South Woodham Ferrers Circular / SWF to North Fambridge
SWC walk 159
The circular version of this walk is 11.9 miles 19.2 km Difficulty 4/10
The full walk to North Fambridge is either 14.1 or 15.9 miles (22.7 or 25.5 km) depending on how full you want to make it. Difficulty 5/10.
Real hardnuts (and by that, I mean the macadamia - hardest of all the nuts) could even extend it to 17.8 miles 28.6km.
This varied and (for Essex) fairly hilly walk offers splendid views of the Crouch Valley. It winds its way out of South Woodham Ferrers through fields, over rolling hills, past an RHS Garden, an overgrown cemetery and more fields to lunch. On return, near SWF you can choose whether to end there or go further.
The circular option seems more more appropriate for Sunday, lengthwise. However there are compelling reasons for pushing on to North Fambridge. One is the CAMRA-award-winning Prince of Wales en route. Another is the serene finish, along the tidal River Crouch and through the salt marshes of a Nature Reserve.
Trains Get the 10:14 Southend train from Liverpool St (Stratford 10:21) changing at Wickford to a Southminster train (arr 11:03 dep 11:06), arriving South Woodham Ferrers at 11:14. The connection at Wickford is tight and hourly so, if you're early enough, you might prefer to get the 9:44 as far as Wickford.
Trains return from South Woodham Ferrers at xx:26, changing at Wickford. Again, you have only 3 mins to get the xx:40 on Platform 3 so don’t hang about (connections are half-hourly this direction).
Trains return from North Fambridge at xx:21, also changing at Wickford.
Get a return to South Woodham Ferrers for the circular or North Fambridge for the longer. A return to North Fambridge (the further station) is only slightly more and would cover both endings.
Lunch: The Folly Bistro in East Hanningfield 01245 400 315 Formerly the "Windmill Tavern". (More pub than bistro last time we visited)
Tea places in South Woodham Ferrers:
Shaw Farm Old Wickford Road, South Woodham Ferrers, 01245 320916, Ex farm building with rose gardens, huge back garden and lake. Has recently changed hands.
The Whalebone Inn/Scrimshaw’s Restaurant Old Wickford Road, 01245 320231,
The Railway, Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers, 01245 320262
Tea Places for N Fambridge
The Prince of Wales, Stow Maries, 01621 828 971 An early stop, renowned for its beer.
The Ferry Boat Inn, Ferry Road, North Fambridge, 01621 740208, A 500 year old riverside pub.
Directions here
T=swc.159
Sunday, 31 July 2016
Sunday Walk 1 Hollingbourne Circular via Hucking,
Hollingbourne Circular via Hucking, SWC Walk 253
17 km (10.6 miles) (with 8.2 and 7.3 mile options)
Toughness 5/10
Across fields to the North Downs ridge. A fairly steep little climb into the Woodland Trust's Hucking Estate, then on to the tiny hamlet of Hucking before looping back along woodland paths and rides. After leaving the estate, the North Downs Way slants down the hillside to lunch in Upper Street. Afterwards, Hollingbourne Meadows, a stretch alongside the busy A20, and stunning views of Leeds Castle as you cross its grounds on public rights of way.
Trains
Get the 9:36 from Victoria to Canterbury West, arriving Hollingbourne at 10:49
Return trains to Victoria at xx:07. Get a return to Hollingbourne.
Lunch
The Dirty Habit in Upper Street (01622-880880). Phoning recommended
Tea There are two pubs in Eyhorne Street
The upmarket Windmill 01622 889000
The more traditional Sugar Loaves 01622 880220
You also have the Park Gate Inn (01622-880985) a slight detour near Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle
Describes itself as "the loveliest castle in the world". Built by someone very old called Norman. Keep to the public footpath through the grounds. If you want to visit properly, it costs £24.50.
Walk Directions here
Print the whole document to keep your options open. Click the option you prefer if you've decided on one route.
Main walk (M) all the way round including through Leeds castle grounds.
Short walk (a) misses out the Hucking Estate.
Curtailed walk (b) heads straight for the station from Hollingbourne Meadows, cutting out Leeds Castle.
You were going to get the companion 13 mile walk via Thurnham today (SWC 221) but, apparently, it has an overgrown scratchy-stingy section and kindness prevailed. If anyone wants to give it a go, same train, same times, different lunch stop. Just don't come crying to us with your scratched knees.
T=SWC.253
17 km (10.6 miles) (with 8.2 and 7.3 mile options)
Toughness 5/10
Across fields to the North Downs ridge. A fairly steep little climb into the Woodland Trust's Hucking Estate, then on to the tiny hamlet of Hucking before looping back along woodland paths and rides. After leaving the estate, the North Downs Way slants down the hillside to lunch in Upper Street. Afterwards, Hollingbourne Meadows, a stretch alongside the busy A20, and stunning views of Leeds Castle as you cross its grounds on public rights of way.
Trains
Get the 9:36 from Victoria to Canterbury West, arriving Hollingbourne at 10:49
Return trains to Victoria at xx:07. Get a return to Hollingbourne.
Lunch
The Dirty Habit in Upper Street (01622-880880). Phoning recommended
Tea There are two pubs in Eyhorne Street
The upmarket Windmill 01622 889000
The more traditional Sugar Loaves 01622 880220
You also have the Park Gate Inn (01622-880985) a slight detour near Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle
Describes itself as "the loveliest castle in the world". Built by someone very old called Norman. Keep to the public footpath through the grounds. If you want to visit properly, it costs £24.50.
Walk Directions here
Print the whole document to keep your options open. Click the option you prefer if you've decided on one route.
Main walk (M) all the way round including through Leeds castle grounds.
Short walk (a) misses out the Hucking Estate.
Curtailed walk (b) heads straight for the station from Hollingbourne Meadows, cutting out Leeds Castle.
You were going to get the companion 13 mile walk via Thurnham today (SWC 221) but, apparently, it has an overgrown scratchy-stingy section and kindness prevailed. If anyone wants to give it a go, same train, same times, different lunch stop. Just don't come crying to us with your scratched knees.
T=SWC.253
Saturday, 30 July 2016
Third Walk
SWC Walk 12a - Faversham to Herne Bay
Length: 23.8 km (14.8 miles). Toughness: 1/10
Shorter (standard) walk option to Whitstable: 15.7km (9.8 miles).
Catch the 10:07 from London Victoria arrives Faversham 11:23. Buy a day return to Herne Bay. For the standard walk buy a day return to Whitstable. Return from Herne Bay xx:21 until 22:21 (xx:28 Whitstable) to Victoria.*
Lunch: There are many possibilities in Whitstable. The Old Neptune is the suggested lunch stop.
Standard walk: The Sportsman will almost certainly be fully booked days / weeks in advance. Suggest Poppet's Café & Tea Room. 400 Faversham Road, Seasalter. (Street View looking west along Seasalter Road.)
Length: 23.8 km (14.8 miles). Toughness: 1/10
Shorter (standard) walk option to Whitstable: 15.7km (9.8 miles).
Catch the 10:07 from London Victoria arrives Faversham 11:23. Buy a day return to Herne Bay. For the standard walk buy a day return to Whitstable. Return from Herne Bay xx:21 until 22:21 (xx:28 Whitstable) to Victoria.*
Lunch: There are many possibilities in Whitstable. The Old Neptune is the suggested lunch stop.
Standard walk: The Sportsman will almost certainly be fully booked days / weeks in advance. Suggest Poppet's Café & Tea Room. 400 Faversham Road, Seasalter. (Street View looking west along Seasalter Road.)
* Slightly shorter journey time to St. Pancras xx:44 (xx:50 Whitstable); additional cost.
T=3.12
Saturday Second Walk - Summer riverside idyll
Book 2, walk 8 - Marlow Circular
Length: 13.5km (8.4 miles) to 21.6km (13.4 miles)
Toughness 4 out of 10 (1 out of 10 for shorter riverside option)
9.57 train from Paddington (10.05 Ealing Broadway), to Maidenhead, arriving 10.34: changing there (cross the footbridge quickly!) for the 10.38 to Marlow, arriving 11.01.
For walk directions click here.
Buy a day return to Marlow, unless you plan to do either of the Henley endings (see below) in which case buy a day return to Henley. This should be accepted to Marlow (point out it is the same price as the Thames Branches Day Rover, if that still exists) but if not you will only have to pay from Maidenhead to Marlow.
What better way to spend a high summer's day than walking along one of the most beautiful stretches of the upper Thames?
The morning of this walk does just that - though with a few twists and turns for variety (such as inland diversion through the village of Hurley, which still looks a bit like the monastery it originally was).
Lunch
For most people, the most convenient choice will be the quirky Flower Pot in Aston, 9.9km (6.2 miles) into the walk: on such flat terrain you should reach it by 1.30pm or so: it stops serving food at 2.30pm (or did last time I checked).
An earlier option, 4.8km (3 miles) into the walk, is Ye Old Bell Inn in Hurley : it is possibly a bit posh for us, but I see on its website that it sometimes has a summer kitchen with outside tables. It might be a good choice for the shorter walkers (see below) who don't want to be rushed.
There is also a tea kiosk at Hurley Lock, just before the village,
Very fast walkers might make it to the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden, but this is 13.2km (8.2 miles) into the walk, and stops serving food at 2.30pm
In the afternoon
you have three choices:
Lunch
For most people, the most convenient choice will be the quirky Flower Pot in Aston, 9.9km (6.2 miles) into the walk: on such flat terrain you should reach it by 1.30pm or so: it stops serving food at 2.30pm (or did last time I checked).
An earlier option, 4.8km (3 miles) into the walk, is Ye Old Bell Inn in Hurley : it is possibly a bit posh for us, but I see on its website that it sometimes has a summer kitchen with outside tables. It might be a good choice for the shorter walkers (see below) who don't want to be rushed.
There is also a tea kiosk at Hurley Lock, just before the village,
Very fast walkers might make it to the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden, but this is 13.2km (8.2 miles) into the walk, and stops serving food at 2.30pm
In the afternoon
you have three choices:
- continue on the river into Henley, another beautiful section of Thames Path - 5.7km (3.5 miles) from Aston, making a total walk from Marlow of 15.6km (9.7 miles). To do this follow the main walk to Hambleden Lock and then the Thames Path from there (no directions needed).
- go over low hills into Henley, 3.6km (2.2 miles) after Aston, making a total walk from Marlow of 13.5km (8.4 miles): for this you need the directions for Book 2, walk 7 - see here - you only need the last two pages
- continue with the main walk, 11.7km (7.3 miles) after Aston, which crosses the river to Hambleden and then has a nicely contrasting section through wooded hills back to Marlow.
Tea
Lots of options in Marlow, some open quite late. On the main walk, Hambleden village has a shop that serves tea and cakes and has an outside table or two. In Henley, the Chocolate Cafe just beyond the bridge is the usual choice. Plenty of pubs in both Henley and Marlow.
Trains back
06 past the hour from Marlow (till 21.06, then 22.16), 24 past from Henley
- continue with the main walk, 11.7km (7.3 miles) after Aston, which crosses the river to Hambleden and then has a nicely contrasting section through wooded hills back to Marlow.
Tea
Lots of options in Marlow, some open quite late. On the main walk, Hambleden village has a shop that serves tea and cakes and has an outside table or two. In Henley, the Chocolate Cafe just beyond the bridge is the usual choice. Plenty of pubs in both Henley and Marlow.
Trains back
06 past the hour from Marlow (till 21.06, then 22.16), 24 past from Henley
Saturday Walk 1 - Whyteleafe to Hayes
SWC Walk 38 - Whyteleafe to Hayes
10 miles/16km
By request - this is a walk through some fine countryside close to London, with a great lunchtime pub.
Trains: Take the 10:23 East Grinstead train from London Victoria (East Croydon 10:41), arriving at Upper Warlingham at 10:52. (It is also possible to start from Whyteleafe station which is very close to Upper Warlingham). Return from Hayes, xx08/38 to Charing Cross, xx20/50 to Cannon Street. All stations are within Zone 6 and so covered by Oystercard.
Lunch: The White Bear, Fickleshole (01959 573166), 4.9 miles/7.8km into the walk. Attractive 16th century pub, good food served all day.
Tea: Sponge Kitchens, 38 Station Approach. Hayes Cafe, 48 Station Approach. The New Inn, large Harvester pub/restaurant opposite the station.
T=swc.38
10 miles/16km
By request - this is a walk through some fine countryside close to London, with a great lunchtime pub.
Trains: Take the 10:23 East Grinstead train from London Victoria (East Croydon 10:41), arriving at Upper Warlingham at 10:52. (It is also possible to start from Whyteleafe station which is very close to Upper Warlingham). Return from Hayes, xx08/38 to Charing Cross, xx20/50 to Cannon Street. All stations are within Zone 6 and so covered by Oystercard.
Lunch: The White Bear, Fickleshole (01959 573166), 4.9 miles/7.8km into the walk. Attractive 16th century pub, good food served all day.
Tea: Sponge Kitchens, 38 Station Approach. Hayes Cafe, 48 Station Approach. The New Inn, large Harvester pub/restaurant opposite the station.
T=swc.38
Wednesday, 27 July 2016
Midweek day walk Cholsey to Goring
Cholsey to Goring
Fairly gentle climbs through Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside ending with a southerly stretch along the Thames.
Book 3* Walk 49 *online only
Length : 24 km or 15 miles
Toughness : 3 out of 10
Getting there : Catch the 10:15 am Cardiff train from London Paddington (platform 4 ATTOW) to Reading changing there to catch the 10:53 (platform 12 ATTOW) to Oxford alighting at Cholsey OR ...
If travelling from Ealing Broadway ...
Catch the 10:05 am to Oxford (with no changes, and where, at Reading you'll be joined by the Paddingtonians), alight at Cholsey.
Please note that Bakerloo tube trains are not stopping at Paddington till mid-August
If travelling from Ealing Broadway ...
Catch the 10:05 am to Oxford (with no changes, and where, at Reading you'll be joined by the Paddingtonians), alight at Cholsey.
Please note that Bakerloo tube trains are not stopping at Paddington till mid-August
Meeting point : Cholsey Station at 11:11
Tickets : Buy a cheap day return to Cholsey
Brief Description
This is a request from the SWC gastro sub-committee, so those who wish to eat in the Red Lion Blewbury should have good food.
Others with a packed lunch will be able to stop in St. Michael's Churchyard in this scenic village.
Quite a long walk, but gently undulating with a total ascent of 240 Metres (or 800 feet in old money).
Literature buffs may like to note that there's an opportunity to visit Agatha Christie's grave in St. Mary's churchyard , Cholsey at the start of the walk
You may find full details if this walk here and a PDF here
Others with a packed lunch will be able to stop in St. Michael's Churchyard in this scenic village.
Quite a long walk, but gently undulating with a total ascent of 240 Metres (or 800 feet in old money).
Literature buffs may like to note that there's an opportunity to visit Agatha Christie's grave in St. Mary's churchyard , Cholsey at the start of the walk
You may find full details if this walk here and a PDF here
Suggested Lunch stop
The Red Lion Blewbury t: 01235 850403
Suggested Tea stops
The Beetle and Wedge Boathouse, Ferry Lane, Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, OX10 9JF t: 01491 6513
More dining/tea options may be found in the Walk's details here
More dining/tea options may be found in the Walk's details here
Map
OS Explorer : 170
Return train times
Trains return from Goring and Streatley at the following times 15:46 | 16:12 | 16:46 | 17:13 | 17:42 | 18:12
Walkers returning to Paddington may expedite their journey by changing at Reading and catching a nice air conditioned intercity train.
Walkers returning to Paddington may expedite their journey by changing at Reading and catching a nice air conditioned intercity train.
Sunday, 24 July 2016
Sunday Walk 2 – Remote Surrey heaths and woods
Extra Walk 160 – Farnham to Blackwater
Length: 21 km (13 miles), with shorter options. Toughness: 5/10
10:07 Alton & Basingstoke train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:15, Wimbledon 10:22, etc), arriving Farnham at 11:13. The train divides at Woking and you need to be in the portion for Alton. Buy a day return to Farnham.
As none of the possible end stations are on the Farnham line you'll need to buy an extra ticket on the way back. If you complete the full walk to Blackwater and return via Guildford, buy a single to Ash (a Farnham ticket is valid via Ash & Guildford). If you return from Farnborough or Fleet, buy a single to Brookwood.
Trains go from Blackwater at 36 (or 39) minutes past the hour to Guildford, where you change for a fast service to Waterloo.
This longish walk has mostly been posted in a shorter version finishing at Fleet, but this is a good time of year to try the full walk to Blackwater. After an easy start across Farnham Park you have to cope with a more challenging section across “remote MOD land [with] careful navigation needed”. Just over halfway through the full walk, the recommended lunch pub is the Foresters at Church Crookham; you won't arrive much before 2pm but it's possible to detour to another pub in Ewshot if you want to stop earlier.
After lunch you go through woodland to Fleet Pond, followed by another section across MOD land and past Hawley Lake. The area around Blackwater station isn't blessed with any appealing tea places so you've got a good excuse for a mid-afternoon break at the Crown and Cushion. From this pub you've got just over an hour to go so time your departure carefully for the hourly trains.
You'll need to print the walk directions from the Extra Walk 160 page. There are various options if you want to shorten the walk and/or finish at an alternative station.
NB. As far as I can see the GPS directions on the site only take you as far as Fleet, so I'm sure the webmaster would appreciate it if someone submitted a track for the final sections. T=swc.160
Length: 21 km (13 miles), with shorter options. Toughness: 5/10
10:07 Alton & Basingstoke train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:15, Wimbledon 10:22, etc), arriving Farnham at 11:13. The train divides at Woking and you need to be in the portion for Alton. Buy a day return to Farnham.
As none of the possible end stations are on the Farnham line you'll need to buy an extra ticket on the way back. If you complete the full walk to Blackwater and return via Guildford, buy a single to Ash (a Farnham ticket is valid via Ash & Guildford). If you return from Farnborough or Fleet, buy a single to Brookwood.
Trains go from Blackwater at 36 (or 39) minutes past the hour to Guildford, where you change for a fast service to Waterloo.
This longish walk has mostly been posted in a shorter version finishing at Fleet, but this is a good time of year to try the full walk to Blackwater. After an easy start across Farnham Park you have to cope with a more challenging section across “remote MOD land [with] careful navigation needed”. Just over halfway through the full walk, the recommended lunch pub is the Foresters at Church Crookham; you won't arrive much before 2pm but it's possible to detour to another pub in Ewshot if you want to stop earlier.
After lunch you go through woodland to Fleet Pond, followed by another section across MOD land and past Hawley Lake. The area around Blackwater station isn't blessed with any appealing tea places so you've got a good excuse for a mid-afternoon break at the Crown and Cushion. From this pub you've got just over an hour to go so time your departure carefully for the hourly trains.
You'll need to print the walk directions from the Extra Walk 160 page. There are various options if you want to shorten the walk and/or finish at an alternative station.
NB. As far as I can see the GPS directions on the site only take you as far as Fleet, so I'm sure the webmaster would appreciate it if someone submitted a track for the final sections. T=swc.160
Sunday Walk 1 – Ferry across the River Colne
Book 1 Walk 30 – Wivenhoe Circular
Length: 14.8 km (9.2 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:32 Clacton-on-Sea train from Liverpool Street (Stratford 10:39), arriving Wivenhoe at 11:46.
Return trains are hourly at 56 minutes past.
This interesting and unusual Essex walk gets fewer club outings than most because there aren't too many summer weekends when the ferry runs at a convenient time. This Sunday it operates between 2pm & 5.30pm, which is ideal for doing the walk as written: the Wivenhoe side first, then crossing the river in the afternoon for the Rowhedge side. Each leg should take less than two hours.
You should have time for lunch in Wivenhoe before catching the ferry, but there are pubs on both sides of the river so if you're running late you can cross over first. The helpful volunteers who run the ferry are aware of these club walks and will doubtless remind you of the need to get back for the return crossing before it stops at 5.30pm. The pubs in Wivenhoe look to be the best option for some post-walk refreshment, unless you can find some hitherto undiscovered tea rooms.
You'll need to bring Book 1 or print the directions from the Walk 30 page. There's been some housing development in Wivenhoe so the route out of the town may be slightly different from that described, but this is not a difficult walk to follow. T=1.30
Length: 14.8 km (9.2 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:32 Clacton-on-Sea train from Liverpool Street (Stratford 10:39), arriving Wivenhoe at 11:46.
Return trains are hourly at 56 minutes past.
This interesting and unusual Essex walk gets fewer club outings than most because there aren't too many summer weekends when the ferry runs at a convenient time. This Sunday it operates between 2pm & 5.30pm, which is ideal for doing the walk as written: the Wivenhoe side first, then crossing the river in the afternoon for the Rowhedge side. Each leg should take less than two hours.
You should have time for lunch in Wivenhoe before catching the ferry, but there are pubs on both sides of the river so if you're running late you can cross over first. The helpful volunteers who run the ferry are aware of these club walks and will doubtless remind you of the need to get back for the return crossing before it stops at 5.30pm. The pubs in Wivenhoe look to be the best option for some post-walk refreshment, unless you can find some hitherto undiscovered tea rooms.
You'll need to bring Book 1 or print the directions from the Walk 30 page. There's been some housing development in Wivenhoe so the route out of the town may be slightly different from that described, but this is not a difficult walk to follow. T=1.30
Saturday, 23 July 2016
Saturday Third Walk - Swimming/seaside walk using SWT offer
SWC walk 74 (backwards) - Barton-on-Sea to Christchurch or Bournemouth
Length: 12.6km (7.8 miles) to Christchurch
16km (10 miles) to Bournemouth
Toughness: 2 out of 10: mainly flat
9.05 train from Waterloo (9.12 Clapham Junction) to New Milton, arriving 10.45.
Buy a day return to Bournemouth (or Christchurch, if you definitely plan to return from there) using the South West Trains £16 offer - has to be booked in advance online or bought in advance from a SWT ticket office - in both cases this can be done up to the day before.
The time has come, I think, to do a seaside walk using the SWT £16 offer and so I am taking a punt on the weather this weekend. (Sorry if this is also a slight clash with the second walk above, another long distance SWT expedition: but the SWT offer does not apply next weekend and who knows what the weather will be like in August).
There are excellent sea swimming opportunities throughout this walk (or as far as Hengistbury Head if you are ending in Christchurch) and there is high tide for most of the walk (the Solent having double high tides due to the Isle of Wight). The beaches are sandy and gently shelving.
Just to be different I am also proposing that this walk be done in the reverse direction to the one we usually take, that is starting in Barton-on-Sea. Bear with me on this.....
It means that you have to start with a short bus journey (go out of the station, turn left up the station approach to get to the main road, turn right on that, then right again into Westfield Road and get the X1 bus from the left-hand side of the road at 11.00, direction Bournemouth. In six minutes this bus gets to the coast at the Beachcomber Cafe, the usual end of this walk, but if you get off here you have a road walk of more than a mile to get around a landslip. So don't do that. Instead stay on the bus to "Naish Holiday Village" (another 7 minutes) and get off there. You then find yourself at the head of Chewton Bunny (it is a valley leading down to the sea) and a path takes you down that for 800 metres to the beach.
You then turn right and walk along the beach. In one mile there are paths up the cliff to Highcliffe Castle, which can be visited, has a tea room (accessible without paying admission) and is pretty to look at even if you are not visiting. (If you want, you can even take the X1 direct to the castle.) Returning to the beach it is another 1.5 miles to the mouth of Christchurch Harbour where there are some lunch options including the Haven House Inn right by the harbour mouth.
You then take the short ferry across the mouth of the harbour to Mudeford Spit. Here you find the Beach House Cafe (a restaurant, but with pub style food) and you climb up onto Hengistbury Head.
Finishing in Christchurch
Once on Hengistbury Head there are written walk directions to take you to Christchurch station (5km/3 miles), a pretty walk around the edge of Christchurch harbour. and up the River Stour. Follow Route #3 in the document, unless you want to be lazy and take another ferry all the way to Christchurch Quay (Route #4). Tea options on route #3 include the Hiker's Cafe just beyond Hengistbury Head, and also the Tuckton Tea Gardens by the road bridge over the Stour. On the other side of the road here there is also a chain pub, whose name escapes me. It is then a dull 1km walk up suburban roads to Christchurch station.
Trains back from Christchurch are at 30 past the hour and take 1hr 50 minutes: they overtake the 13 past trains, which take 2hrs 25 minutes
Finishing in Bournemouth
If you simply stay on the seafront after Hengistbury Head (you can still go inland a couple of hundred metres to the Hiker's Cafe if you like), it is 4 miles to Boscombe Pier, the first of Bournemouth's two piers. This is an all-tarmac walk on a promenade and can get monotonous, though the beach is top notch. You can vary it by taking the clifftop path from time to time (nice views). There are cafes en route.
The best way to Bournemouth station (about a mile of road walking) is as follows: Just beyond Boscombe Pier, look for the zigzag path up the cliff. Climb this, and at the top cross the coast road and carry on up a path. This emerges onto a road: go straight down this, across a main road (Christchurch Road) and on down the road (Derby Road) for several blocks until you come to a T-junction. Here turn left into Southcote Road, and at the end of this veer right into St Swithun's Road which brings you in 100 metres to the main road, with the entrance to Bournemouth Station (with ASDA and a multi-storey car park to its left) straight ahead.
The fastest train back from Bournemouth is the 59 past (till 19.59) taking 1hr 50 minutes. Next best is the 22 past (till 20.22) taking 2 hours. Ignore the 05 past, which stops everywhere and is overtaken by the 22 past. The last practical train is the 21.12 taking 2 hours 10 minutes. The 22.12 stops everywhere and should be avoided.
Length: 12.6km (7.8 miles) to Christchurch
16km (10 miles) to Bournemouth
Toughness: 2 out of 10: mainly flat
9.05 train from Waterloo (9.12 Clapham Junction) to New Milton, arriving 10.45.
Buy a day return to Bournemouth (or Christchurch, if you definitely plan to return from there) using the South West Trains £16 offer - has to be booked in advance online or bought in advance from a SWT ticket office - in both cases this can be done up to the day before.
The time has come, I think, to do a seaside walk using the SWT £16 offer and so I am taking a punt on the weather this weekend. (Sorry if this is also a slight clash with the second walk above, another long distance SWT expedition: but the SWT offer does not apply next weekend and who knows what the weather will be like in August).
There are excellent sea swimming opportunities throughout this walk (or as far as Hengistbury Head if you are ending in Christchurch) and there is high tide for most of the walk (the Solent having double high tides due to the Isle of Wight). The beaches are sandy and gently shelving.
Just to be different I am also proposing that this walk be done in the reverse direction to the one we usually take, that is starting in Barton-on-Sea. Bear with me on this.....
It means that you have to start with a short bus journey (go out of the station, turn left up the station approach to get to the main road, turn right on that, then right again into Westfield Road and get the X1 bus from the left-hand side of the road at 11.00, direction Bournemouth. In six minutes this bus gets to the coast at the Beachcomber Cafe, the usual end of this walk, but if you get off here you have a road walk of more than a mile to get around a landslip. So don't do that. Instead stay on the bus to "Naish Holiday Village" (another 7 minutes) and get off there. You then find yourself at the head of Chewton Bunny (it is a valley leading down to the sea) and a path takes you down that for 800 metres to the beach.
You then turn right and walk along the beach. In one mile there are paths up the cliff to Highcliffe Castle, which can be visited, has a tea room (accessible without paying admission) and is pretty to look at even if you are not visiting. (If you want, you can even take the X1 direct to the castle.) Returning to the beach it is another 1.5 miles to the mouth of Christchurch Harbour where there are some lunch options including the Haven House Inn right by the harbour mouth.
You then take the short ferry across the mouth of the harbour to Mudeford Spit. Here you find the Beach House Cafe (a restaurant, but with pub style food) and you climb up onto Hengistbury Head.
Finishing in Christchurch
Once on Hengistbury Head there are written walk directions to take you to Christchurch station (5km/3 miles), a pretty walk around the edge of Christchurch harbour. and up the River Stour. Follow Route #3 in the document, unless you want to be lazy and take another ferry all the way to Christchurch Quay (Route #4). Tea options on route #3 include the Hiker's Cafe just beyond Hengistbury Head, and also the Tuckton Tea Gardens by the road bridge over the Stour. On the other side of the road here there is also a chain pub, whose name escapes me. It is then a dull 1km walk up suburban roads to Christchurch station.
Trains back from Christchurch are at 30 past the hour and take 1hr 50 minutes: they overtake the 13 past trains, which take 2hrs 25 minutes
Finishing in Bournemouth
If you simply stay on the seafront after Hengistbury Head (you can still go inland a couple of hundred metres to the Hiker's Cafe if you like), it is 4 miles to Boscombe Pier, the first of Bournemouth's two piers. This is an all-tarmac walk on a promenade and can get monotonous, though the beach is top notch. You can vary it by taking the clifftop path from time to time (nice views). There are cafes en route.
The best way to Bournemouth station (about a mile of road walking) is as follows: Just beyond Boscombe Pier, look for the zigzag path up the cliff. Climb this, and at the top cross the coast road and carry on up a path. This emerges onto a road: go straight down this, across a main road (Christchurch Road) and on down the road (Derby Road) for several blocks until you come to a T-junction. Here turn left into Southcote Road, and at the end of this veer right into St Swithun's Road which brings you in 100 metres to the main road, with the entrance to Bournemouth Station (with ASDA and a multi-storey car park to its left) straight ahead.
The fastest train back from Bournemouth is the 59 past (till 19.59) taking 1hr 50 minutes. Next best is the 22 past (till 20.22) taking 2 hours. Ignore the 05 past, which stops everywhere and is overtaken by the 22 past. The last practical train is the 21.12 taking 2 hours 10 minutes. The 22.12 stops everywhere and should be avoided.
Saturday Second Walk - Dean to Mottisfont & Dunbridge (Test Valley and surrounding Downs)
SWC Walk 265 Dean to Mottisfont & Dunbridge: Varied Woods, the Dun, Wallop Brook & Test
Valleys and Broughton Down
Length:
27.4 km (17.1 mi) [shorter option:
22.4 km/13.9 mi, splits post-lunch]
Ascent/Descent: 500
m; Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ½ hours [short walk: 380m, 5 hrs]
Toughness:
8 out of 10 (short walk: 6 out of 10)
09.20
Exeter
St. Davids train from Waterloo (09.27 CJ), changing at Salisbury for Chandlers Ford (arrives 10.42, usually platform 4; departs
10.56, usually platform 6), arrives Dean 11.08. Buy
a cheap off-peak day return to Mottisfont & Dunbridge for £16 on the SWT-website or at the station ticket office (but not the
machines) before midnight the night before.
Return from Mottisfont & Dunbridge at xx.56 via Salisbury (from 113
mins journey time) or at xx.14 via Southampton Central (126 mins journey
time). Memo: the £16 ticket is only valid on SWT-trains, therefore ignore the
Virgin Cross Country trains at So’ton Central (to Reading, connecting to
Paddington!)
Or make it a weekend: stay at The
Mill Arms in Dunbridge and explore Mottisfont Abbey & Gardens
and/or walk all or part of SWC 58 (Dunbridge
to Romsey) on Sunday.
New
Walk, we will take the opportunity to check the walk directions!
This
walk explores woods and rolling chalk hills in the Dun, Wallop Brook and Test Valleys
of remote West Hampshire. Rising out of the Dun Valley through varied woods and
along field boundaries and farm tracks (some tarmacked), the walk takes on a
very different aspect upon approaching the steep sided chalk downs near
Broughton, with splendid views north east across the Wallop Brook valley. After
lunch in Broughton you follow the rim of the wide valley south easterly to
cross the meadows of the Test River, Hampshire's longest and finest chalk
stream. The
Test is a prominent feature of the afternoon, as its several arms are crossed
twice.
In between you climb again, up to the hills along the easterly side of the Test valley, walk through some quiet woods and past scenic side valleys to then steeply descend back to the Test Meadows. The finish is through the NT-owned Mottisfont Estate, past Mottisfont Abbey, a historical priory, and its grounds, as well as the 12th century St. Andrews church, one of the few Grade I-listed churches (on a short diversion). A shorter route, cutting out parts of the afternoon, is described (rated 6/10).
In between you climb again, up to the hills along the easterly side of the Test valley, walk through some quiet woods and past scenic side valleys to then steeply descend back to the Test Meadows. The finish is through the NT-owned Mottisfont Estate, past Mottisfont Abbey, a historical priory, and its grounds, as well as the 12th century St. Andrews church, one of the few Grade I-listed churches (on a short diversion). A shorter route, cutting out parts of the afternoon, is described (rated 6/10).
The
recommended lunch stop is The Tally Ho! Inn in Broughton (11.4 km/7.1 mi). There is
also The Greyhound next door,
serving Thai food, as well as an earlier option and a couple of later options (on
the full walk only) [see page 2 of the pdf for details].
The
tea stop is The Mill Arms Inn in Dunbridge,
meters from the station, or one of the options at Mottisfont Gardens, if
walking the short walk.
Saturday First Walk - Constable country
Book 1, Walk 39 - Manningtree Circular
Length: 17.3km (10.7 miles) or 13.3km (8.3 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10
10.00 train from Liverpool Street to Manningtree, arriving 10.55
For walk directions click here.
Oh, I know there are some for whom "never do an Essex walk" is as firm a maxim as "never invade Russia", but this one is an exception. This is the Essex walk which doesn't feel like an Essex walk, and it is lovely at this time of year. Ideally you want a day when white fluffy clouds stack up into an otherwise blue sky, and then you actually feel you are walking in a Constable painting - which you are, because this is the exact scenery (and weather and time of year) that he painted.
If you are in a lazy summer frame of mind, the short cut version of this walk (13.3km/8.5 miles) also has a lot to recommend it. Unlike the main walk it takes you along lovely dreamy watermeadows along the River Stour. Three of us once swum in this and lived to tell the tale (don't drink the water, though: livestock graze on its banks). The main walk avoids this treat, but does take in more Constable painting sites.
Tea is at a National Trust tea room at Flatford Mill, site of Constable's most famous painting, the Haywain, and then there is a pleasant walk across the fields to the station which has (or had when we last looked) a licensed bar and buffet - a bit of a 1970s time warp.
There are lots of trains back to the smoke: at 02, 19 and 53 minutes past (though not at 18.19 for some reason, at least not according to the online timetable). The 02 trains are ten minutes slower: the other ones take one hour.
Arrive back at Liverpool Street and admire the lovely station architecture, a brilliant blend of traditional and modern. There, that wasn't too painful, was it?
Length: 17.3km (10.7 miles) or 13.3km (8.3 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10
10.00 train from Liverpool Street to Manningtree, arriving 10.55
For walk directions click here.
Oh, I know there are some for whom "never do an Essex walk" is as firm a maxim as "never invade Russia", but this one is an exception. This is the Essex walk which doesn't feel like an Essex walk, and it is lovely at this time of year. Ideally you want a day when white fluffy clouds stack up into an otherwise blue sky, and then you actually feel you are walking in a Constable painting - which you are, because this is the exact scenery (and weather and time of year) that he painted.
If you are in a lazy summer frame of mind, the short cut version of this walk (13.3km/8.5 miles) also has a lot to recommend it. Unlike the main walk it takes you along lovely dreamy watermeadows along the River Stour. Three of us once swum in this and lived to tell the tale (don't drink the water, though: livestock graze on its banks). The main walk avoids this treat, but does take in more Constable painting sites.
Tea is at a National Trust tea room at Flatford Mill, site of Constable's most famous painting, the Haywain, and then there is a pleasant walk across the fields to the station which has (or had when we last looked) a licensed bar and buffet - a bit of a 1970s time warp.
There are lots of trains back to the smoke: at 02, 19 and 53 minutes past (though not at 18.19 for some reason, at least not according to the online timetable). The 02 trains are ten minutes slower: the other ones take one hour.
Arrive back at Liverpool Street and admire the lovely station architecture, a brilliant blend of traditional and modern. There, that wasn't too painful, was it?
Friday, 22 July 2016
La Cenerentola at Holland Park Opera
Rossini supposedly wrote this gorgeous comic opera in three weeks when aged just 25 years old. It is his take on the Cinderella story. It is the tale we know, is a delight and makes a perfect outing on a nice summer evening. There are still some tickets left.
Guardian "high camp, modern irony and huge fun" 4 stars
The Stage: 'Glamorous and spirited" 4 stars
To book please click here. Meet at the garden next to the opera marguee (behind the cafe next to the Marquee, there are some benches around the garden) for pre-opera picnic from 6:15pm.
Guardian "high camp, modern irony and huge fun" 4 stars
The Stage: 'Glamorous and spirited" 4 stars
To book please click here. Meet at the garden next to the opera marguee (behind the cafe next to the Marquee, there are some benches around the garden) for pre-opera picnic from 6:15pm.
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
Evening walk - Richmond Park
Richmond Park
Distance: 6.5km
Meet 19:00 prompt in the entrance hall of Richmond station. This is a self-led walk.
L=short.7
Distance: 6.5km
L=short.7
Midweek day walk Marlow to Henley-on-Thames
Marlow to Henley
The Thames Path with a gentle hill in option 1 and Thames Valley meadow land.
Book 2 Walk 8
Length : 16 km or 10 miles
Toughness : 3 out of 10
Getting there : Catch the 9:57 am train from London Paddington to Marlow changing at Maidenhead. (Don't forget that Baker Street tube trains are not stopping at Paddington until mid-August)
FAQ: Does the train stop at Ealing Broadway? Yes it does departing 10:05 am
FAQ: Does the train stop at Ealing Broadway? Yes it does departing 10:05 am
Meeting point : Marlow Station at 11:01
Tickets : There is a Thames Branches Day Ranger for £12-90 with a rail card (which would allow you to travel back via Reading), otherwise I'd suggest a cheap day return to Henley-on-Thames and be prepared to pay for a single from Maidenhead to Marlow
Brief Description
I had hoped to post a Dover to Deal walk, but the trains to that neck of the woods are on the fritz and the replacement bus journeys a wee bit too long.
Anyhow, as it looks like a right scorcher on Wednesday, here's a gentle stroll in the Thames Valley with Old Father Thames providing a pleasant backdrop.
As usual you may find full details here where I've posted option 2 (Marlow to Henley).
This option has two possibilities.
I suggest walkers decide which option best suits the majority at Marlow Station
Anyhow, as it looks like a right scorcher on Wednesday, here's a gentle stroll in the Thames Valley with Old Father Thames providing a pleasant backdrop.
As usual you may find full details here where I've posted option 2 (Marlow to Henley).
This option has two possibilities.
- Via Remenham Hill with Lunch at the Flower Pot
- Via the River Path with Lunch at the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden
I suggest walkers decide which option best suits the majority at Marlow Station
Suggested Lunch stops
Suggested Tea stop
The ever popular Chocolate Theatre Café in Henley t:01491 411 412
Maps
Return train times
Trains return from Henley-on-Thames to Paddington at the following times ...
16:20 | 17:09 | 17:46* | 18:17 * via Reading
You will need to change at Twyford
16:20 | 17:09 | 17:46* | 18:17 * via Reading
You will need to change at Twyford
Sunday, 17 July 2016
Penshurst manor and the rolling Kent countryside
Download walk 235a Penshurst circular
Length 13.7km (8.5m); toughness 3/10.
Trains
There is no record of this circular variant being posted before so lets give this gentle walk which explores the rolling countryside around Penshurst with its medieval manor house and formal gardens an outing.
Click here for more details about the walk and the lunch options. Scroll down the page for walk options and click on a) for the directions for this particular walk variation.
T=swc.235.aSuperb South Downs excursion
Download walk 90 - Berwick to
Seaford
Length
21.1km (13.1m); toughness 7/10 or short version 14.9km; 9.3m
Trains
Return
trains from Seaford at xx:27 and xx:57, changing at Lewes or Brighton for connecting trains back to London . (You can also catch a bus from
just outside Seaford station to Brighton .)
A day
return for Berwick should be ok for Seaford to Lewes
An
early start for this superb downland walk offering climbs up two beautiful
hills with panoramic views.
See the
walk’s pages here for details about shortening the walk (catch a
bus at Exceat) and the various pub lunch opportunities. Click on download walk
pdf at top of the page for full walk instructions
Saturday, 16 July 2016
Saturday Third Walk - Book 1 Walk 26 Shelford to Cambridge
4 pubs to choose from, a lovely tea room, the River Cam and the Cambridge Colleges
Length:
23.5 km (14.6 mi)
Ascent/Descent:
90m; Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness:
3/10
Take
the 09.28 Cambridge train from Liverpool Street, arrives Shelford 10.44.
Return
trains are up to 6 per hour, journey time from 48 mins to KGX, and from 70 mins
to LST.
Buy
a Cambridge Return (any route
permitted, to retain the flexibility to return on a fast train).
A
much neglected Book 1 walk (last posted June 13, apparently). As always with Book 1 walks: use the directions from the website, not the book.
This
walk is long and flat and gets better as the day progresses after a somewhat
dull morning: the route into Cambridge is lovely, particularly after
Grantchester.
Near
the start, to lessen the amount of road walking, you may
take what is now a “Permissive Path” along a farm track besides the River Cam,
from Little Shelford to Hauxton Church: you no longer need the farmer’s written
permission in advance to walk along this path, as in bygone times. The
route then passes through the village of Hauxton, with its interesting church,
then on to Haslingfield for lunch. From there you head to Grantchester and tea
in the Orchard tearooms before walking besides the River Cam into Cambridge. The
walk finishes with a tour through Cambridge colleges. Your
tarmac count will be high, you may prefer
to wear well cushioned trainers instead of walking boots.
The
early lunch stop is The
Little Rose
in Haslingfield (8.3 km/5.2 mi), as
of 07/14 under new management and a Freehouse.
A
late lunch is possible in
Grantchester (14.3 km/9.0 mi) at either The Rupert Brooke (food to 14.30) or The Red Lion (food all
day) or The
Green Man (food to 15.00).
The
highly recommended tea stop in
Grantchester is The
Orchard Tea Gardens (14.9 km/9.3 mi).
Lots
of choice in Cambridge City Centre, plus some kiosks on Cambridge Station selling
coffee and tea.
T=1.26
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)