Saturday walk - Ashurst Circular

Ashurst Circular - main walk
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Length: 12 miles (19km). 5 out of 10. There are options for a longer or shorter walk

This walk starts along the Medway valley and soon comes to the small village of Withyham for an early lunch at the Dorset Arms. After passing Withyham church (which is well worth visiting) there is a choice of three routes to the neighbouring village of Hartfield, associated with the author AA Milne and his most famous creation: coachloads of tourists regularly descend on Pooh Corner to buy all manner of Winnie-the-Pooh memorabilia.

Trains
Get the 0953 East Grinstead train from Victoria, changing at East Croydon 1010. At East Croydon get the 1023 Uckfield train arriving Ashurst 1058.

Lunch
The suggested lunch stop is the Dorset Arms (01892-770278) in Withyham, 5¾ km into the walk. In 2014 this attractive old pub was bought by the Buckhurst Estate and fully refurbished; it has some outdoor seating on a small green and serves excellent home-cooked food until 2.30pm

Tea
Nothing at Ashurst station, so a tea shop (4.40pm) or the Anchor pub in Hartfield (3.7m or 6km from the end)

Sevenoaks to Westerham - hills, views and woodland on the Greensand Way

SWC walk 20 - Sevenoaks to Westerham
Length: 18.8km (11.7 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10: quite hilly in places

9.30 train from Charing Cross (9.33 Waterloo East, 9.38 London Bridge, 9.56 Orpington) to Sevenoaks, arriving 10.05

Buy a day return to Sevenoaks.

For walk directions click here, for GPX file click here.

Thoughts turn at this time of year to walks one would like to do before things get too muddy. This one is a interesting and varied walk along the Greensand escarpment, descending it, ascending it, enjoying some fine views, then passing through woods and wooded valleys to the charming town of Westerham. Hopefully it will not be too slippery and gloopy yet and there may be some early hints of autumn tints.

For lunch you have to choose between a relatively early stop at the very charming Windmill in Sevenoaks Weald 4.9 miles into the walk - it is quite a small place and a short diversion off the walk route, so it is probably worth ringing to check it can accommodate you - or the Cock Inn in Ide Hill after 8.6 miles: that makes the Cock Inn quite a stretch distance-wise but I have chosen a relatively early train to give you plenty of time to get there. The walk directions say it serves till 3pm, but I have not been able to check this. It has had a revamp since it was described in the walk directions as "rough and ready"..

For tea the prime choice is Emmetts Garden, the National Trust site, open till 5pm, which has a tea shack with outside tables. If this is too soon after lunch at Ide Hill, Westerham also has oodles of tea places, not to mention several characterful pubs.

To get home from Westerham there are two options

- The 401 bus to Sevenoaks railway station at 09 minutes past the hour until 18.09. This takes 26 minutes and trains from Sevenoaks are then very frequent (every ten minutes) and take half an hour or so

- The 246 bus from Westerham to Bromley South: this takes 43 minutes (calling Hayes station after 30 minutes) and it is then 16 minutes (at best) by train to Victoria (again, very frequent). A return to Sevenoaks is valid for travel back from Bromley South. This bus goes at 22 and 52 past the hour until 18.22, then 19.22, 20.22, 21.12, 22.12, 23.12. T=3.20

Saturday Walk - Chalke Valley and Cranborne Chase: Salisbury Circular

Length: 32.2 km (20.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]

Ascent/Descent: 460m; Net Walking Time: 7 ¼ hours

Toughness:  9/10                       

                                 

Take the 09.20 Exeter St David's & Bristol Temple Meads train from Waterloo (09.27 Clapham J, 09.46 Woking), arrives Salisbury 10.42.

Return trains are on xx.47 and xx.21 to 18.21, then  19.26, 19.50, 20.26, 21.26, 22.27.

This long walk explores the Chalke Valley in the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the South West of the quintessentially English Cathedral City of Salisbury. It leads out of town through the Cathedral precinct, past some of England’s finest historic houses and through the Harnham Hill suburb into open fields with far views over the Chalke Valley to distant Downs. The morning route then largely follows the Ebble River upstream in the Chalke Valley through several pretty villages  in this picturesque part of Wiltshire, with three good lunch pubs and two community stores conveniently spaced out along the route.

Most of the climbing is left for the afternoon, starting with a steady ascent with splendid views into pretty coombes, from Broad Chalke up to an ancient Ox Drove on top of the Downs. A long stretch with more views from the Down into coombes and valleys follows, largely along the course of a Roman Road, before the descent back into the Chalke Valley, followed by an immediate re-ascent up another Down. A Drove Track with views into the Nadder and Wylye Valleys leads past Salisbury’s Race Course and through the steep Harnham Slope Nature Reserve to tea at Harnham’s charming Old Mill.

From there the route back to the station goes through the town’s Water Meadows and provides ‘Britain’s Best View’ (Country Life magazine): Salisbury Cathedral across the meadows.

Shorter routes, reducing the length by 5.4 km or 7.2 km respectively, are described.

Lunch: The White Hart in Bishopstone (11.9 km/7.4 mi, food to 14.30), The Queens Head in Broad Chalke (15.4 km/9.6 mi, food all day).

Tea: The Old Mill at Harnham  (1.0 km from the end of the walk), plus a couple of Indian restos by the station and lots of choice in Salisbury’s City Centre (a little off-route).

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

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Oslo at National Theatre

Direct from Broadway, nominated for 7 Tony awards including Best Play and Best Direction of a Play

Oslo tells the true story of two Norwegian diplomats who coordinated top secret talks and inspired seemingly impossible friendships.  Their quiet heroics led to the ground breaking Oslo Peace Accord between Israel and Palestine.

To book, please click here.  Tickets £18-65.  Meet at National Theatre Kitchen Cafe (just outside) for Pre-Theatre F&B from 6:15pm.     

Evening Walk - Morden Hall Park and Merton Abbey Mills [First Posting]

Morden Hall Park and Merton Abbey Mills (Morden to Colliers Wood)

Length: 4.6 km (2.9 mi)

Net Walking Time: 1 ½ hrs      

Meet: Morden Station at 18.45 hours.

Morden station is the southern terminus of the Northern Line, and in Zone 4. Travel time from Bank is 32 minutes. Colliers Wood is 2 stops closer to Central London on the same line.

First Outing of this South London walk, short enough to finish before darkness.
This walk does a loop around the NT's Morden Hall Park  (free entry) with rose garden, waterways, reed beds, and parkland and then follows the River Wandle in a northerly direction. After passing Deen City Farm, it passes Merton Abbey Mills, a collection of heritage industrial buildings which are now cafés, bars and restaurants.

Morden Hall Park has an interesting history. In Henry VIII's time, this area was part of Merton Abbey. In the 18^th century, the area became an estate with a deer park, a cress farm, and had watermills. The last owner of the estate held large film star fairs in the 30's. The estate is now owned by the National Trust and the Hall is empty. [Cafés and shops in the grounds will be shut in the evening.]

Merton Abbey Mills is a former William Morris 'arts and crafts'-factory. 

Eat/Drink: The William Morris and The Merton Apprentice at Merton Abbey Mills; The Charles Holden, or The Royal Standard by Colliers Wood tube station.

For walk directions, map, and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.13

Wednesday Walk - Haslemere to Midhurst (via Lickfold) [New Variant]

Length: 20.9 km (13.0 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 604/718m; Net Walking Time: 5 ½ hours

Toughness:  7/10                       

                                 

Take the 10.00 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (10.25 Woking), arrives Haslemere 10.48.

From Clapham take the 09.52 stopping service (arrives H’mere 10.45).

Return to Haslemere from Midhurst either by bus number 70 (roughly hourly, £4.90 fare, last dep. 19.05) or by taxi. 
Return trains from Haslemere are on xx.02 (last at 21.02), xx.15, xx.32 (last at 21.32) and 17.37 and 19.39, journey time from 52 to 66 mins.

New variant of this established walk, bringing into play the outstanding Lickfold Inn for lunch. Thanks to Joe for the tip!

The route leads from Haslemere station through the town’s centre and along the waymarked Serpent Trail through a small Nature Reserve to rise steeply out of town and back down through Camelsdale to then rise with the Sussex Border Path through pastures and pine and heather covered slopes up to the Black Down. Following the crest through open heathland, with far views across West Sussex and out to Hampshire, you reach the Temple Of The Winds viewpoint, with further panoramic views over the Rother Valley to the South Downs escarpment and easterly across to the West Weald.

A long descent through the sloping open grounds of Blackdown House and through woods leads to the hamlet of Lickfold. The afternoon takes you through a mix of flat farmland and wooded hills to the Cowdray Estate, with its golf course-with-views as well as several polo fields, to the romantic ruins of Cowdray House, as captured by JMW Turner.

Climbing from the River Rother’s banks, Midhurst's Norman castle ruins are passed en-route to the old market town's attractive centre with its many tea options.

Lunch: The Lickfold Inn in Lickfold (11.0 km/6.8 mi, a la carte food to 14.30, bar food all day).

Tea: lots of choice en-route to and in Midhurst  (see the pdf for details), recommended are The Halfway Hut (3 km from the end), Cowdray Farm Shop & Cafe (2 km from the end), Garton’s Coffee House, The Wheatsheaf, The Angel Inn and The Olive & Vine.

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

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Woburn Abbey - and a free peek at its Safari Park

Book 1, Walk 17 - Bow Brickhill to Woburn Sands

Length: 18.7 km (11.6 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10

London Euston: 10-13 hrs   Birmingham New Street service
Arrive Bletchley: 10-49 hrs
Leave Bletchley: 11-01 hrs  Bedford service
Arrive Bow Brickhill: 11-08 hrs.

Return: Woburn Sands to Euston via Bletchley: 15-26, 16-26, 17-12 and 18-12 hrs
Return Aspley Guise to Euston via Bletchley: 3 mins before Woburn Sands

Rail ticket: buy a day return to Woburn Sands

Shortly after leaving Bow Brickhill station you find yourselves in Back Wood. Recent walkers on today's sister walk - Bow Brickhill to Leighton Buzzard (coming up for mid-week walkers on Wednesday 25 October)  report the paths through the wood which were badly churned up by forestry work last year are passable, which is good news. But if we have a wet early autumn progress through the wood might be hard work.
After the wood you walk through a golf course and across country to Woburn, where you stop for lunch. A favourite with SWC walkers is the Black Horse, a gastro pub, although I prefer the more homely Bell Hotel and Inn, further down the Bedford Street.
After lunch you walk through Woburn Park, with its herds of deer. You can detour to Woburn Abbey if you wish, but unless you plan to visit the Abbey, it is a long diversion and its easiest to retrace your steps before continuing on the walk. At the end of the park you come out at the entrance to Woburn Safari Park. As you won't be in a car, you will not be allowed in ! No matter, Baldrick has devised a cunning plan for you - a public path which runs beside the perimeter of the Safari Park, allowing free peeks at the residents (bison, zebra, buck, elephants, giraffe, wallabies and more).
Leaving Woburn Park you walk through the village of Aspley Guise, where if you wish you can end your walk at its station. But I usually continue on to Woburn Sands (although I have yet to discover its beach) for tea at the Station Hotel, next to the small railway station.
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Walk directions here: L=1.17

Exploring the London Heights

SWC Walk 257 Highgate to Hampstead

Distance 15.3km (9.5m); toughness 3/10

Trains: Highgate and Hampstead are on branches of the Northern underground line so this is one for your travel card.  Meet up at Highgate tube at 10.45am

This is an interesting and varied walk for those who don't wish to travel too far from London this Sunday. You will enjoy some fine views of London's green spaces mainly comprising woods and parkland. The final part of the walk takes you round Hampstead Heath with the opportunity to visit Kenwood House.

See here for more information about the walk including lunch and refreshment options and click on the download walk pdf tab for full walk instructions.

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Rolling Buckinghamshire Hills

SWC Walk 194a Aylesbury Vale Parkway to Aylesbury with Weedon short cut

Distance 18.3km (11.4m); toughness 3/10

Trains 09.53 London Marylebone - Aylesbury Vale Parkway 11.03

Return faster trains from Aylesbury at xx:18 and xx:48; slower train at xx:32. Buy a day return to Aylesbury Vale Parkway which is the stop after Aylesbury

This walk has an inauspicious start but soon you are in the lovely rolling Buckinghamshire Hills. Your suggested walk is the shorter option via Weedon where your pub is the Five Elms but you can do the long walk of 24.6km (15.3m) if you wish.

There are many cafe/pub options in Aylesbury for refreshmemnts

See here for further information about the walk and the different options and click on the download walk pdf tab for full walk instructions.

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Eridge Circular with optional extension

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Length: 15 km / 9.5 m or 18 km / 11 m
Toughness: 4 / 10
Transport: Take the 10:08 from London Bridge, arriving in Eridge at 11:03. Trains back from Eridge at xx:50.

From the description:

The morning section is an undulating route across typical High Weald territory, starting with a slightly longer route to Mottsmill Stream than that in Extra Walk 109 (Eridge to East Grinstead). You can then choose between a high-level open route with fine views, or a lower route through a secluded valley with good displays of bluebells and other spring flowers. Both routes combine on the approach to Groombridge, one of many rural villages which developed around its railway station. The original hamlet (now called Old Groombridge) is just across the county border, in Kent.
The afternoon section starts by going past Groombridge Place, a beautiful Jacobean manor house surrounded by a medieval moat. You then follow the railway line a short distance up the Grom valley before turning into Broadwater Forest. Much of this area was acquired by the RSPB in 2007 and is now the Broadwater Warren nature reserve (free entry). The southern end of the wood is also a nature reserve (managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust) and the Main Walk goes past one of the massive sandstone outcrops in the area, Eridge Rocks.

You can extend the walk either from Eridge by walking back to Groombridge along the alternative path passing Harrison's Rocks or leaving the official route earlier to cut across to Harrison's Rocks and then to Groombridge. From Groombridge you can then take the steam train either to Eridge (17:06) or to Tunbridge Wells (17:36). Should it get very late there is also a bus at 18:46 to Tunbridge Wells.

Henley via Turville Circular - hills around the Thames

SWC Walk 223 - Henley via Turville Circular
Length: 24km (15 miles): options from 15.8km (9.8 miles) to 21km (13 miles) using buses
Toughness: 5 out of 10

9.42 train from Paddington (9.50 Ealing Broadway) to Twyford, arriving 10.20, changing there for the 10.38 to Henley, arriving 10.50.

Buy a day return to Henley-on-Thames (ie NOT -in-Arden)

For walk directions, click here.

This walk apparently visits many locations that featured in Midsomer Murders, but to those like me who never watched that TV series it is just a pretty walk in the Thames Valley and southern Chilterns. You might describe it as "Henley via Hambleden plus" since it explores the territory north of the lunch stop on that book two walk. It has four pub options for lunch, and although all are described as busy on summer weekends, it is arguably not so summery any more, so hopefully we will be able to squeeze into one.

The full walk is quite long at 15 miles - there is an even longer 17.2 mile version through Stonor Park if you are training for a Himalayan holiday - but there are two ways to shorten it using buses:

- Take a bus at the start of the walk to Hambleden Lock, cutting out 5km (3.1 miles) and making the main walk 19km (11.9 miles). See the Walk Options on page 3 of the walk pdf for directions on how to find the bus stop in Henley. Assuming the train runs on time, possible buses are the X80 at 11.05 or the 850 at 11.23

- Catch a bus from Hambleden Greenlands stop towards the end of the walk: 800, 850, X80 buses are roughly on the hour and half hour till 19.30, then 20.14, 21.15, 22.15. This saves 3.2km (2 miles) of walking (admittedly quite a flat two miles along the river) and so reduces the main walk to 21km (13 miles).

If you did both of these bus shortcuts, the walk would be just 15.8km (9.8 miles) - or 19.5km (12.1 miles) if you did the longer route in the afternoon.

Trains back from Henley are at 23 and 53 past till 18.53, then 19.35, 20.23, 21.23, 22.21, 23.11. T=3.223

Saturday Walk - Pulborough to Halfway Bridge (via Tillington) [New Walk]

Length:  26.0 km (16.1 mi) [shorter walk possible]

Ascent/Descent:  439/422m; Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ¼ hours

Toughness:  8 out of 10 

Take the 09.06 Portsmouth Harbour & Bognor Regis train from Victoria, arriving Pulborough at 10.17 (you have to be in the rear part of the train, as it splits in Horsham)

Return trains: xx.23 and xx.55 to 18.23, then 19.05, 19.35, 19.59, 20.36, 21.36, 22.38, 23.08.
Buy a Pulborough Return.

This walk is a winding excursion through the Rother and Lod valleys in central West Sussex, routing through various quaint, remote villages, some atmospheric woods and several fine commons, part-wooded, part sandy heathland. Frequent southerly views of the South Downs and of Black Down to the north and long stretches in deep, shady holloways add to the mix, making this a very varied outing.

After leaving Pulborough on a westerly route familiar from other walks, past the picturesque Stopham Bridge and church and on to Littleworth Common, the walk leads in a southerly direction through the Rother valley and picks up the Serpent Trail Long Distance Path up to the idyllic Sutton Common heathland and various woods to Burton Park, a large estate with multiple ponds in a fold of the South Downs.

Leaving the Serpent Trail, the two recommended lunch options are back in the Rother valley, in Coultershaw Bridge and Tillington, and in the afternoon the route rises to Upperton and Hoe Hill, in between dropping into the Lod Valley through woods and fields. The finish is a descent back to the Lod River at Halfway Bridge, where another well-run pub helps whiling away the wait for the bus back to Pulborough.

Note: The route off Hoe Hill includes a precipitous descent down a very narrow and slippery gully.

A Morning Shortcut cuts out Sutton Common heathland (cuts 1.2 km and 48m ascent).

An Afternoon Shortcut cuts out several woods and the last sharp ascents around Hoe Hill by taking a much more direct route through the Lod valley (cuts 4.4 km and 135m ascent). Rated 7/10.

Note: Both Shortcuts are currently only available map-led.

After the walk you will need to catch a bus line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station) from Halfway Bridge. Convenient stops for further shortcuts are: Tillington (late lunch stop) and Petworth (reached shortly after lunch via an alternative route through Petworth Park). The bus leaves Midhurst hourly on xx.30, then 17.40 and 18.45 and passes Halfway Bridge a few minutes later, Tillington 8 and Petworth 15 later resp. 

Lunch:

The Badgers in Coultershaw Bridge (13.0 km/8.1 mi, food to 14.30);

The Horse Guards Inn in Tillington (16.0 km/10.0 mi, food to 15.00).

Tea:

The Hollist Arms in Lodsworth (1.6 km from the end); The Halfway Bridge at the end of the walk.

Back in Pulborough: The Banyan Tree restaurant (300m beyond the station); The Oddfellows Arms (1.2 km beyond the station); The Chequers Hotel (650m beyond the station).

Petworth Ending: Audit Room Café at Petworth House (NT); Plenty of options in Petworth.

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

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