Verdi wrote Il trovatore hot on the heels of Rigoletto, and its premiere came a scant two months before that of La traviata. But Il trovatore, while no less popular than its neighbours, is quite different. Come and find out more. Tickets from £9. To book, please click here.
Eating venues in Covent Garden are likely to be busy. I plan to book a table. If you wish to attend pre-opera F&B and have not told Lucilla you are coming to the opera, please email swcsocialATgooglemailDOTcom and reserve a place by Jan 25 latest. (It is likely to be a reasonably priced restaurant nearby, e.g. Zizzi).
Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Sunday, 29 January 2017
A varied High Weald walk
Free walk 19a Frant to Tunbridge Wells (short walk)
Distance 15km (9.3m)
Toughness 4/10.
Trains: 10.01 London Bridge
Buy a day return to Frant.
This is a varied High Weald walk that takes you through Eridge park. Full details about the walk can be found here. Be sure to click on option a to get the walk directions for this short walk option.
The North Downs near London
Free walk 2 Woldingham to Oxted (Main walk)
Distance 16.75km (10.4m). Toughness 5/10
Trains 09.53London Victoria East Croydon 10.09) arrives Woldingham 10.25. Return trains from Oxted are at xx:28 and xx:58 mins past the hour. Buy a day return to Oxted.
(Southern Rail states this service should be unaffected by RMT action so fingers crossed!)
This is a lovely walk with lots of interest and close toLondon North Downs Way Greensand Way
Note: for the directions for the main walk remember to clickMain Walk via Godstone 16¾ km option
Distance 16.75km (10.4m). Toughness 5/10
Trains 09.53
(Southern Rail states this service should be unaffected by RMT action so fingers crossed!)
This is a lovely walk with lots of interest and close to
Note: for the directions for the main walk remember to click
Saturday, 28 January 2017
Saturday walk - Henley hills and woods
Book 2 Walk 6a - Henley via Stonor short walk
Length: 14.8km (8.8 miles) - with possible extension to 18.5km (11.1 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10
9.50 train from Paddington (9.58 Ealing Broadway) to Twyford, arrive 10.43, changing there for the 10.50 to Henley-upon-Thames, arriving 11.02.
Buy a day return to Henley-upon-Thames (NOT Henley-in-Arden)
For walk directions click here - these have significant updates since the book was published.
This lovely short walk in the hills above Henley was posted on a Sunday 13 days ago, but it was a very wet day and there were no reports of anyone doing the walk. Let's hope for better weather conditions this time.
This short version of the walk takes you up onto the Oxfordshire Way across pleasant parkland and fields to Middle Assendon, where the Rainbow Inn is your lunchtime pub. This is a homely pub, seemingly run by a husband and wife couple, so try not to arrive there in a great big mob. Your reward is good hearty food.
After lunch a walk up quiet lanes joins you to the ending of the main Henley via Stonor walk. There has been a new path made through Lambridge Wood as you approach Henley and the online version of the walk reflects that: if you try to use older versions you will get confused. In Henley the lovely Chocolate Cafe is the tea stop.
If it is still light and you want an extension to the walk, the lovely stroll on down the riverside to Marsh Lock (about 1km each way) is recommended. Or you can carry on beyond the lock on the Thames Path to Shiplake station (3.7km/2.3 miles from Henley - this is the 18.5km/11.8 mile version of the walk). There are no written directions for either of these options but you are following the well-waymarked Thames Path.
Trains back from Henley are at 24 past (Shiplake is served by the same train 4 minutes later)
Length: 14.8km (8.8 miles) - with possible extension to 18.5km (11.1 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10
9.50 train from Paddington (9.58 Ealing Broadway) to Twyford, arrive 10.43, changing there for the 10.50 to Henley-upon-Thames, arriving 11.02.
Buy a day return to Henley-upon-Thames (NOT Henley-in-Arden)
For walk directions click here - these have significant updates since the book was published.
This lovely short walk in the hills above Henley was posted on a Sunday 13 days ago, but it was a very wet day and there were no reports of anyone doing the walk. Let's hope for better weather conditions this time.
This short version of the walk takes you up onto the Oxfordshire Way across pleasant parkland and fields to Middle Assendon, where the Rainbow Inn is your lunchtime pub. This is a homely pub, seemingly run by a husband and wife couple, so try not to arrive there in a great big mob. Your reward is good hearty food.
After lunch a walk up quiet lanes joins you to the ending of the main Henley via Stonor walk. There has been a new path made through Lambridge Wood as you approach Henley and the online version of the walk reflects that: if you try to use older versions you will get confused. In Henley the lovely Chocolate Cafe is the tea stop.
If it is still light and you want an extension to the walk, the lovely stroll on down the riverside to Marsh Lock (about 1km each way) is recommended. Or you can carry on beyond the lock on the Thames Path to Shiplake station (3.7km/2.3 miles from Henley - this is the 18.5km/11.8 mile version of the walk). There are no written directions for either of these options but you are following the well-waymarked Thames Path.
Trains back from Henley are at 24 past (Shiplake is served by the same train 4 minutes later)
Yalding to Borough Green via West Peckham
t=1.50
Length: 16 km (10 m)
Toughness: 3 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:15 from London Charing Cross, change at Tonbridge to arrive at Yalding at 10:19. Return trains from Borough Green at xx:24 and xx:51.
I chose the route via West Peckham since I have good memories of the pub there. They are usually quite busy on a Saturday so booking would be recommended. Let's hope the weather stays as freezing as during the last few days so that the potentially quite muddy sections remain frozen.
From the description:
This is an easy walk through the woods and fields of the Kent countryside, without too much in the way of hills. You will, however, need gumboots in muddy weather. The walk starts beside the River Medway, follows the Greensand Way to Roydon Hall (once the self-styled Maharishi's 'Capital of the Age of Enlightenment') and then goes on to the lunch stop in west Peckham. After lunch, the walk is principally through the vast Mereworth Woods (very muddy in winter) on the Wealdway, then up following a stream to Borough Green.
Saturday Walk - South Downs Way Section 1: Winchester to West Meon or Hinton Ampner
Length: 26.0 km (16.2 mi) [shorter walk possible, see
below]
Ascent/Descent:
420/395m
Net
Walking Time: 6 hours
Toughness:
7 out of 10
Take
the 08.35 Weymouth train from Waterloo (CJ 08.44, Woking 09.04), arrives
Winchester 09.41.
From
the finish you need to take a bus back to Winchester: Line
67 Petersfield – Winchester (West Meon 16.53, Hinton Ampner 17.04,
arrives Winchester 17.41).
Return
trains: into
Paddington via Reading (faster: 75 mins) at 18.03, 18.36, 19.36…, into Waterloo (slower: 105 mins) at 17.48, 18.18, 18.48, 19.18…Buy a Winchester return.
First
posting of this (map-led) South Downs challenge.
The
route leads through the centre of the historic Cathedral City and across the Itchen
River up to the westerly end of the South Downs: the first tops are Telegraph Hill and the lovingly named Cheesefoot Head, then progress through Temple Valley and Gander Down to early lunch at a (basic) pub in Beauworth. After
that it’s not long to Beacon Hill
(one of the many), followed by a descent to Exton village for the late lunch option, and then to turn north
east for a slight re-ascent along a dismantled railway line and a final drop
into the Meon Valley for the bus
back to Winchester.
There
is only one realistic bus back (but also a pub open all afternoon to while away
the time in), so if unexpectedly running late against schedule, two shortcuts are possible, either to
Hinton Ampner (turnoff after 15.7 km), or on a more direct route to West Meon
(turnoff after 18.4 km), check out the route map here.
Missed
that bus? You have to take the same bus line in the other
direction to Petersfield (Hinton Ampner 18.28, West Meon 18.41).
Petersfield is on a different train line, though…!
Lunch: The Milbury's (food to 14.30) in Beauworth (14.7 km/9.1 mi) or
The
Shoe Inn in Exton (20.7 km/12.9 mi, food to 15.00, so doable, unless
the gpx file on our site understates the ascent en route dramatically). Tea: The Thomas Lord in West
Meon or The Hinton Arms in Hinton Ampner and plenty of options in Winchester.
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Wednesday Walk - Buxted Circular
"Some hae meat an canna eat, And some wad eat than want it, But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit."
...a free drink for anyone turning up in a kilt (or at least a 'See you Jimmy'-hat), or reciting a Rabbie Burns poem...
Length: 16.7 km (10.4 mi)
Ascent/Descent:
390m
Net
Walking Time: 4 ½ - 5 hours
Toughness:
5 out of 10
Take
the 10.08 Uckfield train from
London Bridge (East Croydon 10.23),
arrives Buxted 11.16.
Return
trains:
16.37, 17.07 (to VIC, chg Hurst Green), 17.36, 18.02 (to VIC, chg Hurst Green), 18.36, 19.04…
This
is a gentle walk over a mix of fields and woods from a quiet station on the
Uckfield Line in East Sussex. There are views of the distant South Downs ridge
for most of the walk.
Lunch: The Crow and Gate in Poundgate, Crowborough (8.7 km/5.4 mi, food all day, judging
by the online booking options).
For walk directions, map, height profile, some photos, a video and gpx/kml files click here.t=swc.95
Next Week: SWC Walk 1a Lenham to Hollingbourne
Sunday, 22 January 2017
Burnham Beeches, the Thames and Stanley Spencer
Book 1 Walk 40 – Gerrards Cross to Cookham or Marlow
Length: 15.4km (9.6 miles) or 21.8km (13.5 miles) Toughness: 2/10 or 3/10
10:43Banbury train fromMarylebone arriving at Gerrards Cross at 11:02.
Return trains from Marlow to Paddington, changing at Maidenhead, are at xx:01, calling at Cookham 15 minutes later. (total journey time 1 hour 19 mins). The connecting trains from Maidenhead call at Ealing Broadway.
The start and finish stations are on different lines so best advice is to get an All Zones Travelcard and buy singles from or to the boundary of Zone 6 for each leg of the journey.
This is a pleasant and fairly easy walk through Bulstrode Park and Burnham Beeches to the Thames at Cookham, with an opportunity to visit the Stanley Spencer gallery. If you arrive there by about 3:45pm, you could extend the walk by 3.5 miles by taking the Thames Path to Marlow which you should reach before daylight fails if you don’t dally.
Both the Jolly Woodman (tel 01753 644 350) and the Blackwood Arms (tel 01753 645 672) at Littleworth Common have been recommended for the lunch stop.
The walk directions can be found on the Book 1 Walk 40 page, or can be downloaded as a PDF here, but you’ll need the actual book for the map.
Length: 15.4km (9.6 miles) or 21.8km (13.5 miles) Toughness: 2/10 or 3/10
10:43Banbury train fromMarylebone arriving at Gerrards Cross at 11:02.
Return trains from Marlow to Paddington, changing at Maidenhead, are at xx:01, calling at Cookham 15 minutes later. (total journey time 1 hour 19 mins). The connecting trains from Maidenhead call at Ealing Broadway.
The start and finish stations are on different lines so best advice is to get an All Zones Travelcard and buy singles from or to the boundary of Zone 6 for each leg of the journey.
This is a pleasant and fairly easy walk through Bulstrode Park and Burnham Beeches to the Thames at Cookham, with an opportunity to visit the Stanley Spencer gallery. If you arrive there by about 3:45pm, you could extend the walk by 3.5 miles by taking the Thames Path to Marlow which you should reach before daylight fails if you don’t dally.
Both the Jolly Woodman (tel 01753 644 350) and the Blackwood Arms (tel 01753 645 672) at Littleworth Common have been recommended for the lunch stop.
The walk directions can be found on the Book 1 Walk 40 page, or can be downloaded as a PDF here, but you’ll need the actual book for the map.
London's Green Belt in Kent, and Charles Darwin
SWC Walk 82 – Hayes to Knockholt
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) Toughness: 4 out of 10
10:15 Hayes train from Charing Cross arriving Hayes at 10:59.
Return trains from Knockholt to Charing Cross, changing at Orpington, are at xx:28 and xx:58 (journey time 51 minutes).
Both stations are within London Travelcard Zone 6
This is a fine rural walk through fields, woods and valleys in London’s ‘Green Belt’, with an opportunity to visit Charles Darwin’s home.
The recommended lunchtime stop is the Blacksmith’s Arms in Cudham (01959 572678), though an earlier stop at the Queen’s Head or the George and Dragon in Downe is also possible. The suggested tea place is Arthur’s Coffee Shop in Coolings Nurseries, 2.5 km from the end of the walk.
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) Toughness: 4 out of 10
10:15 Hayes train from Charing Cross arriving Hayes at 10:59.
Return trains from Knockholt to Charing Cross, changing at Orpington, are at xx:28 and xx:58 (journey time 51 minutes).
Both stations are within London Travelcard Zone 6
This is a fine rural walk through fields, woods and valleys in London’s ‘Green Belt’, with an opportunity to visit Charles Darwin’s home.
The recommended lunchtime stop is the Blacksmith’s Arms in Cudham (01959 572678), though an earlier stop at the Queen’s Head or the George and Dragon in Downe is also possible. The suggested tea place is Arthur’s Coffee Shop in Coolings Nurseries, 2.5 km from the end of the walk.
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
Saturday, 21 January 2017
Saturday Walk – An urban stroll through London's Northern Heights
Extra Walk 257 – Highgate to Hampstead
Length: 13½ km (8.4 miles), with many ways to shorten. Toughness: 3/10
Take a Northern line tube (High Barnet branch) to arrive at Highgate by 10:45. Turn left past the ticket barriers to meet by the Priory Gardens exit.
Extended Walk option: 17¼ km (10.7 miles): Make your way to Finsbury Park station and set off from there no later than 10:00. The route takes you through Highgate station where you'll be able to join the main group if you don't dawdle.
As a respite from muddy fields I thought I'd offer this urban stroll through the leafy suburbs of London's ‘Northern Heights’, taking in the distinctive architecture of Hampstead Garden Suburb and the wide expanse of Hampstead Heath. You can get a pub lunch halfway round at the Old Bull & Bush in North End and could visit Kenwood House in the afternoon (free entry).
You'll need to print the walk directions and maps from the Extra Walk 257 page. There are many places where you can shorten the walk if you want to finish early. T=swc.257
Length: 13½ km (8.4 miles), with many ways to shorten. Toughness: 3/10
Take a Northern line tube (High Barnet branch) to arrive at Highgate by 10:45. Turn left past the ticket barriers to meet by the Priory Gardens exit.
Extended Walk option: 17¼ km (10.7 miles): Make your way to Finsbury Park station and set off from there no later than 10:00. The route takes you through Highgate station where you'll be able to join the main group if you don't dawdle.
As a respite from muddy fields I thought I'd offer this urban stroll through the leafy suburbs of London's ‘Northern Heights’, taking in the distinctive architecture of Hampstead Garden Suburb and the wide expanse of Hampstead Heath. You can get a pub lunch halfway round at the Old Bull & Bush in North End and could visit Kenwood House in the afternoon (free entry).
You'll need to print the walk directions and maps from the Extra Walk 257 page. There are many places where you can shorten the walk if you want to finish early. T=swc.257
Saturday Walk - Borough Green to Sevenoaks
Borough Green to Sevenoaks T=1.36
Length: 9.3 miles (15km) approx 4 hours walking
This walk passes Igtham Mote and Knole Palace (both National Trust). The walk start in Borough Green, and goes south through woods and along streams to the old village of Plaxtol with its Cromwellian church. Then through the park of Fairlawne House to Ightham Mote, a beautiful moated medieval manor. You could probably manage a quick visit, aiming to leave by 14:30.
The route onwards is up a potentially muddy bridleway (hopefully the cold weather will help), through orchards and along shaded woodland paths leading to the 1,000-acre Knole Park, then up by footpaths to tea in Sevenoaks, with the station some way downhill from the centre.
Trains: Get the 0952 Southeast train to Ashford from Victoria, arriving 1037. Return to Borough Green & Wrotham. Sevenoaks has frequent trains to London Bridge & Charing Cross, some much faster than others.
Lunch: National Trust at Ightham Mote (open 10:00 to 15:30). You do not need to pay the entrance fee to use the restaurant. You could also divert to the Chaser Inn, Shipbourne (tel 01732 811 168) for a 'gastro' pub lunch.
Tea: There are various options, but there doesn't seem to be a recommended pub, Two possibilities are The Anchor in London Road, on the most direct route to the station, or at the end of the High Street is The Sennockian (Wetherspoons) just before you turn down pembrooke Road.
Length: 9.3 miles (15km) approx 4 hours walking
This walk passes Igtham Mote and Knole Palace (both National Trust). The walk start in Borough Green, and goes south through woods and along streams to the old village of Plaxtol with its Cromwellian church. Then through the park of Fairlawne House to Ightham Mote, a beautiful moated medieval manor. You could probably manage a quick visit, aiming to leave by 14:30.
The route onwards is up a potentially muddy bridleway (hopefully the cold weather will help), through orchards and along shaded woodland paths leading to the 1,000-acre Knole Park, then up by footpaths to tea in Sevenoaks, with the station some way downhill from the centre.
Trains: Get the 0952 Southeast train to Ashford from Victoria, arriving 1037. Return to Borough Green & Wrotham. Sevenoaks has frequent trains to London Bridge & Charing Cross, some much faster than others.
Lunch: National Trust at Ightham Mote (open 10:00 to 15:30). You do not need to pay the entrance fee to use the restaurant. You could also divert to the Chaser Inn, Shipbourne (tel 01732 811 168) for a 'gastro' pub lunch.
Tea: There are various options, but there doesn't seem to be a recommended pub, Two possibilities are The Anchor in London Road, on the most direct route to the station, or at the end of the High Street is The Sennockian (Wetherspoons) just before you turn down pembrooke Road.
Woods, canals, castles and an attractive Hampshire town
SWC walk 84 - Hook to Winchfield
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) - with possible extension to 19km (11.8 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10
9.42 train from Waterloo (9.52 Clapham Junction) to Hook, arriving 11.01.
If you just miss this train, get the 9.50 Exeter train from Waterloo (9.59 Clapham Junction) and change at Woking (arrive 10.23, depart 10.32)
Buy a day return to Hook.
For walk directions click here. Click "Main" under the map before printing to eliminate unneeded directions.
This walk has not been done since August 2015. It feels lonely and unloved!
It features stretches both morning and afternoon along a canal, which has the benefit of making navigation easy (and being less muddy???). Other features of the walk include the crossing of Hook Common, the ruined Odiham Castle, a picturesque hunting lodge and the town of Odiham itself, with its Georgian-fronted High Street.
Those Georgians loved their lunch pubs, because Odiham seems to have several, along with restaurants and coffee shops: so hopefully we will not starve.
I am suggesting the 16km (9.9 mile) Shorter Walk today, omitting the Dogmersfield Loop.
If you do decide to do the Loop - the 19km (11.8 mile) version of the walk - you will find one section of the canal path closed for repairs. However, the Basingstoke Canal Authority says there is a signed diversion through the village of Dogmersfield, which will probably add a bit to the walk length, but hopefully not much.
Tea is at the Winchfield Inn.
Trains back from Winchfield are at 05 and 35 past. Due to engineering works you have to change at Woking, which extends the total journey time to Waterloo slightly to 1hr 22 minutes. If you linger in the pub, the 19.35 seems to be a direct train, however, taking just 1hr.
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) - with possible extension to 19km (11.8 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10
9.42 train from Waterloo (9.52 Clapham Junction) to Hook, arriving 11.01.
If you just miss this train, get the 9.50 Exeter train from Waterloo (9.59 Clapham Junction) and change at Woking (arrive 10.23, depart 10.32)
Buy a day return to Hook.
For walk directions click here. Click "Main" under the map before printing to eliminate unneeded directions.
This walk has not been done since August 2015. It feels lonely and unloved!
It features stretches both morning and afternoon along a canal, which has the benefit of making navigation easy (and being less muddy???). Other features of the walk include the crossing of Hook Common, the ruined Odiham Castle, a picturesque hunting lodge and the town of Odiham itself, with its Georgian-fronted High Street.
Those Georgians loved their lunch pubs, because Odiham seems to have several, along with restaurants and coffee shops: so hopefully we will not starve.
I am suggesting the 16km (9.9 mile) Shorter Walk today, omitting the Dogmersfield Loop.
If you do decide to do the Loop - the 19km (11.8 mile) version of the walk - you will find one section of the canal path closed for repairs. However, the Basingstoke Canal Authority says there is a signed diversion through the village of Dogmersfield, which will probably add a bit to the walk length, but hopefully not much.
Tea is at the Winchfield Inn.
Trains back from Winchfield are at 05 and 35 past. Due to engineering works you have to change at Woking, which extends the total journey time to Waterloo slightly to 1hr 22 minutes. If you linger in the pub, the 19.35 seems to be a direct train, however, taking just 1hr.
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Wednesday Walk - Watts Gallery and Chapel, Compton and then beside the River Wey to Godalming
Book 1, Walk 2 - Wanborough to Godalming
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10
Options to extend to Guildford or mix and match with Book 2 walks available
London Waterloo: 10-15 hrs (Haslemere train) CJ 10-22 hrs
Arrive Guildford: 10-50 hrs
Leave Guildford: 11-00 hrs (Ascot train)
Arrive Wanborough: 11-06 hrs
Return: Godalming to Waterloo: 15-25, 15-51, 16-25, 16-38 and 16-51
or from Guildford to Waterloo- frequent trains
Rail ticket: Buy a day return to Wanborough plus a single from Godalming to Guildford (if returning from Godalming)
A short winter's main walk today but one which contains lots of variety and places of interest. Shortly after leaving Wanborough station the walk proceeds along an (often) soggy or waterlogged path across fields to Wanborough Church, then it's a steady incline through a strip of woodland to cross the busy A31 road. Onwards then through a vineyard and along the North Downs Way to Watts Gallery (worth a visit) where an early lunch can be taken in the Gallery's excellent cafe. Nearby is the Watts Chapel (also worth a visit) for those who like or dislike art nouveau. You then walk past a farm and along paths which skirt woodland to Compton and to your suggested lunch stop at the popular Withies Inn. Please phone ahead with numbers: 01483-421158
After lunch your route takes you through more woodland and across fields before you walk beside the River Wey into Godalming for tea at Cafe Mila or one of the other establishments in the town.
Although today's walk is short in length, most SWC walkers find it quite sufficient and enjoyable for a winter's outing. However, if you are one of our "I don't get out of bed for less than 12 miles" walkers, you can "go long" today and continue the walk from Godalming by disappearing into the fading light on a route march along the Wey Navigation towards Guildford.
T=1.2
Walk Directions here L=1.2
Next Week: Wednesday, 25 January: SWC Walk 7 - Knockholt Circular
[Comments on this post have been hidden. Apologies to all who commented, *especially* the un-anonymous ones -- Andrew]
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Toughness: 2 out of 10
Options to extend to Guildford or mix and match with Book 2 walks available
London Waterloo: 10-15 hrs (Haslemere train) CJ 10-22 hrs
Arrive Guildford: 10-50 hrs
Leave Guildford: 11-00 hrs (Ascot train)
Arrive Wanborough: 11-06 hrs
Return: Godalming to Waterloo: 15-25, 15-51, 16-25, 16-38 and 16-51
or from Guildford to Waterloo- frequent trains
Rail ticket: Buy a day return to Wanborough plus a single from Godalming to Guildford (if returning from Godalming)
A short winter's main walk today but one which contains lots of variety and places of interest. Shortly after leaving Wanborough station the walk proceeds along an (often) soggy or waterlogged path across fields to Wanborough Church, then it's a steady incline through a strip of woodland to cross the busy A31 road. Onwards then through a vineyard and along the North Downs Way to Watts Gallery (worth a visit) where an early lunch can be taken in the Gallery's excellent cafe. Nearby is the Watts Chapel (also worth a visit) for those who like or dislike art nouveau. You then walk past a farm and along paths which skirt woodland to Compton and to your suggested lunch stop at the popular Withies Inn. Please phone ahead with numbers: 01483-421158
After lunch your route takes you through more woodland and across fields before you walk beside the River Wey into Godalming for tea at Cafe Mila or one of the other establishments in the town.
Although today's walk is short in length, most SWC walkers find it quite sufficient and enjoyable for a winter's outing. However, if you are one of our "I don't get out of bed for less than 12 miles" walkers, you can "go long" today and continue the walk from Godalming by disappearing into the fading light on a route march along the Wey Navigation towards Guildford.
T=1.2
Walk Directions here L=1.2
Next Week: Wednesday, 25 January: SWC Walk 7 - Knockholt Circular
[Comments on this post have been hidden. Apologies to all who commented, *especially* the un-anonymous ones -- Andrew]
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Sunday Walk 2: The Chilterns near Henley
Henley Circular via Middle Assendon
A shorter version of the Stonor Circular: Book 2 walk 6
14 km 8.8 ml
Difficulty 6/10
This short version of the book 2 classic doesn't go as far as Stonor but still has impressive Chiltern views.
Lunch: the Rainbow in Middle Assendon (01491-574879). Give them a ring.
Tea: Henley has plenty of tea places and pubs.
The Chocolate Theatre Cafe (01491-411412) comes recommended. Open 9-5:30 daily.
Trains: Get the 09:45 Oxford train from Paddington (Ealing Broadway 09:53). Change at Twyford for the Henley train (arr 10:36 dep 10:43 platform 5) arr Henley 10:55.
Return trains at xx:07 changing at Twyford.
Get a return to Henley on Thames.
If you would usually walk to Paddington from the Central Line, note that Lancaster Gate station is closed for refurbishment.
Walk Directions are available online. They were updated to give clearer directions through the wood near the end. The short walk is option (a)
T=2.6
A shorter version of the Stonor Circular: Book 2 walk 6
14 km 8.8 ml
Difficulty 6/10
This short version of the book 2 classic doesn't go as far as Stonor but still has impressive Chiltern views.
Lunch: the Rainbow in Middle Assendon (01491-574879). Give them a ring.
Tea: Henley has plenty of tea places and pubs.
The Chocolate Theatre Cafe (01491-411412) comes recommended. Open 9-5:30 daily.
Trains: Get the 09:45 Oxford train from Paddington (Ealing Broadway 09:53). Change at Twyford for the Henley train (arr 10:36 dep 10:43 platform 5) arr Henley 10:55.
Return trains at xx:07 changing at Twyford.
Get a return to Henley on Thames.
If you would usually walk to Paddington from the Central Line, note that Lancaster Gate station is closed for refurbishment.
Walk Directions are available online. They were updated to give clearer directions through the wood near the end. The short walk is option (a)
T=2.6
Sunday walk 1: A Short Circular in Kent
Hollingbourne Short Walk, SWC walk 253 (omitting Hucking Estate )
(13¼ km) 8.25 miles
Difficulty, 4/10
A section of the North Downs Way, the edge of the Hucking estate and a circuit of Leeds Castle grounds before heading back back to Hollingbourne.
Lunch
The Dirty Habit (01622-880880) in Upper Street after 5¼ km It has a quiet patio area at the back and serves excellent though rather pricey food all day at weekends.
Tea
There are two pubs in Eyhorne Street. The Windmill (01622-889000) is an up-market pub/restaurant, while the Sugar Loaves (01622-880220) is a more traditional village pub, serving food all day.
On the way back from the castle grounds a short detour down the A20 would take you to the Park Gate Inn (01622-880985), a Vintage Inns pub.
Trains: 09:36 Canterbury West train from London Victoria arriving Hollingbourne at 10:49
Trains return at xx:07
Directions: here - choose option (a)
T=swc.253
(13¼ km) 8.25 miles
Difficulty, 4/10
A section of the North Downs Way, the edge of the Hucking estate and a circuit of Leeds Castle grounds before heading back back to Hollingbourne.
Lunch
The Dirty Habit (01622-880880) in Upper Street after 5¼ km It has a quiet patio area at the back and serves excellent though rather pricey food all day at weekends.
Tea
There are two pubs in Eyhorne Street. The Windmill (01622-889000) is an up-market pub/restaurant, while the Sugar Loaves (01622-880220) is a more traditional village pub, serving food all day.
On the way back from the castle grounds a short detour down the A20 would take you to the Park Gate Inn (01622-880985), a Vintage Inns pub.
Trains: 09:36 Canterbury West train from London Victoria arriving Hollingbourne at 10:49
Trains return at xx:07
Directions: here - choose option (a)
T=swc.253
Saturday, 14 January 2017
Saturday Second Walk - Hertfordshire hills
SWC Walk 69 - Welwyn Circular
Length: 17.1km (11 miles) - or 19.6km (12.5 miles) with diversion to alternative lunch pub.
Toughness: 2 out of 10
10.04 train from Kings Cross (10.10 Finsbury Park) to Welwyn Garden City, arriving 10.31.
There is also a 9.34 stopping train from Moorgate which calls at all sorts of stops in North London, arriving 10.23
Buy a day return to Welwyn Garden City.
For walk directions click here.
There are two esoteric treats at the start of this walk: getting a train that starts from Kings Cross and walking through the heart of Welwyn Garden City, planned in the 1920s as a better way of living: not uninteresting to look at.
You are pretty quickly out into the rurality, however and walking first along the River Lea and then over gentle Hertfordshire Hills up to Ayot St Lawrence, where George Bernard Shaw made his home. Sadly being winter, you can't visit his house (now NT) but the village apparently has two interesting churches.
Lunch is either in Ayot St Lawrence or via a 2.5km/1.5 mile diversion earlier in the walk at a "more traditional" (= "Sky Sports") pub in Wheathampstead. The Ayot one candidly looks nicer, but it might be worth phoning at the start of the walk to check it has space before you rely on it.
Tea is either at a pub just before you enter Welwyn 2.4km/1.5 miles from the walk end, or at various cafes in Welwyn (if nothing else, the Costa Coffee is open until 7pm).
Trains back are at 23 and 53 past for fast trains to Finsbury Park and Kings Cross - 03 and 33 past for the stopping service to Moorgate
Length: 17.1km (11 miles) - or 19.6km (12.5 miles) with diversion to alternative lunch pub.
Toughness: 2 out of 10
10.04 train from Kings Cross (10.10 Finsbury Park) to Welwyn Garden City, arriving 10.31.
There is also a 9.34 stopping train from Moorgate which calls at all sorts of stops in North London, arriving 10.23
Buy a day return to Welwyn Garden City.
For walk directions click here.
There are two esoteric treats at the start of this walk: getting a train that starts from Kings Cross and walking through the heart of Welwyn Garden City, planned in the 1920s as a better way of living: not uninteresting to look at.
You are pretty quickly out into the rurality, however and walking first along the River Lea and then over gentle Hertfordshire Hills up to Ayot St Lawrence, where George Bernard Shaw made his home. Sadly being winter, you can't visit his house (now NT) but the village apparently has two interesting churches.
Lunch is either in Ayot St Lawrence or via a 2.5km/1.5 mile diversion earlier in the walk at a "more traditional" (= "Sky Sports") pub in Wheathampstead. The Ayot one candidly looks nicer, but it might be worth phoning at the start of the walk to check it has space before you rely on it.
Tea is either at a pub just before you enter Welwyn 2.4km/1.5 miles from the walk end, or at various cafes in Welwyn (if nothing else, the Costa Coffee is open until 7pm).
Trains back are at 23 and 53 past for fast trains to Finsbury Park and Kings Cross - 03 and 33 past for the stopping service to Moorgate
Third walk
20b Robertsbridge to Battle
Length: 17.2 km (10.7 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Catch the 10:00 from Charing Cross (Waterloo 10:03 London Bridge 10:08) arrives Robertsbridge 11:34.
Longer walk option start at Etchingham: 22.2 km (13.8 miles). 3/10. Catch the 9:00 train from Charing Cross (Waterloo 9:03 London Bridge 9:08) arrives Etchingham 10:30.
Shorter walk option 20a Robertsbridge Circular: 14 km (8.7 miles) 1/10
Buy a day return to Battle (unless taking the short circular walk from Robertsbridge).
Return: Bus from Battle to connect with Robertsbridge train x:24 xx:54 18:54 xx:54 until 21:54, journey time 13 minutes.
Return trains from Robertsbridge xx:17 xx:47 19:17 xx:17 until 22:17
The intention is to stop at the The Cross Inn, Staplecross for lunch rather than the later pub at Seddlescombe. The Cross Inn caters for dining vs. the odd cheese roll of past times.
Important Note: Immediately after the Cross Inn, ensure you take the straightforward route (as marked by [I] in the directions dated 11 Jan 2017), which avoids the ongoing earthworks, poor waymarking. There is a right of way but it is not at all clear and possibly not helped by the odd local resident. (Too late in the day to get onto the local rights of way officer in Lewes, but I will be checking the situation out after lunch and getting in touch with the local rights of way officer should there still be a problem.) Thanks to Walker - ref. Walk Comments page - for the alternative route which will save a lot of hassle on the day.
For the main walk 20b Robertsbridge to Battle print out pages 1,6,7, 9-14, 17.
For the Shorter walk option 20a Robertsbridge Circular print out pages 1, 5-9, 17.
For the Longer walk option in addition to the pages for 20b, download the Wadhurst Long Walk option and print out pages 9 and 10. To link up with this walk section from Etchingham station head NE (away from Etchingham) along the main A265 road. After 400m, fork left up a minor road. In 180 m you pass by a Primary School on your LHS. In a further 400m pass by a lane off to your L. In 250m turn right at an easily missed enclosed footpath (marked by a yellow arrow on a footpath post to the left of the footpath entrance), your direction 160 degrees. to pick up the directions from [L5]. Once you arrive in Robertsbridge, pass by The Seven Star pub on your LHS and continue up George Hill. Immediately past a small bookshop on your left (and with the war memorial / clock tower on your right), turn left to pick up the directions page 7, 1st col, para 3 "Follow this fenced-in footpath, ignoring a left turn off after 160 metres...."
*** Alternatively for a shorter more direct route from Etchingham to Robertsbridge SWC 208d option in reverse.*** T=2.20
Length: 17.2 km (10.7 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Catch the 10:00 from Charing Cross (Waterloo 10:03 London Bridge 10:08) arrives Robertsbridge 11:34.
Longer walk option start at Etchingham: 22.2 km (13.8 miles). 3/10. Catch the 9:00 train from Charing Cross (Waterloo 9:03 London Bridge 9:08) arrives Etchingham 10:30.
Shorter walk option 20a Robertsbridge Circular: 14 km (8.7 miles) 1/10
Buy a day return to Battle (unless taking the short circular walk from Robertsbridge).
Return: Bus from Battle to connect with Robertsbridge train x:24 xx:54 18:54 xx:54 until 21:54, journey time 13 minutes.
Return trains from Robertsbridge xx:17 xx:47 19:17 xx:17 until 22:17
The intention is to stop at the The Cross Inn, Staplecross for lunch rather than the later pub at Seddlescombe. The Cross Inn caters for dining vs. the odd cheese roll of past times.
Important Note: Immediately after the Cross Inn, ensure you take the straightforward route (as marked by [I] in the directions dated 11 Jan 2017), which avoids the ongoing earthworks, poor waymarking. There is a right of way but it is not at all clear and possibly not helped by the odd local resident. (Too late in the day to get onto the local rights of way officer in Lewes, but I will be checking the situation out after lunch and getting in touch with the local rights of way officer should there still be a problem.) Thanks to Walker - ref. Walk Comments page - for the alternative route which will save a lot of hassle on the day.
For the main walk 20b Robertsbridge to Battle print out pages 1,6,7, 9-14, 17.
For the Shorter walk option 20a Robertsbridge Circular print out pages 1, 5-9, 17.
For the Longer walk option in addition to the pages for 20b, download the Wadhurst Long Walk option and print out pages 9 and 10. To link up with this walk section from Etchingham station head NE (away from Etchingham) along the main A265 road. After 400m, fork left up a minor road. In 180 m you pass by a Primary School on your LHS. In a further 400m pass by a lane off to your L. In 250m turn right at an easily missed enclosed footpath (marked by a yellow arrow on a footpath post to the left of the footpath entrance), your direction 160 degrees. to pick up the directions from [L5]. Once you arrive in Robertsbridge, pass by The Seven Star pub on your LHS and continue up George Hill. Immediately past a small bookshop on your left (and with the war memorial / clock tower on your right), turn left to pick up the directions page 7, 1st col, para 3 "Follow this fenced-in footpath, ignoring a left turn off after 160 metres...."
*** Alternatively for a shorter more direct route from Etchingham to Robertsbridge SWC 208d option in reverse.*** T=2.20
Saturday First Walk - Lenham to Charing
Lenham to Charing - SWC Walk 1
8.3 miles / 13.3km
A tranquil walk along the North Downs
Trains: take the 9:22 Canterbury West service from London Victoria (9:39 Bromley South), arriving at Lenham at 10:35. Return trains from Charing to London Victoria at xx47. Buy a day return to Charing.
Lunch: The Plough, Stalisfield Green (01795 890256), food served til 2:30.
The refreshment options listed in the walk notes for Charing have not fared too well. The Rosebud Tea Rooms at 42 High Street has closed down but is due to re-open as Mulberry's. The Oak has also closed down.
Click here for full details and walk directions
T=swc.1
8.3 miles / 13.3km
A tranquil walk along the North Downs
Trains: take the 9:22 Canterbury West service from London Victoria (9:39 Bromley South), arriving at Lenham at 10:35. Return trains from Charing to London Victoria at xx47. Buy a day return to Charing.
Lunch: The Plough, Stalisfield Green (01795 890256), food served til 2:30.
The refreshment options listed in the walk notes for Charing have not fared too well. The Rosebud Tea Rooms at 42 High Street has closed down but is due to re-open as Mulberry's. The Oak has also closed down.
Click here for full details and walk directions
T=swc.1
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Wednesday Walk – Moonlight Special (hopefully) with Some Gentle Climbs and Greenham Common, a Re-naturalized former WW II and NATO Airfield
SWC Walk 34: Newbury Racecourse to Woolhampton with possible
extension to Aldermaston and Theale
Distance: 10.6 miles or 17 km for those more metrically minded (12.6 miles (20km) or 16.6 miles (27 km) with the Aldermaston and Theale extensions, respectively)
Difficulty: 2 out of 10
The recommended lunch pub is the Travellers Friend (01189 713 156) in Crookham Common (5.2 miles/8.5 km into the walk). Tea can be had at the very pleasant Rowbarge Inn near Midgham Station. If doing the extension, the Butt Inn at Aldermaston Wharf and various pubs near Theale Station (mostly clustered on the High Street) can also quench your thirst...
Enjoy the walk!
Distance: 10.6 miles or 17 km for those more metrically minded (12.6 miles (20km) or 16.6 miles (27 km) with the Aldermaston and Theale extensions, respectively)
Difficulty: 2 out of 10
Train: Take the 10:30
AM Great Western train to Bristol from London
Paddington, changing at Reading (arrive 10:55; depart 11:12), arriving at Newbury
Racecourse at 11:38. Return trains (all requiring a change at
Reading unless otherwise noted) from Midgham (Woolhampton) are at 15:24; 15:29;
16:24; 16:29; 17:23; 17:29; 18:24; 18:31; 19:29; 20:08; 21:02; 21:34; 22:24; from
Aldermaston at 15:28; 16:28; 17:27; 18:06 (no change); 18:28; 19:25; 20:12; 21:05;
21:38; 22:28; and from Theale at 17:05 (no change); 17:32; 18:11 (no change);
18:33; 19:06 (no change); 19:20; 20:24 (no change); 21:10; 21:43; 22:33 . Buy
a day return to Newbury Racecourse.
This interesting walk takes you across Greenham
Common a former WW II and NATO airstrip that has since been left to return to
nature. It is a gentle outing with a few
minor climbs and views across Berkshire.
ALSO, as Wednesday is just one day before the full moon, if the weather conditions smile on us, it may be
possible to extend the walk with a late afternoon/early evening moonlit stretch along the Avon &
Kennet Canal to Aldermaston (2 miles/3km-ish) and eventually Theale (6
miles/10km-ish). You can find more
information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.The recommended lunch pub is the Travellers Friend (01189 713 156) in Crookham Common (5.2 miles/8.5 km into the walk). Tea can be had at the very pleasant Rowbarge Inn near Midgham Station. If doing the extension, the Butt Inn at Aldermaston Wharf and various pubs near Theale Station (mostly clustered on the High Street) can also quench your thirst...
Enjoy the walk!
Sunday, 8 January 2017
Sunday Walk 2 – Picturesque mills in the Test valley
Extra Walk 53b – Whitchurch Circular
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:15 Yeovil Junction train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:24), arriving Whitchurch (Hants) at 11:20.
Return trains from Whitchurch are every two hours, at 14:52, 16:52, etc. There's also an infrequent Sunday bus service (76) from Whitchurch to Basingstoke, but unhelpfully at about the same time as the trains (14:24 & 16:54).
This short version of the Overton-Whitchurch walk never strays too far from the Test valley, where you can usually summon large numbers of hungry trout by scattering a few breadcrumbs onto the river.
You'll need to call the popular Watership Down Inn if you want to be sure of a pub lunch; if they're fully booked you might as well turn round at Bere Mill (skipping the loop out to Freefolk), then make your way to one of the hostelries in Whitchurch.
Those who just want a brisk walk and a brief stop for lunch should be able to catch the 14:52 back to London, but if you've got time to kill before the 16:52 you could visit Whitchurch's main attraction, its working Silk Mill. You can get refreshments at the mill, and there's also an independent coffee shop in the town centre as well as several pubs.
You'll need to print the directions from the Extra Walk 53 page. Clicking "Circular" on the Walk Options heading will hide the directions for the longer walk options. T=swc.53.b
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles). Toughness: 2/10
10:15 Yeovil Junction train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:24), arriving Whitchurch (Hants) at 11:20.
Return trains from Whitchurch are every two hours, at 14:52, 16:52, etc. There's also an infrequent Sunday bus service (76) from Whitchurch to Basingstoke, but unhelpfully at about the same time as the trains (14:24 & 16:54).
This short version of the Overton-Whitchurch walk never strays too far from the Test valley, where you can usually summon large numbers of hungry trout by scattering a few breadcrumbs onto the river.
You'll need to call the popular Watership Down Inn if you want to be sure of a pub lunch; if they're fully booked you might as well turn round at Bere Mill (skipping the loop out to Freefolk), then make your way to one of the hostelries in Whitchurch.
Those who just want a brisk walk and a brief stop for lunch should be able to catch the 14:52 back to London, but if you've got time to kill before the 16:52 you could visit Whitchurch's main attraction, its working Silk Mill. You can get refreshments at the mill, and there's also an independent coffee shop in the town centre as well as several pubs.
You'll need to print the directions from the Extra Walk 53 page. Clicking "Circular" on the Walk Options heading will hide the directions for the longer walk options. T=swc.53.b
Sunday Walk 1 – the Ridgeway Path through Chequers
Book 1 Walk 52 – Princes Risborough to Wendover
Length: 16.8 km (10.4 miles). Toughness: 6/10
10:13 Aylesbury (via High Wycombe) train from Marylebone, arriving Princes Risborough at 11:00. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which is valid to both Princes Risborough and Wendover.
Trains back from Wendover to Marylebone are at 26 & 56 minutes past the hour.
The original lunch pub on this Chilterns walk closed several years ago but detailed directions have recently been added for a detour to the Swan in Smokey Row, described as pleasant and walker-friendly. Earlier you pass the Plough in Lower Cadsden but this is likely to be overrun with Chinese tourists, simply because their Premier was taken there by Dave a year or two ago – in fact it's now owned by a Chinese conglomerate. At the end of the walk there's a choice of tea places in Wendover, all doubtless familiar to regular walkers.
The directions point out a couple of ways of shortening the walk. If you don't want a pub lunch you can save over 3 km by omitting the detour to Smokey Row, and later you can save about 1½ km by staying on the Ridgeway and bypassing Dunsmore.
You'll need to print the directions from the Walk 52 page (Book 1 doesn't have the new lunch pub detour). T=1.52
Length: 16.8 km (10.4 miles). Toughness: 6/10
10:13 Aylesbury (via High Wycombe) train from Marylebone, arriving Princes Risborough at 11:00. Buy a day return to Aylesbury, which is valid to both Princes Risborough and Wendover.
Trains back from Wendover to Marylebone are at 26 & 56 minutes past the hour.
The original lunch pub on this Chilterns walk closed several years ago but detailed directions have recently been added for a detour to the Swan in Smokey Row, described as pleasant and walker-friendly. Earlier you pass the Plough in Lower Cadsden but this is likely to be overrun with Chinese tourists, simply because their Premier was taken there by Dave a year or two ago – in fact it's now owned by a Chinese conglomerate. At the end of the walk there's a choice of tea places in Wendover, all doubtless familiar to regular walkers.
The directions point out a couple of ways of shortening the walk. If you don't want a pub lunch you can save over 3 km by omitting the detour to Smokey Row, and later you can save about 1½ km by staying on the Ridgeway and bypassing Dunsmore.
You'll need to print the directions from the Walk 52 page (Book 1 doesn't have the new lunch pub detour). T=1.52
Saturday, 7 January 2017
Saturday Third Walk -- Open Ridges and a Dickensian Pub
SWC Walk 35: Cuxton to Sole Street
We are a bit spoiled for lunch and tea options on this walk. The recommended lunch pub is the Cock Inn (01474 814 208) in Luddesdowne (7.3 miles into the walk). However, the nearby Golden Lion (01474 815 644) also in Luddesdowne now serves lunch on Saturdays until 3:00pm and may well be worth a visit, as the Cock Inn also makes for a good tea stop towards the end of the walk (as the afternoon route loops back past it). The Leather Bottle (01474 814 327) in Cobham (10 miles into the walk) serves food all day and could be used as a late lunch stop or a tea stop.
Enjoy the walk!
t=swc.35
Distance: 11.7 miles or 18.8 km for those more metrically minded
Difficulty: 5 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:55 AM Southeastern train to Rochester from London St. Pancras (10:02 Stratford), changing at Strood (arrive 10:27; depart 10:34), arriving at Cuxton at 10:38. Alternatively, you can take the 9:09 AM slow coach to Strood from London Charing Cross (9:12 Waterloo East; 9:17 London Bridge; 9:27 Lewisham) and change onto the Cuxton train at Strood (arriving 10:19; departing 10:34). Return trains from Sole Street are hourly until 21:00; then there is a 21:31 and a 22:31. Buy a day return to Rochester.
This walk has not been done in quite some time and from recollection it is a pleasant walk in a pretty, but not well known, section of the North Downs with contrasting elements – including some nice open ridges and, for those of you who are Dickens fans, the chance to visit a pub, The Leather Bottle, that features briefly in the Pickwick Papers. The walk can be shorten after lunch. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.We are a bit spoiled for lunch and tea options on this walk. The recommended lunch pub is the Cock Inn (01474 814 208) in Luddesdowne (7.3 miles into the walk). However, the nearby Golden Lion (01474 815 644) also in Luddesdowne now serves lunch on Saturdays until 3:00pm and may well be worth a visit, as the Cock Inn also makes for a good tea stop towards the end of the walk (as the afternoon route loops back past it). The Leather Bottle (01474 814 327) in Cobham (10 miles into the walk) serves food all day and could be used as a late lunch stop or a tea stop.
Enjoy the walk!
t=swc.35
Saturday Second Walk - Along the seawall of the tidal River Crouch: mudflats, creeks, marshlands & 'big skies'
SWC 162 - North
Fambridge to Burnham-on-Crouch
Length: 20.9 km (13.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see
below]
Ascent/Descent:
127/120m
Net
Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness:
3 out of 10
Take
the 09.35 Southend Victoria
train from Liverpool Street, change at Wickford onto the Southminster service (arr. 10.11,
dep. 10.16), arrives North Fambridge 10.30.
Concerned
about the 5 minute changeover time? (the
Southminster train does NOT wait in case of delays). Take the 09.13 Southend Victoria train...
Return
trains
from Burnham are every 40 mins: 15.40,
16.20, 17.00, 17.40,…, 23.00 (70 mins journey time).
Serenity,
tranquillity, solitude: you’ll find lots of it on this walk on the Dengie
Peninsula in Essex, which largely follows the tidal River Crouch
eastwards towards the North Sea, on a wide grassy path atop the sea wall, and
with the prevailing wind in the back. Far away from any conurbations, you’ll experience
wide open and scenic countryside, constantly changing river views, salt
marshes, reed ponds, mudflats, creeks, rich bird life, sailing boats and
marinas, to then end along the promenade in charming Burnham-on-Crouch,
with its plethora of tea options. Flat throughout (apart from the diversion
inland for lunch at the good value pub The Three Horseshoes in Althorne), and
with exceptionally easy route finding.
This
walk should be mud-free after the
first couple of field boundaries early on…
For a neutral view on the walk check
the comment dated 16/08/15 here or
check out the photos or even the video on our website.
Shortcuts:
- It is possible to
shorten the walk by taking the train back from Althorne, right before or after
lunch, or to take a bus from the lunch pub in Althorne to South Woodham
Ferrers.
- You can also cut
short the approach to the river from Fambridge station in the morning by using
a more direct route (cuts 1.4 km/0.9 mi) or cut the Burnham ending short by
using a more direct route to the station (cuts 2.1 km/1.3 mi).
- Taking both
shortcuts therefore reduces the length of the walk to 17.4 km (10.9 mi).
- Finally, if you
bring your own lunch (no shops along the route) for a picnic by the river, you
can cut out the walk inland to the lunch pub, reducing the walk by 2.9 km/1.8
mi.
Lunch
is at the family-run The Three Horseshoes in
Althorne (11.5 km/7.2 mi). For tea, you are spoilt for choice for
cafes, restaurants and pubs in Burnham (we might even manage to gate crash the
bar at The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club
again in its stunning location overhanging the river estuary…). For details on
all these options consult the Walk Directions.
For
walk directions, map, height profile, some photos, a video and gpx/kml files click here.T=swc.162
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