Saturday Walk: Mortimer to Aldermaston

15.9 km 9.9 miles  Difficulty 3/10

A walk visiting Silchester with its ancient church, Roman city walls and amphitheatre. 

Trains: Get the 10:03 Newbury train from Paddington changing at Reading onto the 10:37 Basingstoke train arriving Mortimer 10:50. Get a return to Mortimer.  (In practice this is usually accepted on the return journey, but you might be required to buy a single from Aldermaston to Reading). 

A Freedom Pass is valid as far as Reading on the Elizabeth Line (Bond St 9:13, Paddington 9:17, Ealing Broadway 9:26). Arrive Reading 10:12 and, get the same Basingstoke train. You would need tickets onward from, and back to Reading.

Return from Aldermaston at xx:26, changing again at Reading.

Lunch The Calleva Arms, Silchester (tel. 0118 970 0305) booking advised.

Tea: if you make Aldermaston early enough, there's the Canal Trust café. It closes at 4.

Otherwise, there's the Butt Inn . 

Directions: here t=1.33

Saturday Walk - Lewes Grand Circular via Glynde and Southease

SWC 47: The Great Lewes Circular (Anticlockwise) – An Energetic Walk over the South Downs with Great views, Three Hills and a Ridge t=swc.47

Distance: 14 Miles (or 10.7 if stopping in Glynde) – for the more metrically minded, that would be, 23.5km or 17.2 km, respectively.

Difficulty: 7 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:54 Bexhill train from London Victoria (10:01 from Clapham Junction and 10:10 from East Croydon), arriving at Lewes at 10:56. Return trains from Lewes are at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour. For those opting to end the walk in Glynde, the trains from Glynde are at 15 minutes past the hour. Buy a day return to Lewes (or Glynde if planning to stop there).

This is an energetic walk over three distinct downland ridges with magnificent views throughout. For most of the day, you can see your onward route in front of you and your previous route behind. While there are three substantial climbs, most of the walk is gently undulating across grassy downland. For those who linger over drinks at the reopened Trevor Arms or Glynde Steamworks, there could be an opportunity for an ample moon nocturnal walk over the last downland hill into Lewes. The walk can be shortened by catching the train from Glynde back to Lewes. Fingers crossed for some clear skies and dry weather to fully enjoy this epic walk. Further information and the walk instructions can be found here.

The recommended lunchtime pub is the Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell (01273 572 416) , about 5.5 miles into the walk. Tea and other afternoon refreshments can be had at the Trevor Arms or the Glynde Steamworks in Glynde. Lewes also has a wide variety of tea shops, pubs and restaurants at the end of the walk.

Look forward to seeing you on the walk!!!

Saturday Walk - North Downs Way in Oyster Zone 6: Caterham to Knockholt

DAC is away... 

 

Length: 26.2 km (16.3 mi) 

Ascent/Descent: 580/587m 

Net Walking Time: 6 hours 

Toughness: 7/10

 

[shorter versions possible (see the webpage), but mostly depending on buses]

Take the 09.10 Caterham & Tattenham Corner train (front carriages) from London Bridge (Norwood Junction 09.23, East Croydon 09.28), arrives Caterham 09.54. 

Return to Charing X (via Orpington, LBG and W’loo East) on xx.28 or xx.58, journey time 35 mins to Charing X if changing at Orpington. Caterham and Knockholt are within the Oyster Zones 1-6.

 

Tired of reading pages of detailed walk directions? Here is your solution: just follow the well waymarked North Downs Way along one of its better stretches (but do expect some road noise in the early stages), with just minimal directions to hand, found here.

 

Lunch: Botley Hill Farmhouse in Botley Hill (10.2 km/6.3 mi, food to 15.00). A table has been booked for 12.30. 

Tea: a couple of pubs in Knockholt Pound about 4 km from the end and another one, a little closer and a little off-route, in Halstead.

 

For summary, map, height profile, some photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.111

 

Evening Walk: Waterlink Way -- Greenwich to Catford

Evening Walk:  Waterlink Way -- Greenwich to Catford t=short.36

Transport: Take the 18.22 train from Cannon Street (London Bridge 18.27 & Deptford 18.33), arrives Greenwich 18.35. Meet outside the station building through the main entrance. Various return trains to London from Catford or Catford Bridge.

Distance:  4.7 miles/7.6 km 

Difficulty: None

I have noticed that evening walk attendance has been a bit low recently...... I do hope to see some of you on this week's outing..... A non-taxing and mud-free amble along the Waterlink Way, starting in Greenwich and ending in Catford.  Please note that we will be doing a portion of the Lower Sydenham to Greenwich walk in reverse.......

In more detail: from Greenwich Mainline via the Cutty Sark to the Thames, west along the river to Deptford Creek, then follow the Waterlink Way upriver along the creek and The Ravensbourne River through Deptford, St. John’s, Lewisham and Ladywell to Catford and its stations, with The Catford Bridge Tavern for post-walk food and drink. You can drop out of the walk at various points along the way......

For more information on the walk, its instructions and map, click here .

Wednesday walk: Along the Sussex coast – Littlehampton to Worthing, Lancing or Shoreham

Length: 13.8/17.8/22.4 km (8.6/11.1/13.9 miles) 2/10

To make a change from the soaked countryside, a walk along the sea front following the England Coast Path, from Littlehampton eastwards. Several possible stopping places depending how far you want to go, but after Worthing there is quite a long roadside section unless the tide is out. On the web page the walk is described east to west and the GPX goes that way too but as we are following the coast, there should be no difficulty finding the way.

Trains: 0946 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 0953, East Croydon 1004) arriving 1134. Direct trains back from Worthing 03/33, Lancing 07/37, Shoreham-by-Sea 12/42. More but slower trains back via Brighton. A return to Littlehampton will cover all journeys, but it's quite pricey so it might be worth getting advance tickets each way.

Lunch: beachside cafes or go inland for a pub:

Blue Bird Cafe, Ferring, BN12 5QX; Sea Lane Cafe, Goring BN12 4HR; , The Mulberry pub Goring (01903-241555), 10 minute walk directly inland along Sea Lane from the Sea Lane Cafe.

Tea: In Worthing, some cafes near the pier and plenty of places in town if heading for the station. The Railway Hotel by the station is in the Good Beer Guide. In Lancing, Perch on the Beach, open till 4. In Shoreham, a range of cafes and pubs, including the interesting Old Star micropub.

Shortening the walk: The railway line from Littlehampton runs all the way along the route, albeit quite a bit inland, and there are four stations before Worthing. For instance, we reach Goring-by-Sea after about 6 miles but it's another mile from the shore to the station.

L=swc.211 but note we are doing this in reverse.

Sunday Walk – The Thames Path (Richmond-Teddington Lock)

Short Walk 52 – Richmond Circular, via Teddington Lock

Length: About 12 km (7½ miles). Toughness: 1/10

Meet in the ticket hall of Richmond station at 11:00. Either take the 10:39 Bracknell train from Waterloo (Vauxhall 10:43, Clapham Jct 10:49, Putney 10:53), arriving at 10:58; or the Overground or a District line tube (see the TfL site for times). Richmond is in Zone 4.

There are five trains an hour back from Richmond to Waterloo (at xx:05, xx:09, xx:27, xx:37 & xx:57), plus the Overgrounds and tubes.

This is one of those simple Thames walks: upstream from Richmond on the south bank, cross the river at Teddington Lock and return along the north bank. It's one of the prettiest riverside stretches in the capital with plenty of interesting sights along the way.

The logical place to stop for lunch is at the halfway point, with OpenStreetMap showing a couple of pubs and a café at Teddington Lock. The Walk Notes suggest The Anglers, a large Fullers pub which is doubtless crowded in summer but should be less of a squeeze in February. There are more riverside pubs in Twickenham on the return leg, and plenty of places in Richmond if you need reviving before the journey home.

You won't need the L=short.52 page for the directions but it has some useful information about the places en route. Of the free attractions Marble Hill House is closed for the winter but the art gallery at Orleans House would be worth a detour.

NB. The Walk Notes say that its ‘fly in the ointment’ is a long stretch of road walking between Teddington Lock and Twickenham, but the map shows a newish public footpath parallel to Strawberry Vale which would cut out a third of this (as well as giving a good view of the beautifully-restored Strawberry Hill House: see photo). The Walk Map also shows a simple out-and-back route between the station and Richmond Bridge, but for a small extension at the end you could continue along the Thames Path for an extra 1 km and cross the river at Richmond Lock instead.

Sunday Walk - Varied walk out of the Crouch valley through undulating parts of Essex with a serene riverside finish, passing RHS Garden Hyde Hall, some woods and vineyards: South Woodham Ferrers to North Fambridge or Circular

Length: 25.7 km (16.0 mi) [shorter circular walk possible, see below]  

Ascent/Descent: 268m  

Net Walking Time: ca. 5 ½ hours 

Toughness: 5 out of 10

 

Take the 09.23 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (09.30 Stratford), change at Wickford (10.00/10.05) onto the Southminster train, arrives South Woodham Ferrers 10.13.  

Return trains: xx.20 (62 minutes journey time). Buy a North Fambridge return.

 

This varied walk offers splendid views of the Crouch Valley and some mildly undulating landscape. After winding its way out of South Woodham Ferrers through some fields, it leads across plenty of rolling hills and past the large RHS Garden at Hyde Hall (plantwatching), then passes through an old cemetery dense with in bluebells in season and along more fields to lunch. The afternoon route passes a couple more bluebell woods as well as some vineyards and then features an extended stretch between trees on a long disused railway line and finishes very serenely after tea, along the tidal River Crouch and through the grassy salt marshes of Blue House Farm Nature Reserve (birdwatching).

 

Walk Options:  

Alternative Ending back in South Woodham Ferrers (19.4 km/12.0 mi). 

Shortcut in North Fambridge: use a more direct route to the station (22.9 km/14.2 mi). 

Extension in North Fambridge: add more riverside walking (28.8 km/17.9 mi).

 

Lunch: The Folly pub & bistro in East Hanningfield (9.0 km, food all day, booking recommended for the bistro: 01245 400 315).  

Tea: The Prince of Wales in Stow Maries (8.3 km from the end, open all day); The Ferry Boat Inn in North Fambridge (2.1 km from the end, open all day); The Railway in Woodham Ferrers.  

 

For walk directions, map, height profile, photos, videos and gpx/kml files click here. t=swc.159

Saturday Walk - Knockolt to Otford

Length: 12.9km (8 miles), 7 out of 10 T=swc.37

This walk approaches the familiar walking territory around Shoreham and Otford in Kent from an unfamiliar angle, passing at first over wooded hills, then climbing up and over a steep ridge to get down to Shoreham. In the afternoon the route goes into a lovely hilly area of woodland and fields, passing through the lovely hidden valley of Magpie Bottom, a nature reserve.  

In winter the walk is not over-afflicted with mud, but the descents into Shoreham and Otford can be a bit slippery.

Options to extend the walk are described.

Trains: Get the 1001 Sevenoaks train from Charing Cross, (London Bridge 1010) arriving 1050.  Knockolt is in Zone 6. Depending on your travel pass, buy a single from Otford to Swanley (zone eight) or St Mary Cray (zone six), or get a return to Sevenoaks.

There are frequent return trains to Charing Cross, London Bridge or Blackfriars with the fastest requiring a change.

Lunch: Kings Arms (01959 523100), with the more upmarket Samuel Palmer (01959 525442), or a picnic in the churchyard.

Tea: Hospices of Hope charity shop, which is open till 4pm or two pubs, the first one you pass being the more basic Woodman by the roundabout, with the Bull, a cosy chain pub, 150 metres beyond the roundabout on the left.

Saturday Walk - Beaconsfield Circular

Length: 12.1 miles / 19.5 km

Exertion: 4 out of 10

A walk through gently rolling wooded hills in Buckinghamshire, it passes the cottage of the poet John Milton in Chalfont St Giles, as well as Jordans, a hamlet with Quaker links. Apparently a stile free walk.

Trains : 09.52 direct train from London Marylebone; 10.02 Wembley Stadium; 10.08 Northolt; 10.15 Sth Ruislip; 10.19 West Ruislip arriving Beaconsfield at 10.37.   Return trains at xx:04, xx:42, plus a slow service at xx:10.

Full directions for walk, GPX, map and options for shortening the walk can be found here https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/beaconsfield-circular/

Lunch : There are a couple of pubs in Chalfont St Giles - Merlins Cave and The Feathers, or you can get a sandwich at The Deli.

Tea: For tea in Beaconsfield, the choices are:

• La Cape just before the railway bridge, open until 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Serves tea and sweet stuff
• Costa Coffee in Station Road.

 

L=1.10

Saturday Walk - Woldingham to Oxted

Length: 16.8km (10.4 miles) T=swc.2

9.50 train from Victoria (9.57 Clapham Junction, 10.10 East Croydon) to Woldingham, arriving 10.26.

Buy a day return to Oxted

For walk directions, GPX and map click here.

Having been parachuted into this slot at the last minute at the request of another walk poster, I canvassed ideas on the train back from Whitchurch last Saturday, and this is the result.

This is a simple and pleasant walk up onto the North Downs, starting on its northern side in a tranquil valley, then climbing up onto the ridge, following it for a distance before descending to Godstone, where there are three pubs and a cafe for lunch. 

The afternoon is a bit more low-lying, though still gently hilly, and delivers you to the familar delights of Oxted. The early-closing cafes here encounter severe competiton from the Weatherspoons-run Oxted Inn by the station, with its bottomless hot drinks and ultra-cheap desserts. (They also serve beer...)

Trains back are at 20 past to London Bridge and 23 and 53 past to Victoria, the London Bridge train being quite a bit faster than the 23 past and slightly faster than the 53 past.

Evening Walk: The Westminster Gaslights (Lancaster Gate to St. James Park)

The Westminster Gaslights (Lancaster Gate to St. James Park) t=short.68

Meet: Lancaster Gate Station at 18.30 hours (at street level). Lancaster Gate is on the Central Line and a short walk from Paddington Station. Finish: St. James’s Park Station, a stop on the District and Circle Lines. Both stations as well as the whole route are within Zone 1.

Distance:   3.9 Miles/6.2km

Difficulty:  None

This is the first half of a longer walk that explores the atmospheric gaslights of central London which were first fired up in 1807 -- London being the first city in the world to use gas lights! I thought it would be fun to explore the lights while the evenings are still dark.... Although there is some overlap with the start of last Thursday's walk -- it does not appear anyone did that walk.... Hopefully, there is better turn out this time around.... 

The first portion of this meandering route goes through the Royal Parks of the West End to St. James’s Park. The second half which will be posted in due course will go from St. James' Park to Embankment.  

Eat/Drink: Plenty of options en route plus at the end The Two Chairmen (Greene King), The Sanctuary House Hotel (Fuller’s), the Blue Boar, The Feathers (Nicholson’s) or The Old Star (Greene King).

For more information on the walk and its instructions and map, click here .

Wednesday walk - Witley to Godalming

This walk follows the Greensand Way from Witley to Hambledon where it picks up the route of the SWC Milford to Godalming walk at paragraph 19 in the walk directions. Starting from Witley avoids an exceptionally muddy enclosed path on the Milford start.

Length: 17.9km (11 miles)

Toughness: 6 out of 10

Trains: 9.45 from London Waterloo (9.52 Clapham Junction, 10.13 Woking) arriving Witley 10.42.

Return trains from Godalming: 15.12/25/49, 16.12/25/49, 17.14/24/40/51

Buy a return to Witley.

Lunch: The suggested stop for a pub lunch is the White Horse (tel 01483 208 258) in Hascombe, which serves food from midday to 9.30pm.

Past the pub, picnickers will find benches outside Hascombe church and around the small lake across the road from it.

A later lunch option is the cafe by the entrance to Winkworth Arboretum. It serves a limited selection of hot dishes and a range of sandwiches.

Tea: various options in Godalming.

Directions

To start the walk, come out of Witley station turn left to walk up to the road. Cross the road and you will see a footpath (opposite Robin Way) which is the Greensand Way. Follow this footpath to the A283 where you turn left for 30 meters, then right up a side road for 300 meters. Turn left up a sandy track. After 380 yards turn right at Moor Cottage and continue uphill. Follow the footpath around the hilltop above Hambledon Common. Pass an old seat, then turn left down to the road at Hambledon. Turn left along Malthouse Lane. Go past Woodlands Road on the right and after 100 yards turn right up some steps behind cottages. Turn right through kissing gates over fields to turn right past Hambledon Church. From here you can follow the SWC directions from Para. 19. L=1.20

There is a GPS track for the Greensand Way which you can download to use from Witley to Hambledon.

https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/long-distance-path/greensand-way/map-print.html

Sunday Walk: Chilham Circular

15.4 km (9.6 miles) Difficulty 5/10

An energetic morning, up through downland, upland fields and woods to Sole Street. An easier afternoon, along a downland escarpment with panoramic views, then down to pass through the attractive estate of Godmersham Park, Finally, the picture postcard village of Chilham, dominated by Chilham Castle. Good displays of snowdrops towards the end.

Trains: A choice of two returns.

Cheapest: Get the 9:34 Dover Priory & Ramsgate train from Charing Cross, arriving Chilham 11:11.

Fastest: The 10:07 Ramsgate train from St Pancras platform 12, changing onto the above train at Ashford International (10:58 platform 6) Costs more.

Return at xx:15 from Chilham to Charing Cross. Rich toffs, with their swanky tickets, can change at Ashford again for St Pancras.

Lunch: The Timber Batts @ The Compasses, Sole Street (01227 531898) - it's a pub.

Tea: In Chilham, the Church Mouse tearoom is open to 4pm. Otherwise, the White Horse (01227 730 355) is in the main square near the church. 

It is 1.1km (0.7 miles) from the centre of the village to Chilham station, so allow 20 minutes.

Directions : here t=swc.138

Sunday Walk - Tunbridge Wells Circular

SWC 19: Tunbridge Wells Circular t=swc.19

Train: Take the 9:45AM Southeastern train from London Charing Cross (9:54 London Bridge), arriving at Tunbridge Wells at 10:40AM. Return trains from TW are at 08 and 39 past the hour.

Distance: 14.8 Miles or 23 3/4 km -- with short cuts available -- see walk notes.

Difficulty: 6 out of 10

This is always a varied and pleasant route through the High Weald with plenty of interest...... You should have just about enough daylight to finish the full route -- but there are short cuts available More information and the walk instructions can be found here.

The recommended lunch stop is the is the Nevill Crest and Gun ( 01892-864209 ) in Eridge Green , which has a large garden and serves good food all day from noon. Please call ahead!

There are plenty of tea options back in TW -- not to mention along the route.....

Saturday Walk - Cowden to Hever

t=SWC.78

Length: 16km (10m)
Toughness: 4 / 10
Transport: Take the 10:07 from London Bridge to Cowden, arriving at 10:53. Return trains from Hever at xx:05. Buy a day-return to Cowden.

An interesting walk through the high weald passing a number of historic houses and churches. Lunch is in Penshurst, either at the slightly upmarket Leicester Arms Hotel or at the down-to-earth Porcupine Pantry. Tea can be had in the Henry VIII pub near Hever castle. It is about 25mins from the pub to the station.

Saturday Walk - Overton to Whitchurch - Snowdrops, trout streams and a silk mill

Length: 17.3km (10.7 miles), or 14.5km (9 miles) without the Tufton loop. T=swc.53

9.50 train from Waterloo (9.57 Clapham Junction) to Overton, arriving 10.48

Buy a day return to Whitchurch (Hants)

For walk directions, GPX and map click here

This walk has proved an excellent snowdrop walk in the past. It follows the River Test on several occasions but at the time of posting there are no flood warnings on that river. I will do further checks during the week. The crystal clear waters of the Test conceal trout, who hide in the river bottom weeds but can be summoned to the surface by bread. I am not sure if it is good for them, but it is fun to do.

Lunch is at the Watership Down Inn, famed for its rabbit pie (joke!!!). I have made a booking for six people for 12.45. The pub is 4.5 miles into the walk and after it there are only 2.7 more miles to Whitchurch, where there are other pub options or the possibility of tea at the Riverside Cafe of the Silk Mill. The latter is still a working mill and can be visited (4pm last entry, 5pm close) though this costs £15.50 (with a generous £1 discount for oldies).

After tea you can do a shorter route around the village - the 9 mile version of the walk - or do the longer loop around Tufton - the 10.7 mile version. The latter is actually very pretty and includes the huge snowdrop display (pictured) of Whitchurch Cemetery, though you could just visit this without doing the loop.

Note that it is 2km from Whitchurch village centre to the station, so leave half an hour or so to do this

Trains back from Whitchurch are at 14 past the hour to 19.14, then 19.53, 20.53 etc

Saturday Walk - A walk in the low hills around the River Arun, returning through an attractive old town with a castle and cathedral: Arundel Circular

Length: 21.0 km (13.1 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]  

Ascent/Descent: 237m  

Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours 

Toughness: 4 out of 10

 

Take the 09.35 Bognor Regis train from Victoria (09.42 Clapham Junction, 09.53 East Croydon, arrives Arundel 11.02. Return trains: xx.22 and xx.52. 

 

There are many attractive walking routes where the River Arun cuts through the South Downs from Amberley to Arundel and much of this walk will be familiar to those who know the classic Arundel to Amberley walk (1–32). The walk starts along the eastern bank of the river and then goes over some low hills into the small village of Burpham (pronounced Burfem). It then returns to the river for a long clockwise loop via South Stoke to the lunchtime stop at Houghton Bridge, near Amberley station. After an undemanding stroll down the river valley via North Stoke and Offham, the walk enters Arundel Park. A stretch alongside Swanbourne Lake and a gentle climb to the top of the landscaped parkland is followed by a descent through the attractive hilltop town of Arundel, its skyline dominated by the massive castle, the principal seat of the Dukes of Norfolk, and the ornate Roman Catholic cathedral. 

 

Walk Options:  

For a shorter afternoon leg you could return from Amberley station, next to the main lunch stop at Houghton Bridge. The full Alternative Walk reverses the ending of Walk 1–32 with a loop across the water meadows to the picturesque village of Amberley, but you could substitute a visit to the open-air Amberley Museum or simply head straight to the station.

The other method of shortening the walk cuts out the entire loop between South Stoke and Houghton Bridge. For variety this Short Circular Walk takes a different route back down the Arun valley, rejoining the Main Walk for the final stretch through Arundel Park into the town. In both cases you could take a shorter ending along Mill Road into Arundel, cutting out the climb through Arundel Park.

Lunch: The Bridge Inn in Houghton Bridge (11.3 km, food all day, phone 01798 831 619). 

Tea: plenty of options in Arundel. For details consult the webpage or the pdf.

 

For walk directions, map, height profile, photos, a video and gpx/kml files click here . t=swc.100

Turner & Constable Rivals & Originals OR Lee Miller at Tate Britain

Today, we are taking the advantage of one of the rare late openings at Tate Britain to explore the careers of the two greatest British landscape painters side by side.

"Marking 250 years since their births, this landmark exhibition explores Turner and Constable's intertwined lives and legacies. Discover unexpected sides to both artists alongside intimate insights seen through sketchbooks and personal items."

To book, please click here.   Book 6:30pm slot.   Meet and Greet at the Entrance to the Tuner/Constable exhibition at 6:25pm.  

If you don't fancy this exhibition, there is also a major exhibition of the work from the trailblazing surrealist photographer Lee Miller.  This exhibition closes on Feb 15th.  So you have the last chance to see it. 

To book Lee Miller exhibition,  please click here.  Book 6.30pm slot.  Meet and Greet at the Entrance to the Lee Miller exhibition at 6:25pm (note - most walkers are going to the Tuner/Constable exhibition, so do not be surprised if there are only a few walkers here).  

There will be a Whatsapp group setup for this event to help co-ordination on the day.   If you wish to be on it, please email swcsocialATgmailDOTcom, with your mobile number.    

Post exhibition F&B

The post exhibition F&B will be held at The White Swan,  14 Vauxhall Bridge Road,  SW1V 2SA from 8:15pm.   For menu,  please click here.

I made a booking for 18 people at 8:15pm, based on the request before the deadline of 31 Jan. and requested upstairs room as it is quieter.  All 18 seats have been taken now.  

If you wish to join the post exhibition F&B,  please book a table for yourself,  ask the pub for a table next to the above large group. 

Evening Walk: A Section of the London Train Walk (Paddington to Charing Cross)

Evening Walk: Paddington to Charing Cross t=swc.374

Distance: Approximately 4.4 miles or 7.2 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Meet: At the entrance to “The Lawn” inside Paddington Station at 18:30

Return: Charing Cross – mainline and tube

This walk is part of a trilogy of walks through London passing by each of its terminus stations. We will likely need to tweak the route a bit to stay in Hyde Park as Kensington Gardens closes at 17:30....

More information about the route can be found here . Please bring a printout of the instructions (not just the GPX) as there is a lot of background information within the walk notes.

Apologies for the late posting.....

Enjoy the walk!

Wednesday walk: A Surrey woodland walk: Farnham to Godalming

Length: 20.6 km (12.8 miles) 6/10

This walk starts and ends along the River Wey. It follows the start of the North Downs Way through a narrow forested valley. It passes the village of Tilford (an early lunch there is the best bet) before going through woods, mainly on sandy bridleways (which therefore shouldn't be as muddy as some) before entering the open parklands of the Peper Harrow estate and along a narrow wooded valley beside the River Wey to tea in Godalming's ancient centre. A bit longer than some Wednesday walks but we completed it comfortably in daylight in January a couple of years ago, so by mid February it shouldn't be a problem.

Trains: 0953 from Waterloo (Clapham Junction 1000, Woking 1029), to Farnham, arriving 1055. Return trains from Farnham at 28 and 58. Plenty of trains back from Godalming. Get a return to Farnham and a single from Godalming to Woking.

Lunch: Following the closure of the Donkey in Charleshill, the only practical place for a pub lunch is the Barley Mow in Tilford (tel 01252 792 205), unfortunately only 4 miles into the walk, and the green there is probably the best picnic spot.

Tea: The Star on Church Street in Godalming is a favourite post-walk watering hole. There is a choice of tea rooms in Godalming although by the time we get there, only the well-known chains are likely to be open. I don't think the formerly recommended Cafe Mila is still extant.

Shortening the walk: When we get to Charleshill after about 6 miles, you can switch on to walk 2.12 Guildford to Farnham which gives a 10 mile circular walk back to Farnham. Directions etc. for this are in option (c) here.

L=1.12

Sunday Walk – Chilworth to Shalford [New]

SWC Walk 448c – Chilworth to Shalford

Length: 13¾ km (8.5 miles). Toughness: 3/10

10:03 Portsmouth Harbour service from Waterloo (Clapham Jct 10:12), changing at Guildford (arr 10:44, dep 10:57) for the Gatwick Airport service, arriving Chilworth at 11:06. Buy a return to Chilworth.

Trains back from Shalford to Guildford are hourly at xx:37, with a 5-minute connection for the Waterloo train. There are also trains from Shalford at xx:02 in the other direction, but returning via Redhill is much slower. If you just miss a train the #53 bus runs hourly from outside the station to Guildford at xx:58 until late, and there's also a #32 at 15:53 & 17:53.

I'm curious to see if the weather gods will keep up their campaign of unleashing spells of grim weather on my new walks, which was fairly consistent throughout 2025. If they relent I'm advised that the sandy soils in and around the Tillingbourne valley south of Guildford should be comparatively mud-free (hah!) but your boots will probably still get a decent workout.

As the full Shalford Circular is too long for winter I've chosen one of its short options (although anyone willing to prove me wrong could start from Shalford two hours earlier and meet us at Chilworth station). The first half of the walk is a circuit around Blackheath Common and back to Chilworth, which means that the lunch pub is right outside the station; if you haven't been able to book a table beforehand at the Percy Arms you might be able to do so in person before setting off. Unless you choose to divert to Guildford in mid-afternoon you'll find the Queen Victoria pub as a convenient watering-hole next to Shalford station.

Please bring the directions from the L=swc.448.c page. If you're printing them from the web page, you can save a few sheets of paper (and make the Walk Map a bit clearer) by clicking Option c.