Midweek Day Walk Staplehurst to Headcorn

Staplehurst to Headcorn - An anemone lovers delight. 

An easy walk through fields in the Kentish Weald and an option to visit Sissinghurst Gardens (NT).
Book 3* Walk 80

* online only

Length :  13 km or 8 miles

Toughness : 2 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:10 am train from London Charing Cross to Staplehurst
Calling Stations:

• Waterloo East: depart 10:13 am
• Sevenoaks: depart 10:42 am

Meeting point : Staplehurst Station at 11:07

Tickets : Buy a Day Return to Staplehurst for option c) or Headcorn if you intend to end your walk there.

Brief Description

If you're not worn out from the great selection of walks over Easter, here's an easy stroll for you to consider.
I've had some valuable input from Walker on this trek and on his advice I suggest option c) of the walk. This option ends in Cranbrook where there are fairly regular buses to Staplehurst.

These buses also serve Sissinghurst village (not the NT site but the village a mile and a half away), if any want to linger and look around the gardens at the NT property. (There is a nice pub in that village too.) The walk into Cranbrook follows a nice ridge with pleasant views, and the town is worth seeing.
There's an oppertunity to visit Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens (if you have an NT card, I suggest you pop it in your wallet/purse)
You may find full details of the walk here and a printable PDF here

Suggested Lunch stop

The Bell & Jorrocks, Frittenden, t: 01580 852415 - The history of the pub may be found here.

Suggested Tea stops

For the suggested option c):

The George Hotel, Cranbrook

Waterloo House Tea Room Cranbrook  t: 01580713802 which appears to be open to 5 pm

For other options ...

The Milk House t: 01580 720200

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens (an early tea stop)

The Village Tea Rooms, Headcorn t: 01622 890682  - shuts 4:45 pm. 

Maps

OS Explorer : 136 and 137

Return train times

Trains return from Staplehurst to London Charing Cross at 23 and 53 minutes past the hour.
Trains return from Headcorn to London Charing Cross at 18 and 48 minutes past the hour

Journey times are just over an hour

Buses from Cranbrook to Staplehurst (Route 5)

Easter Monday - Your choice of walks

Since none of the usual walk posters have put up an Easter Monday walk, I thought it might be nice to open the slot to suggestions. These were the ones received

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SWC Walk 21 - Sevenoaks Circular

Length: 15.4km (9.6 miles)

"Near London, cheap rail fare, nice walk. No engineering works. No mud."

Lunch at Nat Trust or not useless pub: early start will get ahead of the crush

Train: Cannon Street 10.03 (London Bridge 10.06, New Cross 10.12, Orpington 10.25), arriving Sevenoaks 10.35

Fast trains also depart frequently from Charing Cross

Frequent return trains from Sevenoaks

For walk directions click here.

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Book 1 walk 2 - Wanborough to Godalming 
Length: 12km, (7.5 miles)

9:45 train from Waterloo (9.52 Clapham Junction), changing at Guildford (arrive 10.23, depart 10.30), arriving at Wanborough at 10:36. 

Buy a day return to Wanborough. On the return leg you should technically buy a single from Godalming to Guildford.

For walk directions click here. 

"This walk incorporates fields, forests, and some lovely buildings along the way.  It goes past the Watts Gallery, which is an interesting place to stop, and is open this Bank Monday.  For those interested in Victorian paintings, especially the Pre-Raphaelites (of which I am a fan), this is an interesting little diversion in the middle of a lovely walk near the North Downs."

The lunch pub, the Withies Inn,  appears to be open on Easter Monday: the Watts Gallery cafe is also open, so it is a backup.  

Trains back from Godalming at are twice an hour, at xx:25 and xx:53 with no changes.  

Free walk 105. A gentle Cambridge circular.

Free walk 105 Cambridge Circular via Grantchester

Length 15km (9.3m); toughness 1/10

Trains 09.52 London Kings Cross – Cambridge 10.55

There are 2 trains an hour from Cambridge to Kings Cross and 2 trains an hour to Liverpool Street but these take a bit longer.,

This is a gentle walk on mainly hard surfaces around Cambridge colleges and then a riverside path to Grantchester.

See here for more information about the walk and the refreshment options and scroll down to find the detailed walk instructions.

Walk 3.20 A lovely ramble in the Sevenoaks Weald and along the Greensand Ridge

Free walk 20 Sevenoaks to Westerham (Bromley South)

Length  18.8km (11.7m);toughness 7/10, quite hilly in places.

Trains: 10.10 London Charing Cross (Waterloo East 10.12), Sevenoaks 10.44.

Return: Catch London Transport bus 246 from Westerham (see walk instructions for details of bus stop location) to Bromley South Station (Zone 5) There are 5 trains an hour from Bromley South Station back to London.

After a short “suburban” section this becomes a beautiful area of undulating fields and farms of quintessentially SE England scenery. There are fine views from the Greensand Ridge.

For more details about the walk and its refreshment options – lunch can be taken at the  Windmill (01732 463330) or the Cock Inn (01732 750310) . Various tea options can be found at Westerham Green near your bus stop.

See here for more information about the walk and click here for full, detailed walk instructions.

Saturday Third Walk [New Walk] - The Low Weald, South Downs views, big Country Estates, one the cause of a famous legal battle for access rights,Vivien Leigh’s last home, the Tickerage Stream valley & Buxted Park

SWC Walk 262 - Uckfield to Buxted

                        

Length: 21.6 km (13.5 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 340 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 5 hours

Toughness:  5 out of 10 

Take the 08.57 train from London Bridge (platform 13, I'm told), arriving Uckfield at 10.21; change at East Croydon!: arrives  09.15, departs 09.23 [or take the 08.52 from Blackfriars, arrives  EC 09.18]. Due to engineering works there are no services from Victoria to EC today!, neither are there direct trains from LBG to Uckfield

Return trains: XX.38 hours (change at East Croydon, 79 minutes journey time)

Buy an Uckfield return.

First posting of this new walk, re-structured from one originally taken from a 3^rd party website (SWC 201 - Uckfield Circular via van Hoogstraaten's Path), we will take the opportunity to check the walk directions.

To quote the write-up:

“This undulating amble through some varied scenery in the Low Weald Countryside provides ample South Downs views in the morning from the Uck valley and on the way to and through the East Sussex National Golf Course, before turning north east through the High Cross estate, owned by property developer Nicholas van Hoogstraten, who was at the centre of various legal battles with The Ramblers after blocking or otherwise obstructing rights-of-ways across this estate.

You then pass a couple of manor houses, one with pretty ornamental lakes and ornate landscaped gardens, en route to lunch at the charming 14^th century Blackboys Inn in Blackboys.

From lunch the route turns west along Vanguard Way and Wealdway for a long stretch through the tranquil valley of the Tickerage Stream, past Tickerage Mill, Vivien Leigh’s abode in the final years of her life, and finishes through Buxted Park, an old deer park in Ashdown Forest parkland, past the very large, elegant Palladian Buxted House (now a hotel) in its hilltop position. Disclaimer: there are plenty of stiles on this walk, and the morning section has some very mud-prone parts. A shortcut around lunch, routing through Framfield, reduces the length to 18.1 km and the rating to 4/10. “

There is also an officially blocked footbridge near the end of the walk, due it having being lifted out of a level position by this winter's floods (see my photo in the photos section), but it poses no real problem: even the local dog walkers are going across it. Plus, by now the water levels should allow wading through the stream again.

The lunch stop on the full walk is The Blackboys Inn in Blackboys (14.1 km/8.8 mi, a table has been booked for 13.30 hours), or the Hare & Hounds in Framfield on the short walk (12.3 km/7.7 mi). For tea the choices are: The White Hart or The Buxted Inn, both rather gastro-ey pubs, both within minutes of the station.

Should you fancy the lunch pub in Blackboys, and a bit-part walk, but not the full walk and the high hard surface count of the morning route: take the 10.57 train (arrives Uckfield 12.21), then follow the walk directions to the bus station and take the Number 31 bus at 12.33, arrives Framfield 12.39 (and Blackboys 12.43). From Framfield re-trace the shortcut to where it diverges from the main route (have a look at the online map, ‘tis very straightforward), and pick up the main route from there. If doing that, please book an additional place at the lunch pub.

For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here.

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Saturday Second Walk - Fine views and a nice tea room

SWC Walk 225 - Wivelsfield to Hayward's Heath
Length: 18km (11.2 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10

9.52 train from Blackfriars (9.40 St Pancras International, 9.45 Farringdon, 10.19 East Croydon) to Wivelsfield, arriving 10.53.

Alternatively get the 9.53 from London Bridge to East Croydon, changing there (arrive 10.10, depart 10.19) to the above service - but see ** below.

Buy a day return to Wivelsfield. If you take the Blackfriars train and make sure to take a Thameslink train back from Haywards Heath (see below) you may be able to get a cheaper Thameslink-only ticket, but you will probably have to buy this from a Thameslink ticket machine or a ticket office. ** Note that the connecting train from London Bridge shown above is NOT a Thameslink service - but the 9.42 from London Bridge to East Croydon, arriving 9.55 is Thameslink.

For walk directions click here.

I have long had my eye on this walk which explores the pleasant southern end of the Weald, striking north to Cuckfield, a village with several possible lunch places.

In the afternoon it then follows the High Weald Landscape Trail, with fine views to Borde Hill Garden. This is is open, if anyone wants to pay the £9 entry, but its chief merit otherwise is that it has a nice tea room outside of it, open to non-visitors. The walk ends in the rather uninspiring commuter town of Haywards Heath, whose tea options are the station cafe or a Starbucks in a Sainsbury's.

Trains back from Hayward's Heath are numerous, but Thameslink services (if you are on a cheaper Thameslink only ticket) are at 26 and 56 to Blackfriars and St Pancras, and 17 past to London Bridge: all these trains go to East Croydon.

Bow Brickhill to Woburn Sands

t=1.17 Length: 18.7km (11.6m)
Toughness: 6/10
Transport: Leave London Euston at 10:13, change at Bletchley to arrive at Bow Brickhill at 11:12
Return from Woburn Sands at 17:11, 18:11, 18:54, 19:54, 20:12, ...

From the description:
Woburn is the main delight of this walk – the ancient town itself, the deer park, Woburn Abbey and the Safari Park (from the public footpath, without paying admission, you may be able to see brown bears, zebras, buck, bison, elephants, giraffes, rhino and wallabies). The route reaches Woburn mainly through woods and via a golf course, with some impressive redwood trees along the way. After the Safari Park the route is through the pleasant village of Aspley Guise then on to Woburn Sands. Short bits of this walk can be very muddy in wet weather and there are (relatively easy) uphills and downhills all day. Be careful not to allow dogs to disturb deer in Woburn Park, particularly when they are rutting or giving birth – the deer may leave their newborn calves or give birth prematurely.

Good Friday Second Walk - Haddenham to Aylesbury via Gibraltar and Ford

'tis not easy to find a north-of-the-river walk for today, that isn't cursed by engineering works, pub refurbs, upcoming postings by other walk posters or relatively recent outings of the same walk...so here's one of mine

                       

Length: 23.3 km (14.5 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 180 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 5 hours

Toughness:  4 out of 10 

Take the 10.05 train from Marylebone, arrives Haddenham & Thame Parkway at 10.40;

Return trains from Aylesbury: XX.29 hours (67 minutes journey time via Princes Risborough as the via Wendover route has engineering works).

Buy an Aylesbury (any route permitted) return, [i.e.: NOT an ‘Aylesbury (via Chalfont & Latimer) Return’], this covers the outward journey up to Princes Risborough. You might then have to pay on board for a single, one-stop Princes Risborough to Haddenham extension.

To quote the write-up:

“This pleasant walk through the scenic heart of Aylesbury Vale passes through the tranquil Thame Valley in the morning, linking up many unspoilt and picturesque hamlets with gentle views to the surrounding hills, while passing three good village pubs en route. After lunch several grassy fields and a substantial newly planted community woodland are passed through. Later the stately mansion of Hartwell House is rounded, before the route heads in to Aylesbury for tea. The regular Oxford to Aylesbury bus service is never far away from the route, making it easy to choose a shorter option.“ All the convenient bus stops are detailed in the write-up.

The recommended lunch stops are The Bottle and Glass in Gibraltar (10.3 km/6.4 mi) or The Seven Stars in Dinton (10.9 km/6.8 mi). There’s also The Crown at Cuddington  early in the walk (7.1 km/4.4 mi). For tea the choices are The Bugle Horn as well as Hartwell House Spa Cafe and Bar, both in Hartwell (ca. 3.5 km from the end and close to a bus stop) and numerous options in Aylesbury (check page 2 of the directions for details).

For walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here.

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Good Friday Walk - A sleepy corner of Surrey/Sussex

Book 1, walk 47 - Ockley to Warnham
Length: 16.5km (10.3 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10

9.26 train from London Bridge (not Victoria due to engineering works) calling 10.01 at Sutton, and arriving 10.38 at Ockley

Buy a day return to Warnham.

For walk directions click here.

We had a request for this pleasant rural walk, in "a sleepy corner on the Surrey-Sussex border where it seems nothing exceptional has happened through the ages": the request said "on a Saturday", but Good Friday is a kind of Saturday. In fact it is a Saturday for train timetable purposes, which is useful for this walk which has no Sunday or bank holiday train service.

Since this is a sleepy corner, there is not much to say about the route except that it has woods and fields and pastures and two pubs for lunch, one of which will hopefully have room for us (Good Friday has the advantage that people feel the whole Easter weekend is ahead of them and usually have not geared up yet to go for outings: I have traditionally found it a quiet day in the countryside). There may very well be some nice wood anemone woods (see photo): I can't say for certain because I have never tried this walk at this time of year, but this is the right kind of territory for them.

One disadvantage of this walk is that the last train back from Warnham is at 18.24 (before that they are hourly at 24 past). That is another reason to pick this walk today, because once the clocks go forward (tomorrow!) it is a bit irritating to have to go back to town so early. If you misjudge, there is an 18.44 train southbound to Horsham and you can get a train home from there. But your Warnham return will probably not be valid via this route.

Midweek Werewolf Walk -- Walk 3:129 Berwick 2 East Dean

Extra Walk 129:  Berwick to Birling Gap – East Dean ending – via the Long Man of Wilmington and the former smugglers enclave of Jevington with an optional moonlight extension along the South Downs

Distance:  10 Miles  

Difficulty:  5 out of 10

Train:  Take the 10:47 Southern service to Ore from London Victoria (11:03 from East Croydon), arriving at Berwick at 12:20 (changing at Lewes arriving at 11:47 and departing at 12:09).  To return, you will need to catch one of the frequent number 12 or 12A buses from East Dean to either Seaford (15-20 minutes) or Eastbourne (10 minutes).  The buses run in either direction every 10 or 15 minutes – until about 7pm in the Eastbourne direction when they run at 5, 21 and 51 past the hour until 8:51; then 9:21 and 9:46 and 8pm in the Seaford direction after which they stop at East Dean at 8:01; 8:21; 8:41; 9:01; 9:21 and 9:46.  Return trains from Eastbourne to Victoria are at 18:31; 18:59; 19:31; 20:31; 21:31; and 22:16.  Return trains from Seaford to Victoria (changing at Lewes or Brighton) are at 18:24; 18:59; 19:17; 19:37; 19:57; 20:28; 20:57; 21:28 and 22:20. Buy a day return to Eastbourne.  Note:  There is no weekday bus service to Birling Gap at this time of year – so unless you plan to push on all the way to Eastbourne – you will need stop in East Dean.

Although a slightly later than ideal start given the restrictions on the Network Rail Card, there should be plenty of time for people to complete this delightful downland walk in daylight.  The walk takes a direct route from Berwick to Wilmington for lunch; then, launches up on the South Downs near the Long Man and follows a downland ridge to Jevington, an atmospheric former smugglers enclave. From Jevington, the route again ascends to a downland ridge and follows it to Friston and East Dean with fine views to the sea.  For the more adventurous, there should hopefully be an opportunity to extend the walk from East Dean to Beachy Head in the light of the last full moon before the clocks spring forward next weekend.  We have had good luck with this in the past on this walk – so fingers crossed for reasonably clear skies….  More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

The recommended lunchtime pub is the Giant’s Rest in Wilmington (tel 01323 870 207), about 3 miles into the walk.  Late afternoon refreshments could be had at the Eight Bells in Jevington and post walk libations can be had at the atmospheric Tiger Inn in East Dean.

Many thanks to Arthur Dent for letting Stargazer post this week to cater for an arguably minority interest in moonlight walks…..

Enjoy the walk, beware of the werewolves and don’t forget to bring the silver bullets!

Sunday Second Walk: Kentish fields and woods

Book 1 Walk 50 Yalding to Borough Green
Length: 16.8km (10.3 miles) Toughness: 3/10

09:42 Folkestone Central train from Victoria, changing at Tonbridge (arr 10:23; dep 10:34) arriving at Yalding at 10:49.

Return trains from Borough Green to Victoria are at xx:36 (journey time 45 minutes). Buy an off-peak day return to Yalding.

Starting from the River Medway, the route follows the Greensand Way to Mereworth for lunch, and then goes through Mereworth Woods, where a little mud may be encountered, before heading north to Borough Green.

The original lunch pub in Mereworth has closed so the recommended lunch stop is now The Moody Mare (01622 813038) (formerly the Beeches Country Pub), which involves a slight detour that is described in the walk directions. A table for 6 has been reserved for 12:30 in the name of the SWC. Please ring the pub as you set out to confirm the booking.

You will need to download the Walk Directions.

Sunday first walk: Chiltern ridge and woodland

Book 2 Walk 5b Tring to Berkhamsted
Length: 20.6km (12.8 miles) Toughness: 5/10

10:01 Northampton train from Euston arriving at Tring at 10:36.

Return trains from Berkhamsted to Euston are at xx06, xx:20 and xx:39 (journey time 32 minutes). Buy an off-peak day return to Tring.

This variant ending of an ever-popular walk is due a Sunday outing, though some may regret that it comes a few weeks too soon to catch the wonderful bluebell displays en route(sorry, Peter!). After following the Chiltern ridge as far as Ivinghoe Beacon, with superb views all the way, the route follows woodland tracks and paths to the lunchtime pub and then onwards to the Bridgwater Monument before descending through open fields to Berkhamsted. More information about features of interest on the route can be found on the Walk 5 page.

After leaving Ivinghoe Beacon, a short cut direct to the Bridgwater Monument saves a couple of miles walking but cuts out the lunchtime pub so you’d need to lunch at the Ashridge Estate visitor centre next to the monument if you opt to do this.

The recommended lunch stop is Bridgwater Arms (01442 842408) in Little Gaddesden. As always on a Sunday, reserving a table is advisable. A good place for tea in Berkhamsted is the Attic Cafe - on the top floor of the Home & Colonial antiques shop, 134 High Street (01442 878713; turn left when you reach the High Street. It closes at 5pm on Sundays and offers excellent home-made scones & cakes and a wide range of teas in generously-sized pots. There are plenty of other places too.

You will need to take the latest (2011) edition of Book 2 or else download the Walk Directions.

Saturday Third Walk – A varied walk in an unfashionable county

Extra Walk 231 – Flitwick Circular
Length: 24.4 km (15.2 miles), with shorter option (see below). Toughness: 5/10

09:34 Bedford train from St Pancras (or City Thameslink 09:27), arriving Flitwick at 10:23.

Short Walk / Late Start Option: 17.8 km (10.7 miles), 3/10. This has a much shorter morning so take the 10:48 Bedford train from St Pancras (or East Croydon 10:08, Blackfriars 10:38, etc), arriving Flitwick at 11:37.

Trains back are at 04, 20, 34 & 50 minutes past the hour to 19:20, then half-hourly. Before 19:00 the 20 & 50 past terminate at City Thameslink.

A flurry of new Bedfordshire walks made their débuts in 2014 but haven't had many SWC outings since. In fact this one hasn't even been posted on a Saturday yet, so here's your chance to see if it's been unjustly neglected. It looks like a nice mix of river valley, rolling fields and quiet villages on the way out (plus several interesting buildings), and the Greensand Ridge, Maulden Wood and Flitwick Moor on the way back.

To fit all this in the main walk is well up to its author's preferred length, but he's slipped up by inserting a substantial short cut in the first half of the walk. I've chosen a late train for this option with the idea that the late starters will seek out the preferred lunch pub on the main walk (the Stone Jug in Clophill, “popular with ramblers and dog-walkers”) and meet up with the main group. Food is only served to 2pm but both groups should be there by 1.30pm. At the end of the walk you might be too late for Flitwick's coffee shops but there are a couple of pubs near the station, one described as “the perfect place for a last drink before heading home”.

You'll need to print the directions from this pdf document. T=swc.231

Saturday Second Walk - Gentle hills on the edge of Romney Marsh

SWC walk 106 - Ham Street to Appledore
Length: 18.3km (11.3 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10

9.34 train from St Pancras International to Ashford International (arriving 10.11) changing there for the 10.33 to Ham Street, arriving 10.41

Or catch the 9.01 from Victoria (9.26 Bromley South) to Ashford International, arriving 10.28 to connect (be quick, as you have to cross from platform 6 to platform 1) with the above train.

(There is also an 8.52 from Victoria, calling at 9.09 at Bromley South, arriving 10.21 at Ashford, which gives you more time to change)

Buy a day return to Appledore.

For walk directions click here.

Before anyone starts moaning, it has been harder to pick a walk this week than at any time in the twelve years I have been doing this task. A southern choice was clearly wanted to balance out the other two, but all trains out of Waterloo and all out of Charing Cross are affected by engineering works and the Uckfield line is closed south of Oxted.

One other promising idea had already been nabbed by another walking group (I always try to check to avoid clashes). In addition I had a special request to pick a walk suitable for a possible moonlight walk, this being the last opportunity for such on a Saturday before the clocks go forward. While I admit this is a very minority interest, some pity for its adherents might be prompted by the fact that every other moonlight Saturday since October has been cloudy, an amazing run of bad luck.

So yes, it is quite a way to go to Ham Street and it requires an early train for those for whom St Pancras is not convenient. On the plus side, this could make a very nice spring walk, with gentle fields, pleasant views, and a lovely village for tea. I also read that the characterful Woolpack Inn in Warhorne, the lunch stop, has reopened, and as such deserves our support.

For those worried about mud on a relatively low lying walk, I offer no guarantees, but a week of dry sunny weather in March does wonders to the firmness of the ground.

Appledore is an isolated station and there are no refreshment opportunities in its vicinity, so time your arrival there carefully. Trains back are at 05 past the hour, arriving at Ashford at 18 past, changing there for the Victoria train at 35 past and the High Speed to St Pancras at 43 past.

Saturday First Walk Wendover Circular

TOCW2 2.1 Wendover Circular with "energetic ending via Coombe Hill"

This saturday seems to be plagued by engineering works, and trying to avoid mud, restricts the choice of walks. However this is a fine walk and will hopefully not have much mud. You do need the download instructions if you have a pre 2011 version of the book and if you want to do the Coombe Hill ending. T=2.1 For those not familiar with the walk, the Coombe Hill option avoids a final stretch across potentially muddy fields, and for those who like such things, there is a pub right by the station.

Length 11.5 miles, 7 out of 10

Travel Get the 0927 train from Marylebone (0939 from Harrow-on-the-Hill), arrives 1015. Return to Wendover. Return trains are xx28 and xx58.

Lunch The Red Lion (tel 01844 344476), Whiteleaf, near Princes Risborough HP27 0LL, 10km (6.2 miles) from the start of the standard walk,

Midweek Day Walk - Shiplake to Henley-on-Thames

Shiplake to Henley-on-Thames, a pre vernal equinox stroll.

The River Thames, Rotherfield Greys village, Greys Court (NT) and historic Henley

Book 1 Walk 9

Length :  18 km or 11 miles

Toughness :  4 out of 10

Getting there :  Catch the 9:42 am train from London Paddington (9:50 Ealing Broadway) to Shiplake with a change at Twyford.

Meeting point :  Shiplake Station at 10:43 am

Tickets :  Buy a cheap day return to Henley-on-Thames

Brief Description

After the trial by wind and hail a fortnight ago and by floods and mud last week, I hope this walk will be relatively free of surprises!
The pub is 10 km into the walk, so hence the earlier start. (This will also allow a bit more time for walkers who may wish to visit the NT Greys Court)

You may find full details of the walk here

Suggested Lunch stop

Maltsters Arms, Rotherfield Greys   t: 01491 628400 

Suggested Tea stop

Chocolate Theatre Café t: 01491 411412

Maps

OS Explorer : 171

Return train times

Trains return from Henley-on-Thames at  15:24 | 16:20 | 17:46 | 18:17

Sunday walk 2: North Essex, a historic town and another stately pile.

Great Chesterford to Newport SWC Walk 130
18.75 km 11.7 miles (or 14.25 km 8.9 miles finishing at Audley End)
Difficulty 4/10

A varied walk through the rolling fields of north Essex to historic Saffron Walden. The town has many interesting features - half timbered buildings, an impressive church, the remains of a Norman castle, and an ancient turf labyrinth. The afternoon takes you through the parkland of Audley End then continues along the Harcamlow Way to Newport. 
Trains: 
9:57 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street (Hackney Downs 10:03, Tottenham Hale 10:10), arriving Great Chesterford at 11:05. Get a return to Great Chesterford.
Return from Newport at xx:13
Return from Audley End station at xx:10 and xx:47
Lunch: Plenty of choice in Saffron Walden The 8 Bells 01799 522790 is recommended
Here's a few others:- The Saffron Hotel (01799-522676), The Cross Keys  (01799-522207) and a JD Wetherspoons, The Temeraire (01799-516975)
Tea: You pass the small 17th C White Horse (01799-540002), about ten minutes before Newport station. Alternatively, detour to the much larger Coach and Horses (01799-540292) to the north of the village.
If finishing at Audley End station, you pass the Fighting Cocks (01799-541279) on the way there. You could also continue past the station turn-off to find The Bell (01799-540382), an attractive country pub in the village of Wendens Ambo. Both come recommended.
Audley End The gardens, stables and service wing are open to visit 10-4 (cost £9.90 unless an English Heritage member). The house itself is currently closed.
Walk Directions here 
It is possible to shorten the walk by finishing at Audley End station. The route there involves a bit of road walking.
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Sunday Walk 1: The Surrey Hills and a stately pile

Westhumble Circular
Book 2 walk 14b (online version).
7.7 miles 12.4 km. Difficulty 5/10

Hidden valleys pretty woodlands, and gentle pastures evoking echoes of a golden yesteryear. The estate of Polesden Lacey is a prominent feature. A shortish walk but one allowing time to visit it and Denbies Vineyard if you so wish.
Transport: For the Westhumble start, get the 10:40 Dorking train from Victoria (10:48 Clapham Junction) to Box Hill & Westhumble arr 11:36
Trains return from "Box Hill & Westhumble" at xx:18 and xx:48. Trains leave Dorking 2 minutes earlier, should you wish to finish there.
A return ticket to Dorking (main) costs the same as one to "Box Hill &Westhumble" and gives you the option of returning from either station.
Lunch: National Trust tea-room Polesden Lacey. This is accessible without paying the entrance fee.
(There's no lunch pub on this walk. The longer walk starting at Effingham Jct. incorporates an option to visit the Sir Douglas Haig)
Polesden Lacey 
It is £13.50 to visit the whole property, £8.50 for the gardens only - unless, of course,  you're a NT member.
Tea:  First there's the Conservatory restaurant /cafe at Denbies Vineyard. Then there's a cafe in the Pilgrim Cycles shop at Box Hill & Westhumble station. (This closes at 4 but you may be able to persuade them to stay open if theres enough of you and you phone them 01306 886958). Nearby, you have the Stepping Stones pub.
Directions: This walk's directions are available on-line and those are the best directions to use. Access details for Polesden Lacey have changed significantly since the last book edition and there are one or two other alterations. There are longer options for anyone so inclined but the plan is to do option [b] starting and finishing at "Box Hill & Westhumble" station.

Starting at Effingham: Anyone wishing to do the longer 10 mile walk from Effingham Junction could catch the 9:22 from Victoria to Epsom and, from there, the 10:10 to Guildford arriving Effingham Jct at 10:26. (Note that Effingham Jct and Westhumble stations are on divergent lines. A return to Effingham Junction would probably be accepted for the trip back but you could be asked to pay extra for the short hop to Leatherhead where the lines re-join.)

T=2.14.b

Third Walk

CW2 Walk 2 - Saunderton Circular (via Bledlow)
Length: 17.3 km (10.7 miles). Toughness: 6/10

Take the 10:13 train from London Marylebone to Saunderton arriving 10:55.

Longer walk option: Walk 2 + 3a for a figure of 8 walk. Catch the earlier 9:13 train for lunch at The Boot, Bledlow (13km into the walk). Length: 26.6 km (16.5 miles).

Return trains from Saunderton: xx:50 until 21:50, 23:00. T=2.2

Saturday Second Walk - A gentle slice of Kent

SWC Walk 235 - Tonbridge to Penshurst
Length: 17.3km (10.7 miles) with shorter afternoon option of 15km (9.3 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10

9.31 from Victoria (note: not Charing Cross, due to engineering works: this train also calls at Bromley South at 9.56 and Orpington at 10.03) to Tonbridge, arriving 10.20.

Buy a day return to Penshurst.

For walk directions click here.

I am aware the Weald can be muddy at this time of year, but this walk starts on firm tracks and pathways out of Tonbridge, and I venture to suggest (famous last words!) that the mud is starting to dry out now as evapouration from the higher spring sun takes effect. The short cut route in the afternoon also follows a good firm track for a good distance. I am sure we will manage.

Otherwise, I am hoping this walk will yield some signs of spring - willow catkins, lesser celandines, emerging foliage on weeping willows. And is it too much to hope for some springlike weather?

Lunch is at the revamped Leicester Arms, though the Porcupine Pantry, the cafe of Penshurst Place, is also open. So is this Elizabethan house and its gardens (which if they did not figure in Wolf Hall certainly ought to have done) and with the longer days it would be feasible to combine a visit to them with the short ending. Tea is in Chiddingstone or at the nice pub opposite Penshurst station.

Trains back are at 27 past to Victoria: direct until 18.27; after that needing a change at Redhill (which only adds a few minutes to the journey time).

You can also go in the opposite direction at 31 past to Tonbridge and change there, but since trains from Tonbridge are also running into Victoria today it makes little difference, unless you want to go to Sevenoaks, Orpington or Bromley South.

Saturday First Walk - Over the South Downs to the Sea

Book 2 Walk - 2-24 - Lewes to Saltdean
9.6 miles (15.5km), toughness: 4 out of 10

This walk begins in the historic town of Lewes, before climbing up to follow a ridge along the top of the South Downs, and then descending for lunch at Rodmell. The path then continues over the Downs to the sea to emerge at the town of Saltdean.  There are frequent buses from Saltdean to Brighton, or you can walk on along the sea wall (8.5 km).

Trains:  9:47 Ore/Littlehampton train from London Victoria, (09:53 Clapham Junction, 10:03 East Croydon), arriving Lewes at 10:47.  Return from Brighton: frequent trains back to London (approx 6 an hour to either London Bridge, London Victoria or St Pancras).  A return ticket to Lewes is valid for return from Brighton.

Lunch:  Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell, 01273 572416.   

Tea:  If you need a drink before arriving in Brighton, a couple of options in Saltdean are The Spanish Lady, Longridge Avenue and the Whitecliffs Beach Café, Marine Drive.

Links:  full walk details     walk directions (pdf)

T=2.24