Chiltern Explorers - Hikes, Walking Weekends, Socials

Walk length 13miles/20km approx. Circular.

A scenic largely flat walk exploring Virginia Water which is particularly picturesque during the Autumn.

Virginia Water was created in 1753 and is part of the Great Windsor Park. For many years it was the largest man-made lake in the UK. It is surrounded by extensive woodland, some designated as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) for woodland biodiversity.

The Cascade was created in the 1780s when Virginia Water was extended by George the III. The south bank of the lake has the ruins of a Roman Temple (Leptis Magna), which were given as a gift by Bashaw of Tripoli in 1816 to the then Prince Regent (King George IV). It was originally intended for the ruins to be exhibited at the British Museum.

The lake was drained during World War II so as not to be a target for nearby Windsor. Recently the lake has been used for filming of the Harry Potter films and the largest British catch of a pike at over 58lbs was recorded at the lake.

Five Arch Bridge was built in 1827 and designed by the architect Sir Jeffry Wyattville who was also responsible for extensive alterations and designs at Windsor Castle.

A newer addition to the lake is a 100ft Totem Pole given as a gift from the government of British Colombia.

The walk route from Sunningdale Station to the lake is fairly long however it goes through a section of woodland and past some nice polo fields.

Lunch and Finish: Please bring a packed lunch and water for the walk. The walk should finish at about 4.30pm and include a short pack lunch stop close to the visitor centre, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace. We will have a pub stop close at the end of the walk.

Meeting: Meet outside Sunningdale Rail Station for the walk to start at 10.30am (after the train from London arrives). This is a circular walk and finishes back at Sunningdale Rail Station (very few facilities at Sunningdale station).

Transport

Car: Station Car Park at Sunningdale is £2 on Sunday (limited), free roadside parking close to the station in adjacent roads. (please leave allow enough time to park and check any parking charges and car restrictions).

Train from London: The 9.39am train from London Waterloo gets to Sunningdale for 10.30am.

Please be prompt trains can be busy and you need time to get tickets/group saves. Train from London: Meet outside the main WHSmith on the main concourse at Waterloo Station from 9.00am close to the Pret and ticket information desk to give you time to get tickets/group saves (see photo below).

THE ORGANIZER WILL MEET YOU AT SUNNINGDALE FOR THIS WALK SO YOU NEED TO GET THE TRAIN TICKETS YOURSELVES.

Cost

Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (the host is a qualified London guide). For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.

£12.00 return train approx. with a group save or network railcard discount).

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.

Walk length 11miles/18km approx. Circular.

A chance to explore some Cotswold countryside close to the edge of Oxford with a number of features including the views of Blenheim Palace from Blenheim Park and a chance to enjoy the pretty town of Woodstock for a lunch break and its Festive Fayre.

Blenheim Palace was designed in an English Baroque Style and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Lunch and Finish

Please bring a packed snack lunch and water for the walk or you could get a some food at Woodstock (lunch break is short, 40 mins so please keep food options simple).

This is a medium hike with undulating terrain.

Transport & meeting

Meet outside Hanborough Train Station for walk to start after the train from London arrives at 10.53am.

The 9.50am from London Paddington gets to Hanborough for 10.53am. If you want to meet for groupsaves suggest meeting close to the WHSmith at Paddington (see photo below) at 9.20am to give yourself time to get tickets.

Return train fare is £30 super saver return with a network railcard or about the same price with a groupsave of 3 or more (must travel back together with groupsave).

The organizer is coming by train from High Wycombe and not London so will meet the group at Hanborough.

£7 cash payable on the day guided walk & meetup costs. You can do paypal (colin45@hotmail.co.uk) please use friends and family with paypal to avoid charges. Bank transfer if you prefer, please contact the organizer.

Car

Parking: Hanborough, station car park may charge but local side roads may be free, please check for restrictions and leave enough time to park.
We may use a pub close to Hanborough Station at the end, there are regular trains back to London Paddington.

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 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.

Walk length 11miles/18km approx. Circular.

A chance to explore the beautiful City of Winchester and some of the surrounding countryside including views from St Catherine's Hill.

St Catherine's Hill contains the remains of an old Iron Age hill fort and was the site of a 12th century chapel.

The hike also traverses parts of Twyford Down, Shawford Down and some river sections of the River Itchen.

We can get some drinks at the end of the hike in Winchester and hopefully get a chance to explore the Winchester Cathedral Xmas Market.

THIS HIKE IS MEDIUM IN LENGTH BUT DOES CONTAIN SOME HILL CLIMBS AS WELL AS FLATTER RIVER SECTIONS.

Meeting: Meet outside Winchester Rail Station for the walk to start at 10.35am (after the train from London arrives). This is a circular walk and finishes back at Winchester.

Lunch and Finish: The hike should finish before 4.30pm (finish time may be earlier or later depending on the weather and pace) and include a short pack lunch at the village of Shawford. There is a pub in the village The Bridge Inn however be aware we will not be stopping very long for lunch.

The Xmas market is close to the Cathedral. When you are tired of shopping or want some warmth you can meet the group at the very classy 'The Old Gaolhouse, 11a Jewry Street' for drink and food and it should be reasonably priced.

Transport

Car: Winchester Station Car Park is £3.50 on Saturday. Free street parking may be available on the outskirts of the town but please be aware parking is likely to be busy with Xmas shoppers and the markets.
Train from London: The 9.35am train from London Waterloo gets to Winchester for 10.32am.

Train from London: Meet outside the main WHSmith on the main concourse at Waterloo Station from 8.45am close to the Pret and ticket information desk to give you time to get tickets/group saves (see photo below). The organizer is coming by train.

Please be prompt trains can be busy and we need time to get tickets/group saves.

Cost

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 £25 approx. or less with a network railcard discount or groupsave. Cheaper discounts may also be available online in advance.

Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681.

Walking Safety
Walking is a great way to keep fit & generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit & be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing & shoes with sufficient grip suitable for hiking. Warm & wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food & water. Please see our Terms & 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.