The clocks go forward an hour (yipee!) at 2am on Sunday 25 March, ushering in British Summer Time. Sunset is at 6.21pm on Saturday, but 7.21pm on Sunday, with full darkness about 25 minutes later. Sunday walkers get an hour less in bed.
Signs of spring all around you! See Nature Blog.
A Walkers History
Monday, December 31
Saturday, September 22
Sardinia
Guided walking holiday in Sardinia 22 September 2012.
To go we need a minimum of 5. (3 possibles so far)
All info on Website
You can download the Tour Dossier which I hope will answer any remaining questions.
Fully bonded operator.
Any questions ask Alison at Shepherds, and book direct with them.
Flights are not included, purchased independently from Easyjet.
Friday, April 27
A night at theatre - Neighbourhood Watch by Alan Ayckbourn
Come and see the latest Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious cautionary tale of the dangers of taking the law into your own hands. This critically acclaimed production comes to the Tricycle for its London premiere following a New York run. Directed by Alan Ayckbourn himself and performed by the original cast from Scarborough.
‘This is Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play and the dramatist is as bang on the money as ever’
‘This is Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play and the dramatist is as bang on the money as ever’ ‘A cracking good Ayckbourn’
Friday, April 13
Double Bills at V&A at 18:30
Tonight we will have a chance to visit two exhibitions (1) British Design 1948-2012 (tickets £12) and (2) Queen Elizabeth II by royal photographer Cecil Beaton (£6). You can visit either or both, the choice is yours.
(1) British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age, celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the summer of 2012. Over 300 British design objects highlight significant moments in the history of British design and how the country continues to nurture artistic talent and be a world leader in creativity and design.
(2) Featuring portraits of Queen Elizabeth II by royal photographer Cecil Beaton, this exhibition celebrates Her Majesty in her roles as princess, monarch and mother and coincides with the 60th anniversary of her accession to
the throne.
To book tickets for (1) please click here and for (2) please click here. For (2), if book on line, you can receive £2 discount by entering the discount code 201202 when prompt. Book the ticket for 6:30pm time slot. If you travel on BR to attend this event, you can get 2 for 1 offers by down loading vouchers for both exhibitions, click here
You don't have to go to these exhibitions to enjoy the evening with fellow walkers. There are many free exhibitions you can do plus an evening of special events including Makers' Guild (at 18:15, free but booking required), Gallery Guided Tour (free at 19:00) and Live Music (free at 20:00). Details are here
Meet at the entrance hall by the information/ticket desk at 6:15pm. We will meet again at the museum cafe to share thoughts (F&B served, open till 9:30pm).
(1) British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age, celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the summer of 2012. Over 300 British design objects highlight significant moments in the history of British design and how the country continues to nurture artistic talent and be a world leader in creativity and design.
(2) Featuring portraits of Queen Elizabeth II by royal photographer Cecil Beaton, this exhibition celebrates Her Majesty in her roles as princess, monarch and mother and coincides with the 60th anniversary of her accession to
the throne.
To book tickets for (1) please click here and for (2) please click here. For (2), if book on line, you can receive £2 discount by entering the discount code 201202 when prompt. Book the ticket for 6:30pm time slot. If you travel on BR to attend this event, you can get 2 for 1 offers by down loading vouchers for both exhibitions, click here
You don't have to go to these exhibitions to enjoy the evening with fellow walkers. There are many free exhibitions you can do plus an evening of special events including Makers' Guild (at 18:15, free but booking required), Gallery Guided Tour (free at 19:00) and Live Music (free at 20:00). Details are here
Meet at the entrance hall by the information/ticket desk at 6:15pm. We will meet again at the museum cafe to share thoughts (F&B served, open till 9:30pm).
Friday, March 30
Finistère: The Path of the Lighthouses
This is an almost entirely coastal walk around the North West tip of France from Morlaix to Brest.
Departing Plymouth on Friday 30th March on the overnight ferry to Roscoff, returning on the afternoon of Tuesday 10th April (after the Easter weekend). The return fare by ferry is £129 including outward cabin for one person, or £219 for two.
Eleven days of walking, between 16 and 33km per day (with opportunities to catch the bus on most days). The going is not as hard as the South West Way. Full information on the first two days' walking can be seen here. Staying at small hotels, B&Bs and private hostels.
If interested contact Mike Powell at powell_michaelc AT sky DOT com by Friday 16th December latest.
Departing Plymouth on Friday 30th March on the overnight ferry to Roscoff, returning on the afternoon of Tuesday 10th April (after the Easter weekend). The return fare by ferry is £129 including outward cabin for one person, or £219 for two.
Eleven days of walking, between 16 and 33km per day (with opportunities to catch the bus on most days). The going is not as hard as the South West Way. Full information on the first two days' walking can be seen here. Staying at small hotels, B&Bs and private hostels.
If interested contact Mike Powell at powell_michaelc AT sky DOT com by Friday 16th December latest.
Sunday, March 25
Sunday Second Walk
Beaconsfield to Chorleywood via the Chiltern Open Air Museum (new walk)
Length: 15.7 km (9.7 miles). Toughness: 4 out of 10
10:38 Bicester North train from Marylebone arriving Beaconsfield at 11:05.
Return trains from Chorleywood to Marylebone are at xx:33 (journey time 32 minutes). Or there are Underground trains to Baker Street at xx:10, xx:25, xx:40 and xx:55 (journey time 48 minutes)
As Beaconsfield and Chorleywood are on different lines you will need to buy a single to Beaconsfield and a single back from Chorleywood. Chorleywood is in Zone 7 so Oyster cards or Freedom Passes can be used for the return journey.
Since the clocks went forward last night, some walkers may appreciate quite a late start today while they reset their internal clock. But if you’ll be walking at a leisurely pace and want to ensure you have plenty of time at the museum, you may want to take a train half an hour, or even an hour, earlier, and let the others catch you up.
This walk is designed to take advantage of free entry this weekend to the Chiltern Open Air Museum where many historic vernacular buildings from the area that were threatened with destruction have been rescued and re-erected. Actually, it's not an entirely new walk, since the first half follows the route of the morning section of the Beaconsfield Circular walk (Book 1 Walk 10) as far as the normal lunchtime stop at Chalfont St Giles. After lunch it is a relatively short distance (about 2 km / 1.25 miles) to the museum. From the museum to Chorleywood (described by John Betjeman as “essential Metro-land”) is about 4km / 2.5 miles. So even if you stay at the museum until it closes at 5.00pm you’ll still be able to complete the walk in daylight.
There are several good pub options for lunch in Chalfont St Giles, but the recommended one is Merlins Cave (01494 875101).
You can get tea at the museum café, or at the end of the walk in Chorleywood in either Rootz Coffee Lounge or, if it is still open by the time you arrive, Morgans Deli. If both are closed you can try the Peppermill on the opposite side of the road from Rootz.
You will need to download the Walk Directions, which include the morning section taken from the Beaconsfield Circular as well as the new afternoon section.
Length: 15.7 km (9.7 miles). Toughness: 4 out of 10
10:38 Bicester North train from Marylebone arriving Beaconsfield at 11:05.
Return trains from Chorleywood to Marylebone are at xx:33 (journey time 32 minutes). Or there are Underground trains to Baker Street at xx:10, xx:25, xx:40 and xx:55 (journey time 48 minutes)
As Beaconsfield and Chorleywood are on different lines you will need to buy a single to Beaconsfield and a single back from Chorleywood. Chorleywood is in Zone 7 so Oyster cards or Freedom Passes can be used for the return journey.
Since the clocks went forward last night, some walkers may appreciate quite a late start today while they reset their internal clock. But if you’ll be walking at a leisurely pace and want to ensure you have plenty of time at the museum, you may want to take a train half an hour, or even an hour, earlier, and let the others catch you up.
This walk is designed to take advantage of free entry this weekend to the Chiltern Open Air Museum where many historic vernacular buildings from the area that were threatened with destruction have been rescued and re-erected. Actually, it's not an entirely new walk, since the first half follows the route of the morning section of the Beaconsfield Circular walk (Book 1 Walk 10) as far as the normal lunchtime stop at Chalfont St Giles. After lunch it is a relatively short distance (about 2 km / 1.25 miles) to the museum. From the museum to Chorleywood (described by John Betjeman as “essential Metro-land”) is about 4km / 2.5 miles. So even if you stay at the museum until it closes at 5.00pm you’ll still be able to complete the walk in daylight.
There are several good pub options for lunch in Chalfont St Giles, but the recommended one is Merlins Cave (01494 875101).
You can get tea at the museum café, or at the end of the walk in Chorleywood in either Rootz Coffee Lounge or, if it is still open by the time you arrive, Morgans Deli. If both are closed you can try the Peppermill on the opposite side of the road from Rootz.
You will need to download the Walk Directions, which include the morning section taken from the Beaconsfield Circular as well as the new afternoon section.
Sunday First Walk
Book 2 Walk 25 – Lewes via West Firle Circular
Length: 23.3km (14.5 miles). Toughness: 7/10
09:47 Ore train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 09:53, East Croydon 10:07) arriving Lewes at 10:58.
Return trains from Lewes to Victoria are at xx:16 (journey time 1hour 15 minutes). The alternative route back via Brighton is not practical today because of engineering works on the line from Lewes to Brighton.
Buy an Off-Peak Day Return to Lewes, or to Southease if you intend to cut the walk short and return from there (see below). You may be able to take advantage of Southern’s 34% discount offer on Advance train tickets, when booked online. There’s a limited quota of these tickets (which are singles, not returns) and the earlier you book, the cheaper the price. You have to specify the particular train you’ll be using in each direction. The discount is in addition to many of the railcard discounts, excluding the Network Railcard discount. If you cancel your booking for whatever reason you can get a full refund.
With the arrival of British Summer Time today, the lighter evenings make longer walks more practical, and this classic South Downs walk is one of the finest. It divides into three sections: a climb over the Mount Caburn downs to Glynde and to lunch in Firle, a section of the South Downs Way with magnificent views on both sides, and an easy stroll back to Lewes along the River Ouse. To shorten the walk you could omit the last section (4 miles) and catch a train to Lewes from Southease (trains at xx:04).
The suggested lunch stop is The Ram (01273 858222) at Firle.
Length: 23.3km (14.5 miles). Toughness: 7/10
09:47 Ore train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 09:53, East Croydon 10:07) arriving Lewes at 10:58.
Return trains from Lewes to Victoria are at xx:16 (journey time 1hour 15 minutes). The alternative route back via Brighton is not practical today because of engineering works on the line from Lewes to Brighton.
Buy an Off-Peak Day Return to Lewes, or to Southease if you intend to cut the walk short and return from there (see below). You may be able to take advantage of Southern’s 34% discount offer on Advance train tickets, when booked online. There’s a limited quota of these tickets (which are singles, not returns) and the earlier you book, the cheaper the price. You have to specify the particular train you’ll be using in each direction. The discount is in addition to many of the railcard discounts, excluding the Network Railcard discount. If you cancel your booking for whatever reason you can get a full refund.
With the arrival of British Summer Time today, the lighter evenings make longer walks more practical, and this classic South Downs walk is one of the finest. It divides into three sections: a climb over the Mount Caburn downs to Glynde and to lunch in Firle, a section of the South Downs Way with magnificent views on both sides, and an easy stroll back to Lewes along the River Ouse. To shorten the walk you could omit the last section (4 miles) and catch a train to Lewes from Southease (trains at xx:04).
The suggested lunch stop is The Ram (01273 858222) at Firle.
Saturday, March 24
Saturday Third Walk
Extra Walk 110b – Hartfield to East Grinstead
Length: 18½ km (11.5 miles), or 13 km (8 miles) if you finish in Forest Row. Toughness: 7/10
09:23 East Grinstead train from Victoria, calling at Clapham Jct (09:29) and arriving East Grinstead at 10:17. Outside the station, take Metrobus 291 (towards Tunbridge Wells) at 10:31, arriving Hartfield at 10:58.
Long Walk option: You can avoid the outward bus journey by taking the 09:08 Uckfield train from London Bridge and starting from Ashurst at 09:57 (this is the full Walk 110). If you set a brisk pace for the extra 5¾ km you won't be far behind the main group, and will doubtless catch up by Pooh Bridge at the latest.
Trains back from East Grinstead are at 07 & 37 minutes past the hour. You could finish earlier in Forest Row and take Metrobus 270/291/391 up the hill to East Grinstead; there are one or two buses an hour up to about 8pm, with a late one just before 10pm.
To preserve your energies for two fairly long climbs in the morning, I've suggested that you take the bus and miss out the full walk's initial section along the Medway valley. Another advantage of this arrangement is that you get to have lunch in a remote country pub not visited on other SWC walks, the Hatch Inn in Coleman's Hatch, 7 km from Hartfield.
The walk itself features fine views from the ridges along the top of Ashdown Forest, not least at the Memorial to AA Milne and EF Shepard. Along the way you'll pass several places featured in the famous childrens' books, starting with the famous bridge where you can test your skills with a few authentic games of Pooh Sticks. Later, be careful not to fall into Pooh's Heffalump Trap.
To get to the lunch pub you'll need to take the slightly longer route along country lanes in §6b. There are more fine views from another ridge in the afternoon before you descend through woodland and across a golf course into Forest Row. After a tea stop here the final section is a long gentle climb up the tree-lined Forest Way into East Grinstead, where more opportunities for refreshment await.
You'll need to print the walk directions from the Extra Walk 110 page.
Length: 18½ km (11.5 miles), or 13 km (8 miles) if you finish in Forest Row. Toughness: 7/10
09:23 East Grinstead train from Victoria, calling at Clapham Jct (09:29) and arriving East Grinstead at 10:17. Outside the station, take Metrobus 291 (towards Tunbridge Wells) at 10:31, arriving Hartfield at 10:58.
Long Walk option: You can avoid the outward bus journey by taking the 09:08 Uckfield train from London Bridge and starting from Ashurst at 09:57 (this is the full Walk 110). If you set a brisk pace for the extra 5¾ km you won't be far behind the main group, and will doubtless catch up by Pooh Bridge at the latest.
Trains back from East Grinstead are at 07 & 37 minutes past the hour. You could finish earlier in Forest Row and take Metrobus 270/291/391 up the hill to East Grinstead; there are one or two buses an hour up to about 8pm, with a late one just before 10pm.
To preserve your energies for two fairly long climbs in the morning, I've suggested that you take the bus and miss out the full walk's initial section along the Medway valley. Another advantage of this arrangement is that you get to have lunch in a remote country pub not visited on other SWC walks, the Hatch Inn in Coleman's Hatch, 7 km from Hartfield.
The walk itself features fine views from the ridges along the top of Ashdown Forest, not least at the Memorial to AA Milne and EF Shepard. Along the way you'll pass several places featured in the famous childrens' books, starting with the famous bridge where you can test your skills with a few authentic games of Pooh Sticks. Later, be careful not to fall into Pooh's Heffalump Trap.
To get to the lunch pub you'll need to take the slightly longer route along country lanes in §6b. There are more fine views from another ridge in the afternoon before you descend through woodland and across a golf course into Forest Row. After a tea stop here the final section is a long gentle climb up the tree-lined Forest Way into East Grinstead, where more opportunities for refreshment await.
You'll need to print the walk directions from the Extra Walk 110 page.
Saturday second walk
Extra/Free walk 130 - Great Chesterford to Newport
Length: 18.7 km (11.7 miles) or 14.3km (8.9 miles)
Toughness 4 out of 10
9.28 train from Liverpool Street to Great Chesterford, arrive 10.35. Buy a day return to Great Chesterford.
Trains back from Newport are at 43 mins past, or at 19 and 40 past from Audley End.
For directions click here.
I am aware that for some walkers Essex is the dark side of the moon, and the creator of this walk is honest enough to admit that it includes some of the large arable fields for which the country is famous. But he also promises that most of the walking is along wide grassy field edges, with "pleasant interludes through small woods and river valleys to add variety".
Perhaps the main attraction of this walk, however, is the historic market town of Saffron Walden, which has plenty of pubs for lunch, and then the grand stately home of Audley End - unusually owned by English Heritage rather than the National Trust, as it was for a brief period a royal palace. The house itself is not yet open for the season, but the stables, service wing and gardens are until 4pm (admission £8.70), and that is more interesting than it sounds, as the service wing is full of fascinating recreations of how life was for servants and farmhands in days of yore, sometimes with actors recreating roles. The house also has a cafe or two.
If you want to spend time at Audley End (or explore the historic attractions of Saffron Walden - see intro to walk directions for details), a shorter ending at nearby Audley End station (the 8.9 mile version of the walk) allows you to do so. Otherwise, the full 11.7 mile version of the walk (get your legs in gear for the longer days to come!), ends at Newport.
Length: 18.7 km (11.7 miles) or 14.3km (8.9 miles)
Toughness 4 out of 10
9.28 train from Liverpool Street to Great Chesterford, arrive 10.35. Buy a day return to Great Chesterford.
Trains back from Newport are at 43 mins past, or at 19 and 40 past from Audley End.
For directions click here.
I am aware that for some walkers Essex is the dark side of the moon, and the creator of this walk is honest enough to admit that it includes some of the large arable fields for which the country is famous. But he also promises that most of the walking is along wide grassy field edges, with "pleasant interludes through small woods and river valleys to add variety".
Perhaps the main attraction of this walk, however, is the historic market town of Saffron Walden, which has plenty of pubs for lunch, and then the grand stately home of Audley End - unusually owned by English Heritage rather than the National Trust, as it was for a brief period a royal palace. The house itself is not yet open for the season, but the stables, service wing and gardens are until 4pm (admission £8.70), and that is more interesting than it sounds, as the service wing is full of fascinating recreations of how life was for servants and farmhands in days of yore, sometimes with actors recreating roles. The house also has a cafe or two.
If you want to spend time at Audley End (or explore the historic attractions of Saffron Walden - see intro to walk directions for details), a shorter ending at nearby Audley End station (the 8.9 mile version of the walk) allows you to do so. Otherwise, the full 11.7 mile version of the walk (get your legs in gear for the longer days to come!), ends at Newport.
Saturday First Walk
Book 2 Walk 13 Guildford to Gomshall
Length 17.1km (10.7 miles)
Toughness 5 out of 10
OS Landranger Maps No 186 & 187. OS Explorer Map 145
Take the 9.30am train from Waterloo arriving Guildford at 10.03.
Trains back from Gomshall to
Guildford run every two hours (journey time 15 minutes) at 15.53, 17.53, 19.53
Buy a day
return to Gomshall, making sure your ticket is valid for ‘any permitted’
route, as a cheaper ticket is sold for return in the opposite direction
from Gomshall, changing at Redhill, which is an alternative way to get
back to London. If you miss the train, buses go fairly regularly
(Mon-Sat only; for information, call 0871 200 2233) to Guildford from
outside the Compasses Inn.
Following the closure of the Rambler's Rest tea room, this walk has now
been fully revised, with a new afternoon route. As before the walk
starts with a steep climb out of Guildford, followed by a walk over a
fine unspoiled section of the North Downs that includes Pewley Hill and
the hilltop church of St Martha-on-the-Hill. From there the route passes
through undulating farmland beneath the North Downs escarpment
following the ancient Pilgrims Way to lunch in the cute village of
Shere. In the afternoon the route continues to Gomshall, with a possible
further lunchstop, and then climbs on to the Downs for a further
section which has a mix of woodland (including bluebells in late April
and early May) and a fine viewpoint. You then descend to the village of
Abinger Hammer for tea, before looping back to Gomshall.
The White Horse pub in Shere (tel 01483 202518), 9.2km (5.7
miles) into the walk is a rambling ancient inn that has a small but charming
garden out the back, and though busy at weekends is well run and
efficient at serving meals from a wide menu. In recent times it has
started acting more like a restaurant, however, and insisting on orders
being taken at the table, so phone to check their latest policy. In
theory food is served all afternoon, but if busy the pub sometimes
closes to new orders at 3pm.
Forty metres further up the road is the William Bray (01483 202044, http://www.thewilliambray.co.uk/) , which has been refurbished as a gastro pub. It serves food noon-3pm, 6-9.30pm Mon-Sat; noon-8pm Sun.
An alternative to both pubs is the Lucky Duck tea room and restaurant in Shere (tel 01483 202445), which is open from 9.30am to 5pm for sandwiches and cakes, though hot lunch items are only available from noon to 3.00pm. In season, it has both inside and outside tables.
Shere Post Office also sells a full range of picnic items and is open till 10 pm daily.
In Gomshall, 1.8km (1.1 miles) beyond Shere, the Compasses Inn (see Tea section below for details) is another possible lunch option,
The Abinger Hammer Tearooms are the recommended tea stop, just by the post office - for details see the walk directions
Otherwise, the Compasses Inn in Gomshall (tel 01483 203060) serves hot drinks, snacks and meals every day until 9pm, and which has a riverside garden.
Forty metres further up the road is the William Bray (01483 202044, http://www.thewilliambray.co.uk/) , which has been refurbished as a gastro pub. It serves food noon-3pm, 6-9.30pm Mon-Sat; noon-8pm Sun.
An alternative to both pubs is the Lucky Duck tea room and restaurant in Shere (tel 01483 202445), which is open from 9.30am to 5pm for sandwiches and cakes, though hot lunch items are only available from noon to 3.00pm. In season, it has both inside and outside tables.
Shere Post Office also sells a full range of picnic items and is open till 10 pm daily.
In Gomshall, 1.8km (1.1 miles) beyond Shere, the Compasses Inn (see Tea section below for details) is another possible lunch option,
The Abinger Hammer Tearooms are the recommended tea stop, just by the post office - for details see the walk directions
Otherwise, the Compasses Inn in Gomshall (tel 01483 203060) serves hot drinks, snacks and meals every day until 9pm, and which has a riverside garden.
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