Saturday Walk - North Wessex Downs an hour from London, a chalk figure, some stunning views: Pewsey Circular

COVID 19

Track-and-Trace: please provide email address (preferred) or mobile phone number at the start

Rule of Thirty: for the foreseeable

 

Length: 26.8 km (16.7 mi) [shortcuts possible, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 413 m

Net Walking Time: ca. 6 hours

Toughness: 7 out of 10 

 

Outside of the Network Railcard Area, and without lunch pubs. But the scenery…!

 

Take the 10.35 Paignton train from Paddington (11.01 Reading, 11.16 Newbury), arriving Pewsey at 11.34. 

Return trains: 17.06 (63 mins, stops Newbury and Reading), 19.23 (60 mins, stops Newbury and Reading) or 20.43 (56 mins, stops Reading only) 

 

Buy a Pewsey return (the full undiscounted off-peak price is £42.60, but it’s of course cheaper with Railcards, and in any case cheaper if you buy separate return tickets London-Newbury and Newbury-Pewsey, or – if travelling back on the 20.43 train – London-Reading and Reading-Pewsey). 

!! For example, if you are using a Network Railcard, buy a discounted London-Newbury return and a separate off-peak Newbury-Pewsey return (and travel back on the trains that DO stop at Newbury, see above). 

 

Exhilarating excursion through the solitude of the Vale of Pewsey, which separates the chalk upland of the North Wessex Downs to the north from that of Salisbury Plain to the south, including an ascent up the southerly hill chain of the Marlborough Downs, from where there are stunning far views in all directions over this land of wave-like hills, with its scarps, ridges and valleys. It is a mysterious landscape, full of pre-historic earthworks and hillforts as well as barrows – burial mounds of kings and warriors. After a scenic descent back into the Vale of Pewsey, your tea option is in the hamlet of Honeystreet. Finally, an undemanding stretch along the Kennet & Avon Canal leads back to Pewsey.

Two Shortcuts on the downs are possible, they reduce the walk by 3.5 km (2.1 mi) or 3.4 km (2.1 mi) respectively. See route map and pdf for details. 

 

Lunch: Picnic. 

Tea: Honeystreet Mill Café in Honeystreet (19.6 km/12.2 mi, open to 17.00), or The Barge Inn, also in Honeystreet, plus one other en route and several others in Pewsey; check page 2 of the walk directions pdf. 

For summary, walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.127

Saturday Walk - Stonegate Circular

Stonegate Circular T=2.19

Length: 15.5 km (9.6 miles) 4 hours 45mins, or long walk of 29.5km (18.3 miles)

Requested by Brian, this walk passes over gentle hills and into tranquil valleys, through classic English wood and pastureland, its attractions include the unspoiled village of Burwash for lunch, and Bateman's, the one time rural retreat of Rudyard Kipling. For those venturing on the long walk section after lunch at Burwash Common, this could with some justification be described as a wilderness walk.

Covid-19 This is an informal walk for up to thirty people. For presumably the last time, please help Brian by registering on Eventbrite here.

Trains: Take the 1005 Hastings train from Charing Cross arriving 1126. (There is also a 1012 from Victoria, which involves a 4 minute change at Sevenoaks). Return trains are xx23

Lunch: The Rose and Crown 6km from the start of the walk, which serves pub food from 12 to 2.30pm - 160 metres west down the High Street from the church. or The Bear Inn  90 metres further west.

Tea: There is nothing at Stonegate station. The Wheel Inn Burwash Weald, 10km from the start of the walk

Saturday Walk Botley to Netley - The River Hamble - a swim in a cove - marinas, a ferry crossing to Hamble, then along the beach of Southampton Water to Netley

Book 1, Walk 3 (R) - Botley to Netley

Length: 15.2 km (9.5 miles)

Toughness: 2 out of 10

London Waterloo:  10-09 hrs   SouthWest train service to Portsmouth Harbour    (does NOT stop at Clapham Junction ) Woking: 10-34 hrs   Winchester: 11-19 hrs

Arrive Botley: 11-38 hrs

Clapham Junctioners: 10-12 hrs    SouthWest train service to Weymouth

Arrive Winchester: 11-04 hrs   Change trains 

Leave Winchester: 11-19 hrs - on Portsmouth Harbour train - as above

Arrive Botley: 11-38 hrs

Return 

Netley to Waterloo via Fareham: 02 mins past the hour

Netley to Waterloo via Southampton Central:  18 mins past the hour

Both journeys just over 2 hours

Rail ticket:  buy a day return to Netley

Covid-19 Compliance: [until 19 July 2021] please note the current guidance on this website and observe social distancing. You should all come prepared to exchange contact details for track and trace purpose. You can either pre-register for this walk (not essential ) by e-mailing me at swc-marcus@walkingclub.org.uk  or, if you prefer, please write your name, e-mail address and contact 'phone number on a small piece of paper for handing to me on the train or when we assemble at walk start. Thank you.  

This is a seaside walk with a difference. In the morning, after walking along the road from the railway station to the centre of Botley, you cross fields before dropping down by Manor Farm and Country Park then woods on the Strawberry Trail to reach a number of coves on the River Hamble. Swimmers might like to try one of these for a pre-lunch dip. Picnickers can then pick a spot nearby for their lunch. Then its on along the edge of woodland and over fields to Lower Swanwick near Burlesdon, where those seeking a pub lunch have a choice.  The Navigator pub (Harpers Steakhouse) is popular, but the Marina Cafe in the Premier Swanwick Marina is also good - as is Bistro 8 Bar and restaurant in the Universal Marina, which you come to circa 25 mins after the Navigator.  

You next have a relaxing, flat 3 km walk on a causeway next to the River Hamble, passing moored yachts and marinas along the way.  You come to a small shelter in colour shocking pink. This is the waiting place for the Warshash Ferry - also a vision in shocking pink. Make sure you get to the shelter [!] by latest 4 pm for the last crossing today on this ferry of the River Hamble to the quaint village of Hamble. You next cross Hamble Common to come out onto the beach to Southampton Water. You now walk along the beach (or if you prefer, along the woodland trail to its right ) for some 2 kms until you come to Netley and the Royal Victoria Country Park. Walk up through the park to its Cedar Tea Rooms (Cafe in the Park), your tea stop. From here its about 20 minutes to Netley railway station.

This walk seldom, if ever, gets posted on a Saturday in either direction, let alone in reverse, but on a Summer's day, if we are lucky with the weather, I think you will enjoy it.

Recommended - the long(ish) train journeys are worth it !

T=1.3

Walk Directions are here: L=1.3

Thursday Evening: Lovely Lullingstone Lavender near Shoreham

Evening Walk: Shoreham Circular (North Loop with short cut) t=swc.289

Distance:          Approximately 5.5 miles or 9 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty:         3 out of 10

Train:               18:24 Hasting train from London Bridge with change in Sevenoaks (18:48 arrival/18:52), arriving Shoreham at 19:02

Return:             21:32; 21:45; 22:02; 22:15; 22:32; 22:45 (to a variety of London-bound destinations)

We did this short version of the Shoreham figure-of-eight walk as an evening walk last year at this time and it worked quite nicely….an easy journey from London to enjoy the evening in some lovely gentle undulating countryside….with a splash of purple ….The walk route passes by the usually very impressive lavender field at Castle Farm which should be in good bloom now…

Unfortunately, most of the pubs in Shoreham stop serving evening food rather early (usually about 8:30pm) – but we should be able to at least find a drink and some crisps at the end of the walk in one of the 4 pubs or the vineyard in the village….

More information about the route can be found here.

To facilitate collecting track and trace details, please sign up for this walk in advance using the London Walkers User Group site. To report a Covid case after this walk, use covid@lwug.co.uk.   

Enjoy the walk!

Wednesday Walk: Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South

Book 2, walk 15

11.3 miles (18.1km) or, with shortcut, 8.6 miles 13.8km.

Difficulty 4/10

The South London Downs, England’s newest National Nature Reserve,  features some of the finest preserved commons in London's green belt, including Happy Valley and Farthing Down. That’s where we're going today. Farthing Down in particular is noted for its wildlife, historic sites, and views. There’s woodland as well.

In the afternoon we pass Chaldon Church, home to one of England's oldest and biggest wall paintings. Find out what happens to people who don’t behave - and  make sure you’re not one of them. Always follow those government guidelines.

Trains: Get the 10:50 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 10:56 E Croydon 11:09) arriving Riddlesdown 11:18.

Trains back: xx:20 & xx:50 from Coulsdon South to Victoria. xx:39 and xx:09 to London Bridge.

Riddlesdown and Coulsdon stations are within Tfl travelcard zone 6. A Zones 1-6 travel card may be best.

Lunch

The appointed lunch stop is The Fox, Coulsdon Common 01883 330 401.  There's a possible earlier stop in Wattenden - the Wattenden Arms, open from 12.

Refreshment stops are a bit unreliable at present so it’s a good idea to bring snackies and water in case they’re needed.

Tea: The Poppy Café in the Memorial Gardens (across Marlpit Lane from Reddown Rd) is open to 6. There is a CaffeNero, 5 mins north of the station at 132 Brighton Road, open until 5pm 020 8660 7111.

The walk's introduction also gives directions to a pub, the Pembroke 0208763 0800.

Walk Directions:  here. 

It is possible to take the shortcut (option a) soon after the pub. You could also finish at the pub by taking a 466 bus to East Croydon Station.

Covid-19 Compliance: Please adhere to the current guidance on this website. Please sign up for this walk in advance if you can, using the London Walkers User Group site. (This saves time collecting contact details). Otherwise bring a piece of paper with your contact details e.g email on it (in your neatest handwriting!) This will be put in an envelope and accessed if needed for contact tracing. To report a Covid case after this walk, contact covid@lwug.co.uk /   

 T=2.15

Sunny (hopefully) Summer Sunday along the Seven Sisters: Seaford to Eastbourne

Book 2 Walk 28:  Seaford to Eastbourne  t=2.28

Distance:  13.6 Miles or 21.9 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty:  9 out of 10

Train:  Take the 9:46 AM Ore-bound train from London Victoria (stopping at East Croydon at 10:02), changing at Lewes (arriving 10:50; departing 11:05) and arriving in Seaford at 11:25. Buy a day return to Eastbourne. 

I usually post this walk going in reverse from Eastbourne to Seaford, as I enjoy having a late afternoon swim in Cuckmere Haven. However, the tides today lean towards a Seaford start with a nice high tide swim at 1:00pm in Cuckmere Haven with possible later swimming options in Birling Gap and Eastbourne. The forecast is looking pretty good for the East coast, so hopefully it holds…Although directions are hardly necessary for this classic along the Seven Sisters. You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

In terms of lunch, for the swimmers, I would suggest proceeding direct to the east side of Cuckmere Haven (better swimming) and having a picnic on the beach post swim. Otherwise, the recommended lunch spot is the Cuckmere Inn. Afternoon refreshments can be enjoyed at the National Trust tea room at Birling Gap or (again) at the Beachy Head pub. Eastbourne has a host of post walk options for drinks or food.

To facilitate collecting track and trace details, please sign up for this walk in advance using the London Walkers User Group site. To report a Covid case after this walk, use covid@lwug.co.uk.   

Enjoy the walk and swims!

Saturday walk - Hook to Winchfield - A nature reserve, a castle ruin, a pretty old town and the Basingstoke Canal

Length: 20km (12.4 miles), with 16.3km (10.1 miles) and 24.3km (15.1 miles) options T=swc.84

9.42 train from Waterloo (Surbiton 10.00, Woking 10.19) to Hook, arriving 10.48

From Clapham Junction, get the 9.52 Portsmouth train to Woking and change there (arriving 10.12, departing 10.19)

Buy a day return to Hook.

For walk directions and the home page for this walk click here, for GPX click here, for a map of the route click here.

This walk often gets done in winter, when its firm canalside paths are a welcome mud-free option, but I reckon it has lots to offer as a summer walk. Early on you cross Bartley Heath, a change from the earlier route across some fondly-remembered boggy bits on Hook Common. You then pass the remains of Odiham Castle and come to Greywell with its marshland nature reserve, which an informant of mine says is full of the most wonderfully rare flowers and plants at this time of year (though you lot doubtless will not bother to stop and look at them, and you can cut it out - boo, hiss, shame on you! - using a short cut). In general there is lots of waterside walking on this walk, so there should be a chance to see dragonflies and damselflies and the like.

Your lunch stop is the pretty old town of Odiham which has pubs and cafes and shops - see the walk home page for details. After lunch there is a substantial section on the lovely Basingstoke Canal. You then have the option of longer* or shorter routes towards the end of the walk, where there are also a couple of pubs to act as tea stops, the Winchfield Inn being the nearest to its eponymous station (as far as I can see, it is open all afternoon). 

Trains back from Winchfield are at 05 and 35 past. 

* This longer option has apparently been re-jigged since this walk last had an outing: "I don't think anyone has done it yet" the walk author tells me.

**** Hopefully we can soon abandon this, but for the moment it would still be very useful if you could pre-register for this walk for contact tracking purposes at www.lwug.co.uk: if not, please bring a piece of paper with your email written on it, which will be kept in an envelope and only used if a case of Covid arises on the walk. To let us know if a contract tracing requirement arises as a result of this walk, use covid@lwug.co.uk ****

Saturday Walk - Best of the Lewes Walks? - Circular via Glynde, West Firle (optional), Southease, Rodmell and Kingston (or the other way 'round)

COVID 19

Track-and-Trace: please provide email address (preferred) or mobile phone number at the start

Rule of Thirty: for the foreseeable

 

Length: 24.2 km (15.1 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 584m

Net Walking Time: ca. 6 hours

Toughness: 7 out of 10 

Dropouts: at Southease or Glynde stations; longer: via West Firle (29.7 km/18.4 mi)

 

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

From London Bridge, take the 09.15 Thameslink service from Cambridge to Brighton and change at Haywards Heath (10.00/10.08). 

Return trains: xx.27 and xx.57.

This walk is written up in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

I am posting the clockwise one, but you can of course do what you like… incl. walking a longer version via West Firle.

 

“This is an energetic walk over three distinct downland ridges, with magnificent views throughout. One of the pleasures of the walk is that the entire route is in view for much of the walk, so you can look back at the terrain you have already done or ahead to the delights to come. Navigation is easy, the walking is over wide and distinct paths, and while there are three substantial climbs, most of the walk is flat, gently undulating or downhill.

As well as plenty of grand downland walking, the route includes a start and finish in historic Lewes, quaint corners of which you see both at the start and end of the walk, an optional detour to Mount Caburn (Iron Age fort) with its dramatic viewpoint of the whole circuit, and the pleasant small village of Glynde. 

You also pass the remote station of Southease, with its YHA cafe nearby. The walk passes 2 train stations on the way between the 3 hills, so if you want to drop out, it’s quite easy.”

 

Lunch:

The Ram Inn in West Firle on the long clockwise walk (lunch served to 15.00, then the bar menu) or the…

Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell on any anti-clockwise route (9.0 km/5.6 mi, food all day) or even on the normal clockwise route. 

Tea: Plenty of options in Lewes. For details see the pdf. T=swc.47 

 

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