Newhaven to Brighton walk

Length: 11.8 miles (possible to cut walk short by getting a bus to Brighton along the route).

Toughness: 3/10

9.24 train from Victoria (9.31 Clapham Junction, 9.40 East Croydon) to Lewes arriving 10.32, changing there for the 10.36 to Newhaven Town, arriving 10.45

Buy a day return to Newhaven Town, which is also valid for return from Brighton.  Frequent trains back to London from Brighton station.

For more details of the walk click here. There is a GPX and map

Today's route is straightforward:  turn left on the main road from Newhaven Town station over the rail line, and follow the estuary around to the left, then up onto the headland and keep to the coast path.  You don’t need hiking boots for this walk – trainers should be OK. 

This walk is being posted by special request. 

This coastal walks boasts a Victorian Fort and harbour arm, quiet White Cliffs, an undercliff path, Brighton's marina, busy promenades and board walks passing Brighton's pier, shops, cafes.  The whole walk has nice sea views.

Lunch: The Peacehaven, 4 miles into the walk, is a carvery and pizza restaurant.

Telescombe Tavern after half a mile from Peacehaven, fairly basic menu.

Smuggler's Rest a short distance away may be better than the above two.

Once you get to Saltdean, 5.6 miles into the walk, you can switch, if you wish, to the seafront promenade, which runs under the bottom of the cliffs past Rottingdean (6.3 miles) to Brighton Marina. Both Saltdean and Rottingdean have seafront cafes,  It’s more interesting walking through the Marina, rather than outside it.  More eating options here and buses back to Brighton.

 Continue walking until you get to the Palace Pier in 10.8 miles. If you happen to get here just before dusk you could be rewarded with a murmuration of starlings.

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#2026-10-31T09:24

Wednesday Walk: Saunderton circular via West Wycombe

16 km (10 miles) 4/10

A mixture of woods and meadows, with a couple of steep hills and several interesting sights on the way - Hughenden Manor, West Wycombe caves (open for “pumpkin fest” at the moment £4.50) and a mausoleum. There are tea-rooms at Hughenden Manor and at the caves, and several good picnic spots. Amazingly this Book 2 classic has not been posted for nearly two years although there have been couple of outings for the longer Wheelers End variant.

Travel: 1006 from Marylebone, arriving 1045. Return trains at 1532, 1615, 1702, 1749.

Lunch: the National Trust cafe at Hughenden Manor is open from 10 to 3.30 and is conveniently placed for lunch. There are picnic benches nearby. The Le De Spencer's Arms (tel 01494 535317), Downley Common 9km from the start of the walk, serves food from 12 to 3pm daily, but you are strongly advised to phone through beforehand to check.

Tea: round the corner from Saunderton station is the Golden Cross (tel 01494 565974), a regular post-walk refreshment stop.

Short walk option: it's possible to cut out the middle section of the walk by following the Short Walk directions from point 2 to 7A in the instructions, reducing the walk to 9.6 km/6 miles.

L=2.3

 #2026-10-21T10:00

Dartmouth 25 June 2027 to 28 June 2027

Dartmouth is on the south west coast of Devon.  Details of accomodation, travel and walks will be posted shortly, and updated as needed.  #2027-06-25T10:00

Barbican - Two giants of the concert hall, the Gewandhausorchester and Lang Lang performing Beethoven

The concert may be nine months away,  but the tickets certainly won't be around for that long, hence the advance notice. 

Tonight, to mark the 200th anniversary of composer's death, we'll hear the world's oldest civic symphony orchestra,  the Gewandhausorchester, led by five-time Grammy Award-winning conductor Andris Nelsons, with household name pianist Lang Lang, performing Beethoven. 

To book,  please click here, tickets from £25

Pre-Concert F&B will be posted in due course. 

A Whatsapp event group will be set up.  If you wish to join,  please email your mobile number to swcsocialATgmailDOTcom. 

Programme

• Ludwig van Beethoven   Symphony No. 6 ‘Pastorale’ – 45’
• Ludwig van Beethoven   Piano Concerto No. 5 ‘Emperor’ – 45’

The evening begins with the composer’s crowd-pleasing Pastoral Symphony. Listen out for a murmuring brook, rumbling thunder and startlingly accurate birdsong. Beethoven represents the nightingale with the flute, the quail with the oboe and the cuckoo with two clarinets. The main focus of the symphony are the emotions that this rural setting inspires. We are invited to feel the happiness of arriving in the country, the disruption of a storm and the peace of its aftermath.

Gewandhausorchester premiered Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto in 1811. The pinnacle of Beethoven’s achievements in this form, it spoke to its audience in fresh, unfamiliar ways. Lang Lang masters its complexities while making it look easy.

 #2027-06-03T19:30

Save the Date - 30-year anniversary of the SWC

A celebratory walk is planned to mark the club’s 30-year anniversary.  

This is an advanced notice to help you plan your busy diary.  

Details will be posted by a walk poster near the time.  

We are celebrating a very special milestone, the 30th anniversary of our walking club.

Over the years, our club has brought together people from all walks of life, united by a simple pleasure: walking in the countryside.  From peaceful paths and woodland trails to challenging hills and action packed holidays, we have explored many places together and created memories that will stay with us for years to come.

But our club has always been about much more than just walking. It is about friendship and community, the conversations along the way, the laughter over a pint of beer or a cup of tea, and the welcome given to new members.  Many friendships have been formed and in some cases blossomed into marriages through the club.   It is this wonderful sense of togetherness that has helped it flourish for three decades.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we thank the club’s founding father, Nicholas Albery for his ingenious idea,  our webmaster Andrew and many walk posters for their dedication and hard work through the years.  We also remember with fondness those members who have been part of our journey over the years and are no longer with us or have moved away.

This anniversary is a chance to look back with pride at everything we have achieved, but also to look forward with excitement to the years ahead. May the next chapter bring many more enjoyable walks, new adventures, and lasting friendships.

Lastly,  you are invited to share your stories and memories of the club by adding comments to this post.  

Look forward to seeing you at this event. 

 

#2027-05-22T09:30

Scotland 2027: Back to Dornie!

Scotland 2027: Back to Dornie!

The SWC will be heading back to Dornie, Scotland in 2027! We have secured a combination of lodges and cottages from 9 May-16 May 2027. If you are interested in the trip, please contact goepfertkarenATyahoo.COM

#2027-05-09T09:00 #7days

Barbican Hall - Martha Argerich Playing Ravel and more

Tonight,  we will hear the legendary Martha Argerich, arguably the best living pianist in the world,  playing Ravel's piano concerto in G Major M. 82. 

Plus Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals for 2 pianos and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. 

Ticket from £20, to book,  click here.   I expect this concert will be popular,  recommended to book early. 

Pre-concert F&B will be posted in due course. 

A WhatsApp group will be set up for this event.  If you wish to join, please email your mobile number to swcsocialATgmailDOTcom. 

#2027-02-14T19:00

The Jungle Book at the National Theatre

Join us for a fun-filled evening of music, adventure and jungle magic. After all,  nobody is too old to enjoy a classic.  It will be a perfect show to close our 2026 social calender. 

Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, the beloved tale of The Jungle Book is reimagined with innovative puppetry by two most celebrated puppetry designers Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes.  This thrilling new adaptation brings the jungle roaring to life on the Olivier stage.

Ticket from £25.  To book your ticket,  please click here. This show is likely to be popular so recommended to book early. 

Pre-show F&B will be posted closer to the time

We will set up a WhatsApp event group.  If you wish to be on it, please email your mobile number to swcsocialATgmailDOT.com

 

#2026-12-10T19:00

Save the date: Xmas Party

Please mark your diary.  Details to follow

#2026-12-01T18:00

Barbican - Vaughan Williams and Beethoven with Bruce Liu

After a successful prom season this year,  we continue with our classical music voyage at Barbican Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra, its chief conductor Sir Antonio Pappano and the winner of multiple piano competitions Bruce Liu.  

To book,  please click here.   Ticket from £18.  

Pre-concert F&B will be posted in due course. 

A Whatsapp event group will be set up.  If you wish to join,  please email your mobile number to swcsocialATgmailDOTcom. 

• Programme 
• Ralph Vaughan Williams   A Pastoral Symphony (Symphony No 3)
• Ludwig van Beethoven   Piano Concerto No 3
• Ralph Vaughan Williams   Symphony No 8

With its expressive beauty and folksong-like melodies, Vaughan Williams’ 1922 A Pastoral Symphony was long thought to be an affectionate portrait of England’s rolling hills. But within those four slow movements lie an anguished, ultimately hopeful, response to World War I. Composed 34 years later, Symphony No 8 was premiered during the dawn of the new Elizabethan age. It’s a tauter, more rhythmic work, at times dance-like, yet still offering moments of deep introspection.  

Mozartian elegance and grace surround Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3, a work that nevertheless includes moments of profound beauty, especially in the yearning second movement. 

 

#2026-11-26T19:00 

Wadhurst Bonfire walk hopefully

Details to be confirmed nearer the time 

#2026-11-07T10:30

Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends at Young V&A

In Aardman’s 50th anniversary year, go behind the scenes of your favourite stop-motion animations and explore how Aardman’s iconic characters and worlds are brought to life. 

A joyful, educational, and highly tactile experience and a "must-see" expo that combines nostalgia with iconic sets, original models, and interactive, hands-on activities. 

Tickets £11 or £5.5 (Art Fund).  To book your ticket, please click here.  Book the 2:30pm slot. 

A Sunday walk has been posted to link this event with a late Sunday morning stroll and lunch at the Approach Tavern - 6 mins walk from the Young V&A.    

A WhatsApp group will be set up for this event.  Please email your mobile number to swcsocialATgmailDOTcom if you wish to be on it. 

#2026-11-01T14:30

Olympic Park, Victoria Park and East London sights

Short Walk 74 – Stratford to Liverpool Street

Length: 11.9 km (7.4 miles). Toughness 1/10

Make your way to Stratford station in east London (Elizabeth, Jubilee and Central lines, mainline from Liverpool Street, etc) and use the directions to meet by Signorelli Café in Endeavour Square at 11:15. Stratford is in TfL Zones 2/3.

This new walk by Mike A is being posted as a 'pre-amble' to the Aardman exhibition at Young V&A. After a meandering route through Olympic Park and Victoria Park you'll get to the suggested lunch pub at about 1pm, the Approach Tavern in Bethnal Green. For those without tickets to the exhibition there's an extra hour's walking “through the rich architectural mix and cultural heritage of inner East London” to Liverpool Street.

Please bring the directions from the L=short.74 page. They contain lots of interesting stuff as well as the important bit at the start for the meeting place. #2026-11-01T11:15

Sunday Walk: Gerrards Cross to Cookham

9.6 miles 15.4 km Difficulty:2/10

An optional detour would add about 3 km, 1.5  miles onto the overall length 

Clocks go back today so it will get dark earlier. As usual, the clocks are ticked off about it.

This walk is good for autumn colour, (it says so in the notes, so fingers crossed). Through woods, past lakes, then Egypt Wood and Burnham Beeches to a pub in Littleworth Common. An optional 1.5 mile diversion would take you deeper into Burnham Beeches with its elderly gnarled inhabitants, and, if you can find it, a mysterious ancient moat. 

Cookham is associated with the artist Stanley Spencer whose memorial stone is in the churchyard.  There is a small Spencer Gallery in the town.  

Travel: Get the  10:12 Oxford train from Marylebone arriving Gerrards Cross 10:37,

Return from Cookham at xx:44 until the 18:43, changing at Maidenhead. (Journeys later than that would involve a bus replacement).

Note that the journey back from Cookham is on a different line and requires a different ticket. You should be able to buy both at Marylebone, but, if not, don't forget at Cookham.

So that’s a single from Marylebone to Gerrards Cross and a single from Cookham to London.

An All-Zones Travelcard + singles from / to the Boundary may be cheaper. 

Freedom Pass holders can return free from Maidenhead on the Elizabeth line.  

Elevenses/Early lunch  An early temptation, the White Horse in Hedgerley (01753) 643225. is renowned for its real ale. Just make sure you’ve got your legs on straight when you leave.

Lunch: The later lunch pub is the Blackwood Arms  (01753 645672) a short out and back diversion from the walk route. (The walk option delving deeper into Burnham Beeches goes right past this pub) You are advised to phone.

Tea: there are a few places in Cookham High Street 

Infusions 01628 528 537 has a garden.

The Teapot at Cleve Cottages – open till 5.`

There are pubs too - the  Kings Arms 01628  530 667 (suggested), the Bel and Dragon 01628  521 263 and The Swan Uppers on the way to the station.

It is 15-20 mins to the station from the High St. 

Walk directions here   T=1.40

#2026-10-25T10:12 

Wendover Circular via Coombe Hill

CW2: Walk 1:  Wendover Circular via Coombe Hill

Train: Take the 9:57AM train from London Marylebone to Wendover. Return trains at 24 and 54 until 18:54, then hourly at 54 past.

Length: 13 miles or 21 km.  Shorter versions also possible.  The cross-coppice shortcut reduces the walk to 8.5 miles and if you take the train 1 hour later you would have a reasonable chance of meeting the main walkers at the lunch pub.  Please note that there are no trains stopping at Monks Risborough this Sunday -- so this short option would not be available.

Difficulty: 8 out of 10 for the main walk; probably 4 out of 10 for the shorter versions.

This is a great walk in the autumnal Chiltern Hills passing an iron-age fort, several viewpoints and a very cosy pub for lunch. The main walk is fairly energetic with some ups and downs. It passes through various woods which should be starting to show some of their autumnal color. The Coombe Hill ending is recommended and is well worth the added effort. More information and the instructions/gpx can be found here.

Lunch:  The Red Lion (tel 01844 344476), Whiteleaf, 10km (6.2 miles) from the start of the standard walk, which serves food from midday to 2pm daily. Booking is advised. 

Post-walk Refreshies: Wendover has many options for after-walk refreshments from chocolate indulgences (Rumsey's) to cheese and wine shop (No 2 Pound Street) and good traditional pub (Shoulder of Mutton).

Enjoy the walk!

#2026-10-25T10:00 
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L=2.1

Knockholt to Hayes (walk 82 backwards)

Length: 16km (10 miles)

9.31 train from Charing Cross (9.34 Waterloo East, 9.40 London Bridge and with various stops in SE London) to Knockholt, arriving 10.20

If you miss this, get the 9.45 from Charing Cross (9.48 Waterloo East, 9.54 London Bridge) to Orpington, arriving 10.09, and connect there with the above train at 10.14)

Both outward and return journey are within zone six, so use passes or contactless

** In the event of travel disruption, check the comments for alternative suggestions

For GPX and map click here

I don't know about you, but with a named storm due on Friday, I am not feeling massively adventurous about today. But let us sally forth and see, eh? This idea has been lurking in my mind for a while, ie to do the Hayes to Knockholt walk backwards, starting in Knockholt.

That gets over the lack of tea places at the end if you do the walk in the normal direction, and in the event of wild weather or transport disruption, Hayes has a lot more travel options. Also there is a hourly bus from Downe (the London Transport 146 to Bromley South, at 12,.23, 13.33, 14.43, 15.53, 17.03 etc) if the weather turns nasty.

In addition this is a walk too often confined to the depths of winter, but with potential for some early autumn colour. It has some woods but also some large open sections. Some hills and valleys that may give shelter from the wind.

For lunch your first option is the Blacksmiths Arms in Cudham after 4 miles, or you can carry on another 1.6 miles to Downe, which has two rather traditional (ie basic) pubs, the Queens Head and the George & Dragon.

For tea, Hayes has a pub, microbrewery and a Costa.

Trains back from Hayes to London Bridge and Charing Cross are at 11, 26, 41 and 56 past

 #2026-10-24T09:31 T=swc.82

Saturday Walk - Haslemere Outer Orbital Route (Long and Short options)

Length: HOOP Route – from 10.3 km to 26.8 km 

Ascent/Descent: from 215/169m to 623m 

Net Walking Time: from ca. 2 ½ hours to ca. 6 ½ hours 

Toughness: 8 out of 10 (full route)

 

Sunset in Haslemere will be at 17.51, so there will be light for walking until about 18.30.

Longer walks: walk to and/or from the Orbital Route along one of the spoke routes (see the webpage for more details). 

Shorter walks: walk only parts of the HOOP and take a bus back to Haslemere or walk back along one of the spoke routes (see the webpage for more details).

  

Take the 09.30 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (09.55 Woking), arrives Haslemere at 10.21.

Then take Bus 70, hourly from opposite the station (direction Midhurst) at 10.42, arrives Kiln Meadow, Kingsley Green 10.52. The 20-minute wait can be bridged by frequenting either The Cabin House Coffee or the South Downs National Park Information Centre next door.

Return buses: xx.35 to 16.35, then xx.39 to 19.39. Return trains: xx.00 and xx.33.

 

This is an interesting circular route orbiting around Haslemere, covering plenty of areas and sights familiar from other SWC walks, but also lots of new ground, for example Bramshott Common, the Waggoner’s Wells ponds, Whitmore Vale, Grayswood, Ansteadbrook and the woods west of Black Down. The Haslemere Outer Orbital Path (HOOP) was originally conceived by Neil Hook and was initially featured – with written directions – on a website run by him. This no longer exists.

The route starts at a bus stop in Kingsley Green served by an hourly service (Mon-Sat), 3 km outside of Haslemere, but additional start or finish points can usefully be accessed either by other bus lines or on foot, along spoke routes from Haslemere Station, using some of the existing SWC walks. For details see below. The HOOP route is map-led, while fully written directions exist for the spoke routes in the walk directions pdf linked above.

Walk Options: four bus lines and six fully written up spoke routes enable you to:

- walk just parts of the HOOP,

- avoid the bus journeys at start or finish by walking from/to Haslemere Station. 

For details see the webpage and study the route map.

Lunch and Tea: The Prince of Wales, Hammer Vale, 4.6 km into the route; The Fox & Pelican, Grayshott, 10.3 km into the route; Café Twenty5, Hindhead, 12.6 km into the route; The Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hindhead, 12.8 km into the route; The National Trust Café, Hindhead, 12.8 km into the route; The Wheatsheaf Inn, Grayswood, 16.7 km into the route (currently closed); The Cabin House Coffee and Harper’s Steakhouse & Bar by Haslemere Station.

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

 #2026-10-24T09:30 T=swc.377

Broxbourne Circular

t=SWC.168 #2026-10-24T09:24

Length: 24km (15m), Shortcuts available: See walk description and GPX
Toughness: 5 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:24 train from London Liverpool Street arriving in Broxbourne at 9:49. There are 4 return trains per hour.

This is a magnificent woodland walk hopefully displaying spectacular autumn colours.

Evening Walk - Hither Green to Blackheath: well-kept parks, heathland, grand houses, genteel streets (map-led or by reverse reading the text)

Length: 6.5 km (or as short as 3.6 km with shortcuts) 

Ascent/Descent: 56/49m 

Net Walking Time: 1 ½ hours

Take the 18.04 Orpington train from Cannon Street (London Bridge 18.09, then New Cross and St John’s), arrives Hither Green at 18.21. 

Return trains from Blackheath are 7 per hour to either Victoria, Cannon Street or Charing Cross.

 

The start of SWC 421 Blackheath to Deptford but in reverse, as the two public parks en route (Manor Park and Manor House Gardens in Lee Green) close at 19.00 hours:

“The River Quaggy, well-kept parks, a large church (with Gothic Revivalist interior), a large heathland with views, genteel streets, grand houses (Victorian, Georgian, Modernist)”

Shortcuts: Straight to Blackheath Station after crossing the railway line (as per SWC 421), or improvised from the two pubs en route.

Eat/Drink: Two pubs en route (or just off it), Hare and Billet and The Princess of Wales. Plus plenty of options in Blackheath village.

For walk directions, map and gpx/kml files click here .

#2026-10-21T18:04

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Sunday Walk – Orchards in the Medway Valley

SWC Walk 336c – Maidstone West to Wateringbury (or Yalding)

Length: 17½ km (10.9 miles) to Wateringbury, or 20¼ km (12.6 miles) if you carry on to Yalding. Toughness: 3/10

09:32 Ramsgate train from Victoria, changing at Paddock Wood (arr 10:24, dep 10:33) for the Strood train, arriving Maidstone West at 10:54. Buy a return to Maidstone West.

Late Start Option: Take the train one hour later and get off at East Farleigh (the stop before Maidstone West) at 11:49. That cuts out the first 3¾ km (2.3 miles). I reckon the main group will have passed through along the riverbank about 10 minutes earlier and if you're lucky you might encounter some stragglers, but if not you won't be far behind.

Return trains are hourly at xx:09 from Wateringbury and xx:12 from Yalding, changing at Paddock Wood for Victoria.

This is one of the rather neglected options of the Wateringbury Circular walk. You might have to share the first part of the Medway Towpath with some Sunday cyclists, but these should thin out as you move away from Maidstone and the scenery becomes more rural.

The lunch pub on this variation is the “Country Pub & Dining” Horseshoes Inn on Dean Street. Picnickers might find it more pleasant to stop a little later in the churchyard opposite the Bull Inn at East Farleigh, where the route merges with the Circular Walk.

The route goes past East Farleigh station after 10¼ km (6.4 miles), giving you the option of dropping out there (trains at xx:03). The rest of the walk is along the Medway Valley to Wateringbury, which has a couple of cafés and a pub near the station. If the tea'n'cake has revived you there's the option of continuing along the attractive riverside path for an extra 40 minutes or so to the next station on the line, Yalding.

Please bring the directions from the L=swc.336.c page (if you're printing them from this page you can click c in the Walk Options list to show this route on the Walk Map and hide the directions for the other variations). #2026-10-18T10:55