Wednesday Walk - The Roman Town of Calleva Atrebatum: Mortimer to Aldermaston or Midgham or Theale

Length:  15.9 km (9.9 mi) (or 18.4 km to Midgham Station or 21.7 km to Theale)

Ascent/Descent:  94/92m

Net Walking Time:  3 ¼ hours

Toughness:  1 out of 10 

  

Take the 10.03 Penzance train from  Paddington, change at Reading (10.28/10.40, Basingstoke service), arrives Mortimer 10.51.

Return trains from Aldermaston are at 15.27 (chg Reading), 16.10 (chg Reading), 16.15 (chg Newbury), 17.18 (chg Reading), 18.06 (direct). From Theale they are on 16.03, 16.15, 17.01, 17.23… Buy a Mortimer return, this is usually accepted on the return journey.

From St. Mary's Church in Stratfield Mortimer, the route follows a clear stream - Foundry Brook - eventually to the amphitheatre and the 2.5 km of Roman walls surrounding the 107-acre site of the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, and the whitewashed 12^th century church at its entrance. The  remains of the fort are quite modest - just earthworks, but still very impressive, as is the amphitheatre.

The lunch stop is at a pub on Silchester Common and the afternoon route is mainly through woods of Scots pine, and commons of gorse and birch trees. Aldermaston, the teatime destination, is reached over the weirs of the River Kennet. Longer Walk: from Aldermaston continue along the Kennet & Avon Canal either to Woolhampton (Midgham Station) for some very nice pubs, or to Theale, for more frequent trains and several pubs. 

Lunch: Calleva Arms, in Silchester Common (6.8 km/4.2 mi, food to 14.30).

Tea: Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Information Centre in Aldermaston, The Rowbarge and The Angel in Woolhampton, plenty options in Theale, 400m beyond the station on the High Street.

For summary, walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. t=1.33

Sunday Walk A [minimal mud] Sunday Saunter from Dover to Deal and possibly onto Sandwich

Book 2 Walk 30:  An easy cliff walk from the dramatic White Cliffs of Dover to the charms of historic Deal or Sandwich t=2.30

Train:   Take the 9:37 AM Faversham train from London St. Pancras to Dover (9:44 at Stratford International), arriving at 10:41 AM.  Return trains from Sandwich are at 25 minutes past the hour and from Deal at 31 minutes past the hour until 21:25 and 21:31, respectively.  Buy a day return to Deal or Sandwich if planning on the longer route.

Distance:  11 miles to Deal and 16 miles to Sandwich (17.7 or 25.7, respectively, in new money)

Difficulty:  3 out of 10

First apologies for also posting another walk south of the river…..However, I could not resist the potential opportunity to see a waxing moon rising from the appropriately Eastward facing Sandwich Bay…..Besides, as this route mainly follows chalky cliffs, it is likely to be relatively mud-free…..

This fairly easy coastal walk follows the dramatic White Cliffs of Dover with nice views of the castle and the busy harbour.  It then dips down into St. Margaret's Bay for a seaside lunch before once again climbing up onto the cliffs to continue on to Deal.  The 5-mile walk to Sandwich is largely flat along a promenade with views out to Sandwich Bay.  After about 4 miles on the seafront, you will need to turn left to follow the Saxon Shore Way through the Royal St. George's Golf Club (if you pass some Public Conveniences on the left, you have gone too far (though you could also turn left along the Stour Valley Walk a short distance further on from the conveniences at a car park).  Both of these paths lead  into the charming village of Sandwich after about a mile.  If the weather conditions are clear, I would suggest, having a bevie in Deal and doing at least part of the last bit under a nicely waxing moon.  More information and the directions can be found here.

Lunch will be at the Coastguard in St. Margaret's Bay (01304 853176), a beach side pub claiming to be Britain's closest pub to France about 5 miles/8 km from the start of the walk.

The recommended tea stop in Deal is Jasins Café, located on the pier.  There are also numerous cosy pubs on the seafront.  For those on the long-haul, there are numerous pubs in Sandwich.

Fingers crossed for clear skies!

Enjoy the walk!

Sunday Walk: Stonegate to Robertsbridge

SWC walk 112: Stonegate to Robertsbridge via Burwash
13.7 km (8.5 miles) Difficulty 4/10

With gentle hills, classic woods and tranquil valleys, this walk's attractions include the unspoiled village of Burwash for lunch. Skull-and-crossbone tombstones in the churchyard mark the graves of executed smugglers, Burwash once being a centre for such activities. After lunch, it's off to Robertsbridge, along a beautiful route, which climbs up onto a ridge, has fine views to the north, then descends with panoramic views directly into the heart of Robertsbridge.
Anyone wanting a longer walk could substitute the morning of Stonegate Circular (Book 2 Walk 19) to increase the distance to 16.4 km (10.2 miles).
Trains: note corrected times
09:52 Hastings train from Charing Cross (London Bridge 10:01) arriving Stonegate 11:07
Return from Robertsbridge at xx14. Get a return to Robertsbridge.
Lunch: The Rose and Crown, Burwash (01435-882600) serves pub food from 12 to 2.30pm. It is west down the High Street from the church. The Bear Inn (01435-882260), is  further along. The Lime Tree Tea Rooms, also on the High Street (01435-882221), serving light snacks and cakes, stays open to 4:30 Sundays. Bateman's, once the home of Rudyard Kipling, is a short detour shortly after Burwash. It can be a lunch venue or early tea-stop but, unless you're an NT member, you have to pay the £12 entry fee first.
Tea: The Ostrich (01580-881737), close to Robertsbridge station, is conveniently placed to act as your afternoon tea/beer stop. Or there's the George in the High Street.
Directions can be found here. Leave your best shoes at home.

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Saturday Walk - South Downs Way Section 4: Amberley to Cocking or Midhurst (return by bus to Amberley or Chichester) (map-led)

Length:  18.4 km (11.4 mi) (or 25.5 km to Midhurst)

Ascent/Descent:  417/321m

Net Walking Time:  4 ½ hours

Toughness:  6 out of 10 

  

Take the 09.49 Southampton Central train from Victoria (CJ 09.55, EC 10.04), arrives Amberley 10.58.

In Cocking on the A road take bus line 60 either south to Chichester (xx.15 and xx.45) or north to Midhurst (xx.08 and xx.38, takes 15 minutes) and change there to bus line 1 to Pulborough (15.30, 16.30, 17.40, 30 mins journey) [note: the last bus at 18.45 isn’t much help, as it badly connects to the train].

Return trains from Chichester are only one per hour today due to trackworks: xx.00 (change at Barnham), from Pulborough they are also hourly on xx.34 to 18.34, then 19.08, 20.36…

Buy a Chichester return to keep all bus options open, buy a Chichester (All Routes) return to keep open the option to also return via Havant to Waterloo, else buy an Amberley return.

To quote the website: “This is a ridge walk along the South Downs Way (SDW) along a good, easy to follow path. There are fine views in the morning. The afternoon is forested, so even though you're on top of the ridge, it’s like walking along a forested trail. There might be better views in winter.” There will be.

I was intending to walk this west to east, as the previous SDW stretches we have done, but this way round it makes more sense if some walkers want to extend to Midhurst.  
Longer Walk: from Cocking on the A road walk down to Cocking village (1.4 km) or even on to Midhurst (another 5.7 km).

Lunch: Picnic, or pubs off route and off the downs in Duncton, Graffham and Heyshott. 

Tea: The Bluebell in Cocking is now shut, but there are plenty of options in Midhurst and Chichester.

For summary, map, height profile, some photos and gpx/kml files click here. t=swc.33

Saturday walk - Milford to Haslemere - Sandy heaths = less mud?

Milford to Haslemere (Book 1, walk 27)
Length: 18.7km (11.7 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10

9.15 train from Waterloo (9.22 Clapham Junction) to Milford, arriving 10.05.

Buy a day return to Haslemere.

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here.

I don't think this walk has ever been done in winter, but it crosses lots of heathland, at least in its later stages and so one might hope that it would have less mud than other walks (heath = sandy soils). This might be less true in the early stages out of Milford, but keep the faith....

Normally a 10.15 train is specified for this walk, but (before you complain....) normally we are doing it on a long summer day. I thought an extra hour's daylight might be useful, given the walk length: also given that there is just one lunch pub (quite popular: gastro with prices to match).

In the afternoon the original version of this walk took a somewhat quixotic route down into the valley. The variation which keeps to the ridge is much to be preferred and the diversion to Gibbet Hill is recommended

The National Trust cafe at the Devil's Punch Bowl is closed for a few weeks for refurbishment, but despair not as "hot drinks and snacks will be available from a catering outlet on site". Otherwise, carry on to Haslemere where my good friend Dr Google says Hemingways, the cafe opposite Darnleys that gets all the plaudits from walkers these days, closes at 5pm; Darnleys itself closes at 5.30pm; and Costa Coffee, with that boring inevitability that makes it such a successful chain, closes at 7.30pm.

Trains back from Haslemere: four an hour: the faster ones are the 02 and 32 past, taking around 50 minutes. The 15 and 39 past are ten minutes slower. T=1.27

Snodland to Sole Street

t=2.17

Length: 13km (8m)
Toughness: 5 / 10
Transport: There are several options:

Outbound:	High speed train from London St Pancras at 9:55 arriving in Snodland at 10:45 via a change at Strood
	Train from London Charing Cross at 9:15 arriving in Snodland at 10:45 via a change at Tonbridge
	Train from London Victoria at 9:22 arriving in Snodland at 10:45 via a change at Maidstone: Walk from Maidstone East to Maidstone Barracks (5mins)
Return:	From Sole Street direct to London Victoria at the hour
	From Sole Street to Rochester at xx:25 and then with high speed train to London St Pancras

You can pick and mix as you wish, but the high speed train has special fares. With a day return you commit yourself to that mode of transport. Also, I do not know if a day return from Charing Cross will be accepted on the return to Victoria.

This is a pleasant walk through winter woods on the North Downs and open fields, passing a historic church and ending at the very cosy pub, the Cock Inn, for tea which usually has a fire going in the winter.

Wednesday Walk - Midhurst Way Northerly Section: Haslemere to Midhurst (via Henley)

Length: 16.3 km (10.1 mi) [or longer, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 309/427m; Net Walking Time: 4 hours

Toughness:  5/10                       

Take the 10.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (10.25 Woking, 10.34 G’ford), arrives Haslemere 10.48. From Clapham J take the 09.52 stopping service (H’mere 10.45).

Return to Haslemere from Midhurst either by bus number 70 (roughly hourly, £5.00 fare in 2017, last dep. 19.05) or by taxi.

Return trains from Haslemere are four per hour (xx.02, xx.15, xx.30 and xx.37), journey time from 49 to 66 mins. Buy a Haslemere return.

The route of this walk leads out of Haslemere in a southerly direction through Camelsdale and steeply up to Marley Common, a mixture of mature woodland and open heathland and then continues south through a fine mix of quiet forests with frequent far views out to the South Downs or back to Black Down. The walk continues to the scenic villages of Fernhurst and then Henley with their respective pubs, the latter halfway up another steep ascent to Verdleyhill. Finally it passes Easebourne village and priory and enters Midhurst via Cowdray Park with its polo fields, then past the ruined Cowdray Castle by the River Rother. This walk is the northerly section of the unmarked Midhurst Way, which has been created by John Trueman, local to the area and a passionate advocate of outdoor pursuits. It runs between Arundel and Haslemere. The southerly section Arundel to Midhurst is available as a separate SWC Walk.

For a shortcut, bus line 70 also stops along the route in: Fernhurst, Henley (above the village on the A-road) and Easebourne (350m off-route on the A286).

As this is such a short walk, why not join the walk poster on a reccie walk through the woods on Marley Heights for a longer option?

Lunch: The Red Lion  in Fernhurst (6.2 km/3.8 mi), or The Duke of Cumberland Arms  in Henley (9.7 km/6.1 mi, food to 14.00).

Tea: lots of choice in Easebourne and Midhurst, check the pdf for all details; recommended are Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe (2.0 km from the end), Garton’s Coffee House, The Wheatsheaf, The Angel Inn and The Olive & Vine.

For summary, map, height profile, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.218

Sunday Walk: Overton to Whitchurch

Overton to Whitchurch
Length: 17km (10.6 miles) Toughness: 3/10

This is an easy walk down the Test valley that passes many interesting mills, old and new. There are options for shortening the walk in the afternoon.

The suggested lunchtime pub is the Watership Down Inn (01256 892254) in the village of Freefolk, after 7¼ km.

10:15 Exeter St David’s train from Waterloo (Clapham Junction 10:22) arriving Overton at 11:15.

Return trains direct from Whitchurch to Waterloo are at 14:52, 16:52 and 18:52 (journey time 67 mins). If you miss one of these, the alternative to a long wait is to take a train to Andover at 15:20, 17:20 or 19:20 and change there for a fast train to Waterloo (journey time 1 hour 39 mins). Buy an off-peak day return to Whitchurch.

You can find further information and the walk directions
here.
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Sunday Walk: Rainham to Purfleet or Grays

Rainham to Purfleet or Grays
Length: 12.8km (8 miles) or 16.2km (10.1 miles) Toughness: 2/10

If you’re fed up with winter mud, this is an easy walk on firm surfaces along an atmospheric stretch of the Thames Path just outside London, with alternative options for the afternoon.

After traversing the edge of the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes, lunch can be taken at the RSPB Visitor Centre cafe at the far end of the marshes. Those with an interest in birdwatching can then explore the marshes at leisure or join the guided Wildlife Walk starting at 1pm at the Visitor Centre. In either case, you’ll finish the walk with a short 1km stroll to Purfleet station.

If your tastes tend more towards industrial heritage, you can continue along the Thames Path after lunch, passing the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre (closes 3pm), to proceed to Grays on a challenging route through dramatic industrial landscapes and under the soaring Dartford bridge. On the way is a location used in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and another associated with Dracula as well as an amazing exhibition of graffiti art. The extensive fly-tipping that formerly blighted part of this stretch appears to have been removed and there have been no recent reports of it resuming.

10:19 Grays train from Fenchurch Street (Limehouse 10:23, West Ham 10:28) arriving Rainham at 10:42.

Return trains from Grays to Fenchurch Street are at xx:00 (Purfleet xx:06), xx:11, xx:30 (Purfleet xx:36) and xx:41 (journey time 37 mins). Buy an off-peak day return to Purfleet or Grays, according to your preferred destination.

You can find further information and the walk directions for both options:
Rainham Marshes & Purfleet, and
Rainham to Grays.
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Saturday Walk – Headley Heath & the North Downs (Tadworth Circular)

Extra Walk 139a – Tadworth Circular (short walk)
Length: 14¼ km (8.9 miles). Toughness: About 3/10

10:20 Tattenham Corner train from London Bridge (Norwood Jct 10:33, East Croydon 10:37, etc), arriving Tadworth at 11:06. Tadworth is in TfL Zone 6 so you can use Oyster, contactless or a Travelcard.

Trains back from Tadworth are at xx:22 & xx:52 (4 minutes earlier from Tattenham Corner: see below). Change at East Croydon for Clapham Jct or Victoria.

The longest version of this walk includes some stiff climbs up White Hill and through Box Hill Country Park – and no-one will stop anyone who wants to take these on – but this shorter version cutting across Headley Heath seems like a more suitable walk for winter. Lunch is at a large and not usually too crowded pub on Boxhill Road, The Tree; on the short walk you should get there just before 1pm.

You also have some options for extending this walk after lunch. The walk notes describe a longer and hillier alternative route along the North Downs Way and across Banstead Heath, making a total walk of about 17 km (5/10). In addition, after your tea stop* in Walton-on-the-Hill you could substitute one of the endings of the Merstham to Tattenham Corner Walk, finishing with fine views of the London skyline from Epsom Downs Racecourse (an extra 3-4½ km).

* The walk notes suggest a couple of pubs in this village but you could also check out the Grey Dove Village Café (01737-814171) in the parade of shops overlooking Mere Pond, serving home-made cakes, pastries and cream teas until about 4.30pm.

You'll need to download the walk directions from the Tadworth Circular Walk page. T=swc.139.a

Saturday walk - Hassocks to Lewes - a South Downs classic

Hassocks to Lewes (Book 1, walk 29)
Length: 18km (11.2 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10: one big climb to start, another if you go to the pub for lunch: otherwise gently undulating or downhill

9.20 train from Victoria (9.26 Clapham Junction, 9.36 East Croydon) to Hassocks, arriving 10.07. (A lovely quick train - this is basically the Brighton Fast with a Hassocks stop)

Buy a day return to Lewes (this is valid via Brighton and so therefore must be valid via Hassocks, right?...)

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here.

I am taking a gamble on the weather in picking this walk at this time of year. If there are gale force winds and driving rain it has not a shred of shelter and will be mainly attractive for those practising for their Scottish holiday in May..... Low clouds would also hide the magnificent views that make it worthwhile. (In fairness, both of these things are true in June too.) But if there is reasonably fine weather there is little better than a bracing stride along the South Downs Ridge, with all England spreading away to the north. Blow away the winter cobwebs, focus your mind onto summer walks to come, look down on fields and villages and feel detached from the humdrum cares of the world...

The chalk downs are also relatively mud-free in winter - the word to stress being "relatively". Hopefully no gloopy morasses and with (almost?) no stiles either, the miles should fly by. The one thing to watch out for are paths descending off the downs, particularly when going down to Plumpton: thin mud on chalk can be slippy. Take care.

It is a VERY long time since I went to the Half Moon in Plumpton, the recommended lunch stop, but it seems to still be there. Sandwichers can miss out this ascent and descent. In Lewes as well as the tea places mentioned at the top of the high street you may also find others at the bottom in the pedestrianised bit by the river...

Trains back are at 16 and 54 past today. This is not quite the normal service and journey times are 5-10 minutes longer than usual (so 1hr 10 mins or so), but nothing tragic. T=1.29

Saturday Walk A [mud-free] exploration of Hayling Island -- Portsmouth Harbour to Havant or Emsworth

SWC 179:  Historic Portsmouth Harbour; a ferry ride and the exploration of Hayling Island T=swc.179

Train:   Take the 9:00 AM Portsmouth Harbour train from London Waterloo to its final destination, arriving at 10:33 AM.  There are a number of return trains from both Havant and Emsworth each hour, the faster ones (generally to Waterloo) from Havant are at 17:04; 17:26; 17:30 (Victoria); 17:40; 18:04; 18:34; 18:40; 19:04; 19:34; 19:40; 20:04; 20:34; 20:40 and 21:04 and from Emsworth (requiring a change at Havant) 17:00; 17:15; 18:15; 19:15 and 20:20.  Buy a day return to Portsmouth Harbour.

Distance:  13 miles (20.9 in new money) or, to Emswoth, 14 miles (22.5 in new money)

Difficulty:  1 out of 10

Admittedly, this walk may not be considered entirely a country walk, but, in the midst of mud season, it should make for a varied and hopefully interesting mud-free day.  The route starts in historic Portsmouth harbour and explores a number of interesting historical points along the seafront promenade to Eastney from where you catch the Hayling Island ferry (£5:50).  During the winter, the ferry runs hourly on the hour, I would suggest aiming for the 1:00 PM ferry.

Once on Hayling Island there is a choice of routes after lunch, but, the recommended one would be to follow a disused railway line alongside Langstone Harbour eventually back to the mainland along a causeway.  Once across the causeway, a further choice presents itself – either following the suggested route to Havant or veering right to follow the Solent Way for a slightly longer map-based route to Emsworth.  More information on the walk can be found here.  There do not appear to be detailed written instructions for this walk, so I would suggest printing the information page which describes a suggested route (and some options) and the OS map from the website.  Notwithstanding the lack of written text, the route looks fairly straight forward….

There are two options for lunch: the Ferryboat Inn (https://www.classicinns.co.uk/theferryboatinnhaylingisland/food-and-drink/ 02392 463 459) on the Hayling Island side of the ferry or the Inn on the Beach (www.innonthebeach.co.uk/foodanddrink/ 02392 460 043) a further 2 kilometers along at the main  decision point.  Tea or late afternoon refreshments can be had at the Royal Oak just across the causeway or numerous places in either Havant or Emsworth.

Enjoy the walk!

ABBA - Super Troupers at Southbank Centre (Royal Festival Hall)

Are you  feeling the January Blues?  Come and see this exhibition about ABBA and its music will keep you joyful for the rest of the month.

A musical journey with Swedish pop sensation ABBA as they take over 1970s Britain in this one-of-a-kind exhibition. Led by a personal tour guide and the exhibition takes you through nine immersive rooms exploring the music, lyrics and lives of one of the world’s most unforgettable bands.

Ticket £20, click here to book.  Book the 6.45pm slot and meet at the entrance to the exhibition 10 mins beforehand.  Please note this is timed guided tour, you would need to be there on time to join the tour.

Post exhibition F&B will be at Doggett's Coat & Badge (the pub overlooking the river),
1 Blackfriars Bridge, 20 mins walk from Southbank Centre.  Click here to see the menu and location.  A table for 8 has been booked in case it is busy.

Wednesday Walk: Wanborough to Godalming - Watts Gallery and Chapel, and along the River Wey

Book 1, Walk 2 - Wanborough to Godalming

Length: 12.9 km (8 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10 (more if muddy)

London Waterloo: 10-15 hrs   Haslemere service.   Clapham Junction 10-22 hrs
Arrive Guildford: 10-50 hrs   Change trains
Leave Guildford:  11-00 hrs   Ascot service
Arrive Wanborough: 11-06 hrs

Return: Godalming to Waterloo: 15-25, 15-51, 16-25, 16-38, 16-51, 17-25, 17-40 and 17-51 hrs

Rail ticket: Buy a day return to Wanborough plus a single from Godalming to Guildford

This short walk has lots of variety and sights and it usually makes for a lovely winter's outing.

In the morning a new route avoids a waterlogged path as you head over fields towards Wanborough Church (worth a visit), Your walk then continues steadily uphill along a bridleway over-arched by evergreens before you cross the A31 road and head down through Greyfriars Vineyard. You are soon on the North Downs Way as you head for Watts Gallery (worth a visit) with its much improved tea room, a possible early lunch stop. Just down the road from the Gallery is Watts Chapel, again, well worth a visit.
You now head for the village of Compton, via a farm and along the edge of a wood (which can be muddy), for the lunch pub stop on today's walk, the usually excellent and comfy Withies Inn Booking ahead is strongly advised - I prefer the informal bar area to the restaurant with its low ceiling, which I find cramped and claustrophobic. Withies Inn: 01483-421158. Your e.t.a will depend on the number of sights you visit in the morning.
After lunch you have a pleasant route over fields and through woodland, then along an undulating path above and beside the River Wey, before you drop down to walk beside the river all the way into Godalming. The preferred  tea stop of late is the upstairs room in Cafe Mila, in Angel Court, just off the High Street. After tea you have a ten minute walk to Godalming station, for your journey home.
This is a lovely little walk - and so Recommended.
T=1.2
Walk Directions are here: L=1.2

Sunday Walk: Saunderton Circular via Lacey Green (or on to Princes Risborough)

Saunderton Circular via Lacey Green
Book 2 walk 2 + extra download
13.25 km.  8.25 miles approx
4/10
You got two choices today, a short walk looping back to Saunderton station (8.25 miles), or a short walk ending in Princes Risborough (8.1 miles).
The first choice, a hybrid of the Saunderton via Bledlow and Saunderton to Princes Risborough walks, doesn’t visit either Bledlow or Princes Risborough. You follow the alternative directions along the east side of the Saunderton valley to lunch in Lacey Green. Later, you join the shorter version of the main walk for the return to Saunderton along the west side. This combination is not exactly rocket science but you will need the connecting information below. (After the scientific-looking rocket).
The second choice, finishing in Princes Risborough, also involves both sets of instructions but you follow them as intended, remembering to follow the Princes Risborough directions from Bledlow.
Trains: Get the 10:13 Aylesbury train from Marylebone arriving Saunderton 10:53.
Return from Saunderton at xx:50.
A return to Princes Risborough is only a few pence more than one to Saunderton and covers both endings.
If you decide to finish in Princes Risborough, trains return from there at xx:20 and xx:45.
Lunch: The Whip in Lacey Green  01844 344060. Phoning suggested. The Whip has a good choice of beer, some unusual ciders, and last time, people seemed happy with their food. You reach here a little early, about 12. I considered a later train but reckoned you'd rather get round before dark.
The Boot 01494 481499  is a later alternative for the circular walk. A bit too late, some say. They serve food 12-6.
Anyone deciding on the Princes Risborough ending has another late option, the Lions of Bledlow 01844 343345, serving till 3.
Tea: The Golden Cross pub does tea, cakes, and stuff and is handy for Saunderton station. It’s on the main road, just past the station turn-in.
The Bird in Hand pub is not far from Princes Risborough station (at 47 Station Road). The "stay on the road" directions take you there. I don't think they do tea.
Directions: available here.
You need two sets of directions:

• the main book 2 walk (on the “download walk” button), and
• the alternative walk (on the ”finish in Princes Risborough” button. - note that this also includes the alternative start).

Start with the alternative directions (titled Saunderton to Princes Risborough). After lunch in Lacey Green, continue with these directions until they join the main (book 2) walk. This is just before point [3] in the main walk's  text.

Now, pay attention!        

               

• To follow the short walk back to Saunderton, at point [3] itself, (literally the next gate), switch to the short walk directions at the end of the main walk text (i.e. turn left along a bridleway instead of going straight on through the “kissing gate with a three-armed signpost”).
• To head for Princes Risborough, you do go through that kissing gate and follow the main walk on into Bledlow, where you switch back to the Princes Risborough ending. T=2.2.hybrid 
  
  

Sunday Walk: Westhumble Circular

Westhumble Circular Book 2, walk 14b
Length: 13.3km (8.3 miles) Toughness: 4 out of 10

The Polesden Lacey estate is the highlight of this walk - a landscape of hidden valleys and pretty woodland. This option ventures into a quiet valley not visited by the main walk. After Polesden Lacey, the route follows the main directions back to Westhumble. (The station there, "Box Hill & Westhumble" is referred to as Box Hill in the text).
Trains from Victoria:
Southern services from Victoria are cheapest.
From Victoria the 9:40 (Clapham Jct. 9:48) gets to Box Hill station at 10:36.
Return from Box Hill to Victoria at xx:18 and xx:48.
Return from Dorking to Victoria at xx:15 and xx:45.
Trains from Waterloo:
For a few dollars more, you could get the 10:02 from Waterloo (Clapham Jct. 10:12) arriving Box Hill at 10:50.
Return to Waterloo from Box Hill at xx:10 or from Dorking at xx:07.
Lunch: is at Polesden Lacey. The Granary Cafe there is accessible without paying the entrance fee.
(Unless you're an NT member, you have to pay to visit the house & gardens).
Tea: Denbies Vineyard, serves teas, closing at 4:30. Pilgrim Cycles at Box Hill station have a cafe that closes at 4.There's also the Stepping Stones pub nearby.
Directions can be found here. There have been substantial changes since the book, so use the online version. Start at "Box Hill station to Polesden Lacey" following paras 58-99 then 109 to 141. A final section diverts anyone so inclined towards Dorking.
 T=2.14.b

Great Missenden Circular

CW2 4c Great Missenden Circular
Length: 16 km (10 miles). Toughness: 3/10

Catch the 10:27 from London Marylebone arrives Great Missenden 11:08.
Return trains: xx:02 xx:32 until 18:02 then xx:02 until 22:02.

Allow sufficient time to buy your ticket at Marylebone. Recently there have been queues for the ticket office and machines caused by the number of passengers travelling up to Bicester Village.


This is a rarely walked option that combines the initial section of CW1 Walk 5 up to [3] with a link section detailed in these Alternate walk directions for a Great Missenden Circular walk (this text also includes the CW1 Walk 5 directions up to [3]), to then link up with the CW2 Walk 4.

It may all seem a little convoluted; plan is to - after checking the directions on Saturday - to merge the 4b and 4c options into the CW2 Walk 4 pdf download.

Download directions required:

For the first section of the walk up to [4] in CW2 Walk 4 [link to option 4c].
Second section of the walk from [4] in CW2 Walk 4 [Link to CW2 Walk 4]

Lunch at Cock & Rabbit, The Lee. T=2.4c

Saturday walk - Horsley to West Byfleet, with optional Thames extension

Horsley to West Byfleet....or Weybridge
Length: 15.4 km (9.6 miles), with possible 3-4 mile extension to Weybridge
Toughness: 3 out of 10

10.03 train from Waterloo (10.12 Clapham Junction, 10.19 Wimbledon) to Horsley, arriving 10.48.

For walk directions click here, for GPS click here

A day return to Guildford would definitely cover both outward and return journeys. Whether you could persuade the sometimes stern SWT train guards that a Horsley return was valid from West Byfleet I do not know....

This walk made a great pre-Christmas outing in 2016, despite there being a missing footbridge over the river, which we got around some way or other: I forget exactly how: but it may even be fixed by now. I remember a pleasant mix of scenery, including heathland, fields and woods, and despite the map showing a proximity to a motorway at one point, not much traffic noise.

There is a wonderful riverside pub, the Anchor, 12.7km (7.8 miles) into the walk, if you can hold off your hunger pangs that long. It is large and popular but serves food all afternoon and so getting there after the main lunchtime rush may be no disadvantage. The numerically-gifted among you will be aware that it is very close to the end of the walk, so you also don't need to fret about leaving much before dusk. For the same reason this pub would make a good tea stop.

Otherwise, there is the Black Swan reached by a short diversion some 3 miles into the walk at Martyr's Green: I don't know this establishment but from its website it looks to have nice food.

From memory West Byfleet has a cafe or two.

EXTENSION: Judging from the turnout on last week's Knockholt to Otford walk the standard walk may be enough for many of you, but for those wanting a longer walk, the suggestion is to switch at West Byfleet to the West Byfleet to Hampton Court walk and walk the first three miles or so of that to Weybridge. This is an easy walk along canal and riverside paths (though directions, click here, or GPS, click here, might be useful to get you started) and Weybridge has some nice riverside pubs. It is then about a mile to walk through the town to the railway station. No directions provided for this, but Google Maps or passers-by should be able to direct you.

Trains back from West Byfleet are at 27 and 47 past (there are also trains at 06 and 36 past, but these are stopping services, arriving at Waterloo only 5 minutes before the next fast train).

Trains back from Weybridge are at 06 and 36 (slightly faster) or 12 and 42 (slightly slower). T=3.214

Saturday Walk: Leigh to Tunbridge Wells

Leigh to Tunbridge Wells - Book1 Walk 15
11.7 miles / 18.9km


Penshurst Place, the Medway Valley, and Tunbridge Wells


Trains: Take the 09:39  from London Victoria (09:56 East Croydon), arriving at Leigh at 10:34.
Return trains to London Bridge from Tunbridge Wells at xx29/59.  Note that there are no trains to Charing Cross today due to engineering works.
Buy a day return to Tunbridge Wells.


Lunch: The Spotted Dog (tel 01892 870 253) at Smart's Hill, phone first if you would like to sit inside.  An alternative nearby is the Bottle House Inn (01892 870306) on Coldharbour Road.


Tunbridge Wells has plentiful teashops in the Pantiles area and the High Street (Juliet's has nice cakes).  Or a five-minute walk past the station up Mount Pleasant Road will bring you to the splendid Opera House, now a JD Wetherspoon pub.


T=1.15

Wednesday Walk: Amersham to Great Missenden - The Chilterns, Beech Woods, Toby's Lane and Little Missenden

Book 1, Walk 5 (R): Amersham to Great Missenden

Length: 16.3 km (10.1 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10 (more if Toby's Lane is muddy)

Either
London Marylebone: 09-57 hrs    Aylesbury Vale Parkway service
Arrive Amersham: 10-32 hrs

Or
LT underground Baker Street: 09-33 hrs   Amersham service
Arrive Amersham: 10-24 hrs
and wait at station for arrival of Aylesbury train (10-32 hrs)

Return: Great Missenden to Marylebone: 16-02, 16-32, 17-02, 17-29, 18-04 and 18-35 hrs

Rail ticket: a day return to Great Missenden (one stop beyond Amersham in travel zone 9) making use of any travel card you might possess.


A year ago we tried out this walk "backwards" on a Wednesday in January, and as it worked well, let's try it again !

From the railway station in Amersham New Town we head down through Parsonage Wood to the Old Town where we soon head uphill along the edge of a vast field (Gore Hill) to Coleshill. Onwards then to Winchmore Hill and Penn. I suggest we by-pass the two (very good) pubs in Penn and proceed through Penn Wood to Beamond End which soon connects with Toby's Lane, a long, potentially muddy or waterlogged way which heads due north between farms and farmland.This lane eventually drops down to the pretty village of  Little Missenden, where we will stop for a late lunch at the pleasant Red Lion pub ('phoning ahead advised - 01494-862876 - e.t.a 13-20 hrs).
After lunch you head through woods and over fields and through a stud farm before a stretch over fields takes you to the outskirts of Great Missenden. 
For tea in the High Street you have a choice of the popular Cross Keys pub, or Cafe Twit (part of the Roald Dahl Museum), or Matildas Cafe - all are close to the railway station for your journey home.
T=1.5
Tips on Walking Backwards here
Walk Directions here L=1.5