Saturday walk - Buxted Circular - the Weald without the winter mud

Length: 16.3km (10.1 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10

10.07 train from London Bridge (10.22 East Croydon) to Buxted, arriving 11.16.

For walk directions click here, for GPX click here, for a map of the route click here.

Because of its length, this walk has a tendency to get posted in the winter, but you have to go back to the late Middle Ages (all right, 2012 then) to find it getting a summer posting. I thought it might be nice to try it without the slithery winter mud and to enjoy the gentle hills and woods and fields of the southern Weald in (hopefully) warmer weather.

Lunch is the Crow and Gate, which from memory is a fairly capacious and efficient chain pub, which is located almost exactly halfway through the walk (and pretty much at its highest point too, as far as I recall).

For tea you have a choice of two pubs in Buxted. The White Hart, mentioned on the walk home page as being refurbished, seems to be in operation again, and there is also the Buxted Inn. Both are open for drinks all afternoon, but those seeking sweet treats might like to note that the kitchen in the White Hart is closed until 6pm. The Buxted Inn may or may not do food all afternoon (its website is ambiguous).

Trains back from Buxted are at 37 past the hour.T=swc.95

Saturday Walk Cholsey to Goring via Wallingford

Cholsey to Goring (via Wallingford) or to Pangbourne T=swc.242


Length: 20.5 km (12.8m) with the option of carrying on to Pangbourne.

It starts with a 2km stretch through the village of Cholsey to reach the riverside Thames path where you turn left and continue all the way to the market town of Wallingford and your riverside lunch-time pub the Boat House.

After lunch you leave the river and take paths around and across fields in the gently rolling Oxfordshire countryside with some fine and expansive views before visiting the attractive village of South Stoke and some refreshments at the Perch and Pike pub.

From South Stoke the short, last leg of the walk is along the Ridgeway and Thames Path to Goring

Trains:  Take the 0957 Didcot Parkway train from Paddington (Ealing Broadway 1005, Reading 1050) arrives 1114. If you miss that, there is a fast Reading train at 1000 & 1007.
Return from Goring are 1712, 1742, 1813, 1842 etc with a change at Reading for a faster journey.

Lunch: The Boat House (Greene King) in Wallingford  on the river bank (6.5 km/4.0 mi, food all day)

Tea: On this walk, you get to the station before the various tea options in Goring

Saturday Walk - Lewes Circular (via Southease and Glynde)/South Downs Beer & Cider Festival

First Saturday outing in three years…

Length: 24.2 km (15.1 mi) [dropouts: at Southease or Glynde station; longer: via West Firle (29.7 km/18.4 mi)]

Ascent/Descent: 575m

Net Walking Time: ca. 6 hours

Toughness: 7 out of 10

Take the 09.46 Ore & Littlehampton service from Victoria  (CJ 09.53, EC 10.03), arrives Lewes 10.53 [train splits at Haywards Heath]. Return trains: xx.21 and xx.48.

This walk is written up in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. I am posting the anti-clockwise one, but – this being the SWC – 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.”

Today is the second day of the 23^rd  South Downs Beer & Cider Festival at Lewes Town Hall. Ticketed entry to 18.00 hours, free afterwards.

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

Lunch: Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell (9.0 km/5.6 mi, food to 14.45) or The Ram Inn in West Firle on the long walk (20.0 km/12.4 mi, lunch served to 15.00, then the bar menu).

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

Faversham to Whitstable

With a potentially warmer weekend forecast, here's a gentle seaside stroll for those with a yearning to see the coast  

Length 9.8 miles (15.7 km)

Toughness 1 out of 10

Getting there

Catch the 9:55 am HST Faversham train from London St. Pancras International (10:02 from Stratford International) to arrive at Faversham 11:05 am.

Alternatively

Catch the 9:40 am Ramsgate train from London Victoria (9:57 am Bromley South) to arrive at Faversham 10:52 am. You may wish to wait for the St. Pancras train to arrive and investigate the delightful high street. 
  

Getting back

There is one fairly fast train per hour back from Whitstable station to London Victoria at 27 minutes past the hour. Journey time 1 hour 24 minutes

There is one fairly fast train per hour back from Whitstable station to London St. Pancras at 49 minutes past the hour. Journey time 1 hour 17 minutes

Plan your journey here. 

Tickets

Buy a cheap day return to Whitstable. Please note that the St. Pancras Service is more expensive and if you've travelled from London Victoria, you will need to return to that station or upgrade your ticket.

Maps

OS Landranger Map 178 and 179 Explorer Map 149 and 150.

Overview

This is an easy walk starting in the delightful town of Faversham with the main part of the walk mostly alongside the Saxon Shore Way 

Whitstable has a fish market and harbour if you have time to while away. 

Lunch

Booking at the suggested Lunch stop The Sportsman is essential if you are looking for a "gastro" lunch.  However walkers have found that the Oyster Pearl 2.5km further on at 185 Faversham Road in Seasalter CT5 4BJ is a reasonably priced alternative. Lastly there is the Forget Me Not  at 400 Faversham Road also in Seasalter CT5 4BW.

The last two venues make for a longish morning  leg (about 9.5km) so you may wish to bring (or buy in Faversham) a snack to eat en route. 

More details about this walk may be found on the link below
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An Enchanting Epping Evening

Thursday Evening:  Loughton to Epping (short option) T=swc.197

Distance:          Approximately 5 miles or 8 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty:         3 out of 10

Meet:                At the entrance/exit to the Loughton Underground Station (Central Line)

Time:                18:30 – but if you miss our departure, you can certainly catch us up along the way…

The plan for this evening is to do the short version of the Loughton to Epping walk by staying on The Centenary Walk (a wide forest track) heading northeasterly towards Epping and enjoying a meal or some drinks either on the outskirts of or in Epping afterwards…. It should be quite a nice time of year for this evening walk through Epping forest with a nice canopy of leaves.

More information about the route can be found here. As there are no detailed instructions for the short walk, I would suggest printing out the map page from the OS Map tab which shows the short route with a dashed blue line. Once on The Centenary Walk, the route follows a clear wide track to Epping….so route finding should be straight forward…..

Return travel is via the Central Line which runs until “well after 23:00”.

Enjoy the walk!

Wednesday walk: Knebworth to Welwyn Garden City - a new map-led walk - Knebworth Hall and Ayot St Lawrence

SWC 340 - Knebworth to Welwyn Garden City

Length: 20.8 km (13 miles)
Toughness: 3 out of 10

NOTE - earlier train now posted


London Kings Cross: 09-51 hrs  Cambridge North service   Finsbury Park 10-00 hrs
Arrive Knebworth: 10-34 hrs

Return: Welwyn Garden City to Kings Cross: 16-22, 16-52, 17-02, 17-22, 17-32, 17-52 and 18-02 hrs

Rail ticket: buy a day return to Knebworth. Non-senior railcard holders - use your railcard from Finsbury Park

OS Explorer Maps: 182 and 193

This walk was suggested by one of our Wednesday and Sunday walkers, and Pete B has kindly written up basic details for her - and for the rest of us. Today we will test drive the walk on unsuspecting Wednesday walkers - we can all get lost together. But to keep us sort of on piste it will help if a few of us planning to attend the walk have the OS Explorer maps with us.

The walk visits the grounds of Knebworth House and Park of historic interest. We then head for the pretty village of Ayot St Lawrence where we can stop for lunch at the popular Brocket Arms pub (7.3 miles into the walk) which serves good food and beer, although service can be very slow. With reference to SWC Walk 69 - Welwyn Circular walk - you can divert to the village of Wheathampstead, adding 2 km to the walk, where you can take lunch at the Swan pub for a good  alternative to the Brocket Arms.

In the afternoon you reverse sections of the Welwyn Circular walk, passing Brocket Hall en route. Arriving in Welwyn Garden City, you have a number of pubs, cafes and bistros for post walk refreshments.
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Outline details of the walk are here: L=swc.340

A Walk on the Wealdside – A Sunday Stonegate Circular (Clockwise or Anti-clockwise)

CW2:  Stonegate Circular (standard or in reverse) T=2.19

Distance:  

Long:  18.3 Miles or 29.5 km for those more metrically minded (with option to reduce to about 15 Miles or 24 km if done in reverse)

Standard:  9.6 Miles or 15.5 km for those more metrically minded (with short cuts available – reducing walk to 6.5 Miles or 10 km)

Difficulty:         3 out of 10, I reckon a bit more for the long option

Transport:        Take the 9:55 AM Hastings train from London Charing Cross (10:04 London Bridge) to Stonegate, arriving 11:06. Return trains from Stonegate are at 23 minutes past the hour.

This fine walk through the undulating high Weald has not been done in some time and I think the long version has only been attempted once…..So, I propose to give it another outing with a twist….For those interested explorers, I would suggest, we undertake the long option in reverse.  The reason for going in reverse is three-fold: (i) there are more options to shorten the route in reverse (for example, in Burwash Weald, you could simply pick up the main walk instructions to Stonegate – making for a walk of about 15 miles/24 km); (ii) Burwash offers a good opportunity for afternoon refreshments before the last push into the Sahara-dry environs of Stonegate (and offers a longer or shorter route to better coordinate with the train times) and (iii) since the route seems to have only been done once by about 5 people, would be nice for the SWC to explore it again. 

Of course, for those interested in a more modest outing, the standard clockwise option is a lovely route through the undulating Weald passing by Bateman's (Rudyard Kipling's former home).  More information about the walk and the various routes can be found here. For those planning on the long version in reverse, also bring a map print-out or GPX file.

Lunch:  It is Father's Day, pubs will be packed, bring a picnic (virtually anywhere along the route is a fine spot – according to the walk intro page). This aside, there are two pubs in Burwash and one in Burwash Weald. Those doing the standard clockwise route, may be lucky enough to squeeze into one in Burwash…..For those going in reverse, the Wheel Inn in Burwash Weald is the first point of refreshment (not sure of status, as unable to reach them (even website) – but, according to trip advisor, someone had a nice meal there last week).

Tea: For the standard clockwise route, The Wheel Inn in Burwash Weald (see caveat above) and for those going in reverse, either of the pubs in Burwash.  There are no amenities at or anywhere near Stonegate Station, plan accordingly….

Enjoy the walk!

Witley to Haslemere with an opportunity to visit the Lockwood Equine Centre

A request for the Witley to Haslemere Walk with an opportunity to visit the recently re-opened RSPCA Lockwood Equine Centre

Length 9 miles (14 km)

Toughness 3 out of 10

Getting there

Catch the 10:00 Petersfield train from London Waterloo (10:09 Clapham Junction) arriving at Witley 11:00

Getting back

There are two trains per hour back from Haslemere station on Sundays and these are at 17 and 42 minutes past the hour

Plan your journey here. 

Tickets

Buy a cheap day return to Haslemere

Overview

One of our walkers has requested this delightful walk to coincide with the recent re-opening and Open Day of the Lockwood Equine Centre. The Centre is reached shortly after the start of the walk and looks to be well worth a visit.

Full details of this event may be found here 

and the RSPCA site may be found here

Lunch is at Chiddingfold where there's plenty of pleasant locations for those with a packed lunch. Alternatively the Crown Inn t:01428 682 255 offers Guest Ales and a Table d’hote Menu.
Haslemere has numerous tea options with Darnley's being a firm favourite - allow 10-15 minutes to get to the station from the town centre. 

More details about this walk may be found on the link below
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Saturday walk - Pulborough to Amberley - Towards and up onto the South Downs

Length: 16.5km (10.2 miles) - with a longer option of 19km (11.8 miles): see bottom of post
Toughness: 5 out of 10: fairly flat, with a big climb near the end. T=3.09

10.06 train from Victoria (10.13 Clapham Junction, 10.23 East Croydon), arriving Pulborough 11.19

But a day return to Amberley.

For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For map click here.

This is a slight change from my earlier post (Pulborough Circular), due to the biblical quantities of rain which fell on Monday, with more forecast later in the week, which could have made the Amberley/Pulborough Wild Brooks waterlogged. This replacement walk goes through similar territory, but only skirts the Wild Brooks, rather than going out across them: it should therefore be firm underfoot throughout.

You start with a gentle ascent into an unexpected little area of hills which have fine views to the south of your ultimate destination, the South Downs ridge. This brings you in just 3.4 miles to the lovely Rising Sun in Nutbourne. In many ways the perfect lunch pub, with characterful interiors and an idyllic garden, if it has one fault it is that it can be a bit slow serving large groups. If the group is big, therefore, some adventurous or public-spirited types might like to carry on 0.9 miles to the White Horse in Mare Hill, which also looks to be a perfectly pleasant establishment (and has a garden), but which I have never eaten in, so can't comment on further.

After lunch you skirt the Wild Brooks - a very scenic stretch. In just 2.3 miles (from Nutbourne: 0.9 miles from the White Horse) you come to the RSPB Visitor Centre for the Pulborough Brooks Reserve and its cafe, where it is hard to resist stopping for a cuppa (and perhaps a cake as "dessert"): if it is not raining, do sit at the outside tables, which have a fine view.

There then follows a woodland section and 3km on a straight road - usually fairly traffic-free - which brings you to the foot of the downs. A magnificent climb follows, up flowery slopes where you may see some early downland butterflies, and then along the top of the ridge, with fine views to the north and south, and down to Amberley.

Tea options in Amberley include the Riverside Tea Rooms (closing 5pm) near the station and the Amberley Tea Room (closing 5.10pm: a short diversion into Amberley village, where the Black Horse Inn is also a possible refreshment stop). Otherwise, the very pleasant Bridge Inn is conveniently situated right by Amberley station.

Trains back from Amberley are at 17 past the hour until 21.17 (the last train)

LONGER OPTIONS:

- If you go to the Amberley Tea Room/Black Horse and if the ground is not too sodden, you could carry on westwards down through the village, out across the water meadows to the River Arun and follow that back round to the left to get to Amberley station. This would only add a mile or so to the walk, in addition to the 1km extra loop to get to Amberley Tea Rooms.

- Alternatively, if you lunch at the Rising Sun, you could swop after lunch to the afternoon of the Billingshurst to Amberley walk - walk directions here - start from paragraph 64 on page 4 - GPX here, map here. This gives you a slightly longer afternoon route (13.5km/8.4 miles versus 11.1km/6.8 miles) and a longer stretch on the South Downs ridge, giving you a total walk from Pulborough of 19km (11.8 miles).

Berwick to East Dean - Jevington and Friston Place

One of our Walkers has requested a walk passing through Jevington Village which has it's annual Fete this Saturday. This walk combines bits and pieces of existing walks to make a shortish walk in the South Downs with an opportunity to extend to the coast and on to Eastbourne

Length 9 miles (15 km)

Toughness 4 out of 10

Getting there

Catch the 9:16 Eastbourne and Littlehampton train from London Victoria (9:23 Clapham Junction and 9:33 East Croydon)
Change to the opposite platform at Polegate to catch the 10:47 back to Berwick arriving there at 10:52

Getting back

There are two trains per hour back from Eastbourne station and these are on the hour and at 25 minutes past the hour. No changes are required.

Plan your train journey here. 

Tickets

Buy a cheap day return to Eastbourne.  Be prepared to buy a bus ticket from East Dean to Eastbourne

Overview

One of our walkers has requested this South Downs walk to coincide with Jevington Village Fete  The walk combines sections of existing walks to create a shortish walk with a few climbs (well it is predominately in the South Downs).  The walk instructions and  GPS files are provisional and may be found here

The Fete (adjacent to the Church) is in a veritable time warp with Punch and Judy, a Dog Show, a Tea Tent, Coconut shy and a Drinks tent with Real Ale amongst its offerings. There's a small entrance charge which I believe is £2. If this doesn't suit, those with packed lunches may eat in the Church ground. There's also The Eight Bells pub with a large garden area for walkers who wish to buy lunch.

The afternoon section of the walk passes Friston Place which has an ornamental garden before arriving at East Dean for tea at the Hikers Cafe or something stronger at The Tiger Inn

The walk ends at East Dean and details of the bus timetable to get you back to Eastbourne can be found here.
Alternatively if you have an appetite to walk further, section 40 onward of the Eastbourne to  East Dean describes the route back to Eastbourne (about 6km/4miles)


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Saturday Walk - Dovedale (Ashbourne Circular): A long day but…the Peak District's most famous dale

Length: 20.0 km (12.4 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 509m

Net Walking Time: ca. 5 hours

Toughness: 7 out of 10

            or

Length: 13.8 km (8.6 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 213m

Net Walking Time: ca. 3 ¾ hours

Toughness: 2 out of 10

But add an out-and-back up Dovedale towards Milldale hamlet with its tea option

of a length of your choosing (up to 4.2 km/2.6 mi each way and still less effort than the main walk)

            or

Length: 26.5 km (16.4 mi)

Ascent/Descent: 772m

Net Walking Time: ca. 7 hours

Toughness: 9 out of 10

A walk from Ashbourne, a pretty market town near the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border where the Midlands’ plains meet highland Britain, through the White Peak area and the Peak’s most scenic and famous dale.

You follow a dismantled railway line out of town and then a whaleback-shaped ridge north through a lovely pastoral landscape to Thorpe, where the isolated reef limestone hills of Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill guard the southerly end of Dovedale. The route initially skirts to the west of the dale around Bunster Hill to avoid the early day crowds in the dale and later climbs up the hill to stay high above the dale on an airy route before dropping down into it through woods. The core part of Dovedale, with its numerous impressive limestone ravines and cliffs, towering crags and pinnacles, arches and caves, is then walked downstream – flanked by some of the best calcareous ash woods in England – to the most iconic part of Dovedale: the picturesque Stepping Stones. A final ascent through the scenic Lin Dale with fantastic back views is followed by a long stretch back to Ashbourne along the dismantled railway line.
Note: stretches of the path above Dovedale – above a very steep hanging wood – are a little exposed.

A short walk gets you straight to the Stepping Stones and you can add an easy out-and-back up Dovedale.
A long walk also takes in Hall Dale en route to lunch and returns through the full length of Dovedale.

Walk Options:

A Short Walk  to the base of Thorpe Cloud and then along the River Dove to the Stepping Stones and the bottom of Dovedale proper is 13.8 km/8.6 mi long with 213m ascent (rated 2/10). This can/should be combined with an (flat bar one small ascent) out-and-back up Dovedale towards Milldale hamlet with its tea option of a length of your choosing (up to 4.2 km/2.6 mi each way).

An alternative route in the morning along an elevated path across the nose of the ridge of Bunster Hill (rather than around the base of it) saves a bit of distance, but is only recommended in dry conditions.  
An out-and-back Extension  to the main walk from the footbridge over the River Dove north along Dovedale (flat) towards Milldale hamlet with its tea option adds anything up to 1.9 km/1.2 mi each way.

An Extension of the main walk up Hall Dale, through Hopedale and via Alstonefield village and Milldale hamlet creates a 26.5 km/16.4 mi walk with 772m ascent/descent, rated 9/10. 
A (map-led) ascent of Thorpe Cloud in the afternoon adds 250m and 125m ascent/descent.

Bus line 442 from Fenny Bentley (15.31, 16.41 & 18.41, outside the Coach & Horses pub) to Ashbourne, 1.2 km off-route, cuts 3.5 km/2.2 mi.

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

Lunch: (on the main and short walks) The Dovedale Bar at the Izaak Walton Hotel in Ilam (7.1 km/4.4 mi, food all day); (on the long walk) The Watts Russell Arms  (food to 14.30) or The George (food to 14.00) in Alstonefield (between 14-15 km). Tea: Plenty of options en route, in Ashbourne and in Derby. For details see the pdf. T=swc.326

Either take the 08.31 Sheffield train from St. Pancras to Derby, arrives 10.09. Then leave the station quickly and walk to the bus station 1.1 km away (for directions see page 5 of the pdf or download the gpx). [With a bit of luck there will be a delayed bus Line 1 waiting to go to the bus station (for a £1 fare)]

From Stand 24 at Derby Bus Station (the furthest stand as you enter it) take bus SW1 (direction Uttoxeter) to Ashbourne Bus Station, departs 10.20, arrives 10.57. Should the bus be gone, the City Centre and the Market Halls with some cafés are just around the corner/across the road…

Or take the 08.02 Sheffield train from St. Pancras to Derby, arrives 09.28. From Stand S1 in the train station forecourt in Derby take bus 114 to Ashbourne Bus Station, departs 09.53, arrives 10.47.

Relevant return buses, all terminating at Derby Bus Station, are… Line 114: 18.30 (arrives 19.08) and  Line SW1: 16.25 (arrives 17.05), 17.25 (arrives 18.05), 18.30 (arrives 19.00), 20.15 (arrives 20.45). Note: return tickets bought on the 114 are not valid on the SW1 and vice versa…

Relevant return trains  are therefore: 17.30, 18.31, 19.31 and 21.01 (the latter with a tight connection from the bus). After that there is only the 21.10 via Birmingham to Euston (or a night in Derby).