulating walk. After crossing the Thames by St Mary’s Church along part of the Thames Path National Trail past Coombe Park, to a wood with views down the Thames. Then up to a nature reserve and Great Chalk Wood for lunch at Hill Bottom: the Sun Inn or bring a picnic. From there via woods and fields through Whitchurch to recross the Thames to Pangbourne.
About 9 miles E171 L175
Led by Susan W
Saturday 28 February
Wealdway Section 9 – Upper Horsebridge to Berwick Station
Victoria 9.24 (Eastbourne Service), Clapham Junction 9.31, East Croydon 9.40 arrive Polegate 10.39. Take Bus 28 to Upper Horsebridge. Buy return to Polegate. A steady-paced undulating walk via Upper Dicker to Arlington for lunch; Yew Tree Inn or bring a picnic. Then around Arlington Reservoir to Berwick Station.
About 8 miles OL25
Led by Stephen R
MARCH
Wednesday 4 March
Ware to Broxbourne
Liverpool Street 10.08 (Hertford East service) Tottenham Hale 10.21, Cheshunt 10.35 arrive Ware 10.51 Buy return ticket to Hertford East or North. This is cheaper than a ticket to Ware, provided that both stations are shown on the ticket. A level walk at a leisurely pace in the Lea Valley Regional Park. We spend the morning alongside the Lea Navigation, pausing briefly at the viewpoint overlooking the Amwell Nature Reserve. The only ascent is up the steps to a footbridge across the river. Lunch at Rye House: pub and benches for picnickers available. Then leave the bustle of the Lea Navigation along the bank of the quieter New River. Drop out points at St Margaret’s, after about 2 miles, and Rye House.
About 5 miles E174.
Led by Barbara L
Saturday 7 March
Cheshunt to Broxbourne
Liverpool Street 9.13 (Cheshunt service), Seven Sisters 9.31, Southbury 9.42 (Where Leader meets the group) arrive Cheshunt 9.52. Freedom passes are valid to Cheshunt on this train. A mostly level stile free walk on mud free surfaced paths. Morning coffee at Lea Valley Park Farm café. Then up and over Clayton Hill on winding easy paths for lunch at Dobs Weir: River Palace Café, Fish & Eels pub or bring a picnic. Then follow the River Lea for the short afternoon walk with time for tea at the Old Mill Retreat Café before taking the train from Broxbourne Station. Possible three mile extension along the river to Cheshunt.
About 8 miles E174 L166
Led by Roddy E
Saturday 14 March
Tring to Cheddington
Euston 9.24 (Tring service), Harrow & Wealdstone 9.36, Watford Junction 9.43 arrive Tring 10.02. Buy return to Cheddington. A steady paced level walk mainly on canal tow paths. Around the Marsworth Reservoirs with some field paths to Wilstone for lunch after 6.5 miles. The Half Moon is available or bring picnic. Afternoon route along part of Aylesbury Arm and around the base of Southend Hill to Cheddington Church.
About 11 miles E181
Led by Sam F
Saturday 21 March
Petersfield to Liss
Waterloo 8.55 (Portsmouth Harbour service), Clapham Junction 9.05, Woking 9.55, Guildford 10.05 arrive Petersfield 10.32. A moderately paced walk mainly with gentle gradients but the chalk can be slippery when wet. Partly following the Hangers Way via Steep Church, Ashford Chace, Ashford Hill, Shoulder of Mutton Hill, Oakshott, Hawkley village, Hawkley Hanger, Empshott Green, Hawkley Hurst, Uplands, Berrygrove Farm and Upper Green. Lunch near Hawkley; Pub or bring a picnic. There are benches for picnics on the green and in the churchyard
About 10.3 miles OL33 L185/197
Led by Jane R
Wednesday 25 March
Mottingham Circular
Charing Cross 9.50 (Gravesend service), Waterloo East 9.53, London Bridge 9.59 arrive Mottingham 10.17 (Zone 4). An easy-paced undulating walk following Section 7 and part of 6 of the Green Chain. From the station we make our way via Shepherdleas Wood, then following the route of the Shuttle Riverway to Avery Hill Park for lunch at the café or bring a picnic. After lunch passing Charlton Athletics’ training ground via New Eltham and Greenwich Council’s former nuclear bunker and the Tarn to complete the walk back at Mottingham Station. Several drop-out points.
About 8 miles London A-Z
Led by Stephen R
Saturday 28 March
Lenham to Hollingbourne
Victoria 8.55 (Ashford International service), Bromley South 9.12, Swanley 9.23 arrive Lenham 10.16. Buy return to Lenham. Alternatively, a little quicker but more expensive, St Pancras 9.07 arrive Ashford International 9.45. Change to 9.56 (Victoria service) arrive Lenham 10.09. A steady-paced undulating North Downs walk through the fields and woods of the Kent countryside. An early lunch after 3.8 miles at the Ringlestone Inn or bring a picnic. The walk finishes at Hollingbourne where there are several opportunities for further refreshment. The walk includes several poorly maintained stiles which are not suitable for the less able walker.
About 9 miles E137/148 L189
Led by Jan C
APRIL
Saturday 4 April
Dover to Deal
St Pancras 9.07 (Ramsgate service), Stratford International 9.14, Ashford 9.47, arrive Dover Priory 10.13. Buy return to Deal. The walk will involve a climb out of Dover followed by a cliff-top walk passing the South Foreland lighthouse for lunch at St. Margaret-at-Cliffe; Pines Garden Tea Room, The Coastguard Pub or bring a picnic. After that we go back up along the top of the cliff and then drop down to beach level at Kingsdown for the final level stretch along the coastal path passing Walmer and Deal Castles to the Pier at Deal.
About 11miles. E138/150 L179
Led by Stephen R
Saturday 11 April
White Notley Circular
Liverpool Street 9.48 (Braintree service), Stratford 9.55, Shenfield 10.11 arrive White Notley 10.41. Leader joins train at Chelmsford. A steady paced undulating walk along bridleways and field paths to Terling for lunch after 6.5 miles Owls Hill Tea room or the Rayleigh Arms. Picnic seat nearby. Afternoon route via Fairstead Church. The train service is hourly back to London, but “Cross Keys” pub is open near station serving coffee.
About 11 miles E183
Led by Sam F
Wednesday 15 April
West Malling Circular
Charing Cross 10.29 (Maidstone East service), Waterloo East 10.32, London Bridge 10.38, arrive West Malling 11.22. Freedom pass takes us to Swanley. An easy-paced undulating walk. Via, ancient manor parkland to St Leonard s Tower and across agricultural farmland to Offham village for lunch; Kings Arms(varied menu) or picnic on the Green. Return to West Malling for tea.
About 6.5 miles E148
Led by Desiree L
Saturday 18 April
Maidstone to Snodland
Charing Cross 9.29 (Maidstone East service), Waterloo East 9.32, London Bridge 9.38 arrive Maidstone East 10.30. A level walk along the River Medway towpath to Allington Lock with a view of Allington Castle and then on to Aylesford for lunch. Chequers pub, tea room or bring a picnic. Possible short walk round Aylesford Friars. Then passing Burham Old Church to the newish bridge across the Medway to Snodland.
About 9 miles E148 L188
Led by David T
Saturday 25 April
Mortimer Circular
Paddington 9.32 (Cheltenham Spa service) arrive Reading 9.55. Change to 10.07 (Basingstoke service) arrive Mortimer 10.20. For a slighter cheaper slower journey, with a Freedom Pass take the Elizabeth Line from Tottenham Court Road 8.41(Reading service) arrive Reading 9.40 Change to 10.07 (Basingstoke service) arrive Mortimer 10.20. A steady-paced undulating walk through meadows and woodland. The walk passes through the Roman town of Calleva, and we’ll have the chance to visit the amphitheatre. Lunch after 6.5 miles at the Horse and Groom pub or have a picnic in the park, there’s a small Morrisons that serves coffee. Drop out possible, bus 2 or 2a every 30 minutes to Reading. The walk continues through Wokefield Common and Wheats Farm back to Mortimer.
About 11 miles E159 L175
Led by Peter E
Ramble Surveys Members surveying rambles for possible inclusion in a future programme are, subject to prior agreement, entitled to claim reimbursement of fares. Please contact Stephen R. for details.
Travel Information Train times listed are the latest available at the time the programme was prepared. Alterations can take place at short notice. It is advisable to check with National Rail (Tel: 03457 48 49 50, www.nationalrail.co.uk) or if your journey involves travel on London Underground and/or London Overground, check with Transport for London (Tel: 0343 222 1234, www.tfl.gov.uk). At mainline stations please meet the group near the booking office in time for the train stated. Check this website walks page for programme changes before setting out. Do make sure you have the correct ticket for the journey as London Underground and most National Rail Companies fine passengers without a valid ticket £50.
Guidance for Members
Follow leaders at all times, and carefully watch where they are going. Make sure you know the time and place for meeting after lunch. If you do not intend to complete the walk, please inform the leader.
Bring along some food and drink, as mention of a pub or café is no guarantee that food will be available.
Please bring some simple first aid equipment with you. Sorry, no dogs, except for assistance dogs
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Please note that the Club is not liable or responsible for an individual’s personal safety. |
Stephen Ross (Walks Organiser)
