About us
Welcome to Chiltern Explorers a walking social group aiming to do a wide range of guided walks across the Chilterns and further afield exploring other fantastic British countryside.
Most of our walks start at a convenient tube or railway station and aim to get the best deals on any group save tickets for trains and try when possible to look for free car parking giving you as many travel options as possible.
All our walks are well researched, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the lovely scenery or urban views in the company of other like-minded individuals and of course you will be keeping fit. Most walks end with a well-deserved pub stop with a strong social ethos.
The walks are very varied with a relaxed feel, mainly around ten miles and at the weekend but some short walks from seven miles to longer faster paced walks of up to 20 miles and some mid-week walks. We are enthusiastic about photography and encourage sightseeing.
We are twined with a more city urban walking group London Explorers and often do events together. Chiltern explorers is based to the west of London in the gorgeous Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and also does a wide range of weekends away to other UK National Parks and other AONBs.
Chiltern Explorers is unusual for many outdoor meetup groups in that it currently only arranges the walks and leaves the accommodation up to the members giving members the option to go on the days they want and stay according to their budget, many members also car share for trips away. The weekends have a good social atmosphere and comradery.
The country walks have covered the Chiltern and Surrey hills, the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head and the Lake District amongst many others.
IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT WORLD HEALTH CRISIS I AM HOSTING SOME LIVE VIDEO EVENTS ON LONDON EXPLORERS & CHILTERN EXPLORERS MEETUP GROUPS.
I hope you decide to join us!
Upcoming events
14
- £7.00
Ancient Commons, Roman Town & Amphitheatre – Country Hike
Bramley Rail Station, The Street, Bramley, GBWalk length 10miles/16km approx. Circular.
A chance to explore the countryside close to the Hampshire village of Bramley across fields and woodland and sections of nature reserves such as Pamber Forerst and Silchester Common.
The half way point of the hike is close to the remains of Calleva Atrebatum, the site of a once significant Roman and previous Iron Age settlement. The site contains the remains of city walls and an amphitheatre that are free to view and managed by English Heritage.
Lunch and Finish
Please bring a snack lunch (this will probably be on a common close to a pub) and water for the hike which should finish about 4.30pm (time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace.).
there is a pub very close to the station at the end of the walk.This a medium undulating walk.
Meeting: We are meeting at Bramley station for the walk to start at 11.00am (after the train arrives).
By car: There is no car park at Bramley Station however there are a number of side roads that should be free (check for restrictions and leave enough time to park).
By train: The train from London Paddington at 10.03am gets to Bramley for 10.56am (one change at Reading). There are trains fairly late back to London. See National Rail Enquiries (www.nationalrail.co.uk).
I would encourage you to seek other members who can take advantage of a group save on the train and meet from 9.30am outside the WHSmith at Paddington to give you time to get tickets/group save tickets (see photo below). The organizer will not be taking the train but will meet you at Bramley for the start of the hike.
Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.
Train from London approx £23 return with a group save or network railcard discount.
Please make a note of the organizers number - Colin 07709305681.
Walking Safety: Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking boots, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)
COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.
16 attendees - £7.00
Hill Views of Ivinghoe & Dunstable Downs – Long Country Hike
Tring, GBWalk length 20 miles/32 km approx. Circular.
A very panoramic walk that crosses paths over chalk grassland and woodland from Dunstable Downs to Ivinghoe Beacon.
The mid point/lunch stop is close to the National Trust visitor centre at Dunstable Downs The Visitor Centre at Dunstable Downs is 243m (797ft) above sea level and Ivinghoe Beacon stands at 233m (757ft) above sea level, the views from both are fantastic.
Some features on this walk include a chance to see the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral before taking a route along the edge of the Whipsnade Wildlife Park.
The Tree Cathedral was created by Edmund Blyth in memory of fallen comrades after the First World War as a spirit of 'faith, hope and reconciliation, he was inspired by the beauty of a sunlit group of trees seen on the way home from a visit to the Anglican Cathedral at Liverpool. It is now owned by the National Trust.
This walk also follows some of the oldest tracks in Britain, with paths such as the Icknield Way; extending from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Norfolk and a small section of the Ridgeway, 87 miles (139km) long, an ancient chalk ridge route used in prehistoric times.
Meeting: We are meeting outside Tring station (main station car park) for the hike to start after the train from London arrives at 10.02am. Tring Station, Tring HP23 5QS. (please note Tring station has no facilities however there are facilities at the Ashridge Vistor Centre less than and hour into the walk).
The 9.25am train from London Euston arrives at Tring station at 10.02am. Train ticket approx £15.00 using a group save or national railcard. If you want to meet to get any group saves meet close to the ticket office at 9.00am in case you need to queue (photo below). The organizer is not coming by train but will meet you at Tring station.
By car to Tring: The car park at Tring Station is charged at weekends. Other road parking around close to the station is limited. If coming by car you could meet us at Aldbury as there is more off street parking, meet us in the main village green, it is only a small village, if you want to do this be on the green no later than 10.30am when we pass by, the village is 1mile from Tring Station (please let me know you are doing this so I can lookout for you).
Lunch & Finish
Please bring a packed lunch and water for the walk. This walk should finish about 5.00pm and include a 30 min snack lunch stop, however the time maybe earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (this is a complete day event and you are advised not to arrange plans for the evening).
Tring rail station station has no facilities. We pass the Bridgewater monument and Visitor Centre 1.5 miles into the walk.
We are stopping close to the Dunstable Downs Visitor Centre for lunch.
Cost: £7 cash or paypal (colin45@hotmail.co.uk) payable on the day guided walk & meetup costs. You can do paypal or bank transfer if you prefer, please message the organizer. If you do paypal please send as friends and family to avoid charges.Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681..
Walking Safety
Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)
COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.
14 attendees - £7.00
Hughenden Manor, West Wycombe & Hellfire – Country Hike
High Wycombe Rail Station, Amersham Hill, HP13 6NN, High Wycombe, GBWalk length 10miles/16km. Circular.
A scenic walk exploring the countryside close to Hughenden Manor and West Wycombe with a combination of woods and fields.
Hughenden Manor was the home of the famous Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli from 1848 until his death in 1881. He entertained Queen Victoria here in 1877. The house is now owned by the National Trust.
The historic village of West Wycombe is largely owned by the National Trust and features many interesting buildings built between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Mausoleum and Golden Ball above West Wycombe village are impressive local landmarks, visually dominating the village and can be seen for miles.
The old village of West Wycombe and Wycombe Hill supports around 8 ghosts wandering the graveyards, caves and pubs!
West Wycombe hill has been used for a quarry for centuries for roads and houses in the area and the quarrying was extended in the middle of the 18th century to help employ local workers after serious crop failures by Sir Francis Dashwood for his notorious Hellfire Club that may have involved Satanic or Pagan rituals but also a lot of partying!
Lunch & Finish
Please bring a snacks and water for the walk. The walk should finish about 4.30pm and include a pack lunch stop and optional pub at the end, however the time may be earlier than this depending on the weather and pace.We will go for optional drinks at the end of the walk at High Wycombe, the pub is very close to the station.
Meeting
The walks starts outside High Wycombe Rail station at 11.00am after the train from London arrives. We will have a snack lunch stop at West Wycombe village before the return leg to High Wycombe.Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee. For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.
Train: £27.40 return to High Wycombe from London Marylebone but should be about £19 with a group save or network railcard.
Train from London: The 10.12am train from London Marylebone gets to High Wycombe for 10.51am. If coming from London I suggest meeting close to the WHSmiths from 9.40am to give you time to get tickets as you may have to queue (see picture below). Discounts available with network railcard or a groupsave.The organizer will not be getting the train, but will meet you at High Wycombe.
Car: Car parking at High Wycombe is charged but free off street parking is available 10mins walk away (Rectory Avenue or adjacent roads, please check for restrictions before parking).
Please make a note of the organizers number Colin 07709305681
Walking Safety
Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)
COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.
5 attendees - £7.00
The Pegsdon Hills & Hitchin Gap – Long Hilly Country Hike
Hitchin Railway Station, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, GBWalk length 16miles/26km (approx) Circular.
A very scenic hike from the small town of Hitchin past historic villages and nature reserves to the Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve on the border between Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. The town of Hitchin has a wealth of ancient buildings and church dating back to the 13th century.
Hitchin marks the northeast edge of the Chiltern Hills and complements one of our recent walks at Goring-on-Thames that marks the southwest edge some 50 miles away. Both edges are often referred to as the Goring and Hitchin gaps.
The Chiltern Hills form a chalk escarpment north and west from London across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire and are designated officially as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Lunch and Finish
Please bring a packed snack lunch and water for the hike, the walk should finish before 5.00pm, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (this is a complete day event and you are advised not to have definite events planned in the evening).
We will probably have an early lunch close to the small village of Pirton.
THIS IS A DEMANDING HIKE BOTH IN LENGTH AND WITH NUMEROUS HILLS, PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THIS.
Transport & meeting
Meet Outside Hitchin Station for the hike to start at 10.20am (after the train from London). Car parking at the station or free roadside parking maybe available.
If traveling from London meet outside the entrance to London St Pancras station (Midland Road Entrance) from 9.15am to give time to get tickets and groupsaves (see photo below). The 9.46am (platform B, St Pancras) gets to Hitchin for 10.20am (are other London station stops on this line) please check before travel. Discounts available with a groupsave or network railcard.
The organizer is not taking the train from London but will meet the group at Hitchin station.
Train return from £17.00, ask for super off-peak. Could also be a third off with a group save or network railcard.
Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.
Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681.
Walking Safety
Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)
COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE THE ORGANIZER, MANY THANKS.
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