Sunday Walk: Cholsey to Goring

Cholsey to Goring
Length 22.5km 14..6 miles (can be shortened to 18km 11.8 miles). Difficulty 3/10.
This walk takes in sections of the Ridgeway, and the Berkshire Downs and, if you go the whole hog, visits a Thameside pub associated with Wind in the Willows and Three Men in a Boat. An earlier highlight is the quaint village of Blewbury with its thatched cottages and peculiar thatched walls. 
Trains
Take the 9:47 Penzance train from Paddington, and change at Reading onto a slower stopping Didcot Parkway train (arr 10:20 platform 7 depart 10:27 plat 13). This gets you to Cholsey at 10:41
Return trains from Goring are hourly at xx:17 change at Reading for a faster trip. Get a return to Cholsey.
Freedom Pass holders can travel free on the Elizabeth line as far as Reading but need tickets for the rest of the journey. The 9:18 Paddington (9:26 Ealing Broadway) gets to Reading at 10:10.
Lunch
The Red Lion, Blewbury 01235 850 403 is recommended. There is another  pub in Blewbury, The Blueberry 01235 850 296, on the London Road near the Pound. 
Tea The Beetle and Wedge, by the Thames in Moulsford 01491 651381 (may require reservations) .
The Swan at Streatley 01491 878800 is another riverside pub, nearer the end.
At least two more options in Goring. The Catherine Wheel on Station Road and the Miller of Mansfield
Walk Directions here
Anyone wanting a shorter ending could cut out the loop going through Moulsford and stay on the Ridgeway at the asterisk in the directions (i.e. don't turn left). The Ridgeway rejoins the walk route in Streatley. This option is not in the directions. You would need to follow the Ridgeway signs. This would clip about 4.5km /2.8 miles off the walk length.
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Sunday walk - East Grinstead circular (Stargazer is away)

This walk takes you around pleasant hilly countryside to the south of East Grinstead, with fine views and relatively gentle gradients, and the familiar Wealden mix of pasture, woods and ancient houses. 

Length: 17.6km (10.9 miles). Longer and shorter options available.

Toughness: 5 out of 10.

Trains: From London Victoria take the 10.21 train to East Grinstead (Clapham Junction 10.28, East Croydon 10.39) arriving East Grinstead 11.18.

Return trains from East Grinstead xx.12 and xx.42.

Lunch: the Chequers Inn Hotel (01342 823333) is in Forest Row 8.7km (5.4 miles) into the main walk.

Next door to it on the left is the Java and Jazz Cafe and Pizzeria (01342 862699).

Across the road is the Brambletye Hotel (a pub, essentially).

Tea: The walk directions mention Cafe Nero, Costa and other options in East Grinstead. Click on the link for more details L=swc.40

Sevenoaks Circular - gentle autumnal views

Length: 16.3km (10.1 miles) or 18.5km (11.5 miles) T=swc.21

10.04 train from Charing Cross (10.07 Waterloo East, 10.13 London Bridge) to Sevenoaks, arriving Sevenoaks at 10.37

*** Do NOT get the 10.01 Charing Cross, 10.04 Waterloo East, 10.10 London Bridge, as this is a STOPPER, arriving Sevenoaks at 10.58.

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

No prizes for originality this week, but the adventurous tendency seems to be well catered for by the other choices, and this SWC classic makes a very pleasant early autumn outing - not too demanding on either the leg muscles or navigational skills, and with some suitably autumnal scenery and views.

For lunch you have a choice of the National Trust cafe at Ightham Mote (sandwiches, soups, pasties, and hot dishes in rather small portions), or - if you do the longer 11.5 mile version of the walk - the very fine Chaser Inn in Shipbourne (busy but big, and with a garden if the weather is fine: you could phone to check they have space, however).

For tea, the Brewhouse Cafe at Knole House is open till 5pm. A later option is Gails in Sevenoaks, which is open till 6.30pm. Pubs are also available...

Trains back from Sevenoaks are too frequent to need enumerating - one every ten minutes or so.

Banbury Circular

SWC Walk 293 – Banbury Circular 

Length: 17.2km (10.7 miles) / Longer walk option 29.4 km (18.3 miles) 

Toughness: 2 out of 10 

Catch the 9:32 from London Marylebone arrives Banbury 10:37. 

This is a map based walk, so there are only basic directions included. 

The recommended pub for the main walk is The Marlstone Tavern, Milton. 

Longer walk via Deddington: Lunch at one of the Deddington pubs, 12km into the walk.

Direct return trains from Banbury: 16:36 17:38, 18:35, 19;38 21:10, 22:16 

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Saturday Walk - Lewes Priory, Swanborough, the South Downs Way, Black Cap (hilltop) and Lewes Old Racecourse

Length: 23.3 km (14.5 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 527m 

Net Walking Time: ca. 6 hours 

Toughness: 6 out of 10

 

Take the 09.24 Eastbourne train from Victoria (CJ 09.31, EC 09.40), arrives Lewes at 10.26. 

From LBG , take the 09.15 Brighton train and change at Haywards Heath (09.59/10.08). 

Return trains: xx.25 and xx.55.

 

From the blurb:

“If you thought you knew Lewes and the surrounding South Downs, this walk may surprise you. It follows a Book 2 alternative walk as far as Swanborough, then climbs up to the Downs by a track called Breach Road. It follows the South Downs Way (SDW), more North than West, as far as Black Cap. Be warned that on a windy day there is little shelter – the descent to Housedean Farm offers some respite, but not for your ears, as you have to cross over the A27. A late lunch is possible by descending again to Plumpton, an optional loop which is included in the distance. The approach to Lewes is via the old racecourse, using a bridleway which is still popular with horses today.” 

Walk Options: 

·        From Housedean Farm on the A27 you can catch a Bus 28/29 (the Regency Route) which runs regularly seven days a week between Brighton, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells. 

·        Cut out the loop down to the lunch pub, cuts 3.0 km and 130m ascent. 

·        After lunch you could catch a train from Plumpton. For this option, go on the footpath from the top corner of the pub’s garden and it will take you all the way to the station.

 

Lunch: The Half Moon in Plumpton. 15.7 km into the walk, open all day, food served all day. 

Tea: Plenty of options . See webpage or pdf for details.

 

For walk directions, map, height profile and gpx/kml files click here . t=swc.407

Evening Walk: A Walk with Splendid Stags (Hampton Court and Bushy Park Short Walk)

Hampton Court and Bushy Park Short Walk T=Short.3

Distance: Approximately 4 miles or 7 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Travel: 18:12 South Western Train from London Waterloo, arriving at Hampton Wick at 18:43. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE CORRECT TRAIN STOPPING IN HAMPTON WICK (NOT Hampton).

Return trains run every fifteen minutes until 23:30.

This is one of my absolutely favorite evening walks and has proved to be a real cracker of a walk the past few years at this time of year. Plenty of magnificent beasts starting the annual rut! 

The walk meanders through a combination of the public grounds of Hampton Court Palace and neighboring Bushy Park with its resident deer population. The grounds are varied with pretty gardens and water features. Please ensure you keep a safe distance from any deer spotted in Bushy Park and do NOT feed them – they are potentially dangerous wild animals!

Post walk refreshments and possibly a meal can be had at the Foresters Arms, open until 23:00 with kitchen open until 22:00.

More information about the route can be found here.

Enjoy the walk!

Hassocks to Upper Beeding (or Shoreham)

Length: 16.3 km (10.1 miles) 7/10

An overdue outing for this walk mainly along the South Downs Way, with what some claim to be the finest view in southern England, a charming farmyard cafe, and depending on your escape route from Upper Beeding (see below), the many delights of Shoreham-by-Sea after the walk.

Travel: 1005 from London Bridge (East Croydon 1019) to Hassocks arriving 1102. From Victoria you could get the 1016 (Clapham Junction 1023, East Croydon 1034) arriving 1113 and try to catch up.

There are three ways back from Upper Beeding:

1. the bus 100 scheduled at 1531, 1616, 1716 and 1825 to Burgess Hill – this is the next stop towards London from Hassocks

2. an hourly bus number 2 to Shoreham scheduled at approx 45 past the hour until 1940, or

3. walk on to Shoreham – two routes are described on the walk web page adding 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles).

Get a return to Shoreham-by-Sea unless you are definitely getting the 100 bus, in which case you just need a return to Hassocks. Got that?

Lunch: the Wildflour Cafe 7km (4.4 miles) into the walk, is an early stop. This farmyard cafe with tables pleasantly arranged around a courtyard, is open 10am to 4pm. Near the entrance to the cafe is a drinking water tap, and it also has toilets. Alternatively the Devil’s Dyke pub (01273 857256), 8.9km (5.5 miles) into the walk on the lip of the South Downs escarpment, is always busy but very efficient.

Tea: The Kings Head in Upper Beeding (01903 812196) is conveniently sited by the bus stop at the end of the walk, and has quite a large garden. The Old Tollgate Restaurant & Hotel and the Castle Inn Hotel in Bramber on the other side of the river Adur are two possible other tea options: for details see the walk directions pdf. Shoreham has a range of cafes and pubs, in cluding the interesting Old Star micropub.The cafes are mainly in the pedestrianised area near the church.

For walk directions, map and GPX click here.

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Sunday Walk – Alexandra Palace to Tottenham Hale

Extra Walk 321 – Alexandra Palace to Tottenham Hale

Length for full walk: 15¾ km (9.8 miles). Toughness: 3/10

10:12 Stevenage train from Moorgate (Highbury & Islington 10:20, Finsbury Park 10:27, etc), arriving Alexandra Palace (TfL Zone 3) at 10:34. Use Oyster PAYG or contactless.

At the end of the full walk there are frequent Greater Anglia trains from Tottenham Hale (also Zone 3) to both Liverpool Street and Stratford, plus the Victoria line.

As it's the last day of the Open House Festival I've decided to post a London-area walk which splits easily into a morning and afternoon leg, potentially allowing anyone who wants to visit some of the venues to combine this with half a walk. The morning starters from Alexandra Palace should reach the Finsbury Park Café for a lunch stop at around 12:15-12:25 and I suggest that anyone wanting to do just the afternoon leg should make their own way there and be prepared to set off from the café at 1pm.

There are plenty of venues opening their doors this Sunday and one which caught my eye was the Markfield Beam Engine in Markfield Park, just off the River Lea towpath south of Tottenham Lock. If you take the alternative route mentioned in para 40 you should get to see this massive Victorian beam engine ‘in steam’ between 2.30 & 3.15pm. This ending bypasses Walthamstow Wetlands but you could easily go there afterwards if you wished.

If you do the full walk you'll see that it's essentially the well-known Parkland Walk (a disused railway line) spliced onto a promoted walk linking two large nature reserves, Woodberry Wetlands and Walthamstow Wetlands (but note that both close at around 4.30-5pm). There's a pub with a large riverside garden opposite the Walthamstow reserve exit if you want a tipple at the end of the day.

Please bring the directions from the L=swc.321 page.

Sunday walk - Sole Street Circular (in reverse)

Length: 13.5 km (8.4 miles) 

Difficulty: 5 out of 10.

Train: from London Victoria 10.12 arrive Sole Street 11.03

Return trains hourly at xx.28

There has been a proposal to do this walk in reverse to arrive late afternoon at the new Silver Hand Estate wine cellar in Luddesdown where the first wines of this new estate can be tasted free (and purchased).

Lunch: The pub in Harvel is closed but the new Harvel House farm shop and cafe has opened. It closes at 2pm on Sundays.

Tea: As well as the Railway Inn at Sole Street station, there’s the Golden Lion beside the winery at Luddesdown, and the interesting and unchanged Cock Inn on the final leg back to the station 

Sole Street circular walk is an option included in Book 2, walk 17 Snodland to Sole St.) L=2.17

You will need to rely on the map or gpx when doing it in reverse or stick with Joe who knows the route and proposed doing it this way.

Riddlesdown to Kingswood or Coulsdon South: Downlands on London's southern edge

Riddlesdown to Kingswood or to Coulsdon. (You don't need to decide which ending to do until lunchtime).

To Kingswood 15.0km (9.3 miles). You should finish about 16:50. For a slightly longer option see * in the text below.

To Coulsdon 16.8km (10.4 miles). You should finish about 17:00

10:50 East Grinstead train from London Victoria (Clapham Junction 10:57, East Croydon 11:10, etc), arriving Riddlesdown at 11:18. All stations are in TFL Zone 6 so use Oyster or contactless.

Return trains run until late from:

Kingswood to London Bridge at xx:22 and xx:52 (Calls Coulsdon Town, East Croydon, Norwood Junction etc...)

Coulsdon South to Victoria at xx:19, xx:49 and to London Bridge at xx:09, xx:39 etc...

Coulsdon Town to London Bridge at xx:05, xx:35 etc...

TFL buses run to/from The Fox at Coulsdon if you want to shortern the walk

For many, this walk close to London will need no introduction, but those who don't know it will be delighted to discover such unspoilt and lovely countryside right on London's southern doorsteps - downland for the most part, some woods, and just a couple of tiny bits of suburbia.

Pub lunch options:

The Wattenden Arms (0208 6604926) Old Lodge Lane, CR8 5EU. Under new management. Early lunch or quick drink.

The Fox on Coulsdon Common (01883 340737). You probably need to book.

The Boundary On The Green (01883-818087). Slightly off route about 15 minutes walk from The Fox

Refreshments at the end of the walk:

In Kingswood, The Kingswood Arms has plenty of indoor space and a large rear garden

In Coulsdon, Poppy Cafe inside Coulsdon Memorial Ground offers a sunny outside terrace with a green view, home-made cakes, tea, coffee etc... The Memorial Ground is right opposite you as you reach the bottom of Farthing Down at the end of the walk. There are other cafes in the town too.

Walk directions: Please bring the directions from the L=2.15 page.

If you decide to go to Kingswood and you are following written directions, then follow these directions for the morning route as far as The Fox pub and then these directions from the Fox pub to Kingswood. *Looking at the map, a slighty longer route to Kingswood is possible by continuing on the main Riddlesdown to Coulsdon route after lunch and switching to the Kingswood ending just after Rook Lane (I'd estimate this adds about 30 mins walking to the route).

Saturday walk - Woldingham to Oxted

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Length: 16¾ km (10.4 miles). Toughness 5/10.

There is a shorter version missing out Godstone of 11½ km, 7.1 m. Toughness: 3/10

"The walk is only just outside the London boundary and yet the first part with a steady climb up the side of the valley into Marden Park Woods feels completely rural. In these woods the route joins the North Downs Way and heads west on an undulating stretch, still mostly through woodland. This section ends at a fine viewpoint on Gravelly Hill, a potential picnic spot.

The walk then descends from the North Downs ridge into the attractive village of Godstone, which features a large green and a good choice of places for lunch. The afternoon route mostly follows the Greensand Way, heading east from to Oxted. This section is quite different in character: a more open landscape dotted with small settlements, including one with a magnificent ancient tree in its churchyard, the Tandridge Yew."

Trains: Get the 0950 East Grinstead train from Victoria, Clapham 0957, East Croydon 1010 arriving Woldingham at 1026 . Return trains are: xx23 & xx53 to Victoria & xx20 to London Bridge. All trains go through East Croydon. Get a return to Oxted.

Lunch: Godstone, 9½ km along the main route. The Hare & Hounds (01883-742296) serves typical pub food; the more up-market alternatives are the White Hart (01883-742521) and the Bell Inn (01883-743216). Light lunches are available at the Green Rooms of Godstone

Tea: Various options in Oxted, including a Wetherspoons pub by the station.

Southease to Brighton OR Southease Circular via Rottingdean (swimming spot)

SWC Walk 65: Southease to Rottingdean, Brighton or back to Southease

Distance: Something for everyone:

Southease to Rottingdean -- 9.5 miles/15.3km

Southease to Brighton -- 14.4 miles/23.3km

Southease Circular -- 14.7 miles/23.7km

All option can be shortened by 2.4 miles/3.8km if starting the walk in Lewes

Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (5 out of 10 for the Southease Circular)

Train: 9:54 AM Ore-bound train from London Victoria (stopping at CJ 10:01 and EC at 10:10), changing at Lewes (arr/dep 10:56/11:00 -- step lively!) to arrive at Southease at 11:06. Return trains from Southease are hourly at 5 minutes past the hour until 22:05; return trains from Brighton are very regular until late (buses (12 13x, 14 and 27) run regularly from Rottingdean to Brighton). Buy a day return to Southease.

This is a lovely walk with something for everyone.... especially those looking for an end of summer dip in the Sea -- Rottingdean is a pleasant place to swim at any level of tide and the forecast is looking good!  For those more interested in a long walk, the circular route back to Southease adds some extra challenge. For those looking for a shorter route, frequent buses can whisk you from Rottingdean back to Brighton Station in about 15 minutes from a stop by the White Horses pub. Trains from Brighton run often and quickly back towards London. More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

The recommended lunch stop is the lovely Juggs in Kingston (4.6 miles/7.5 km) and post walk refreshies can be had at a few places in Rottingdean (including the recently noted White Horses). For those headed back to Southease the YHA bar/cafe is usually open and sells drinks and snacks.

Enjoy the walk and swim! t=swc.65

Concert at Barbican with the LSO conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano and Pianist Yuja Wang at 7pm

Tonight, we return to the Barbican Centre to hear Bartok's piano concerto No. 2 and Mahler's symphony No. 1.  

Tickets from £10.  To book your ticket, please click here. 

Bartok's piano concerto No. 2 -  For the piano player, it’s a finger breaking piece. It is one of the most challenging piano works in the repertoire.  Yuja Wang, widely considered as one of today's leading players, makes it looking impossibly easy.

If you wish to see her hands moving on the piano,  book a seat towards centre to left of the Auditorium.  (the piano will probably block your view of her hands if you book a seat too far right). 

Pre-Concert F&B:  Meet at Barbican Kitchen on the ground floor of the Barbican Centre from 5:30pm.   Please note the concert starts at 7pm, hence the earlier meet for F&B. 

I will be setting up a Whatsapp group for this event.  If you wish to be on it, please email with your mobile number to swcsocialATgmailDOTcom. 

Wednesday walk - Holmwood to Reigate

This walk in the Low Weald of Surrey, in the Mole Valley, provides broad paths through gently undulating country with glimpses of the North Downs ridge to the north.

Length: 16km (10 miles)

Difficulty: 2 out of 10

Trains: 09.41 from London Victoria, (09.48 Clapham Junction) stops at multiple stations en route to Holmwood arriving 10.47.

Return trains from Reigate: xx.02 and xx.32 go direct to London Victoria, xx.08 and xx:38 go to Redhill where you can change for trains to London Bridge.

Buy a return to Holmwood which is valid from Reigate though it may not work at the ticket barrier.

Lunch: The Plough in Leigh 01306 611348

Tea: Monty Bojangles and other options available in Reigate. 

For more detailed information follow the link L=swc.32

Evening Walk: Full Harvest Super Moon Special (Benfleet to Leigh on Sea via Hadleigh Castle)

SWC 268: Benfleet to Leigh-on-Sea on the High Road t=swc.268

Distance: 5.6 miles or 8.9 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty: 2 out of 10

Train: 17:43 Shoeburyness train from London Fenchurch St. Station, arriving Benfleet at 18:23 – buy a day return to Leigh-on-Sea

Return: Trains back from Leigh-on-Sea are at: 20:43; 20:57; 21:13; 21:27; 21:43; 21:57; 22:13 and 22:43.

A special treat for this week, a sunset and full moon walk all wrapped into one!  Let's hope the weather cooperates!  Hopefully, the walk will feature a lovely sunset over the City from THE hill in Essex (see banner photo)and finish up with a full Harvest Super Moon rising near where the Thames meets the sea on the way to Leigh-on-Sea… It should take about 2 hours to walk to Leigh-on-Sea – so time to have a meal in one if its many pubs before heading back to London. More information about the route can be found here.

Ps: You may want to bring a head torch…but, hopefully, the moon will provide enough light to finish the walk…

Sunday Walk: Thame Circular

Full walk 13ml 21.0 km 3/10
Short walk 9.5 ml 15.25 km 1/10
An easy scenic ramble through the Thame valley on the Ox/Bucks border, partly following the Oxfordshire Way and, later, the waymarked Thame Valley Walk. The shorter version - suggested for today - descends to the Thame and follows it, partly along a dismantled railway line, to lunch in Shabbington. The full walk heads north to lunch in Worminghall or Ickford. There is a short bus ride (frequent service) at the start and finish of the walk.
Travel: Get the 09:42 Oxford train from Marylebone, arriving Haddenham and Thame Parkway 10:32.
Then catch a 280 bus to Thame (Oxford direction) from outside the station. There's one at 10:48 arriving about 11:05 (buses are two an hour, later three an hour – a return costs about £4.10)
Trains return at xx:14 and 42 with buses from Thame (Town Hall) at xx:58 and 28.

Get a return to Haddenham and Thame Parkway.
Lunch: For the full walk the recommended stop is The Clifden Arms,/Worminghall  (01844 338 429), or, later, The Rising Sun, Ickford (01844 339 238).
On the shorter walk you have The Old Fisherman, Shabbington, (01844 201 247).
Tea: Thame has numerous pubs - see notes. Treacles Tea Rooms 12 High Street, 01844 260 840)  is open till 16:00. Rumseys Chocolaterie is open till 16.30.
Directions: here  t=swc.190