Book 1 Walk 10 - Beaconsfield Circular
Length: 19 km (11.9 miles) Shortcuts available en route
Toughness: 4 out of 10
London Marylebone: 10-13 hrs Aylesbury service
Arrive Beaconsfield: 10-40 hrs
Return: 15-59, 16-06, 16-28, 16-36, 17-04, 17-10, 17-31, 17-38, 17-59,
18-29, 18-45, 18-58 hrs and so on.
It is some time since this very pleasant walk had a mid-week outing, so let's give it a spin today. The walk might be long(ish) in length but the going is not too demanding and it is easy to maintain a pace of 3 mph without over exerting oneself.
The terrain is varied with woods and open fields and some gentle inclines to keep you awake without subjecting you to the more challenging hills in the northern part of the Chilterns.
Approaching lunchtime you come to the western outskirts of the village of Chalfont St Giles (I must desist from calling it Chalfont St Doodah). Heading downhill towards the village you come to Miltons cottage on your right-hand side. It is well worth a brief visit. Further along you come to your suggested lunch pub, the much improved Merlins Cave. There are other eating establishments and a good deli for picnic provisions in the village - please refer to the Directions.
After lunch you follow the dried-up River Misbourne in a southerly direction over farmland and grassy fields for more than a mile before your way swings west, to soon re-enter woods. You then have a bit of road walking before you arrive at the Friends Meeting House (worth a visit) with its burial ground, which you walk through. Continuing up the road, gently uphill you pass the Mayflower Barn on your right-hand side You then come to the village of Jordans, which has a village store for refreshments. You can end your walk nearby by heading for Seer Green & Jordans railway station. Otherwise, your route takes you over a golf course before you return to the eastern environs of Beaconsfield, Tea options are noted in the Directions.
Today's walk is a clockwise walk. Mid-week walkers who enjoy playing with hand-held gizmos might like to take on today's challenge - following the route in an anti-clockwise direction. I've done this once - it's quite tricky, but enjoyable !
T=1.10
Walk Directions are here L=1.10
Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Monday, 27 May 2019
Bank Holiday Walk – [321] The Parkland Walk and a Wetlands Walk
Extra Walk 321 – Alexandra Palace to Tottenham Hale
Full Walk: 15¾ km (9.8 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Morning Walk (finishing at Finsbury Park): 8 km (5.0 miles), 2/10
Afternoon Walk (starting from Finsbury Park): 8¾ km (5.4 miles), 1/10
10:28 Welwyn Garden City train from Moorgate (Highbury & Islington 10:36, Finsbury Park 10:42, etc), arriving Alexandra Palace (TfL Zone 3) at 10:49.
For the Afternoon Walk, make your own way to the café in Finsbury Park (less than 10 mins from the station: see the Walk Notes) ready to set off no later than 1.30pm (ie. get there earlier if you want something to eat/drink first).
Expect to return by tube or bus, as there aren't any mainline trains from Tottenham Hale to Liverpool Street on this Bank Holiday.
This walk is essentially two short walks joined together. The morning walk is mostly along the well-known Parkland Walk (a disused railway line) and the afternoon walk links two large nature reserves, Woodberry Wetlands and Walthamstow Wetlands.
The morning starters should get to the Finsbury Park café at around 12:30-12:45, so those planning to do the full walk should have plenty of time for some mid-walk refreshment before setting off with the midday arrivals. At the end of the full walk there's a café in Walthamstow Wetlands (which closes at 4pm) and a pub across the road if you need something stronger.
As usual there's no leader for this walk. You'll need to bring the directions from this Alexandra Palace to Tottenham Hale walk page. There are of course many other places where you could drop out or join this urban walk; see the notes for details. T=swc.321
Full Walk: 15¾ km (9.8 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Morning Walk (finishing at Finsbury Park): 8 km (5.0 miles), 2/10
Afternoon Walk (starting from Finsbury Park): 8¾ km (5.4 miles), 1/10
10:28 Welwyn Garden City train from Moorgate (Highbury & Islington 10:36, Finsbury Park 10:42, etc), arriving Alexandra Palace (TfL Zone 3) at 10:49.
For the Afternoon Walk, make your own way to the café in Finsbury Park (less than 10 mins from the station: see the Walk Notes) ready to set off no later than 1.30pm (ie. get there earlier if you want something to eat/drink first).
Expect to return by tube or bus, as there aren't any mainline trains from Tottenham Hale to Liverpool Street on this Bank Holiday.
This walk is essentially two short walks joined together. The morning walk is mostly along the well-known Parkland Walk (a disused railway line) and the afternoon walk links two large nature reserves, Woodberry Wetlands and Walthamstow Wetlands.
The morning starters should get to the Finsbury Park café at around 12:30-12:45, so those planning to do the full walk should have plenty of time for some mid-walk refreshment before setting off with the midday arrivals. At the end of the full walk there's a café in Walthamstow Wetlands (which closes at 4pm) and a pub across the road if you need something stronger.
As usual there's no leader for this walk. You'll need to bring the directions from this Alexandra Palace to Tottenham Hale walk page. There are of course many other places where you could drop out or join this urban walk; see the notes for details. T=swc.321
Bank Holiday Walk - Berwick to Seaford via Alciston, Alfriston, Cuckmere River, High & Over, Exceat and Cuckmere Haven
SWC 90 - Berwick to Seaford
Length: 18.4 km (11.4 miles). Options to shorten and lengthen
Toughness: 6 out of 10 One steady ascent of High & Over Hill: otherwise, 4 out of 10
London Victoria: 09-16 hrs Littlehampton and Eastbourne service; CJ 09-22; EC 09-32 hrs. Train splits at Haywards Heath
Arrive Lewes: 10-23 hrs Change trains
Leave Lewes: 10-47 hrs Hastings service from Brighton
Arrive Berwick: 10-56 hrs
Return: Seaford to London Victoria via Lewes: 25 and 53 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: either a day return to Berwick (Sussex) or Seaford is usually accepted by on-train inspectors
It has become customary for SWC's Wednesday walkers to give this walk an outing every year early in March, when new born lambs are first let loose in the fields. But this walk is a delight at all times of year, for its variety, historic interest, views, a hill to sort you out - plus top drawer water features.
From the Walk Directions you will note there are several options to this walk. But the best one - in my opinion - takes the Alternative start to Alciston then Berwick Church (well worth a visit to see its murals) before you head for Alfriston where you have three pubs and at least one deli for a lunch stop. Being a Bank Holiday, Alfriston and its pubs are likely to be very busy, but if you split up into small groups you should manage to find space somewhere for all wishing to dine. I do not recommend your deferring lunch for 40 mins until you reach Littlington, with its excellent pub, the Plough and Harrow, as almost certainly all tables in the pub will be pre-booked.
After Alfriston you walk beside the Cuckmere River to Littlington before you tackle High & Over Hill. On the way up, as you catch your breath, then once on top, do stop to admire the panoramic views - your reward for the climb. You now head down off the Hill on its 'tother side to arrive at Exceat. Here you can complete your walk by taking the bus (regular service) to Seaford, reducing the length of your overall walk by almost 4 miles. But if you continue with the walk, you now head gradually uphill on the Vanguard Way to Cuckmere Haven, where you have a superb view of the Seven Sisters over to your left. Do remember to glance backwards for this view as you walk along the cliff top on an undulating path all the way to Seaford, taking care to keep well clear of the cliff edge where the chalk has eroded or sheared off in landslips.
The newly refurbished and reopened fish & chip restaurant - Trawlers (an SWC favourite) is usually open on Bank Holidays for those in need of sustenance. Otherwise, there are several pubs and bars in Seaford awaiting your custom before you head for the railway station for your journey home after what I hope has been a rewarding and enjoyable day's walk.
T=swc.90
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.90
Length: 18.4 km (11.4 miles). Options to shorten and lengthen
Toughness: 6 out of 10 One steady ascent of High & Over Hill: otherwise, 4 out of 10
London Victoria: 09-16 hrs Littlehampton and Eastbourne service; CJ 09-22; EC 09-32 hrs. Train splits at Haywards Heath
Arrive Lewes: 10-23 hrs Change trains
Leave Lewes: 10-47 hrs Hastings service from Brighton
Arrive Berwick: 10-56 hrs
Return: Seaford to London Victoria via Lewes: 25 and 53 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: either a day return to Berwick (Sussex) or Seaford is usually accepted by on-train inspectors
It has become customary for SWC's Wednesday walkers to give this walk an outing every year early in March, when new born lambs are first let loose in the fields. But this walk is a delight at all times of year, for its variety, historic interest, views, a hill to sort you out - plus top drawer water features.
From the Walk Directions you will note there are several options to this walk. But the best one - in my opinion - takes the Alternative start to Alciston then Berwick Church (well worth a visit to see its murals) before you head for Alfriston where you have three pubs and at least one deli for a lunch stop. Being a Bank Holiday, Alfriston and its pubs are likely to be very busy, but if you split up into small groups you should manage to find space somewhere for all wishing to dine. I do not recommend your deferring lunch for 40 mins until you reach Littlington, with its excellent pub, the Plough and Harrow, as almost certainly all tables in the pub will be pre-booked.
After Alfriston you walk beside the Cuckmere River to Littlington before you tackle High & Over Hill. On the way up, as you catch your breath, then once on top, do stop to admire the panoramic views - your reward for the climb. You now head down off the Hill on its 'tother side to arrive at Exceat. Here you can complete your walk by taking the bus (regular service) to Seaford, reducing the length of your overall walk by almost 4 miles. But if you continue with the walk, you now head gradually uphill on the Vanguard Way to Cuckmere Haven, where you have a superb view of the Seven Sisters over to your left. Do remember to glance backwards for this view as you walk along the cliff top on an undulating path all the way to Seaford, taking care to keep well clear of the cliff edge where the chalk has eroded or sheared off in landslips.
The newly refurbished and reopened fish & chip restaurant - Trawlers (an SWC favourite) is usually open on Bank Holidays for those in need of sustenance. Otherwise, there are several pubs and bars in Seaford awaiting your custom before you head for the railway station for your journey home after what I hope has been a rewarding and enjoyable day's walk.
T=swc.90
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.90
Sunday, 26 May 2019
Sunday Walk – [295] Angmering Park and Highdown Gardens
Extra Walk 295 – Arundel to Goring-by-Sea
Length: 14 km (8.7 miles), with longer options. Toughness: 3/10.
09:33 Portsmouth Harbour train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 09:40, East Croydon 09:49), arriving Arundel at 11:02. The possible return stations are on a different line but a return to Littlehampton is the same fare and covers both routes.
Direct return trains from Goring-by-Sea are hourly at xx:27 (to 20:27). You could also take a Brighton train at xx:47 and change there (to 19:47, then 20:40 & 21:29).
As is becoming all too common the original lunch pub on this gentle South Downs walk closed abruptly earlier this year. However, The World's End is a good alternative with a large garden, and there's an improved middle section (with less road noise) to get there a bit sooner. It's quite close to the end of the walk but that should (a) leave more time to enjoy Highdown Gardens and (b) encourage you to try one of the possible extensions: an extra loop down to the seafront, or an alternative ending in Angmering (where the trains back leave 4 minutes before Goring). Some even longer extensions (to Worthing or Littlehampton) are also suggested and it would be good to have feedback from anyone trying these.
You'll need to bring the walk directions from the Arundel to Goring-by-Sea walk page. T=swc.295
Length: 14 km (8.7 miles), with longer options. Toughness: 3/10.
09:33 Portsmouth Harbour train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 09:40, East Croydon 09:49), arriving Arundel at 11:02. The possible return stations are on a different line but a return to Littlehampton is the same fare and covers both routes.
Direct return trains from Goring-by-Sea are hourly at xx:27 (to 20:27). You could also take a Brighton train at xx:47 and change there (to 19:47, then 20:40 & 21:29).
As is becoming all too common the original lunch pub on this gentle South Downs walk closed abruptly earlier this year. However, The World's End is a good alternative with a large garden, and there's an improved middle section (with less road noise) to get there a bit sooner. It's quite close to the end of the walk but that should (a) leave more time to enjoy Highdown Gardens and (b) encourage you to try one of the possible extensions: an extra loop down to the seafront, or an alternative ending in Angmering (where the trains back leave 4 minutes before Goring). Some even longer extensions (to Worthing or Littlehampton) are also suggested and it would be good to have feedback from anyone trying these.
You'll need to bring the walk directions from the Arundel to Goring-by-Sea walk page. T=swc.295
Kingham to Moreton-in Marsh
Kingham to Moreton-in-Marsh
Length: 17.7km (11.0 miles) Toughness: 3/10
09:47 Great Malvern train from Paddington arriving at Kingham at 11:15.
Return trains from Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington are at: 15:11, 16:11, 17:14, 18:16, 19:14, 20:14, 21:14 (journey time just under 2 hours).
As at 23 April, you can buy Advance Singles from Paddington to Kingham (£11) and from Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington (£12.50), though you'll need to specify both the outward and the return trains. If you want the flexibility of choosing your return train on the day, a Super Off-Peak Return to Moreton-in-Marsh costs £28.10 (with rail card) or £42.60 (without rail card).
Starting with some potentially muddy paths across fields near the River Evenlode, the route then passes through a number of lovely Cotswold villages, including Adlestrop, whose station (long since closed) was immortalised in the eponymous poem by Edward Thomas in 1914. Chastleton House (National Trust) is an unspoilt Jacobean manor house open in the afternoon, whose café is a welcome tea stop in view of the distance from the lunch stop to the end of the walk.
Taking the higher, scenic, route from Adlestrop to Chastleton will add just over a mile to the distance. There are no suggested ways of significantly shortening the route. Much more information about the walk’s features can be found here.
The suggested lunch stop is the The Fox (tel 01451 870555) at Lower Oddington, after a third of the walk. It’s quite expensive and booking ahead is essential. An alternative, requiring a round trip detour of 2km, is the Horse and Groom (tel 01451 830584) in Higher Oddington.
The walk directions can be downloaded here.
T=swc.224
Length: 17.7km (11.0 miles) Toughness: 3/10
09:47 Great Malvern train from Paddington arriving at Kingham at 11:15.
Return trains from Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington are at: 15:11, 16:11, 17:14, 18:16, 19:14, 20:14, 21:14 (journey time just under 2 hours).
As at 23 April, you can buy Advance Singles from Paddington to Kingham (£11) and from Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington (£12.50), though you'll need to specify both the outward and the return trains. If you want the flexibility of choosing your return train on the day, a Super Off-Peak Return to Moreton-in-Marsh costs £28.10 (with rail card) or £42.60 (without rail card).
Starting with some potentially muddy paths across fields near the River Evenlode, the route then passes through a number of lovely Cotswold villages, including Adlestrop, whose station (long since closed) was immortalised in the eponymous poem by Edward Thomas in 1914. Chastleton House (National Trust) is an unspoilt Jacobean manor house open in the afternoon, whose café is a welcome tea stop in view of the distance from the lunch stop to the end of the walk.
Taking the higher, scenic, route from Adlestrop to Chastleton will add just over a mile to the distance. There are no suggested ways of significantly shortening the route. Much more information about the walk’s features can be found here.
The suggested lunch stop is the The Fox (tel 01451 870555) at Lower Oddington, after a third of the walk. It’s quite expensive and booking ahead is essential. An alternative, requiring a round trip detour of 2km, is the Horse and Groom (tel 01451 830584) in Higher Oddington.
The walk directions can be downloaded here.
T=swc.224
Saturday, 25 May 2019
Scotland 2019: Glencarron, near Achnasheen
The 2019 annual SWC Scottish trip will be to Glencarron near the small village of Achnasheen in Wester Ross on the western edge of the Highlands about an hour from Inverness. It will run from Saturday 25 May to Saturday 1 June 2019. For more information, please contact goepfertkarenATyahooDOTcom.
Effingham Junction to Boxhill and Westhumble via Polesden Lacey
With many of our regular walkers away on the Scottish trip, here's a leisurely alternative with a brief excursion onto the North Downs escarpment before descending through Denbies vineyard for tea and Boxhill and Westhumble station.
Length 9 and a bit miles (15 km)
Toughness 3/4 out of 10
The afternoon is slightly more hilly with good views back to the house after climbing the first hill. After Ranmore Common, there are fine views from the North Downs Way before the walk descends through Denbies Vineyard where tea can be taken at the visitor centre there.
Click the link below for all the details
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Getting there
Catch the 10:33 Guildford train from London Waterloo (10:41 from Clapham Junction) to Effingham Junction, arriving there at 11:15Getting back
Direct trains depart from Boxhill and Westhumble to London Waterloo at 5 minutes and 35 minutes past. There's also a cheeky little hourly train to London Victoria at 40 minutes past the hour. Both services stop at Clapham Junction and the Waterloo service also calls at Wimbledon. Journey time is about 50 minutes.Tickets
Buy a return ticket to Effingham Junction, and be prepared to buy a single from Boxhill and Westhumble to Leatherhead on the return journeyLength 9 and a bit miles (15 km)
Toughness 3/4 out of 10
Overview
After a fairly flat beginning across common and woodland, the walk crosses a golf course before arriving at Polesden Lacey a magnificent Edwardian House run by The National Trust. Non-members may eat at the Granary cafe here and there's some meadow land before the house for those with packed lunches. NT members may wish to take the opportunity to visit the gardens at the house.The afternoon is slightly more hilly with good views back to the house after climbing the first hill. After Ranmore Common, there are fine views from the North Downs Way before the walk descends through Denbies Vineyard where tea can be taken at the visitor centre there.
Click the link below for all the details
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t=2.14
Saturday Walk - Thames Valley and Berkshire Downs: Cholsey to Goring
Despite being 11 years old in its current form, this fine walk has only ever had one Saturday outing: in its first year...
Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi)
Length: 24.1 km (15.0 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 250/248m; Net Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours
Toughness: 5/10
Take the 09.57 Didcot Parkway train from Paddington
(10.05 Ealing Broadway), arrives Cholsey 11.14.
Missed the train? Take the 10.15 Cheltenham Spa train, change
Didcot Parkway (10.55) and travel back one stop on the 11.02 Paddington train,
getting to Cholsey at 11.07 (i.e. before the group!).
Return trains from Goring & Streatley are on xx.12 and xx.42, journey time 79 mins. Shave off up to 30mins by changing at Reading onto a fast train. Buy a Cholsey return.
Return trains from Goring & Streatley are on xx.12 and xx.42, journey time 79 mins. Shave off up to 30mins by changing at Reading onto a fast train. Buy a Cholsey return.
This walk offers a fine combination of gentle
Oxfordshire countryside, wide grassy horse training gallops, a stretch of the
Ridgeway with splendid views from the Berkshire Downs, and a final saunter
along the banks of the Thames. Although the walk is fairly long, it has nothing
too steep or demanding.
The main walk is best undertaken from mid spring to
early autumn. With a fairly late start to accommodate the early lunch stop at
The Red Lion Blewbury. The suggested tea stop is the Beetle and Wedge riverside
restaurant at Moulsford, a place with ‘Wind in the Willows’ and ‘Three Men in a
Boat’ associations. There are also plenty of hostelries in Streatley and Goring
at the end of the walk.
Before starting the walk, devotees of Agatha
Christie’s detective stories might want to make a short detour to visit the
novelist’s grave in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Cholsey. To do this, follow
the walk directions for the first 180 metres till you reach the railway bridge,
but instead of turning left under the railway, turn right and follow the path
for 700 metres as it climbs up to the church. Afterwards, retrace your steps
and pass under the railway to re-join the directions.
Lunch: The
Red Lion in Blewbury
(6.6 km/4.1 mi), or – a little further along and to the left off the route
along London Road – The Blueberry (food to 14.30).
Tea: The
Beetle & Wedge Boathouse en route plus lots of choice in Streatley
and Goring-on-Thames (see the pdf for details).
T=swc.49
Saturday walk - Petersfield to Rowlands Castle - Varied scenery in the western South Downs
Length: 16km (9.9 miles) T=3.18
Toughness: 3 out of 10
10.00 train from Waterloo to Petersfield, arriving 11.02
From Clapham Junction get the 9.57 Exeter train to Woking, arriving 10.15, to connect to the above train at 10.25
Buy a day return to Rowlands Castle
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For a map of the route click here.
Beloved of the midweek walkers, it is nevertheless an astonishing seven years since this walk had a Saturday outing and five years since it was aired on a Sunday. And with all the gung-ho, dash-ahead SWC walkers away on their Scotland trip, we can enjoy this pleasant outing at a moderate pace, stopping now and again to enjoy the most flowery phase of spring.
Particularly recommended in this regard is the very nice Five Bells pub in Buriton. It is only 2.5 miles into the walk (a relatively flat section over meadowy fields) and so perhaps a bit early to stop at. But it is a pretty village and if you eat here you are refuelled for the climb up onto the South Downs escarpment, which is one of the main tests of your leg muscles today.
Otherwise it is a further 3.4 miles to the Red Lion at Chalton (which is thus 5.9 miles into the walk), also a very pleasant pub with a nice garden. It serves food all afternoon, so getting there a bit later might be an advantage. If you have lunched in Buriton it makes a nice mid-afternoon tea stop.
On this last two thirds of the walk you are on the South Downs, but it is not quite the South Downs one is familiar with further west - more like a Wealden mix of hills and woods and open fields with views of the valley. At the end, Rowlands Castle is a cute village with several pubs, which is worth a wander round.
Trains back from Rowlands Castle are at 46 past the hour until 22.46.
Toughness: 3 out of 10
10.00 train from Waterloo to Petersfield, arriving 11.02
From Clapham Junction get the 9.57 Exeter train to Woking, arriving 10.15, to connect to the above train at 10.25
Buy a day return to Rowlands Castle
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For a map of the route click here.
Beloved of the midweek walkers, it is nevertheless an astonishing seven years since this walk had a Saturday outing and five years since it was aired on a Sunday. And with all the gung-ho, dash-ahead SWC walkers away on their Scotland trip, we can enjoy this pleasant outing at a moderate pace, stopping now and again to enjoy the most flowery phase of spring.
Particularly recommended in this regard is the very nice Five Bells pub in Buriton. It is only 2.5 miles into the walk (a relatively flat section over meadowy fields) and so perhaps a bit early to stop at. But it is a pretty village and if you eat here you are refuelled for the climb up onto the South Downs escarpment, which is one of the main tests of your leg muscles today.
Otherwise it is a further 3.4 miles to the Red Lion at Chalton (which is thus 5.9 miles into the walk), also a very pleasant pub with a nice garden. It serves food all afternoon, so getting there a bit later might be an advantage. If you have lunched in Buriton it makes a nice mid-afternoon tea stop.
On this last two thirds of the walk you are on the South Downs, but it is not quite the South Downs one is familiar with further west - more like a Wealden mix of hills and woods and open fields with views of the valley. At the end, Rowlands Castle is a cute village with several pubs, which is worth a wander round.
Trains back from Rowlands Castle are at 46 past the hour until 22.46.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Wednesday Walk Wakes Colne to Bures to Sudbury - along the Colne and Stour Valleys between Essex and Suffolk
Main walk: Book 1 Walk 46 - Wakes Colne to Bures
Length: 17.7 km (11 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Option to Go Long today by adding Book 1 Walk 8 - Bures to Sudbury
Additional length (via short cut from Great Henny) 12.6 km (7.8 miles)
London Liverpool Street: 10-02 hrs Ipswich service
Arrive Marks Tey: 10-57 hrs Change trains
Leave Marks Tey: 11-01 hrs Sudbury service
Arrive Chappel and Wakes Colne: 11-07 hrs
Senior Railcard holders may prefer a more relaxed train change at Marks Tey by taking the 09-38 hrs Colchester Town service from Liverpool Street, arriving Marks Tey 10-33 hrs, leaving time for a coffee before you take the 11-01 hrs Sudbury service.
Return: Bures to Liverpool Street via Marks Tey: 15-33, 16-39 and 17-39 hrs
Sudbury to Liverpool Street via Marks Tey: 17-32, 18-37, 19-38 and 20-32 hrs
Rail ticket: depending on your destination: either a day return to Bures, or a day return to Sudbury Suffolk
Although the Bures to Sudbury walk has already had two outings this year (on Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday) it makes a perfect "add-on" to our lovely Wakes Colne to Bures walk for those who enjoy a long walk - and today there should be buttercups in the water meadow below the Mill Hotel in Sudbury.
But the Wakes Colne to Bures walk is perfectly satisfying and enjoyable as a walk on its own, and long enough for many SWC mid-week walkers. The walk takes you along the Colne Valley through villages all called Colne something-or-other. Lunch can be taken in the village of Colne Engaine at the usually excellent Five Bells pub. After lunch you walk through varied countryside, woods and farmland all the way to the village of Bures which straddles the Essex-Suffolk border. Those ending their walk in Bures can take tea on the Essex side of the county border at the Eight Bells pub, or you can cross the county bridge into Suffolk for refreshments at the Three Horseshoes pub. When returning up the road to Bures station, please remember: Bures is now a request stop - so stick your arm out to hail the train !
For those going long today, I suggest you defer your drinks break in Bures until you reach the recently re-opened Lamarsh Lion pub in Lamarsh, before you continue along and up the Stour Valley, through Gainsborough country, all the way to Subury. If you have time before embarking on your journey home, your suggested final refreshment break today is at the wonderful Mill Hotel.
This double header seldom disappoints.
T=1.46
Main Walk Directions are here: L=1.46
Bures to Sudbury add-on is here
Length: 17.7 km (11 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10
Option to Go Long today by adding Book 1 Walk 8 - Bures to Sudbury
Additional length (via short cut from Great Henny) 12.6 km (7.8 miles)
London Liverpool Street: 10-02 hrs Ipswich service
Arrive Marks Tey: 10-57 hrs Change trains
Leave Marks Tey: 11-01 hrs Sudbury service
Arrive Chappel and Wakes Colne: 11-07 hrs
Senior Railcard holders may prefer a more relaxed train change at Marks Tey by taking the 09-38 hrs Colchester Town service from Liverpool Street, arriving Marks Tey 10-33 hrs, leaving time for a coffee before you take the 11-01 hrs Sudbury service.
Return: Bures to Liverpool Street via Marks Tey: 15-33, 16-39 and 17-39 hrs
Sudbury to Liverpool Street via Marks Tey: 17-32, 18-37, 19-38 and 20-32 hrs
Rail ticket: depending on your destination: either a day return to Bures, or a day return to Sudbury Suffolk
Although the Bures to Sudbury walk has already had two outings this year (on Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday) it makes a perfect "add-on" to our lovely Wakes Colne to Bures walk for those who enjoy a long walk - and today there should be buttercups in the water meadow below the Mill Hotel in Sudbury.
But the Wakes Colne to Bures walk is perfectly satisfying and enjoyable as a walk on its own, and long enough for many SWC mid-week walkers. The walk takes you along the Colne Valley through villages all called Colne something-or-other. Lunch can be taken in the village of Colne Engaine at the usually excellent Five Bells pub. After lunch you walk through varied countryside, woods and farmland all the way to the village of Bures which straddles the Essex-Suffolk border. Those ending their walk in Bures can take tea on the Essex side of the county border at the Eight Bells pub, or you can cross the county bridge into Suffolk for refreshments at the Three Horseshoes pub. When returning up the road to Bures station, please remember: Bures is now a request stop - so stick your arm out to hail the train !
For those going long today, I suggest you defer your drinks break in Bures until you reach the recently re-opened Lamarsh Lion pub in Lamarsh, before you continue along and up the Stour Valley, through Gainsborough country, all the way to Subury. If you have time before embarking on your journey home, your suggested final refreshment break today is at the wonderful Mill Hotel.
This double header seldom disappoints.
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Main Walk Directions are here: L=1.46
Bures to Sudbury add-on is here
Sunday, 19 May 2019
Sunday Walk: Sandling to Wye
SWC Walk 24
20.5 km (12.8 miles) Difficulty 6/10
A lovely walk following one of the best sections of the North Downs Way with fine views for nearly the whole walk.
Trains
For the quickest journey, take the 10:09 Margate High Speed from St Pancras (Stratford International 10:16) and change at Ashford International for the 11:05 to Dover Priory (platform 5). This gets you to Sandling for 11:16.
For a cheaper slower journey, catch that same Dover Priory train from Cannon Street at 9:32 (London Bridge 9:36) direct to Sandling.
Sandling and Wye are on different Southeastern lines out of Ashford. A return to Sandling, the dearer option, is suggested. In practice this should be accepted from Wye but be prepared to pay the difference to Ashford if your luck's out.
Return from Wye at xx:55 and xx:19.
The xx:55 will take you direct to London Bridge (1hr34) or Cannon Street (1hr37).
The xx:19 will take you direct to Victoria in 1 hr50.
Wealthier walkers with their High Speed tickets can change at Ashford International for the connection to St Pancras (total journey time 1 hr).
Lunch
The Tiger Inn (01303 862130) in Stowting is a charming and friendly pub 9.2km (5.7 miles) into the walk. Open all day from noon.
Alternatively 2.2km (1.4 miles) further up the road you have the Five Bells Inn (01303 813334 in Brabourne. (This requires a detour, adding 800 metres (0.5 miles) to the walk length)
Tea
The Tickled Trout (01233 812227) in Wye is a popular pub stop, with a garden beside the River Stour. It is just across the bridge from Wye station.
Directions here
T=swc.24
20.5 km (12.8 miles) Difficulty 6/10
A lovely walk following one of the best sections of the North Downs Way with fine views for nearly the whole walk.
Trains
For the quickest journey, take the 10:09 Margate High Speed from St Pancras (Stratford International 10:16) and change at Ashford International for the 11:05 to Dover Priory (platform 5). This gets you to Sandling for 11:16.
For a cheaper slower journey, catch that same Dover Priory train from Cannon Street at 9:32 (London Bridge 9:36) direct to Sandling.
Sandling and Wye are on different Southeastern lines out of Ashford. A return to Sandling, the dearer option, is suggested. In practice this should be accepted from Wye but be prepared to pay the difference to Ashford if your luck's out.
Return from Wye at xx:55 and xx:19.
The xx:55 will take you direct to London Bridge (1hr34) or Cannon Street (1hr37).
The xx:19 will take you direct to Victoria in 1 hr50.
Wealthier walkers with their High Speed tickets can change at Ashford International for the connection to St Pancras (total journey time 1 hr).
Lunch
The Tiger Inn (01303 862130) in Stowting is a charming and friendly pub 9.2km (5.7 miles) into the walk. Open all day from noon.
Alternatively 2.2km (1.4 miles) further up the road you have the Five Bells Inn (01303 813334 in Brabourne. (This requires a detour, adding 800 metres (0.5 miles) to the walk length)
Tea
The Tickled Trout (01233 812227) in Wye is a popular pub stop, with a garden beside the River Stour. It is just across the bridge from Wye station.
Directions here
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A Sunday Saunter to Discover Dorking
SWC 274: Dorking Circular T=swc.274
Distance: 14.1 Miles (22.7 km) for the long version and 11.5 Miles (18.5 km) for the shorter main version (with shortcuts available -- see walk notes)
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 for the long version and 6 out of 10 for the shorter option
Train: Take the 10:02 Dorking (Main) train from London Waterloo to Dorking, arriving at 10:53. Return trains are at 07; 16 and 46 past the hour. Buy a day return to Dorking Stations.
Both the standard and longer versions of this walk have received a thumbs up on prior outings – so thought it a worthy destination for a Sunday Saunter in Spring… Both routes start and finish together and explore some pretty villages, valleys and escarpments near the North Downs close to Boxhill. The walk instructions and more details are available here.
The recommended lunchtime pub for the longer option is the Abinger Hatch in Abinger Common (01306 730 737) and for the shorter route is the familiar Stephan Langton in Friday Street (01306 730 775).
Dorking has a number of post walk watering holes to discover….
Enjoy the walk!
Distance: 14.1 Miles (22.7 km) for the long version and 11.5 Miles (18.5 km) for the shorter main version (with shortcuts available -- see walk notes)
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 for the long version and 6 out of 10 for the shorter option
Train: Take the 10:02 Dorking (Main) train from London Waterloo to Dorking, arriving at 10:53. Return trains are at 07; 16 and 46 past the hour. Buy a day return to Dorking Stations.
Both the standard and longer versions of this walk have received a thumbs up on prior outings – so thought it a worthy destination for a Sunday Saunter in Spring… Both routes start and finish together and explore some pretty villages, valleys and escarpments near the North Downs close to Boxhill. The walk instructions and more details are available here.
The recommended lunchtime pub for the longer option is the Abinger Hatch in Abinger Common (01306 730 737) and for the shorter route is the familiar Stephan Langton in Friday Street (01306 730 775).
Dorking has a number of post walk watering holes to discover….
Enjoy the walk!
Saturday, 18 May 2019
Nunhead to Peckham Rye - Nunhead Cemetery open day
A requested walk for the Nunhead to Peckham Rye short
If you are travelling from Victoria, please wait for walkers who have travelled from Blackfriars
Plan your journey here.
Full details of this annual event may be found here
More details of this walk may be found on the link below
T=short.41
Length 5 miles (8 km)
Toughness 1 out of 10
Getting there
Catch the 10:36 Gravesend train from London Victoria (Platform 7 at the time of writing) arriving at Nunhead 10:51
or
Catch the 10:46 Sevenoaks train from London Blackfriars arriving at Nunhead 11:03If you are travelling from Victoria, please wait for walkers who have travelled from Blackfriars
Getting back
Peckham Rye Station is served by the East London (Overground) Line, Thameslink and Sutton & Mole Valley services; trains go to Dartford, London Bridge, Victoria, Highbury & Islington, Blackfriars, Sevenoaks, West Croydon, Beckenham Junction and Clapham Junction.Plan your journey here.
Tickets
Buy an Oyster or Travelcard to cover your starting zone, any zones you will pass through and zone 2Overview
One of our walkers has requested this walk to coincide with the Nunhead Cemetery open day.Full details of this annual event may be found here
More details of this walk may be found on the link below
T=short.41
Cowden to Hever
t=SWC.78
Length: 17km / 10m
Toughness: 4 / 10
Transport: Take the 10:07 from London Bridge, arriving at Cowden at 10:53. Return trains from Hever are at xx.05
This is a very pleasant walk through the High Weald visiting two attractive villages as well as Penshurst Palace, Chiddingstone Castle and Hever Castle along the way.
Saturday walk - Burgess Hill to Hassocks - Buttercup fields and the South Downs
Length: 27.8km (16.8 miles) for the whole walk, but shorter options from 13.4km (8.4 miles) to 20.2km (12.6 miles)
Toughness: 8 out of 10 T=3.108
9.55 train from Victoria (10.02 Clapham Junction, 10.11 East Croydon) to Burgess Hill, arriving 10.46.
You could also get the 9.20 Thameslink service from St Pancras International (9.35 London Bridge, 9.49 East Croydon) to Burgess Hill, arriving 10.30, If you take this train and return on the 36 past train from Hassocks you could buy a cheaper Thameslink-only ticket.
Buy a day return to Hassocks
For walk directions click here. For a GPX file click here. For a map of the route click here.
Unlike most South Downs walks this one starts some way to the north of them, so you spend the first four miles gradually approaching the escarpment you are to climb. In the past this section of the walk has been one long series of butterfly meadows, so let's hope they are still there.
After the pretty village of Ditchling, with possible early lunch stops, there is the climb onto the downs, the best place in the world to be on a fine day..... (The dots are meant to indicate the vagaries of the English weather.) The downland section culminates on the fine summit of Wolstonbury Hill, with magnificent views, and there is then a descent to Hurstpierpoint (another pretty village and a possible tea stop), with a further loop to finish.
There are various ways to shorten the walk:
- Have an early lunch in one of the pubs or tea rooms in Ditchling, four miles onto the walk, and then once on the downs depart from the walk route and follow the South Downs Way to the Jack and Jill windmills. Descend the downs from there to the village of Clayton and follow a path alongside the railway line to Hassocks. This is a 13.4km (8.3 mile) walk from Burgess Hill. Once up on the downs you are off the walk route but you could probably follow this route pretty easily even without a map.
- Alternatively, continuing on the walk to the Plough in Pyecombe (the recommended lunch stop for the main walk, or a possible tea stop for those who have lunched in Ditchling), and then carrying on to Wolstonbury Hill, you could reverse the start of the Hassocks to Upper Beeding walk to Hassocks. This makes a total walk of 18.8km (11.7 miles).
- Or continue with the walk route to the pleasant village of Hurstpierpoint, 20.2km (12.6 miles) from the start of the walk. From the war memorial in this village you can get bus no 273 at 3.56pm or 6.06pm to Hassocks station. It is otherwise a 2.7km (1.7 mile) walk down the road from Hurstpierpoint to Hassocks (40 minutes or so) and there are some paths that would take you off the road if you have a map. Hurstpierpoint has pubs.
Trains back from Hassocks are at 11 and 41 past the hour to Victoria or 36 past to London Bridge or St Pancras (1 hr to London Bridge, versus 54 minutes for the Victoria train, so not a huge difference).
Toughness: 8 out of 10 T=3.108
9.55 train from Victoria (10.02 Clapham Junction, 10.11 East Croydon) to Burgess Hill, arriving 10.46.
You could also get the 9.20 Thameslink service from St Pancras International (9.35 London Bridge, 9.49 East Croydon) to Burgess Hill, arriving 10.30, If you take this train and return on the 36 past train from Hassocks you could buy a cheaper Thameslink-only ticket.
Buy a day return to Hassocks
For walk directions click here. For a GPX file click here. For a map of the route click here.
Unlike most South Downs walks this one starts some way to the north of them, so you spend the first four miles gradually approaching the escarpment you are to climb. In the past this section of the walk has been one long series of butterfly meadows, so let's hope they are still there.
After the pretty village of Ditchling, with possible early lunch stops, there is the climb onto the downs, the best place in the world to be on a fine day..... (The dots are meant to indicate the vagaries of the English weather.) The downland section culminates on the fine summit of Wolstonbury Hill, with magnificent views, and there is then a descent to Hurstpierpoint (another pretty village and a possible tea stop), with a further loop to finish.
There are various ways to shorten the walk:
- Have an early lunch in one of the pubs or tea rooms in Ditchling, four miles onto the walk, and then once on the downs depart from the walk route and follow the South Downs Way to the Jack and Jill windmills. Descend the downs from there to the village of Clayton and follow a path alongside the railway line to Hassocks. This is a 13.4km (8.3 mile) walk from Burgess Hill. Once up on the downs you are off the walk route but you could probably follow this route pretty easily even without a map.
- Alternatively, continuing on the walk to the Plough in Pyecombe (the recommended lunch stop for the main walk, or a possible tea stop for those who have lunched in Ditchling), and then carrying on to Wolstonbury Hill, you could reverse the start of the Hassocks to Upper Beeding walk to Hassocks. This makes a total walk of 18.8km (11.7 miles).
- Or continue with the walk route to the pleasant village of Hurstpierpoint, 20.2km (12.6 miles) from the start of the walk. From the war memorial in this village you can get bus no 273 at 3.56pm or 6.06pm to Hassocks station. It is otherwise a 2.7km (1.7 mile) walk down the road from Hurstpierpoint to Hassocks (40 minutes or so) and there are some paths that would take you off the road if you have a map. Hurstpierpoint has pubs.
Trains back from Hassocks are at 11 and 41 past the hour to Victoria or 36 past to London Bridge or St Pancras (1 hr to London Bridge, versus 54 minutes for the Victoria train, so not a huge difference).
Saturday Walk - The Source of The River Lea and the magnificent Barton Hills: Leagrave to Harlington
Length: 23.1 km (14.4 mi) [shorter options outlined
below]
Walk options:
Ascent/Descent: 352/378m; Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Toughness: 5/10
Take the Thameslink
service to Bedford arriving Leagrave 10.31, this departs East Croydon 09.21, London Bridge 09.35, …, St. Pancras 09.51, West Hampstead 09.59.
Return trains from Harlington
are on xx.04 and xx.34. Buy
a Harlington (Bedfordshire) Return.
The start to this walk in Central Bedfordshire with
a long urban stretch may sound inauspicious, but most of that actually leads
through meadows along the early beginnings of The Lea River. And the rewards are many and varied: far views from
solitary North Chiltern hills,
ancient woodlands, steep chalk escarpments, two of the largest Neolithic hill forts in the South East and an
exceptionally fine and steep chalk down land: Barton Hills, as good as any
other. All this is linked by ancient track ways like the Icknield Way, by the Chiltern Way and with rolling grassy fields
and fine views up to the escarpments in the afternoon. The finish is in the
tranquil hill top village of Harlington.
Walk options:
Two – mutually exclusive – pre-lunch shortcuts
reduce the length of the walk by 5.8 km and 57m ascent/descent, and by 6.5 km
and 85m ascent/descent respectively.
Shortcut I cuts out
Barton Hills, arguably the best part of the walk, and leads through the
NT-owned Sharpenhoe Clappers Hills and through the Sharpenhoe Hill Fort site instead
(this walk is rated 3/10).
Shortcut II halves the
time spent in the Barton Hills (this walk is also rated 3/10).
There are
several bus services from opposite the late lunch stops in Barton-Le-Clay to Luton,
terminating at Galaxy Centre, close to Luton train station, which is closer to
London on the same train line.
Lunch: The Raven of Hexton in Hexton (10.1
km/6.3 mi, food all day), or – opposite – The Lavender Tea Rooms.
Tea: Plenty of options en route in Barton-le-Clay, especially The Olde Watermill in the
Dickensian Village, plus two pubs in
Harlington. See the pdf for details.
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