The booking for this year's BBC Prom has just opened. A group of walkers are going to four Proms. Today is the second in the series. You can either book a ticket, click here or just prom on the day. As usual, we will meet on the steps of Albert Memorial opposite RAH (weather permitting) from 6pm for pre-concert picnic. Programme below
Haydn
Symphony No. 104 in D major, ‘London’ 29’
Vaughan Williams
A London Symphony (Symphony No. 2) 50’
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Manze conductor
Posted on behalf of Jon G
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Sunday, 29 July 2018
Sunday Walk: Hitchin Circular
25.7 km (16.0 mi), 14.5 or 13 miles
Toughness, 7, 6 or 5 out of 10
The full strenuous 16 mile walk, leading to the Pegsdon Hills, Knocking Hoe, and a lunch stop with stunning views, will appeal to our tough cookies but it can be trimmed to an easier walk with the aid of Shortcuts I and II. The afternoon takes you to the pretty village of Pirton, with its remnant motte-and-bailey and abandoned medieval village, then through the fen woodland of Oughtonhead Common to Hitchin’s old town and, if up for it, a great pub.
Trains
Get the Peterborough train from Kings Cross at 10:11 (Finsbury Park 10:17), arriving Hitchin at 10:42.
Return to Kings Cross at xx:58 and xx:30. There's also a slower train at xx:34. Get a return to Hitchin.
Lunch: For the full walk, The Live and Let Live, Pegsdon, (01582 881 739 ) 8.5 miles into the walk.
The pub recommended for those taking shortcut 1 is the The Motte & Bailey in Pirton after 9 miles. (If that’s a pub too far, there are earlier ones in Great Offley, The Red Lion and The Green Man after 4.2 and 5.6 miles).
Tea:
Oughtonhead Farm Garden Gate Tea Room (07969 621 223), a charming facility 3.8 km (2.4 mi) from the end of the main walk. In summer they generally seem to be open till 16.00.
There's no shortage of places in Hitchin (see notes) and no visit to Hitchin is complete without a visit to The Half Moon , 57 Queen Street, Camra’s Hertfordshire pub of the year several times over.
Walk Directions here
Toughness, 7, 6 or 5 out of 10
The full strenuous 16 mile walk, leading to the Pegsdon Hills, Knocking Hoe, and a lunch stop with stunning views, will appeal to our tough cookies but it can be trimmed to an easier walk with the aid of Shortcuts I and II. The afternoon takes you to the pretty village of Pirton, with its remnant motte-and-bailey and abandoned medieval village, then through the fen woodland of Oughtonhead Common to Hitchin’s old town and, if up for it, a great pub.
Trains
Get the Peterborough train from Kings Cross at 10:11 (Finsbury Park 10:17), arriving Hitchin at 10:42.
Return to Kings Cross at xx:58 and xx:30. There's also a slower train at xx:34. Get a return to Hitchin.
Lunch: For the full walk, The Live and Let Live, Pegsdon, (01582 881 739 ) 8.5 miles into the walk.
The pub recommended for those taking shortcut 1 is the The Motte & Bailey in Pirton after 9 miles. (If that’s a pub too far, there are earlier ones in Great Offley, The Red Lion and The Green Man after 4.2 and 5.6 miles).
Tea:
Oughtonhead Farm Garden Gate Tea Room (07969 621 223), a charming facility 3.8 km (2.4 mi) from the end of the main walk. In summer they generally seem to be open till 16.00.
There's no shortage of places in Hitchin (see notes) and no visit to Hitchin is complete without a visit to The Half Moon , 57 Queen Street, Camra’s Hertfordshire pub of the year several times over.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.234
Sunday Walk: Staplehurst to Headcorn with Sissinghurst option
SWC Walk 80
Staplehurst to Headcorn 12.8km (7.9 miles)
Staplehurst to Sissinghurst 12.6km (7.8 miles)
Staplehurst to Headcorn via Sissinghurst 19.8km (12.2 miles)
Difficulty 2 out of 10
An easy walk in the Kentish Weald. The walk can be extended to Sissinghurst Castle, famous for the gardens designed by Vita Sackville-West. From there you can either complete a longer walk to Headcorn or, if you want to spend time in the gardens, there’s a bus back to Staplehurst every two hours.
Trains: Get the 9:40 Dover Priory train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 9:49) arrives Staplehurst 10:42.
Return to Charing Cross from Headcorn at xx:14 and xx:44. Get a return to Headcorn.
Lunch:
The Bell and Jorrocks, Frittenden (01580 852415) for the basic walk.
Or... The National Trust Restaurant at Sissinghurst Castle (The restaurant can be accessed without paying the entrance fee).
Tea: In Headcorn you have the George and Dragon and the Village Tea rooms (closes 4:30), both on the High Street.
Sissinghurst. Entry to Sissinghurst Castle's gardens costs £13.15 unless you're an NT member.
To continue to Headcorn from Sissinghurst, follow the Sissinghurst to Bubhurst section (p10) then Bubhurst to Headcorn (p5). (see comments below)
If you want to get the bus back from Sissinghurst, it's a 30 minute walk to the stop, following paragraphs 86-97 in the directions. The number 5 leaves for Staplehurst at 13 :13 15:13 and 17:13 (last one). These arrive at the station at xx:26 to meet trains at xx:48. If you walk on to Cranbrook, a further 1.6 miles, the same bus leaves there at 05 past the same hour.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.80
Staplehurst to Headcorn 12.8km (7.9 miles)
Staplehurst to Sissinghurst 12.6km (7.8 miles)
Staplehurst to Headcorn via Sissinghurst 19.8km (12.2 miles)
Difficulty 2 out of 10
An easy walk in the Kentish Weald. The walk can be extended to Sissinghurst Castle, famous for the gardens designed by Vita Sackville-West. From there you can either complete a longer walk to Headcorn or, if you want to spend time in the gardens, there’s a bus back to Staplehurst every two hours.
Trains: Get the 9:40 Dover Priory train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 9:49) arrives Staplehurst 10:42.
Return to Charing Cross from Headcorn at xx:14 and xx:44. Get a return to Headcorn.
Lunch:
The Bell and Jorrocks, Frittenden (01580 852415) for the basic walk.
Or... The National Trust Restaurant at Sissinghurst Castle (The restaurant can be accessed without paying the entrance fee).
Tea: In Headcorn you have the George and Dragon and the Village Tea rooms (closes 4:30), both on the High Street.
Sissinghurst. Entry to Sissinghurst Castle's gardens costs £13.15 unless you're an NT member.
To continue to Headcorn from Sissinghurst, follow the Sissinghurst to Bubhurst section (p10) then Bubhurst to Headcorn (p5). (see comments below)
If you want to get the bus back from Sissinghurst, it's a 30 minute walk to the stop, following paragraphs 86-97 in the directions. The number 5 leaves for Staplehurst at 13 :13 15:13 and 17:13 (last one). These arrive at the station at xx:26 to meet trains at xx:48. If you walk on to Cranbrook, a further 1.6 miles, the same bus leaves there at 05 past the same hour.
Walk Directions here
T=swc.80
Saturday, 28 July 2018
Saturday Walk - Clacton-on-Sea to Walton-on-the-Naze [swimming walk]
Length: 11.5km (7.1 miles): extension to 21.5km (13.4 miles) possible: see ** below
Toughness: 1 out of 10: flat
10.18 train from Liverpool Street (10.25 Stratford) to Clacton, arriving 11.44
Buy a day return to Clacton-on-Sea. Since this is the same price as a day return to Walton-on-the-Naze, it should be accepted from that station too: if not you would only have to pay for the short hop to Thorpe-le-Soken, where the two lines meet.
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here.
I had a special request for this walk and am happy to oblige. It is a very simple walk along the Essex coast, following a seafront promenade for most of the way, though with a stretch of about 3km in the middle when you are walking along the edge of a nature reserve cum country park. That being said, it is surprisingly varied, with Clacton, Frinton and Walton each having a different character. There is a rather magnificent windfarm out to sea.
If you are one of those people that are put off swimming by steeply shelving shingle beaches and not wanting to get out of your depth, this walk is for you - having gently shelving sandy beaches throughout, though with somewhat brown sea water (this is sediment not pollution). That being said, it is high tide around 1pm, so the sand may be covered in the early part of the walk.
Lunch is most easily had at beach cafes in Holland by Sea, just beyond Clacton. But the walk directions contain inland diversions to a couple of pubs if you prefer.
In Walton there are two options for ** EXTENDING THE WALK:
- One is an interesting 6 mile walk around the Naze, a low-lying peninsula that juts out into the sea and which is a haven for wildlife. For this there are walk directions here and a GPX file here. Note that while Stone Point may still be closed due to nesting birds (it reopens on 1 August), the walk around the peninsula can still be done, as far as I am aware.
- The other possible extension - not mentioned in the walk directions but not to be sniffed at - is to walk the length of Walton pier, the second longest in England. It doesn't look particularly exciting from the land and to get onto to it you have to walk through a ghastly (and mysteriously popular) amusement arcade. But once you are out on the pier proper it is a magnificent parade far out into the water with nice views back on the coast.
Trains back from Walton are on the hour (00 past the hour) until 22.00. This is a shuttle to Thorpe-le-Soken, connecting there to the train from Clacton. Total journey time back to London is 1 hour 37 minutes. T=3.52
Toughness: 1 out of 10: flat
10.18 train from Liverpool Street (10.25 Stratford) to Clacton, arriving 11.44
Buy a day return to Clacton-on-Sea. Since this is the same price as a day return to Walton-on-the-Naze, it should be accepted from that station too: if not you would only have to pay for the short hop to Thorpe-le-Soken, where the two lines meet.
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here.
I had a special request for this walk and am happy to oblige. It is a very simple walk along the Essex coast, following a seafront promenade for most of the way, though with a stretch of about 3km in the middle when you are walking along the edge of a nature reserve cum country park. That being said, it is surprisingly varied, with Clacton, Frinton and Walton each having a different character. There is a rather magnificent windfarm out to sea.
If you are one of those people that are put off swimming by steeply shelving shingle beaches and not wanting to get out of your depth, this walk is for you - having gently shelving sandy beaches throughout, though with somewhat brown sea water (this is sediment not pollution). That being said, it is high tide around 1pm, so the sand may be covered in the early part of the walk.
Lunch is most easily had at beach cafes in Holland by Sea, just beyond Clacton. But the walk directions contain inland diversions to a couple of pubs if you prefer.
In Walton there are two options for ** EXTENDING THE WALK:
- One is an interesting 6 mile walk around the Naze, a low-lying peninsula that juts out into the sea and which is a haven for wildlife. For this there are walk directions here and a GPX file here. Note that while Stone Point may still be closed due to nesting birds (it reopens on 1 August), the walk around the peninsula can still be done, as far as I am aware.
- The other possible extension - not mentioned in the walk directions but not to be sniffed at - is to walk the length of Walton pier, the second longest in England. It doesn't look particularly exciting from the land and to get onto to it you have to walk through a ghastly (and mysteriously popular) amusement arcade. But once you are out on the pier proper it is a magnificent parade far out into the water with nice views back on the coast.
Trains back from Walton are on the hour (00 past the hour) until 22.00. This is a shuttle to Thorpe-le-Soken, connecting there to the train from Clacton. Total journey time back to London is 1 hour 37 minutes. T=3.52
Saturday Walk: Ockley to Warnham
Book 1 Walk 47
Length: 10.3 miles / 16.5km
Toughness: 3 out of 10
A quiet corner of Surrey - woods, gentle hills and two great pubs
Trains: Take the 9:25 from London Victoria (9:32 Clapham Junction), arriving at Ockley at 10:33. Return trains from Warnham are at xx18 for the direct service, or at xx39 for return via Horsham. Note that the last trains are at 18:18 and 18:39. Buy a day return to Warnham.
T=1.47
Length: 10.3 miles / 16.5km
Toughness: 3 out of 10
Lunch: The Scarlett Arms, Walliswood (01306 627243).
The tea stop is at the Sussex Oak in Warnham, this has a lovely garden and the puddings are highly recommended - from here it's a 20 minute walk to the station.
Saturday Walk - Some Hills in the Afternoon: Winchelsea to Hastings via Winchelsea Village (or from Rye)
DAC is taking a break...
Length: 20.5 km (12.7 mi) or 24.5 km from Rye
This walk starts from Winchelsea station below Winchelsea (once a coastal port, but storms have since stranded it 2 km inland), up into the pretty and historic village of Winchelsea (otherwise not visited on the main walk) and then by an attractive ridge route with fine views to the Queen's Head in Icklesham, a 17th century pub near the church in Icklesham. [The alternative main walk route is flat and follows the River Brede and canals to lunch.] The afternoon section features lovely coastal views and has a hilly ending (there are 4 steep cliffs to climb). Hastings has a 'working beach', a resort beach, a modern art gallery (http://www.jerwoodgallery.org/, open to 17.00 hours) and a quaint old town.
Length: 20.5 km (12.7 mi) or 24.5 km from Rye
Ascent/Descent: 564/550m
Net Walking Time: ca. 5 ½ hours or 6 ¼ hours from Rye
Toughness: 7 out of 10 or 8 out of 10 from Rye
Take the 09.34 Ashford train from St.
Pancras (09.41 Stratford I’nal), change Ashford (10.11/10.24), arriving Winchelsea
at 10.50 [or Rye at 10.45]
Return trains: up to 4 trains per hour either to LBG/W’loo
East/Charing X, or to Victoria (slowest) or to St. Pancras via Ashford
(fastest). Buy a Hastings return.
This walk starts from Winchelsea station below Winchelsea (once a coastal port, but storms have since stranded it 2 km inland), up into the pretty and historic village of Winchelsea (otherwise not visited on the main walk) and then by an attractive ridge route with fine views to the Queen's Head in Icklesham, a 17th century pub near the church in Icklesham. [The alternative main walk route is flat and follows the River Brede and canals to lunch.] The afternoon section features lovely coastal views and has a hilly ending (there are 4 steep cliffs to climb). Hastings has a 'working beach', a resort beach, a modern art gallery (http://www.jerwoodgallery.org/, open to 17.00 hours) and a quaint old town.
A
Circular Walk from Rye is described.
For walk directions, a map, a height
profile, gpx/kml files, and photos click here.
Lunch: The
Queens Head in Icklesham (5.4 km/3.3 mi, food from 12.00).
Tea: Plenty of options in Hastings. See the webpage for details.
Tea: Plenty of options in Hastings. See the webpage for details.
T=1.25.a
Friday, 27 July 2018
Friday Evening [Full Moon] Special Wye Circular
A special map-led Friday full moon Wye Circular.....to visit one of the most quirky pubs ever.....the Timber Batts Inn in Bodsham...basic website details below in comments (thanks A) -- but you can also look them up on Facebook. Some of us frequented this eclectic establishment on a Sunday walk earlier in the year and thought that it would make a fun evening destination....Added bonus...possible glimpses of a full moon on the return to Wye....T=1.53
Walk details:
Train: 15:12 Margate train from London St. Pancras (Stratford International 15:18) changing at Ashford (arriving 15:50; departing 16:05), arriving Wye 16:11. Return trains are at 21:56 and 22:56 (changing at Ashford). Buy a day return to Wye.
Distance: 12.2 miles/19.7 km
Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10
This new map-led route initially follows the original Book 1 route from Wye to the Memorial Crown and slightly beyond. It then diverts to Bodsham for an early dinner at the unique Timber Batts Inn. After dinner, we will circle back to the North Downs escarpment. Hopefully, with views of the rising moon in its full eclipse state (roughly 21:00-22:00)….You can see the route as the "blue" alternative route on the OS Map tab of Book 1: Walk 53.
Enjoy the walk and happy moongazing!
Walk details:
Train: 15:12 Margate train from London St. Pancras (Stratford International 15:18) changing at Ashford (arriving 15:50; departing 16:05), arriving Wye 16:11. Return trains are at 21:56 and 22:56 (changing at Ashford). Buy a day return to Wye.
Distance: 12.2 miles/19.7 km
Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10
This new map-led route initially follows the original Book 1 route from Wye to the Memorial Crown and slightly beyond. It then diverts to Bodsham for an early dinner at the unique Timber Batts Inn. After dinner, we will circle back to the North Downs escarpment. Hopefully, with views of the rising moon in its full eclipse state (roughly 21:00-22:00)….You can see the route as the "blue" alternative route on the OS Map tab of Book 1: Walk 53.
Enjoy the walk and happy moongazing!
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
Prom 15 at Royal Albert Hall
The booking for this year's BBC Prom has just opened. A group of walkers are going to four Proms. Today is the first in the series. You can either book a ticket, click here or just prom on the day. As usual, we will meet on the steps of Albert Memorial opposite RAH (weather permitting) from 6pm for pre-concert picnic. Programme below
Tansy Davies
What Did We See? (orchestral suite from ‘Between Worlds’) c20’
BBC commission: world premiere
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, ‘Emperor’ 38’
Brahms
Symphony No. 2 in D major 42’
Paul Lewis piano
BBC Philharmonic
Ben Gernon conductor
Posted on behalf of Jon G
Tansy Davies
What Did We See? (orchestral suite from ‘Between Worlds’) c20’
BBC commission: world premiere
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, ‘Emperor’ 38’
Brahms
Symphony No. 2 in D major 42’
Paul Lewis piano
BBC Philharmonic
Ben Gernon conductor
Posted on behalf of Jon G
Wednesday Walk - Great Stour Valley and North Downs: Chilham to Canterbury
Length: 20.1 km (12.5 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 315/322m
Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Take the 10.08 Margate train from St.
Pancras (10.15 Stratford I’nal), change Ashford (10.46/11.05), arriving Chilham
at 11.17.
Return trains: Plenty --- from 58 minutes to St. Pancras (C’bury
West) and from 93 minutes to Victoria (C’bury East).
This walk starts beside the Great Stour River and its attendant lakes, visits the church and green at Chartham and passes through hop fields and apple orchards to Chartham Hatch.
This walk starts beside the Great Stour River and its attendant lakes, visits the church and green at Chartham and passes through hop fields and apple orchards to Chartham Hatch.
From there the way is through Church Wood and Blean
Woods Nature Reserve to the parklands of the University of Kent, with fine
views down over Canterbury Cathedral. The entrance to the city is along the
River Stour, through the Norman Westgate and down the medieval high street and
alleys, entering the cathedral precincts through its ornate Christ Church Gate.
For walk directions, a map, a height
profile, gpx/kml files, and photos click here.
Lunch: The Artichoke in Chartham (4.7 km, food 12.00-15.00).
Tea: Plenty of options in Canterbury. See the webpage for details.
Tea: Plenty of options in Canterbury. See the webpage for details.
T=1.28
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