Forest Ramblers

Cuffley to Theobalds Grove linear
2018-09-27 11:23 - 16:45 UTC | Cuffley station, EN6 4TG, United Kingdom
Ramble 3326.
Meet: Cuffley station 11.23.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: The Wheelwrights, Goffs Oak EN7 5EP (GR TL328029) 13.15.
Travel: Moorgate (Great Northern) 10.40 to Cuffley, Highbury & Islington 10.48, Finsbury Park 10.54, Enfield Chase 11.14. Return by London Overground to Liverpool Street via Seven Sisters, 17.09 approx. half hourly. Freedom Pass holders should buy a single ticket from Crews Hill to Cuffley (one stop).
Contact: Rod 07944 498 698 on day.
A walk through the countryside on the southern edge of Hertfordshire. The morning walk is 3.3 miles with a gradual uphill slope.
Note that the outbound train service is to Stevenage via Hertford. The indicator board may say to Wattton at Stone as there are faster trains to Stevenage not via Hertford North. Most trains to Hertford North stop at Cuffley. Please check timetables just ahead of the day as the timetable is not yet confirmed.

Gerrards Cross circular
2018-09-13 11:04 - 15:30 | Gerrards Cross station, SL9 8PL, United Kingdom
Ramble 3325.
Meet: Gerrards Cross station 11.04.
Distance: 5 miles.
Lunch: The Greyhound Inn, High Street, Chalfont St Peter SL9 9RA (GR TQ001909) 12.45.
Travel: Marylebone 10.43 (direct). Return trains frequent. Freedom Pass boundary West Ruislip.
Contact: Edward 07508 149 186 on day.
Gerrards Cross circular via Chalfont St Peter. The 2.4 mile morning ramble to Chalfont St Peter out of Gerrards Cross takes a northerly direction alongside Chalfont Park, before a series of white posts guides us across a local golf course. Chalfont St Peter has a reputation as one of the largest villages in England, and our pub stands next to the impressive parish church. After lunch we follow the South Bucks Way for a while, and then turn towards the station. There is one steady upward incline for a short spell immediately after lunch, and a dodgy stile has to be negotiated in both directions.

West Byfleet to Woking linear
2018-08-30 11:21 - 17:00 | West Byfleet station, KT14 6DY, United Kingdom
Ramble 3324.
Meet: West Byfleet station main entrance 11.21.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: The Anchor, Pyrford Lock, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QW (GR TQ053591) 12.00.
Travel: London Waterloo 10.53, Clapham Junction 11.00. Four return trains per hour from Woking. Freedom Pass boundary Surbiton. Buy return to Woking.
Contact: Andy 07917 844 501 on day.
Newark Priory and River Wey Walk. The first part of the walk takes us to the canal en route to the Anchor pub at Pyrford Lock for an early lunch. The majority of the walk is in the afternoon along the River Wey and Wey Navigation System, where we will also enjoy great views of the ruins of Newark Priory. Thereafter we will walk on to Pyrford village to visit St Nicholas (Norman) church, before proceeding through countryside alongside a golf course and on to Woking station. There is some pavement walking towards the end.

Effingham circular via Bookham
2018-08-23 11:33 - 16:30 | Effingham Junction station, KT24 5HX, United Kingdom
Ramble 3322.
Meet: Effingham Junction station 11.33.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: Ye Olde Windsor Castle, 25 Little Bookham Street, Great Bookham KT23 3AA (GR TQ126545) 12.45.
Travel: Waterloo 10.39, Vauxhall 10.43, Clapham Junction 10.48, Wimbledon 10.55, Epsom 11.17. Freedom Pass boundary Ewell West. Return trains 16.45, 17.15.
Contact: Laurie 07811 588 988 on day.
A Surrey Saunter. A pleasant 3-mile morning walk from Effingham Junction past the cricket club and round fields and ponds and Oaken Wood to reach Bookham for lunch. (Bookham station is a drop-out point.) After lunch, the walk skirts the Common and Great Mornshill Wood, copses and thickets to return to Effingham station.

Chipstead circular
2018-08-09 11:29 - 16:00 | Chipstead station, CR5 3TE, United Kingdom
Ramble 3322.
Meet: Chipstead station 11.29.
Distance: 5.5 miles.
Lunch: The Woodman, Woodmansterne SM7 3NL (GR TQ075478) 12.45.
Travel: London Bridge 10.47, East Croydon 11.01 direct; if coming via Clapham Junction, change at East Croydon. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Brenda 07731 781 283 or Andy 07917 844 501 on day.
The Lavender Walk. In the morning we walk 2 miles through woods and over downland, with some hills, to Woodmansterne for lunch. After lunch we walk 3.5 miles, first over fields – joining the London Loop for a while – to Mayfield lavender field, where there is an opportunity to buy lavender and lavender products at the shop. Then we walk through Oaks Park, by the site of Oaks Mansion, and back to Chipstead.

Harpenden circular
2018-07-26 11:19 - 17:00 | Harpenden station, AL5 4ST, United Kingdom
Ramble 3321.
Meet: Harpenden station 11.19.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: Chequers Inn, St Albans Road, Redbourn AL3 7AD (GR TL110117) 13.00.
Travel: Thameslink service. Sutton 09.46 and change at Blackfriars for 10.27 to Harpenden. Blackfriars 10.27, Farringdon 10.31, St Pancras Int 10.43, West Hampstead 10.59. Return trains every 20 mins. Freedom Pass boundary Elstree & Borehamwood.
Contact: Richard M 07930 338 571 on day.
Harping around Harpenden. A walk through parkland and woodland, incorporating Rothamsted Experimental Station and Rothamsted Manor. Thence through fields, joining the Nicky Line (disused railway) into Redbourn. After lunch, we pass through Hammondsend Wood, Harpenden golf course, and Harpenden Common.

Angel to Tower Hill linear
2018-07-12 11:00 - 16:30 | Angel station, EC1V 1NE
Ramble 3320.
Meet: Angel Underground station 11.00.
Distance: 5 miles.
Lunch: The Masque Haunt, 168/172 Old Street, EC1V 9BP (GR TQ325824) 13.00.
Travel: London Underground Northern Line. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Christine 07789 567 653 on day.
Strolling through an old part of London, taking in street art, Shakespeare, and Huguenot history. The walk follows the Regent’s Canal to Hoxton, then through Shoreditch and Spitalfields, finishing at Tower Hill.

South Darenth to Shoreham (Kent) linear
2018-06-28 11:20 - 16:30 | Farningham Road station, DA4 9JB, United Kingdom
Ramble 3319.
Meet: Farningham Road station 11.20.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: The Lion, High Street, Farningham DA4 0DP (GR TQ545670) 12.30.
Travel: London Victoria 10.42, Bromley South 11.05. Return Shoreham station 16.32, 17.02. Freedom Pass boundary Swanley.
Contact: Linda 07879 335 445 or Tony 07850 711 962 on day.
A varied landscape with majestic brick-built viaducts, following the Darent Valley path beside the River Darent before lunch, then climbing gently with views of the Downs and surrounding countryside to Eynsford, Lullingstone Castle and passing extensive lavender fields into Shoreham. Easy, mainly flat, terrain. Possible dropout point (4+ miles) at Eynsford station.

Datchet circular
2018-06-14 11:19 - 16:00 | Datchet station, SL3 9ED, United Kingdom
Ramble 3318.
Meet: Datchet station 11.17.
Distance: 6 miles.
Lunch: The Waterman’s Arms, Brocas Street, Eton SL4 6BW (GR SU967773) 13.00.
Travel: London Waterloo 10.28, Clapham Junction 10.37. Return at 26 and 56 minutes. Freedom Pass boundary Feltham.
Contact: Rosemary 07486 081 775 on day.
An easy walk along the golf course and into Eton, passing the famous school. Then over fields and by the Thames Path towards Windsor. After lunch, return by the Thames Path to the station.

Kings Langley to Apsley linear
2018-05-31 11:31 - 17:00 | KIngs Langley station, WD4 8LL, United Kingdom
Ramble 3317.
Meet: Kings Langley station 11.31.
Distance: 7.5 miles.
Lunch: The Windmill, The Common, Chipperfield, Herts WD4 9BU (GR TL041015) 13.00.
Travel: Euston 11.04, Harrow & Wealdstone 11.18. Return from Apsley station 17.10. Buy return ticket to Apsley. Freedom Pass boundary Harrow & Wealdstone.
Contact: Laurie 07811 588 988 on day.
A field and woodland walk in the Chilterns. Starting from Kings Langley, our walk takes us westward 2.5 miles across fields and hills to the Common at Chipperfield for lunch. Afterwards we head north through Chipperfield itself and then through Scatterdells Wood to Apsley.

Dorking to Chilworth linear
2018-05-24 11:15 - 16:00 | Dorking station, Station Approach, RH4 1TF, United Kingdom
Ramble 3316.
Meet: Dorking station 11.15.
Distance: 5 miles.
Lunch The Drummond Arms, Albury GU5 9AG (GR TQ050478) 13.00.
Travel: Waterloo 10.24, Clapham Junction 10.33. Also trains from Victoria. Freedom Pass Boundary Cheam/Worcester Park. Buy return ticket to Chilworth.
Contact: Brenda 07731 781 283 or Andy 07917 844 501 on day.
The Gunpowder Works walk. The first part of the walk follows the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Heritage Trail looking at the remains of the gunpowder works. Then over the fields to Albury for lunch. The we return along the hillside on the other side of the Tillingbourne Valley, then through the Chilworth vineyard to Chilworth station.
Note that we will walk round from Dorking station to Dorking Deepdene station to catch the 11.45 to Chilworth. If the train is missed, there is an hourly bus (32) from Dorking to Chilworth via Albury.

Mortlake to Richmond linear
2018-05-10 11:24 - 17:00 | Mortlake station, SW14 8LN, United Kingdom
Ramble 3315.
Meet: Mortlake station 11.24.
Distance: 6.5 miles.
Lunch: The Plough, 42 Christchurch Road, East Sheen SW14 7AF (GR TQ203749) 12.00.
Travel: Waterloo (SW Railway) 11.03, Vauxhall 11.16, Clapham Junction 11.13. Return Richmond station. Frequent SW trains and Underground. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Sue 07801 329 202 on day.
The Isabella Plantation walk. A peaceful, easy walk through Sheen Common woods and the grasslands of Richmond Park to the Isabella Plantation, with its seasonally blooming azaleas and rhododendrons, followed by a view of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound. We may have time for refreshments looking over scenic views from the terrace of Pembroke Lodge. We leave Richmond Park by Poet’s Corner, then Richmond Gate and along the river to Richmond station.
Richmond Park guidance suggests that trousers, socks and walking shoes should be worn, to give protection against the occasional Lyme ticks.

High Wycombe circular
2018-04-26 10:59 - 16:30 | High Wycombe station, HP13 6NN, United Kingdom
Ramble 3314.
Meet: High Wycombe station 10.59.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: The Black Lion, Woodland Drive, Naphill HP14 4SH (GR SU841975) 13.00
Travel: Marylebone 10.35. Good service back to London. Freedom Pass boundary West Ruislip.
Contact: David T 07710 689 117 on day.
After a short bus ride to Hughenden Manor we walk through mainly wooded terrain to Naphill Common, returning to High Wycombe through more woodlands via Cookshall Farm, Downley village and the Disraeli monument. The bluebells are expected to be in bloom in a number of places.
In the event of your being seriously delayed, please note that there is a frequent bus service from Wycombe town centre (Oxford Street) direct to the pub – route 300.

Blackfriars to Hackney Wick linear
2018-04-12 11:00 - 16:30 | Blackfriars station, EC4V 4DY, United Kingdom
Ramble 3313.
Meet: Blackfriars Underground station 11.00.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: Town of Ramsgate, 62 Wapping High Street, London E1W 2PN (GR TQ316809) 12.45.
Travel: London Underground or Thameslink. Return from Hackney Wick (London Overground) or multiple dropout points. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Malcolm 07990 572 191 on day.

A watery walk down the Thames and up Regent’s Canal. The walk takes us across the Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge and along the Thames Path to Wapping. After lunch at the historic Town of Ramsgate we continue along the Thames Path to Limehouse and then along Regent’s Canal to Victoria Park and ever-changing Hackney Wick. Many interesting sights line the route.
Please note that the meeting point will be Blackfriars tube station entrance on the river’s north bank; Thameslink passengers can reach this directly from the Thameslink platforms.

Angel to Liverpool Street linear (Derelict Transport walk)
2018-03-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Angel station, EC1V 1NE
Ramble: 3312.
Meet: Angel Underground station 11.00.
Distance: 4.5 miles.
Lunch: Railway Tavern, 15 Liverpool Street EC2M 7NX (GR TQ330815) at end of walk.
Travel: Northern Line. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Andy 07917 844 501 on day.

Hayes (Kent) circular
2018-03-22 11:31 - 16:30 | Hayes station, BR2 7EN
Ramble 3311.
Meet: Hayes station 11.31.
Distance: 6 miles.
Lunch: The Greyhound, Commonside, Keston BR2 6BP (GR TQ412645) 13.00.
Travel: Charing Cross 10.49, Waterloo 10.52, London Bridge 10.58. Return times approximately every 15 minutes from 16.30. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Tony 07850 711 962 or Linda 07879 335 445 on day.

An easy Spring walk across the commons of Hayes, Keston and West Wickham, through woodland paths, open meadows and around Keston ponds.

Sarratt via Chorleywood circular
2018-03-08 11:24 - 16:45 | Chorleywood station, WD3 5ND
Ramble 3310.
Meet: Chorleywood station 11.24.
Distance: 7.5 miles.
Lunch: The Boot, The Green, Sarratt WD3 6BL (GR TQ043996) 13.00.
Travel: Marylebone (Chiltern Line) 10.57 or Baker Street (Metropolitan Line) 10.32. Return (Chiltern Line) 16.45, 17.15, 17.42. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Gould: 07985 687 800 on day.

A pleasant walk through the Chilterns with some inclines.

Chislehurst circular
2018-02-22 11:34 - 16:15 | Chislehurst station, BR7 5NN
Ramble 3309.
Meet: Chislehurst station11.34.
Distance: 6.5 miles.
Lunch: The Tiger’s Head, Watts Lane, Chislehurst BR7 5PJ (GR TQ443698) 12.15.
Travel: Charing Cross 11.06, London Bridge 11.14. Return 16.25. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: David T 07710 689 117 on day.
Gently undulating terrain. Mixture of open country, parkland and woodland. We pass the remains of mediaeval Scadbury Manor and visit the Willett Sundial in Petts Wood, erected in memory of the originator of British Summer Time (daylight saving).

Putney Bridge to Barnes and Beverley Brook circular
2018-02-08 11:00 - 16:00 | Putney Bridge station, SW6 3UH
Ramble 3308.
Meet: Putney Bridge Underground station 11.00.
Distance: 6.9 miles.
Lunch: The Black Lion, South Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith W6 9TJ (GR TQ223783) 12.30.
Travel: Putney Bridge station. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Sue B 07801 329 202 on day.

This walk will take us through the gardens and Tudor courtyard of the historic Fulham Palace, along the River Thames Walk, past the new Riverside Studios development with the recently erected statues of William Tierney Clark and “Capability Brown” and to the historic houses along Chiswick Mall. After lunch we’ll visit the oldest wisteria in England and Hogarth’s tomb before continuing through Duke’s Meadows to Barnes Bridge. From there we’ll pass Barnes pond, cross Barnes Common and follow the course if Beverley Brook back to Putney Embankment.
The walking is on flat paths but there is potential for mud on Barnes Common during wet weather.
There is a dropout point after lunch at Barnes Bridge station.

Hampstead Heath circular
2018-01-25 11:10 - 16:15 | Hampstead station, NW3 1QG
Ramble 3307.
Meet: Hampstead station 11.10.
Distance: 5.5 miles.
Lunch: The Spaniards Inn, Spaniards Road NW3 7JJ (GR TQ267873) 12.30.
Travel: London Underground Northern Line. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Malcolm 07990 572 191 on day.
A well-known walk with a couple of mysterious twists thrown in. We will stray on to West Heath and Sandy Heath in the morning and then lunch at the famous Spaniards. In the afternoon we will circumnavigate the Heath in a clockwise direction, enjoying views across London from several vantage points, and will reach the frontier marked by the Lido if time and weather permit. Much of the walk will be off footpaths and may be muddy.

Waddon to Carshalton linear
2018-01-11 11:32 - 16:15 | Waddon station, CR0 4UP
Ramble 3306.
Meet: Waddon station 11.32.
Distance: 5 miles.
Lunch: The Rose & Crown, Wallington Corner SM6 7HF (GR TQ285648) 12.45.
Travel: Victoria 10.53, Clapham Junction 11.00. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Brenda 07731 781 283 or Andy 07917 844 501 on day.
2 miles following the infant River Wandle through Beddington Park and, after lunch, 3 miles via Carshalton Ponds to Carshalton Beeches station, visiting the 300-year-old Water Tower at Carshalton House on the way.

Finsbury Park to Tottenham Hale linear
2017-12-14 11:15 - 16:30 | Finsbury Park station, NH4 2DH
Ramble 3305.
Meet: Finsbury Park station 11.15.
Distance: 6.5 miles.
Lunch: Rose and Crown, 199 Church Street, Stoke Newington N16 9ES (GR TQ329864) 12.45.
Travel: London Underground Victoria and Piccadilly Lines or Network Rail from King’s Cross. Return Tottenham Hale station Victoria Line or Network Rail. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Marjorie 07910 263 293 on day.
Level walk on good paths through Woodberry Wetlands, Abney Park Cemetery, Finsbury, Clissold and Springfield Parks and the River Lea.

Enfield Lock to Chingford linear
2017-11-30 11:04 - 16:00 | Amersham station, HP6 5AZ
Ramble 3304.
Meet: Enfield Lock station 11.03.
Distance: 6 miles.
Lunch: The Owl, Lippitts Hill, Loughton IG10 4AL (GR TQ398970) 12.30.
Travel: Liverpool Street 10.42, Tottenham Hale 10.55. Frequent return trains from Chingford. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: David M 07929 075 722 on day.

A linear walk up to and into Epping Forest for lunch then a more leisurely descent into Chingford at the end. Some hill climbing before lunch and some boggy conditions underfoot to be expected.

Mill Hill circular via Totteridge and Barnet
2017-11-23 11:15 - 16:30 | Mill Hill East station, NW7 1BS
Ramble 3303.
Meet Mill Hill East station 11.15.
Distance: 6 miles.
Lunch: Orange Tree, 7 Totteridge Village, N20 8NX (GR TQ250939) 12.30.
Travel: London Underground Northern line. Allow 15 minutes from Finchley Central to Mill Hill East. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Pierre 07739 142 208 on day.
Mostly flat easy-going terrain.

Theobalds Grove to Cheshunt linear
2017-11-09 11:20 - 16:30 | THeobalds Grove station, EN8 7BG
Ramble 3302.
Meet: Theobalds Grove station 11.20.
Distance: 7 miles.
Lunch: Crocodile, College Road, Cheshunt EN8 9NQ (GR TL352022) 12.30.
Travel: Liverpool Street (London Overground) 10.45 via Seven Sisters (for Victoria Line 11.03. Return from Cheshunt station. Freedom Pass valid only via Seven Sisters. Faster services via Tottenham Hale need ticket to Enfield Lock.
Contact: Rod 07944 498 698 on day.

Linear walk to a King’s Palace, the New River and Lee Valley. Flat terrain mostly beside water.

Pimlico to Marylebone linear
2017-10-26 10:45 - 16:00 | Pimlico station, SW1V 2JA
Ramble 3301.
Meet: Pimlico station 10.45. Take Rampayne Street exit.
Distance: 5.5 miles.
Lunch: Coach & Horses, 5 Bruton Street, W1J 6PT (GR528180) 13.00.
Travel: Victoria Line to Pimlico. Finish at Baker Street station. Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Richard M 07930 338 571 on day.

A walk progressing from south to north within central London, through numerous London squares, including Vincent, Eaton, Belgrave, Berkeley, Hanover, Cavendish, Portman and Dorset. Landmarks include Victoria, Wellington Arch, Piccadilly, and Wigmore Hall.

Otford circular via Shoreham
2017-10-12 11:28 - 16:00 | Otford station, TN14 5QY
Ramble 3300.
Meet: Otford station 11.28.
Distance: 6 miles.
Lunch: Ye Olde George Inn, Church Street, Shoreham TN14 7 RY (GR521615). 12.45.
Travel: Victoria 10.52, Bromley South 11.09. Return 16.32, 17.00. Freedom Pass boundary St Mary Cray.
Contact: Tony 07850 711 062 / Linda 07879 335 445 on day.
A circular walk taking in two villages steeped in history, a ruined palace and passing the Otford Solar System scale model. The route goes through fields and woods with a couple of steepish sections and at times runs along the River Darent.

Woodmansterne via Banstead circular
2017-09-28 11:24 - 16:00 | Woodmansterne station, CR5 3HS
Ramble 3299.
Meet: Woodmansterne station 11.24.
Distance: 6.3 miles.
Lunch: The Mint, Park Road, Banstead SM7 3DS (GR262591) 13.00.
Travel: London Bridge 10.50, East Croydon 11.07. Return 16.35 (London Bridge), 16.49 (Victoria), 17.06 (London Bridge). Within Freedom Pass boundary.
Contact: Richard S 07887 556 311 on day.
Relatively flat walk except for the hill up to Woodmansterne village from the station. There are about half a dozen stiles. Some very good countryside views and view of London. The walk takes in Oaks Park and a lavender farm.

Aldbury and Ivinghoe Hills circular
2017-09-14 11:49 - 17:00 | Tring station, HP23 5QS
Ramble 3298.
Meet: Tring station 11.49.
Distance 7.0 miles.
Lunch: The Greyhound Inn, Aldbury HP23 5RT (GR951123) 12.30.
Travel: Euston 11.04. Frequent return trains. Freedom Pass boundary Harrow & Wealdstone.
Contact: Malcolm 07990 572 191 on day.
A lovely walk close to the north-eastern top of the Chilterns, taking in far-reaching views. We will avoid the steep climb out of Aldbury and instead take to the open countryside to the north before turning west at Ashridge. The return leg offers contrasting hilltop views to the west and south and then woodland. Apart from a short stretch out of Tring station the walk is off-road.

Dormans circular via Dormansland
2017-08-31 11:43 - 16:30 | Dormans station, RH7 6NH
Ramble 3297.
Meet: Dormans station 11.43.
Distance 6 miles.
Lunch: The Royal Oak, 57 High Street, Dormansland RH7 6PU (GR405421) 13.20
Travel: Victoria 10.53, Clapham Junction 10.59 East Croydon 11.10. OR depart London Bridge 10.42 to connect/change at East Croydon. Freedom Pass boundary Coulsdon South.
Contact: Edward 07508 149 186 on day.
Morning walk 1.5 miles towards Dormans Park then, via Tandridge Border Path, into Dormansland. After lunch. 4.5 miles via Home Farm, Jules Wood (possibly muddy) and Burnt Pit Farm, taking in lovely views from Sussex Border Path.
