Saturday Walk - The New Forest to the Sea: Brockenhurst to Lymington with or without Extension(s) === NOW ALSO CANCELLED

Covid-19 Pandemic:  The SWC is a self-led walking club, and as always, posted walks are no more than an invitation for people to join a group walk without the guarantee that there will be a group. Walk posters will keep posting walks for as long as walkers turn up for them. For past attendee numbers please check the ‘Walk Reports’ section on the ‘Comments’ tab on this website.
And while being in the outdoors seems generally accepted to be a lower risk environment than staying indoors, for any advice on whether you should travel on public transport, go walking in groups and eat or drink in pubs or cafes, please consult the latest advice from HM Government and its agencies, especially the NHS. 

Length: from 17.7 km (11.0 mi) or 25.1 km/15.6 mi or up to 32.2 km/20.0 mi

Ascent/Descent: from 129/147m

Net Walking Time short walk: ca. 4 hours, Toughness: 3 out of 10

Net Walking Time longest option: ca. 7 hours, Toughness: 6 out of 10

Take the 09.05 Weymouth train from Waterloo (Clapham J 09.12), arrives Brockenhurst 10.37.

Return trains: xx.29 and xx.59 (change Brockenhurst, total journey time 110 minutes).

Buy a Lymington Pier return.

This walk is – for most mortals – a little too short to justify the long train journey. But help is at hand: an improvised, map-led extension (or two) just after the lunch pub (I have – with the walk author’s agreement – added the routes to the webpage for today). The extension leads through Pennington and Keyhaven Marshes to Keyhaven (pub: The Gun Inn), or even out via Hurst Beach to Hurst Castle, then back along the coast to the ‘normal’ walk route. [The return along the coast is the reverse of the start of SWC 62 Lymington – Barton-on-Sea.]

Here’s the blurb for the ‘normal’ walk:

Although a good part of this walk is within the New Forest National Park, there are only occasional encounters with the remote heathland or dense woodland which you might expect. An early section is in fact through the landscaped parkland of a now-demolished country house, Brockenhurst Park, and the walk continues along pleasant broad tracks through Roydon Woods Nature Reserve. Shortly after leaving the woods you come to a possible early lunch stop on the main road between Setley and Battramsley.

The next section includes the walk's one stretch across wide open heathland at Shirley Holms, with fine views across the gorse and heather. After crossing Sway Road, you leave the National Park and the walk becomes less distinctive for a while, past farms and stables with occasional distant glimpses of the Isle of Wight. Eventually you come to the scattered hamlet of Lower Pennington and the alternative lunch pub.

The final section to the attractive sailing resort of Lymington is quite different in character. You walk along raised embankments between mudflats and the coastal marshes of Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve, with magnificent views of the Isle of Wight across the Solent. Now a haven for wildlife, this area was the site of the Lymington Saltworks, the country's leading supplier of sea salt in the 18^thC. The industry only ceased (in 1865) when salt could be obtained more cheaply from mines in Cheshire.

At the end of the walk a lucky few might be allowed to sip pink gins at one of the town's exclusive yacht clubs, but there are plenty of other places willing to serve us hoi polloi before the longish train journey home.

All Walk Options’ Walk Option:

You could extend the walk by 1½ km, passing the Walhampton Monument and returning from Lymington Pier instead of the Town station.

Lunch: The Chequers Inn (13.0 km/8.1 mi, food all day) in Lower Pennington.

Tea: Pubs in Lymington. See the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.

For walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.226.a

Sunday walk: Greenham Common and Berkshire farmland

Newbury to Woolhampton
Length: 17,5km (10.9 miles) Toughness: 2/10

Both today's walks were posted last month, but were scuppered by Storm Dennis, so we're giving them another chance today.

10:36 Castle Cary train from Paddington arriving Newbury at 11:14.
If starting from Ealing Broadway, take the 09:44 Reading train, changing at Maidenhead or Reading for a train to Newbury that arrives at 11:01.

Return trains from Midgham to Paddington, are at 15:56 (direct), or at 18:02 and 20:03 (changing at Reading) (journey time 44 mins or 57 mins). If you just miss one of these trains (or even if you don’t) and if daylight allows, you could extend the walk by walking westwards along the canal to Thatcham station which has additional trains to Paddington at 15:02, 17:04, and 19:01. This adds 4.5km to the total distance.

The walk was originally designed to start from Newbury Racecourse, but trains to Newbury are faster and more frequent, and the alternative start is included in the walk directions.

This is an easy walk, with some gentle climbs en route, that crosses Greenham Common where the abandoned cruise missile silos still loom menacingly over the landscape. The remainder of the walk traverses quiet woods and farmland. The recommended lunchtime pub is The Travellers Friend in Crookham Common (01189 713156), and the tea stop is the popular Rowbarge pub close to Midgham station. But do leave time to reach the London-bound platform before the level crossing barriers descend, after which there’s no way across the tracks.

You will need to download the Walk Directions

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Sunday walk: Scenic views in the Medway valley

Wateringbury Circular with Nettlestead loop
Length: 17.3km (10.7 miles) Toughness: 3/10

Both today's walks were posted last month, but were scuppered by Storm Dennis, so we're giving them another chance today.

09:40 Dover Priory train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 09:49, Orpington 10:06), changing at Paddock Wood (arr 10:32; dep 10:40) to arrive at Wateringbury at 10:51.

Return trains to Charing Cross, changing at Paddock Wood or Tonbridge, are at xx:08 (journey time 76 mins). You can also return to St Pancras International, changing at Strood, with trains at xx:51 (journey time 79 mins), but fares are significantly more expensive.

If you decide in advance what time you will return, the cheapest fare is an Advance ticket each way for a total of £12.50 (£8.30 with railcard). Otherwise buy an off-peak day return for £16.30 (£10.75 with railcard).

This new walk in an attractive part of the Medway valley had a couple of successful outings last year, but this will be the first time we’ve tried out the ‘preamble’ of a 2-mile extension to Nettlestead at the start of the walk. We then follow the figure-of-eight main route which switches sides as it meanders downstream to East Farleigh and back again, with short excursions into low hills on either side. Several mediaeval bridges and churches are passed on the way, though the churches will probably have a service in progress or be locked.

The recommended lunch pub is the Good Intent (01622-812426) at Farleigh Green, reached almost 5 miles into the walk. Phone ahead to reserve a table.

If energy and daylight permit, you could conclude the walk on returning to Wateringbury with a further 1.7 mile extension upstream to Yalding.

You will need to download the Walk Directions

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Saturday Walk – Hampton Court and two Royal Parks

Extra Walk 240 – Hampton Court Circular
Length: 12½ km (7.8 miles). Toughness: 1/10

10:36 Hampton Court train from Waterloo (Vauxhall 10:40, Clapham Jct 10:45, etc), arriving at 11:12. If you just miss this at Waterloo, the 10:42 to Basingstoke overtakes it on its non-stop journey to Surbiton (arr 10:59, dep 11:05). Hampton Court is in TfL Zone 6.

Trains back from Hampton Court are half-hourly at xx:24 & xx:54.

As February has been officially declared as the wettest month since the dinosaurs died out, here's a short walk in a couple of Royal Parks to escape from the sodden countryside. Although the walk author will no doubt have done his best to devise a muddy route, there'll be more chance of diverting onto paved paths and other firm surfaces if the conditions warrant it.

The suggested lunch stop is the Pheasantry café in Bushy Park's Woodland Gardens, which you'll reach at around 12:30pm (and again an hour or so later if you'd prefer to press on). There are plenty of tea places towards the end of the walk, eg. the Tiltyard café in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. You'll need a king's ransom if you want to visit the palace and formal gardens, but the café and refreshment kiosks are in the (free) ‘informal gardens’: these usually have a good display of early spring flowers and blossom.

You'll need to bring the directions from the Hampton Court Circular walk page. For those willing to go off-piste the written directions include some suggested detours off the (fairly straightforward) GPS route, eg. in the Woodland Gardens. T=swc.240

Rare opportunity to Explore the seldomly visited Ash Ranges

SWC Walk 96:  Ash Vale Circular – starting in Ash, finishing in either Ash Vale or Ash t=swc.96.c

Length: 16 Miles or 28.3 km for those more metrically minded to make the full circuit back to Ash or 14 Miles (22.5 km) if opting to finish in Ash Vale with further options to shorten described in the walk notes

Difficulty:  5 out of 10

Train:  Take the 9:30 AM South Western Guildford bound train from London Waterloo arriving in Ash at 10:33 (changing in Guildford, arriving 10:06; departing 10:23).  Return trains from Ash are at 17:47; 18:03; 18:47; 19:17; 19:47; 20:03; 20:17; 20:47; 21:17 and 21:47 and from Ash Vale 09 and 39 past the hour until 22:09. Buy a day return to Ash or Ash Vale.

This walk suffers from a lack of posting….largely, I believe, due to the complication of passing through a frequently used firing range….However, we are in luck today….according to the relevant MOD website….no firing should be taking place today on the Ash Ranges through which this walk goes….so a perfect day to explore the seldomly visited area…..In addition to the exploring the new, this walk takes in some old familiar territory along an enjoyable stretch of the North Downs….I am suggesting that we start in Ash (as opposed to Ash Vale), such that we can end the walk along the canal stretch with the option of having post (or near post) walk refreshments at the canal-side Swan Inn… More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

The recommended lunch stop is the Good Intent (01483 810 387) in Puttenham which is under new management with the Jolly Farmer, as an alternative, a little further on in Puttenham (both about 6.5 miles/11 km into the walk – starting in Ash). The suggested tea stop is the Swan Inn on the canal towards the end of the walk….

Enjoy the walk!

Saturday walk - Hollingbourne Circular via Hucking - the North Downs and an optional castle

Length: 12.5km (7.8 miles) or 18km (11.2 miles) T=3.253
Toughness: 5 out of 10

Catch the 9.25 train from Victoria (9.42 Bromley South) to Hollingbourne, arriving 10.31.

Buy a day return to Hollingbourne.

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For a map of the route click here.

This walk has not had an SWC outing for nearly two years. It takes you up onto the North Downs escarpment into the Hucking Estate - "an unexpected oasis of grassland and woodland in a landscape dominated by arable farming". I don't know what the mud quotient is, but these are chalk soils, so in theory better drained than lowland ones.

The first lunch option is after 3.7 miles at the Hook & Hatchet Inn in the hamlet of Hucking, though faster walkers could wait until the more upmarket Dirty Habit after 6.2 miles, which serves food all afternoon. You can end the walk 2.5km (1.5 miles) after the Dirty Habit (the 7.8 mile version of the walk) by taking the "Curtailed walk" described in the walk directions, which brings you to Eyhorne Street - with two more pubs, the tea options on this walk - and then Hollingbourne station.

Otherwise, the last part of the walk is a loop through the grounds of Leeds Castle, the self-described "loveliest castle in the world". Unfortunately its loveliness is somewhat curtailed by the M20, A20 and the Channel Tunnel rail link running past it, and while doing the castle loop you will get motorway noise at some point. But the castle grounds are very striking.

The castle loop is on public footpaths which you are strictly enjoined not to stray off, even though  some tempting refreshment options lie just beyond them. Assuming you obey these injunctions, your tea options are the pubs in Eyhorne Street mentioned above. Another 600 metres or so brings you to Hollingbourne station.

Trains back from Hollingbourne are at 54 past the hour.

Chorleywood to Chesham

Chorleywood to Chesham T=3.081

Length: 16km (9.9 miles) 5 out of 10

"The Chess Valley is one of the most beautiful and tranquil parts of the Chiltern Hills. This walk explores it thoroughly, dipping in and out of the valley, with a number of fine panoramic views. Approaching Chesham there is a bravura finish over the hills that takes you right down into the heart of the town for tea."

Trains: Get the 0957 Marylebone to Aylesbury Vale Parkway train (Harrow-on-the-hill 1009) arriving 1024. Use Oyster cards. You can also get the Metropolitan line.
Return trains are: 1527, 1557, 1627, 1654, 1725, 1753, 1825, 1859.

Lunch: The Red Lion (01923 282 722) in Chenies, 6.5km (4 miles) into the main walk, is now a smart, friendly pub with a somewhat gastro menu, served from 10am to 11pm daily.

Tea: Various options in Chesham

Monday Evening Special Super Full Plough, Wind, Worm or Chaste Moon Walk: Guildford to Godalming (map-led)

Monday Evening Special Super Full Plough, Wind, Worm or Chaste Moon Walk: Guildford to Godalming (map-led)

Distance:          5 miles or 8 km for those more metrically minded 

Difficulty:         1 out of 10

Train:                18:00 Portsmouth Harbour train from London Waterloo, arriving Guildford at 18:31 – buy a day return to Godalming

Return:             Trains from Godalming are at 20:42; 20:54; 21:12; 21:25; 21:42; 21:54; 22:12 and 22:25

The full moon in March is a supermoon….which means (should it actually be visible) that it will look bigger than usual – particularly as it rises….It goes by many names….my favourite combination of them being the chaste worm moon…..Many of the names correlate with the coming of spring……not far away now…..This is a simple map-led walk along the Wey navigation from the center of Guilford to Godalming along a tow path with a meal or drink for those who wish at one of the hostelries in Godalming….

Sunday walk: Leagrave to Harlington (with Shortcut 2)

Walk with Shortcut 2, 16.6km (10.3 miles), difficulty 4/10
Walk with Shortcut 1, 17.3km (10.7 miles), difficulty 4/10
Main walk: 23.1 km (14.4 miles), difficulty 6/10
A Bedfordshire walk featuring the young Lea river, views from North Chiltern hills, ancient woodlands, and an exceptionally fine chalk downland: The walk finishes in the hill top village of Harlington. The full walk seems a bit long for the time of year so Shortcut 2 is suggested (this gives you a taste of the Barton Hills and shares the main walk's lunch destination in Barton-Le-Clay).
Trains
The 09:48 Bedford-bound Thameslink from St Pancras International, arriving Leagrave 10:30.
Trains return at xx:06 (except the 17:04) and xx:36.
Get a return to Harlington.
Lunch

Several places in Barton-Le-Clay.

The Bull Hotel (01582 882 888) is recommended by the author.

Café Goa (01582 883 934) serves Indian Goan Cuisine. Open 12.00-14.30. 

The Royal Oak, (01582 881 329).

The Waggon & Horses (01582 882 011)

If anyone does Shortcut 1, they have only one option, The Chequers Inn, Streatley  (01582 882 072).

Tea

The Carpenters Arms, Harlington, (01525 872 384).

The Old Sun (01525 877 330)

Walk directions: here 

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Sunday Walk: Lewes to Saltdean

Lewes to Saltdean
15.5km, 9.6 miles to Saltdean. 4 out of 10.
A fine South Downs walk offering panoramic views. From the historic town of Lewes, the route rises onto the Downs then descends into Rodmell for lunch. Then a gentle climb back over the Downs to reach the sea at Saltdean. From here, catch a bus to Brighton, or, if there's still some lead in your pencil, walk all or part of the way there along the seafront (a further 5.25 miles, 8.5 km).
Trains
9.46 Ore train from Victoria (Clapham Junction: 9:53, East Croydon 10:03) arriving Lewes 10:49
Return from Brighton at xx: 57 and xx:27 to Victoria. There are also Thameslink trains to London Bridge at xx:08 and xx:42.
A return to Lewes covers Brighton.
If you use contactless on Brighton buses, tap out again on leaving to avoid paying maximum fare.
Lunch
Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell, (01273 572416).
Tea
The Avenue Tea Rooms, Longridge Avenue, Saltdean (01273 304007) "excellent cream tea".
The Spanish Lady, Longridge Avenue, Saltdean (01273 303383).
Whitecliffs Beach Café, Marine Drive, Saltdean (01273 309219)
There are more choices in Rottingdean, a further 1.2 km in the direction of Brighton. (St Margaret's church there has windows by Burne-Jones).
The Trellis tearooms, Rottingdean High St. (01273 302837) to 6:30
Molly's cafe (on the beach) to 5:30.
Walk Directions: here.
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Bow Brickhill to Leighton Buzzard

CW1 Walk #41  - Bow Brickhill to  Leighton Buzzard
Length: 14.7km (9.1 miles). Toughness 2/10.

Catch the 10:15 train from London Euston, (changing at Bletchley arr.10:50, dep. 11:01) arrives Bow Brickhill 11:08. Buy a day return to Bow Brickhill.

Return from Leighton Buzzard xx:07 xx:34 xx:54 (fast)

T=1.41

Saturday Walk: Tunbridge Wells Circular

12 miles / 19.2 km

A varied walk through the High Weald - Eridge Old Park, Eridge Rocks, Broadwater Warren and the Spa Valley Railway.

Trains: 09:45 Charing Cross, 09:54 London Bridge, arrives at Tunbridge Wells 10:39.  Return trains from Tunbridge Wells at xx:09/39 and xx:21/51.

Lunch: An early lunch at The George Inn, Frant or a later stop at Nevill Crest and Gun, Eridge Green.

Click here for full details and walk directions

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Saturday Walk - Goring Circular via Hill Bottom - the OTHER OTHER Goring Circular

Length: 18km (11.3 miles) T=3.243
Toughness: 4 out of 10

9.27 train from Paddington (9.35 Ealing Broadway) to Goring, arriving 10.35.

Or get the 9.47 Swansea service to Reading, arriving 10.10, and pick up the above train there at 10.23.

Buy a day return to Goring and Streatley (NOT Goring-by-Sea)

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For a map of the route click here.

There are two much better known Goring Circulars in our library of walks - the one with the sandwich pub (done last Sunday) and the one via Pangborne (or vv). But this isn't either of those, and it in fact has not had a Saturday outing for nearly three years. It explores a gently hilly area to the north of the Thames, with some woods...and that is about all I can remember about it, because it is even more than three years since I did it.

Perhaps it is the convoluted debate about the lunch pubs in the comments for this walk that put posters off. But as far as I can see, on its most recent outings the Sun Inn on Whitchurch Hill has proved perfectly good, and as for it welcoming walkers, they actually solicit our custom on their website and the wording there and comments posted on our website suggest the warning about having to pre-book is no longer valid: it serves food till 3pm. Otherwise there are two pubs in Woodcote: one (the Black Lion) only does drinks, but the Red Lion from its website looks to have a respectable food offering and does food all afternoon.

Goring at the end of the walk is not lacking in refreshment options and, the days now being longer, there is the possibility of an after tea extension along the Thames Path to Pangbourne - or even, it being nearly a full moon, a moonlight walk if conditions are favourable.

Trains back from Goring are at 18 and 48 past, and again changing at Reading in theory cuts the journey time to Paddington by around 23 minutes (50 minutes versus 1 hour 13 minutes)

Balcombe Circular via Ardingly

Balcombe Circular via Ardingly T=swc.174

Length: 16¼ km (10.1 miles). Four hours walking time. 5 out of 10

This is a variant of a walk from Haywards Heath: "much of its outward route has been taken from Walk 1–16 and the “Summer Walk” part of Walk #22."

Trains: The 1004 Thameslink Brighton train from London Bridge (St Pancras 0950 East Croydon 1018) arriving 1046. The fare is £12.90 so no network railcard discount. Note that the fare from Clapham Junction on the 1002 (change at East Croydon) is more expensive, so you will need your railcard. Return trains are xx52 & xx22

Lunch:  the Ardingly Inn (01444-892214) in the centre of the village, serves food to 2pm.  Also the Ardingly Café  and the village bakery.

Tea: The suggested tea place is the popular Balcombe Tea Rooms (01444-811777; open to 4pm, (may stay open later if called in advance). The alternative is the nearby Half Moon Inn, a community pub which serves tea and coffee all day as well as stronger fare. The station is a 7-8 minute walk along roads from the centre of Balcombe; longer if you take one of the nicer routes to end the walk.

Sunday Walk: Knockholt Circular CANCELLED

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Sunday Walk: Didcot Circular CANCELLED

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Sunday Walk – The Lea Valley from Tottenham Hale to Cheshunt

Part of the Lea Valley Walk – Tottenham Hale to Cheshunt
Length: 14½ km (9 miles). Toughness: 1/10

Take a Victoria line tube to arrive at Tottenham Hale by 11:10 and meet outside by the entrance to the mainline station (since east Londoners might find it more convenient to travel from Liverpool Street, with fast trains at 10:55 and 10:57). Tottenham Hale is in TfL Zone 3.

Cheshunt (in TfL Zone 8) has fast trains back to Liverpool Street via Tottenham Hale at xx:20 & xx:51 and slower ones at xx:29 & xx:59, plus the London Overground service via Seven Sisters at xx:01 & xx:31. If you drop out earlier, the slower mainline trains call at Waltham Cross (Zone 7) and Enfield Lock (Zone 6).

You can use Oyster PAYG or contactless at all these stations but a simple return to Cheshunt might be cheaper, especially with a railcard. A London Freedom Pass is valid on the Overground service but only from Enfield Lock on the mainline trains, not from Cheshunt or Waltham Cross.

A year ago there was quite a good Sunday turnout for the southern part of the Lea Valley Walk, and today's walk gives you a chance to explore another section of the Lee Navigation. Information about the first 12¼ km (from Tottenham Hale to Waltham Cross) can be found on the Lea Valley Walk page on the TfL site, where you can download Sections 1 & 2; they're described in the opposite direction but that shouldn't present any difficulty. The suggested 2¼ km extension through the River Lee Country Park to Cheshunt is simple enough, and will be familiar to anyone who's done the Cheshunt to Broxbourne walk (#311).

If you want a pub lunch there are watering-holes at Ponders End (The Navigation Inn, after 6¾ km) and Enfield Lock (The Greyhound, after 10¼ km). If you press on through the Country Park the suggested tea place is the Terrace Bar & Café in the Lee Valley White Water Centre, which is an interesting place to visit in any event.

As always, remember that there will be no leader for this walk. Please bring the directions (or a map) and be prepared to find your own way if others press on ahead or stop off to look around. T=LDP.28

Sunday Walk: Saunderton Circular via Bledlow CANCELLED

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Sunday Walk - The 1066 Country Path, picturesque Battle and its Abbey: Battle Circular

Length: 20.3 km (12.7 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 363m

Net Walking Time short walk: ca. 5 hours, Toughness: 6 out of 10

Take the 09.25 Hastings train from Charing Cross (W’loo East 09.28, LBG 09.34, Orpington 09.50 etc.), arrives Battle 10.44.

Return trains: xx.07 and xx.44

Long journey on – possibly – the slowest railway line in the south east to a walk through 1066-Country, centred on the charming town of Battle. Woods, Valleys, far views, fairly undulating. Well worth it.

Lunch: The White Hart in Catsfield  (4.5 km/2.8 mi, food 12.00-15.00), The White Hart (food to 15.00) and the Netherfield Arms (food to 14.00), both in Netherfield (13.5 km/8.4 mi).

Tea: lots of choice in Battle, first and foremost The Pilgrim’s Rest, but also plenty of cafés.

For  walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.30