The Greensand Way Section 1 - Ashford to Ham Street

This is a make up/ catch up walk for people who missed this section in January or would like to try it again at this time of year. The walk will be hosted by Darek.

Section 1 – 11 miles

The end time given for this event is the approximate time of arrival at Ham Street Station at the end of the hike.

Please read the Three Golden Rules (https://www.meetup.com/Joined-Up-Hiking/pages/Golden_Rules/) of Joined Up Hiking.

Are you OK with those? All right, then you may continue...

This is a relatively short 10.5 mile hike with a pub stop for lunch. We will walk from Ashford to Ham Street village. We are going to stop for lunch in the Queen's Head in Kingsnorth, which is about half-way. Most of the walk is flat but the rail fare is quite steep even with a group discount so make sure you can manage the total cost of the day including lunch in the pub.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/c/d/a/600_277451482.jpeg Some general recommendations and tips (https://www.meetup.com/Joined-Up-Hiking/about/).

Full Itinerary with Estimated Timings

Meet Up: Arrive between 9:10 and 9:25 at St Pancras Station, by the ticket office. Get into groups of 4 for buying tickets.

The ticket offices:

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/c/8/2/event_191444162.jpeg

We will meet around here, opposite the ticket offices:

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/c/2/event_191444482.jpeg

Buy Ticket: Off-peak day return to return to Ham Street. £33.30 for one adult down to £16.65 each in a group of 4.

Outward Travel: 9:42 a.m. train from St Pancras International platform 13 to Ashford International, arriving at 10:20.

If it’s more convenient you could board the train at Stratford International at 9:48. You would need to arrange a group of 3 or 4 with others travelling from that station to get the discount.

Meet for Start of Hike: From 10:20 to 10:30 a.m. at Ashford International railway station.

Part 1: 6 miles. 2 hours 5 minutes

Lunch Stop: We’ll have a booking for lunch in a pub and stay an hour or so. The menu is cheap and cheerful (£4 - £9) rather than haute cuisine.

Part 2: 5 miles. 1 hour 45 minutes

End of Hike: Arrive at Ham Street railway station by 16:00.

Return Travel: 16:10 to Ashford International, arriving at 16.18. Then from Ashford 16.43 (platform 5) to London St Pancras, arriving 17.21.

Post Hike Refreshment: For those who wish to reward their hiking efforts there is a pub in Ham Street village. For those of us stopping for a drink the trains are at 17:10 and 18:10.