New Walk – Wateringbury Circular
Length: 13 km (8.1 miles), with optional 3 km extension. Toughness: 2/10
10:40 Dover train from Charing Cross (Waterloo East 10:43, London Bridge 10:49, Orpington 11:06, etc), changing at Paddock Wood (arr 11:32, dep 11:40) and arriving Wateringbury at 11:51. Buy a return to Wateringbury.
Trains back from Wateringbury are hourly at xx:08 and go to Tonbridge, where you change for stations to Charing Cross. You could also travel via Maidstone at xx:51 and change at Strood for a High Speed train to St Pancras, but you'd need to pay a supplement for this.
As you'll be losing an hour's sleep with the clock change it seems considerate to pick a leisurely walk with a short morning section, allowing for a late start. The first half-hour of this new Medway Valley walk will be familiar to the large group who turned out for the Yalding Circular walk on New Years Day, but there's only a little overlap after that, with a different lunch pub and tea places.
You should reach the Good Intent in Farleigh Green by 1pm, with the Bull Inn about 25 minutes later as an alternative lunch stop. As it's Mothers Day, however, I suggest packing some emergency provisions in case they're overwhelmed with family groups. There shouldn't be any problem getting tea'n'cake at the Ramblers Rest Café, but give them a call if you think you might get there after 4pm as they'll usually stay open for walking groups.
The café is close to Wateringbury station, but if you've got the energy for another 40-50 minutes of walking you could try one of the walk's two short extensions. One is a loop back to Wateringbury, the other carries on alongside the river to the next station (Yalding; trains at xx:12).
You'll need to bring the written directions (no GPX file) from this temporary Wateringbury Circular walk page. T=swc.336
Sunday, 31 March 2019
Welcome Back British Summer Time with the Classic Eastbourne to Seaford
Book 2 Walk 28 (in reverse): Eastbourne to Seaford t=2.28
Distance: 13.6 Miles or 21.9 km for those more metrically minded (with a shorter 10 mile option available by catching a bus at Exceat)
Difficulty: 9 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:11 AM Three Bridges train from London Bridge (stopping at East Croydon at 9:25) and involving a bus replacement between Three Bridges and Lewes, then another train from Lewes to Eastbourne, ultimately arriving at Eastbourne at 11:10. Return trains from Seaford are at 29 and 59 past the hour until 20:59 (and also involve a bus replacement). Buy a day return to Eastbourne.
A special walk for a special day….sorry about the engineering works….which does make transport a bit complicated…..but there is reason behind the madness... For those willing to brave the rail replacement, you will be met for late elevensies at Beachy Head by a few others on an alternate start…. Besides, what better way to welcome back British Summer Time than with a walk along the iconic Seven Sisters….This is a challenging walk with lots of ups and downs but can be shortened to about 10 miles by catching a bus at Exceat to Seaford. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions and map here. For instructions from Eastbourne station to Beachy Head, the instructions for SWC 60 may also come in hand....
The recommended lunch spot is the National Trust Café at Birling Gap with afternoon refreshments at the Cuckmere Inn in Cuckmere Haven. Traditionally, Trawlers in Seaford offers a good fish chips for eat-in or take-out.
Enjoy the walk!
Distance: 13.6 Miles or 21.9 km for those more metrically minded (with a shorter 10 mile option available by catching a bus at Exceat)
Difficulty: 9 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:11 AM Three Bridges train from London Bridge (stopping at East Croydon at 9:25) and involving a bus replacement between Three Bridges and Lewes, then another train from Lewes to Eastbourne, ultimately arriving at Eastbourne at 11:10. Return trains from Seaford are at 29 and 59 past the hour until 20:59 (and also involve a bus replacement). Buy a day return to Eastbourne.
A special walk for a special day….sorry about the engineering works….which does make transport a bit complicated…..but there is reason behind the madness... For those willing to brave the rail replacement, you will be met for late elevensies at Beachy Head by a few others on an alternate start…. Besides, what better way to welcome back British Summer Time than with a walk along the iconic Seven Sisters….This is a challenging walk with lots of ups and downs but can be shortened to about 10 miles by catching a bus at Exceat to Seaford. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions and map here. For instructions from Eastbourne station to Beachy Head, the instructions for SWC 60 may also come in hand....
The recommended lunch spot is the National Trust Café at Birling Gap with afternoon refreshments at the Cuckmere Inn in Cuckmere Haven. Traditionally, Trawlers in Seaford offers a good fish chips for eat-in or take-out.
Enjoy the walk!
Saturday, 30 March 2019
Saturday Walk - Frant to Tunbridge Wells - the Weald in Spring
Length: 15km (9.3 miles) or 21km (13 miles) T=3.19
10.15 train from Charing Cross (10.18 Waterloo East, 10.24 London Bridge) to Frant, arriving 11.15.
Buy a day return to Frant.
For walk directions click here, for a GPX file click here, for a map of the route click here.
I have picked the alternative Frant start for this walk, even if it does start with an awkward 300 metres on a busy road - please take the greatest care on this - because it allows shorter and longer walkers to stay together till lunch at the Nevil Crest and Gun pub in Eridge Green. Hopefully the latter won't be booked out due to Mother's Day (which is on Sunday), but past experience shows there is relatively little spillover.
After lunch those who prefer a more relaxed walk can stick to the main route (the 9.3 mile version) which crosses Broadwater Warren Nature Reserve and gets you to the Pantilles in Tunbridge Wells in good time for tea.
If you are a more vigorous walker I urge you to try the longer route (13 miles) around Harrison Rocks. Above these (at a site passed by the walk directions) there is a grand display of wood anemones in Birchden Wood at this time of year, which look particularly impressive if the weather is fine and their star-like flowers are open.
Both long and short walkers will also see wood anemones between High Rocks and Tunbridge Wells.
Trains back from Tunbridge Wells are every 15 minutes - at 9, 21, 39 and 51 past.
10.15 train from Charing Cross (10.18 Waterloo East, 10.24 London Bridge) to Frant, arriving 11.15.
Buy a day return to Frant.
For walk directions click here, for a GPX file click here, for a map of the route click here.
I have picked the alternative Frant start for this walk, even if it does start with an awkward 300 metres on a busy road - please take the greatest care on this - because it allows shorter and longer walkers to stay together till lunch at the Nevil Crest and Gun pub in Eridge Green. Hopefully the latter won't be booked out due to Mother's Day (which is on Sunday), but past experience shows there is relatively little spillover.
After lunch those who prefer a more relaxed walk can stick to the main route (the 9.3 mile version) which crosses Broadwater Warren Nature Reserve and gets you to the Pantilles in Tunbridge Wells in good time for tea.
If you are a more vigorous walker I urge you to try the longer route (13 miles) around Harrison Rocks. Above these (at a site passed by the walk directions) there is a grand display of wood anemones in Birchden Wood at this time of year, which look particularly impressive if the weather is fine and their star-like flowers are open.
Both long and short walkers will also see wood anemones between High Rocks and Tunbridge Wells.
Trains back from Tunbridge Wells are every 15 minutes - at 9, 21, 39 and 51 past.
Saturday Walk Welwyn Circular
Welwyn Circular T=swc.69
Length: 11 miles (17.7 km) 2 out of 10
"Once out of the Garden City and over the A1(M) you are in some attractive Hertfordshire countryside, including the landscaped parkland of Brocket Hall and Lamer House. In the afternoon you reach the picturesque village of Ayot St Lawrence, which has two unusual churches – one reminiscent of a Greek temple, the other an ivied Gothic ruin – and if you wish you can visit the home of George Bernard Shaw, Shaw's Corner, now owned by the National Trust. (Open to the public from 1300, garden 1200)"
Trains: Get the 0951 Cambridge train from Kings Cross (Finsbury Park 1001) arriving Welwyn 1023. Return fast trains at xx52, with slow trains at xx25 & xx55 to Moregate or Kings Cross - change at Finsbury Park.
There seems to be less fast trains than there used to be.
Lunch: The recommended lunch pub for this walk is The Brocket Arms (01438 820250) in Ayot St Lawrence, 11km from the start. Ring ahead to reserve a table.
Tea: a walk report recommends the Doctor's Tonic pub "very cosy and well appointed"
Further info to follow
Length: 11 miles (17.7 km) 2 out of 10
"Once out of the Garden City and over the A1(M) you are in some attractive Hertfordshire countryside, including the landscaped parkland of Brocket Hall and Lamer House. In the afternoon you reach the picturesque village of Ayot St Lawrence, which has two unusual churches – one reminiscent of a Greek temple, the other an ivied Gothic ruin – and if you wish you can visit the home of George Bernard Shaw, Shaw's Corner, now owned by the National Trust. (Open to the public from 1300, garden 1200)"
Trains: Get the 0951 Cambridge train from Kings Cross (Finsbury Park 1001) arriving Welwyn 1023. Return fast trains at xx52, with slow trains at xx25 & xx55 to Moregate or Kings Cross - change at Finsbury Park.
There seems to be less fast trains than there used to be.
Lunch: The recommended lunch pub for this walk is The Brocket Arms (01438 820250) in Ayot St Lawrence, 11km from the start. Ring ahead to reserve a table.
Tea: a walk report recommends the Doctor's Tonic pub "very cosy and well appointed"
Further info to follow
Saturday Walk - Some remote westerly valleys of the South Downs: Rowlands Castle Circular
Length:
25.5 km (15.9 mi) [longer and shorter
walks possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent:
488 m
Net
Walking Time: ca. 6 hours
Toughness:
9 out of 10
Take
the 09.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (09.25 Woking), arriving Rowlands Castle at
10.21.
From
Clapham take the 08.57 stopping service to Portsmouth and change
at Woking (09.15/09.25).
The 10.00 train would
be sufficient for the short walk.
Return
trains:
xx.48.
This
demanding West Sussex walk in the undulating western part of the South Downs is
characterised initially by a mixture of park- and woodland, then steep lonely
valleys and some far views to the main South Downs Ridge.
It starts off towards Stansted House along a 1-mile-long beech avenue – one of the best in England according to Pevsner, and then heads north along the easterly edge of Stansted Forest and across fields via the hamlets of West, Up and East Marden to a very remote pub in Hooksway, with particularly nice views on the route between the hamlets, including up to the northern escarpment of the South Downs.
From lunch you climb back out of the secluded valley on a westerly route to Compton, from where another couple of hills need to be crossed to finish along the westerly edge of Stansted Forest back into Rowlands Castle, with its teashop and a choice of pubs.
The walk (especially the extended version) features several sustained, steep climbs and descents.
It starts off towards Stansted House along a 1-mile-long beech avenue – one of the best in England according to Pevsner, and then heads north along the easterly edge of Stansted Forest and across fields via the hamlets of West, Up and East Marden to a very remote pub in Hooksway, with particularly nice views on the route between the hamlets, including up to the northern escarpment of the South Downs.
From lunch you climb back out of the secluded valley on a westerly route to Compton, from where another couple of hills need to be crossed to finish along the westerly edge of Stansted Forest back into Rowlands Castle, with its teashop and a choice of pubs.
The walk (especially the extended version) features several sustained, steep climbs and descents.
Walk Options:
A shortcut around lunch cuts 9.4 km and 307m
ascent/descent (rated 4/10).
An extension after lunch adds 3.4 km and 162m ascent/descent. It follows a lonely, narrow, wood-fringed valley to the main northerly escarpment of the South Downs and then follows one of the most undulating sections of the South Downs Way with unrivalled far views from Pen Hill and Beacon Hill, making this a real challenge. The extended walk is rated 10/10.
All three routes share the start, up to West Marden, and the end, from Compton.
An extension after lunch adds 3.4 km and 162m ascent/descent. It follows a lonely, narrow, wood-fringed valley to the main northerly escarpment of the South Downs and then follows one of the most undulating sections of the South Downs Way with unrivalled far views from Pen Hill and Beacon Hill, making this a real challenge. The extended walk is rated 10/10.
All three routes share the start, up to West Marden, and the end, from Compton.
Bus
Service 54
(Petersfield – Chichester) serves West
Marden (the early lunch stop) and
Compton (the late lunch/early tea stop), about every two hours, to late
afternoon.
Lunch: The Victoria Inn in West Marden (6.3 km/3.9 mi, food to
14.30), The Royal Oak in Hooksway (12.6 km/7.9 mi, food to 14.00),
The Coach & Horses
in Compton (8.7 km/5.4 mi on the short walk, food to
14.30).
Tea: The Village Shop & Tea Room in Compton (7.4 km/4.6 mi from the end, open to 17.00), plus three pubs and a café in Rowlands Castle; check page 2 of the
walk directions pdf.
Wednesday, 27 March 2019
Wednesday Walk - Lewes Circular (via West Firle)
Length:
24.8 km (15.4 mi) [three ways to shorten
substantially, see below]
Ascent/Descent:
398 m [three marked ascents]
Net
Walking Time: ca. 6 hours
Toughness:
7 out of 10
Take
the 10.16 Eastbourne & Littlehampton train from London Victoria
(10.23 CJ, 10.33 East Croydon), arriving Lewes at 11.23.
Return trains: xx.21 & xx.45.
Return trains: xx.21 & xx.45.
The
walk starts in the historic town of Lewes with the early section having fine
views over the town and castle. After reaching a secluded valley, you rise up
Mount Caburn with its Iron Age hillfort site, and descend to Glynde to continue
to West Firle for lunch. After lunch ascend the South Downs main ridge and turn
right, with extensive views from Beddingham Hill and Itford Hill, both inland
and towards the port of Newhaven with the Channel beyond. Descend to Southease (station
and café) and return to Lewes along the River Ouse.
Shorter Walk:
start from Glynde (cuts 6 km), finish at Southease (cuts 6 km), or walk to Berwick w/o scaling the downs again after lunch (described in the pdf, you pass several more pubs on that variation).
start from Glynde (cuts 6 km), finish at Southease (cuts 6 km), or walk to Berwick w/o scaling the downs again after lunch (described in the pdf, you pass several more pubs on that variation).
Tea: Courtyard
Café at
YHA Southease (6 km from the end,
but only open to 16.00), plus plenty of pubs
in Lewes (you’ll be too late for the cafĂ©s, at a guess).
For
summary, walk directions, map,
height profile, photos and gpx/kml
files click here.
T=2.25
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